The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => General Pinball Discussion => Topic started by: Caveoftreasures on January 06, 2015, 05:02:45 AM
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Photo added and Trending on Sterns Facebook page and their normal www.sternpinballl.com
website is the announcement of their new Wi Fi 2015 Boardset.
The pictures showed it in a TWDead test game and the new Wrestlemania game. Everything looks wired via Cat 5 cables under the playfield. Gone are the days of 2 kilometres of playfield wiring.
Will this new technology make everyone else redesign their games ?
Now every one else will have to match the Wi Fi code updates etc to keep up.
Stay tuned for more members to add more stuff from the websites.
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Update - yes, the new wrestling pinny has the new system board and new hardware underneath the hood.
A lot of new hardware.
Movies on YouTube and Facebook of the new WrestleMania pinball and the new board and new hardware.
Playfield lighting looks dam good. Really colourful lighting and playfield colours.
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http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/5/7492891/wrestlemania-pinball-machine-stern-linux
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Well done. I couldn't link the movie whilst driving. Dumb I.phone. Lol
Only a short movie but still good. Tiny board.
Can't see any strings of Leds in the backbox on Sterns only photo of the new board in the backbox unless I am missing it ?
Also in the same photo above, the playfield is upside down because the ball trough is at the top and not the bottom....
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Looks like it is a custom board running an embedded controller with Linux as the OS?
Time will reveal more but FAR more promising than using a cheap $50 PC part that's for sure.
I'm not sure I would call ANYTHING electronic "Spike" however, asking for trouble , LOL
......Brett, STOP playing with your phone while driving, it's dangerous AND against the law!!!
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Mike, I was playing with my phone instead of the Gal I was dropping home. Lol
Only kidding. &&
When someone copies Sterns entire press release, we can study what it all means.
It sounds like a computer in the last half of the release but not in the first half.
I don't know what it is yet. Lol
I am dying to fly down to AMD and look under the playfield and behind the translite.
People on USA Facebook seem to be loving it. ? ! ! In the next few days someone will work out exactly what it is.
Yes, SPIKE is a funny name for something electrical. Spiked usually relates to blown up. Lol
Maybe the name is meant to SPIKE our interest ! Plus My drink got spiked etc. Weird name.
Personally, I would have called it SMART. Or STERNSMART
How about a new PLAYBOY pinny from Stern.
I am sure the American Church system would love a Playboy pinny next to a The Walking Dead pinball on every Sunday.
Wrestling now seems very acceptable. Lol
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Maybe an acronym for
Stern Pinball Industries Knowledge Expo or something.
Cavey, watch those mobiles, they cost you points.
The bird distaction pleases you and gives you points. BIG difference!
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Looking good so far :)
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Maybe an acronym for
Stern Pinball Industries Knowledge Expo or something.
Cavey, watch those mobiles, they cost you points.
The bird distaction pleases you and gives you points. BIG difference!
^^^
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At last... a 48 in1 board in a pinball machine &&
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Glad that they are stepping it up and having WiFi so you can hopefully do things like updates, on line tournaments etc etc.
Don't know what Linux and motherboards are but lets hope they are more reliable. Their salesman was saying in an interview that this new board set has built in protection, but what?
Glad I kept all my telco tools as I might be able to fix these in years to come !@#
Pinball moving forward and doing what it does best, pleasing the punters.
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Sterns labour cost just halved with little wires only to solder and cat 5 cables to simply plug in.
Easy easy easy.
Now things will get exciting.
And three times the floor space at the new factory to run 3 production lines at once if required.
Pump up the volume and manufacturing costs and time per machine reduced significantly. Excellent.
Will Vault editions switch to this system.
Can Star Trek n Mustang n ACDC etc etc go to the new technology ? Will Future TWDead orders go new tech SPIKE TM ?
Email time to Borgy.
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Sterns labour cost just halved with little wires only to solder and cat 5 cables to simply plug in.
Easy easy easy.
Now things will get exciting.
And three times the floor space at the new factory to run 3 production lines at once if required.
Pump up the volume and manufacturing costs and time per machine reduced significantly. Excellent.
Will Vault editions switch to this system.
