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ColorDMD

productactive36 mentionsFirst seen Mar 22, 2016Last seen Apr 3, 2026

Profile

Color DMD is an aftermarket display upgrade product that replaces monochrome DMD (Dot Matrix Display) screens on classic pinball machines with color LCD/LED displays. The product has been available since at least 2016 and is compatible with DMD-era machines from various manufacturers including Bally, Sega, and Stern systems. It costs under $500 and has become a popular restoration enhancement, with game-specific implementations available for titles like Star Trek TNG, Circus Voltaire, Jurassic Park, Road Show, and Space Jam.

Aliases

Color DMD

Relationships

No relationships

Facts

  • achievementJohn Dozier performed color graphics work for Space Jam Color DMD varianthighfrom 2024-04-15
  • affiliationCreated by Greg Benhigh
  • attributeCosts under $500highfrom 2025-12-16
  • attributeCompatible with Star Trek SAM System pinball machineshigh
  • attributeAftermarket LCD color screen replacement for classic DMD-era pinball machineshigh
  • attributeCompatible with Circus Voltaire pinball machineshigh
  • attributeCompatible with Jurassic Park The Lost World pinball machines

Claims (17)

  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD announced Ghostbusters as their latest title at Pinball Expo 2018

    Source: Pinball News photographerPINBALL EXPO 2018 - SUNDAY
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD was received within two days of ordering

    Source: Zach SharpeSDTM: How To Install a ColorDMD into a Pinball Machine. Order yours now at ColorDMD.com
  • opinionhigh

    ColorDMD installation is straightforward enough for home enthusiasts to perform

    Source: Zach SharpeSDTM: How To Install a ColorDMD into a Pinball Machine. Order yours now at ColorDMD.com
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD installation kit includes necessary hardware (spacers, male adapter cable, ground cable)

Recent Mentions (36)

  • Third competitor color display option; LED and LCD variants; LED costs $439 USD, LCD costs $479 USD; supports ~64 colors per frame

    There's a New Pinball Color Display Option in Town! And it's Amazing! PPUC/DMDApr 3, 2026
  • Premium aftermarket color display upgrade for pinball machines; more refined software than Pin to DMD; more expensive option

    The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 66 Summer BreakAug 27, 2024
  • Aftermarket display upgrade manufacturer; now offering LED option at $369 (reduced from $399)

    Episode 4 – Hotdoggin at ReplayFXAug 4, 2016
  • Aftermarket display upgrade; new super DMD (large version) will be shown at Texas Pinball Festival in Baywatch; currently retailing ~$550 new

    Episode 82 – Hold Up Your WeightMar 15, 2018
  • Aftermarket display modification; described as 'one of the greatest mods'; upgrades standard red DMD to full color; installed on Drew's Black Rose and Metallica machines.

    Episode 4 Drew Wants a Willy!Apr 10, 2019
  • Colorized LED replacement display system for pinball machines, supports 80+ machines including Baywatch, Frankenstein, and Monster Bash

Contradictions

  • Existing: Color DMD is created/produced by Greg BenvsConflicting: Mention 4 states 'created by Greg Ben' but the phrasing is ambiguous - it could refer to Greg Ben as the creator of the product or just the person who had it installed on his machine
    Unresolved

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

medium
  • attributeCompatible with Road Show pinball machinesmedium
  • attributeCompatible with Scared Stiff pinball machinesmedium
  • attributeReplaces monochrome DMD with multi-color LED displayhigh
  • Source: Zach SharpeSDTM: How To Install a ColorDMD into a Pinball Machine. Order yours now at ColorDMD.com
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD is compatible with Bally, Harry Williams, and other pinball machine manufacturers

    Source: Zach SharpeSDTM: How To Install a ColorDMD into a Pinball Machine. Order yours now at ColorDMD.com
  • factualhigh

    Proper grounding of ColorDMD bracket is critical for electrical safety

    Source: ColorDMD installation documentation (cited by Sharpe)SDTM: How To Install a ColorDMD into a Pinball Machine. Order yours now at ColorDMD.com
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD ships in grayscale and requires USB firmware update to display color

    Source: Zach SharpeSDTM: How To Install a ColorDMD into a Pinball Machine. Order yours now at ColorDMD.com
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD has Flintstones and Avengers display conversions at the festival

    Source: Dead Flip[STABILIZED] Texas Pinball Festival Walkthrough! #Pinball #Streaming
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD doubled number of supported titles in 2015, adding 15 new games

    Source: ArticleREVIEW OF THE YEAR 2015
  • factualhigh

    Twilight Zone cannot support ColorDMD because the game layers animations on top of each other rather than sending full DMD frames, breaking the color detection processor

    Source: Sean Don CarlosDrunken Farmer
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD has released 18 color display packages including recent Stern machine additions like The Simpsons Pinball Party and Lord of the Rings

    Source: Sean Don CarlosDrunken Farmer
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD installation takes approximately 10 minutes per machine due to low-voltage (5/12V) design eliminating complex driver board integration

    Source: Sean Don CarlosDrunken Farmer
  • factualmedium

    ColorDMD's final 10-15% of animation coloring work requires equivalent labor to the initial 85-90%, constraining production pipeline for niche titles

    Source: Sean Don Carlos (reporting Chris Enright's explanation)Drunken Farmer
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD produced a promotional video for Star Trek: TNG

    Source: Pinball NewsColordmd Announces Next Title
  • factualhigh

    Star Trek: TNG ColorDMD was expected to be available mid-to-late February 2013

    Source: Pinball NewsColordmd Announces Next Title
  • factualhigh

    Star Trek: The Next Generation is the fourth title in the ColorDMD range

    Source: Pinball NewsColordmd Announces Next Title
  • factualhigh

    ColorDMD operates with unknown physical address but maintains online parts sales and international shipping

    Source: Directory listingTHE DIRECTORY
  • INDISC 2019 - Main Playoffs - Finals
    Apr 23, 2020
  • Hardware and software platform for colorizing pinball machine displays. Founded by Randy Perlow and Chris Enright. Offers both LCD and LED display options for retrofitting classic pinball machines.

