MaLa and LCD's

[loadman]

I have been so busy on the emumovies project that I have not had any time to install any other front ends.  I do have one question about mala though.  I use a 4x40 lcd to display the different controls used for different games/emulators.   MameWAH uses .lcd files to send instructions to the display.  Does Mala do the same thing?  The reason why it is so important is that I have spent countless hours creating those .lcd files for the different systems/games and it is not something that I could or would want to start over on.

You would have to do some work I would imagine.
Can you please send me your .lcd file for my own interest ?

MaLa sends the instructions/text on the fly to the lcd. You just have to create some line/screen templates with placeholder and MaLa will replace the placeholder for you when selecting/starting a game.

Here is the list of all placeholder (in german but I think you can understand) you can use:

Game values (Standard Mame Informationen):

- Buttons (~g_buttons): Anzahl der ben

[Circo]

I am attaching an .lcd file for your review.  I use textpad to edit and create because it supports the ascii control codes that the display uses.  Mamewah just reads the file information and sends it directly to the lcd.  I will admit that it is a severe pain to create all of the files but it works great.  I added the .txt extension so that I could attach it. 

Edit: I also am including the pdf of the manual, control codes are listed on page 3 if you are interested.

[loadman]

I added the .txt extension so that I could attach it. 

No .txt file appears to be there.   

[Circo]

Its the 3 ninja's kick back link right above the first picture

[loadman]

Its the 3 ninja's kick back link right above the first picture

I knew that. ......and thanks

You litterally have to make up the screen for every game do you?

Yeah MaLa is a bit more clever with the use of LCD. It's very similar to making a layout. You choose what 'fields' you want and where ,and then mala does the rest depending on what game you are playing or selected. Very quick and easy to set-up

I would say in your case... stay with what you have
1) Your LCD users a serial interface and MaLa uses parallel
2) "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Thanks again for the info

[Circo]

Any chance serial lcd support will ever be added to MALA? 

[loadman]

Any chance serial lcd support will ever be added to MALA? 

A question for SWINDUS but I say

Why would you bother when Parallel ones are so cheap. I bought two when I first started in case I blew one up   

LOOK HERE

[Circo]

OMG Your right, um I see changes soon.  Wow thats cheap!

[Circo]

Ok I just ordered a couple of items    I just couldn't help myself!

The first thing is the insanely cool 6.4" LG TFT display, did I mention it was only $40!!!!

The second is another 4x40 display.  If I did decide to use Mala I wouldn't want my display just not work, and the different outputs are interesting.  And that was only $35, the one I use costs around $200 at seetron and it is the same thing???

Not sure yet how I will use the screen but I will find a way.  hehehe!

[gamecreature]

That definitely looks cool. Someday I'm going to put an LCD display in my cab, but I just don't have the cash right now (gotta sell more art!)

I've got a graphics card that supports dual monitors (including composite video). It would be cool to set up an LCD like the LG as a second monitor to show preview videos and game control input.

[loadman]

Ok I just ordered a couple of items    I just couldn't help myself!
The first thing is the insanely cool 6.4" LG TFT display, did I mention it was only $40!!!!
The second is another 4x40 display. 

The LedWiz mod won't drive a 4x40 display (only up to 4x20)

To drive anything higher than that you need to use MaLa Hardware