Post #1 · Posted at 2023-12-23 07:48:34am 4.1 months ago
 mik3ca | |
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Member |
| 6 Posts | |
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| Reg. 2019-11-07 | |
Ok I found the perfect setup for lights on DDR and the price isn't ridiculous either if you know what you're doing.
Here's what you need to do:
1. Get an OLD computer. I mean a computer that still has the 25-pin parallel port (LPT) connector.
You can probably find one on craigslist or kijiji for $50-$100.
2. Wipe out the contents of the computer and install Linux. I used Slackware 14.2
3. Go to https://openitg.gr-p.com/ and download Open ITG beta 2 for Linux. (Its towards the bottom of the page) Or go here: https://openitg.gr-p.com/full-linux/OpenITG%20beta%202%20linux.zip.
You want an old enough version so things work without having to buy a new machine (which defeats our purpose because new machines don't have built-in parallel ports).
4. unzip the package to a folder
5. Edit Stepmania.ini in the Data sub folder and make sure a line LightsDriver=LinuxParallel exists in that file. (add it if it doesn't).
6. Build the circuit shown. I made mine compact on a PCB but if you're careful you can hack one up with a breadboard or you could buy breakout boards and connect parts to that.
7. Restart the computer and check dmesg log file to make sure it reports that the parallel port is enabled in the system (it should give an address - most likely 0x378 address)
If you do everything right, you plug in the board and you give the board the right power, then when openITG starts up, the lights will be alternating until the song starts then they will start to go in sync with the song.
Here's some notes if you want to use my circuit specifically:
Most LED lights should be 10mm or more, and they need to be rated as ultrabright. Look for ones rated for 5000 MCD or higher. The other lights are player select lights and one is the power light that always stays on. these lights can be small and don't need to have a high MCD rating. You can get a handful on ebay for cheap.
The resistor bar is an SIP bar of 10K.
The other resistors are 1/4 watt 2.2K to prevent the parallel port from being damaged.
All Transistors can be 2N3904's. 2N2222's are ok, but it might affect light response speed.
The chip near the power adapter can be LM2940CT to reduce voltage drop and may produce less heat. an 7805 will also work if you use a higher voltage adapter. Don't go too high with the power unless you want to use heavy heatsinks.
It's best to use a 6V adapter C+ style (where middle hole is +ve and outer barrel is -ve)
Hopefully everything else is self-explanatory.
Here's what you need to do:
1. Get an OLD computer. I mean a computer that still has the 25-pin parallel port (LPT) connector.
You can probably find one on craigslist or kijiji for $50-$100.
2. Wipe out the contents of the computer and install Linux. I used Slackware 14.2
3. Go to https://openitg.gr-p.com/ and download Open ITG beta 2 for Linux. (Its towards the bottom of the page) Or go here: https://openitg.gr-p.com/full-linux/OpenITG%20beta%202%20linux.zip.
You want an old enough version so things work without having to buy a new machine (which defeats our purpose because new machines don't have built-in parallel ports).
4. unzip the package to a folder
5. Edit Stepmania.ini in the Data sub folder and make sure a line LightsDriver=LinuxParallel exists in that file. (add it if it doesn't).
6. Build the circuit shown. I made mine compact on a PCB but if you're careful you can hack one up with a breadboard or you could buy breakout boards and connect parts to that.
7. Restart the computer and check dmesg log file to make sure it reports that the parallel port is enabled in the system (it should give an address - most likely 0x378 address)
If you do everything right, you plug in the board and you give the board the right power, then when openITG starts up, the lights will be alternating until the song starts then they will start to go in sync with the song.
Here's some notes if you want to use my circuit specifically:
Most LED lights should be 10mm or more, and they need to be rated as ultrabright. Look for ones rated for 5000 MCD or higher. The other lights are player select lights and one is the power light that always stays on. these lights can be small and don't need to have a high MCD rating. You can get a handful on ebay for cheap.
The resistor bar is an SIP bar of 10K.
The other resistors are 1/4 watt 2.2K to prevent the parallel port from being damaged.
All Transistors can be 2N3904's. 2N2222's are ok, but it might affect light response speed.
The chip near the power adapter can be LM2940CT to reduce voltage drop and may produce less heat. an 7805 will also work if you use a higher voltage adapter. Don't go too high with the power unless you want to use heavy heatsinks.
It's best to use a 6V adapter C+ style (where middle hole is +ve and outer barrel is -ve)
Hopefully everything else is self-explanatory.