    Episode 9: It's just filling in the dots...Nov 30, 2017
  • Sponsor of INDISC 2020; produces multi-colored display replacements for pinball games since 2012; supports 95+ games

    INDISC 2020 - The Open - Initial RoundsJan 8, 2022
  • Sponsor of main division; produces multicolor DMD displays for pinball machines; supports 83 games since 2012

    INDISC 2019 - Main Qualifying - Final HourApr 19, 2020
  • Sponsor of INDISC 2019 Main Division; produces multicolor display systems for pinball machines supporting multiple platforms

    INDISC 2019 - Main Playoffs - SemifinalsApr 22, 2020
  • Aftermarket digital display upgrade for pinball machines with multiple anti-aliasing filter options

    S301: Ghostbusters (Stern) ProJun 24, 2020
  • Aftermarket color dot matrix display upgrade for pinball machines; replaces monochrome DMD with color LCD display; requires USB firmware update after installation

    SDTM: How To Install a ColorDMD into a Pinball Machine. Order yours now at ColorDMD.comJun 28, 2017
  • Digital display upgrade manufacturer; praised for rapid customer support

    SDTM Episode 31: This Month In Pinside (August 2017)Aug 29, 2017
  • Aftermarket display upgrade for pinball machines; referenced as historical innovation comparable to Pin Stadium Lights

    SDTM Mod Install: Pin Stadium LightsSep 29, 2017
  • Aftermarket upgrade gift installed on Lost World machine; product by Randy Perlow

    Sharing Gifts: An SDTM UnboxingDec 24, 2020
  • Vendor at Texas Pinball Festival with booth; sells color DMD upgrades (referenced for The Flintstones and Avengers games)

    Texas Pinball Festival Walk-through 2016!Mar 22, 2016
  • Vendor booth at festival showcasing display conversions for pinball machines

    [STABILIZED] Texas Pinball Festival Walkthrough! #Pinball #StreamingMar 22, 2016
  • Display upgrade for pinball machines; Jack mentions installing in his Roadshow machine and wanting to upgrade others

    Star Trek The Next Aggrivation | Logan Arcade, Chicago ILApr 5, 2017
  • Aftermarket display upgrade for Data East Star Wars that improves visuals significantly

    Star Wars Data East | Aug 31st, 2017Sep 5, 2017
  • Aftermarket color display upgrade for pinball machines; available in LED and LCD versions; supports increasing game library including Gottlieb titles

    How to Install a ColorDMD in Your Pinball MachineDec 22, 2021
  • Color dot-matrix display upgrade installed in the backbox

    Johnny Mnemonic Pinball Restoration: FinaleMar 21, 2023
  • Color dot matrix display upgrade supplier

    The Getaway Restoration: FINALEApr 8, 2020
  • Manufacturer of aftermarket colorized DMD displays priced at $400; considered essential mod by many pinball enthusiasts; cannot be installed in MMR machines

    Episode 13 - Pabst, Colorization, Pokémon, and Mars AttacksAug 18, 2016
  • Aftermarket color display upgrade ranked as #1 value-adding mod

    5 Mods that Increase Your Pinball Machine ValueNov 16, 2023
  • Aftermarket display modification product, manufactured by member of Orange County Pinball League known to caller Andrew

    Harry Nutter and the Call-in CollectorAug 2, 2016
  • Aftermarket upgrade for pinball DMD displays; John Dozier did color work for Space Jam Color DMD

    Episode 26 - Die on this Hill: Space JamApr 15, 2024
  • Aftermarket upgrade system replacing monochrome DMD with multi-color LED display; installed on Circus Voltaire at tournament

    Blab is Dead. Long Live Blab.Aug 16, 2016
  • Display upgrade already installed in Road Show machine

    New Road Show Pinball Machine Pickup - It Needed Work!Jan 8, 2026
  • Aftermarket color display modification; files reportedly exist for Lost World

    Part 9: 1997 Sega Jurassic Park The Lost World Gameplay. Testing & Learning the rules.Dec 31, 2025
  • Aftermarket enhancement mod installed in this Circus Voltaire to replace orange dot display with color graphics

    1997 Bally Cirqus Voltaire Gameplay / Tutorial & demo of all the features!Feb 8, 2026
  • Aftermarket digital display upgrade; featured on Ken's Shadow; praised for visual quality; noted as available upgrade for Pitch and Bat

    The Grasley Garage! 7 more pinball machines acquired!Feb 13, 2026
  • LCD color DMD solution mentioned for Star Trek TNG scorecards; created by Greg Ben

    A day of Pinball Adventures & I take Barry to his new home!Dec 18, 2025
  • Aftermarket LCD color screen replacement for classic DMD-era pinball machines

    How To Install a Color DMD into Stern Star Trek SAM System Pinball Machine!Sep 5, 2025
  • Display upgrade technology; added to Greg's Scared Stiff restoration; described as bringing restoration 'to the next level'

    EP 15 - Is Pinball Restoration a Rip-Off?Dec 4, 2025
  • Display upgrade for DMD-era machines; costs under $500; hosts have on X-Men

    026 - Accessories: Cool or A Cash Grab?Dec 16, 2025
  • LED display technology; Eric did previous programming work identifying graphics timing and overlap logic

    Meet The Team... Eric Priepke - Winchester Mystery House - Software Engineering & ProgrammingOct 30, 2025