Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Front End Support => MaLa Frontend => Topic started by: loadman on July 14, 2006, 05:39:21 pm

Title: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: loadman on July 14, 2006, 05:39:21 pm
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
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: Circo on July 14, 2006, 10:23:11 pm
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.
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: loadman on July 14, 2006, 11:38:43 pm
Quote
I added the .txt extension so that I could attach it. 

No .txt file appears to be there.    :(
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: Circo on July 15, 2006, 12:43:20 am
Its the 3 ninja's kick back link right above the first picture
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: loadman on July 15, 2006, 01:00:42 am
Quote
Its the 3 ninja's kick back link right above the first picture
:banghead: 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
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: Circo on July 15, 2006, 10:48:48 pm
Any chance serial lcd support will ever be added to MALA? 
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: loadman on July 16, 2006, 02:49:06 am
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   8)

LOOK HERE (http://character-lcd-lcds.shopeio.com/inventory/catalog.asp?ACTION=2&cat=Lcds&sub=Character%20Lcd)
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: Circo on July 16, 2006, 02:58:44 am
OMG Your right, um I see changes soon.  Wow thats cheap!
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: Circo on July 16, 2006, 03:23:43 am
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!
Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: gamecreature on July 16, 2006, 08:15:12 am
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. :D

Title: Re: MaLa and LCD's
Post by: loadman on July 20, 2006, 07:49:15 am
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