Can Star Trek n Mustang n ACDC etc etc go to the new technology ? Will Future TWDead orders go new tech SPIKE TM ?
Email time to Borgy.
Yes, I was wondering if SPIKE emulates Whitestar and SAM, so the possibility of making VE games of titles such as Lord of the Rings and The Simpsons Pinball Party much easier?
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I have posted this before, but this system has been around for a while - here is a pic of an ACDC i had a look at around 18 months ago, so yes, the systems are doable, however would require a completely new wiring loom and under playfield boardset and lighting system.
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and look at the flipper coils, 2 windings not a single winding
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and look at the flipper coils, 2 windings not a single winding
surely not! have they realised finally?
man your eyes are firkin good ^^^
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I once took my ACDC Pro to a one day tournament. It ran non stop for a 8 hour period with the flippers and every other part on the machine copping an extra flogging.
I quickly cleaned the balls and gave the playfield a clean each hour. Nothing ever got hot and nothing ever played up.
The existing hardware works perfectly. Any improvements over this are a bonus. Prob got a whole years worth of my home playing in only one day. They are built well. Even in current form. Just some feedback.
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I once took my ACDC Pro to a one day tournament. It ran non stop for a 8 hour period with the flippers and every other part on the machine copping an extra flogging.
I quickly cleaned the balls and gave the playfield a clean each hour. Nothing ever got hot and nothing ever played up.
The existing hardware works perfectly. Any improvements over this are a bonus. Prob got a whole years worth of my home playing in only one day. They are built well. Even in current form. Just some feedback.
Just don't hold the flippers too long then, you'll see!
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I once took my ACDC Pro to a one day tournament. It ran non stop for a 8 hour period with the flippers and every other part on the machine copping an extra flogging.
I quickly cleaned the balls and gave the playfield a clean each hour. Nothing ever got hot and nothing ever played up.
The existing hardware works perfectly. Any improvements over this are a bonus. Prob got a whole years worth of my home playing in only one day. They are built well. Even in current form. Just some feedback.
Just don't hold the flippers too long then, you'll see!
+ LIKE
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Sterns labour cost just halved with little wires only to solder and cat 5 cables to simply plug in.
Easy easy easy.
Now things will get exciting.
And three times the floor space at the new factory to run 3 production lines at once if required.
Pump up the volume and manufacturing costs and time per machine reduced significantly. Excellent.
Will Vault editions switch to this system.
Can Star Trek n Mustang n ACDC etc etc go to the new technology ? Will Future TWDead orders go new tech SPIKE TM ?
Email time to Borgy.
Will this 50% reduction in manufacturing costs be passed on to customers ?
There is no way Stern or AMD can hide behind the AUS$ if this game does not have a serious price drop to reflect their manufacturing costs being halved.
Not 100% sure on this - But the license for AC/DC has expired. They would have to sign up a new agreement - which would be the smart thing to do. Stern would not waste their time with Mustang, as distributors can't move this lemon. TWD Premiums might have missed the boat on this new tech ?
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I once took my ACDC Pro to a one day tournament. It ran non stop for a 8 hour period with the flippers and every other part on the machine copping an extra flogging.
I quickly cleaned the balls and gave the playfield a clean each hour. Nothing ever got hot and nothing ever played up.
The existing hardware works perfectly. Any improvements over this are a bonus. Prob got a whole years worth of my home playing in only one day. They are built well. Even in current form. Just some feedback.
Just don't hold the flippers too long then, you'll see!
Yep, the missus popped a transistor on my Tron holding the flipper for to long while she joined a mate an I in a conversation. She may have been a little intoxicated at the time, so I cut her some slack...... :lol
Definitely don't hold the flipper for extended periods of time.
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I once took my ACDC Pro to a one day tournament. It ran non stop for a 8 hour period with the flippers and every other part on the machine copping an extra flogging.
I quickly cleaned the balls and gave the playfield a clean each hour. Nothing ever got hot and nothing ever played up.
The existing hardware works perfectly. Any improvements over this are a bonus. Prob got a whole years worth of my home playing in only one day. They are built well. Even in current form. Just some feedback.
Just don't hold the flippers too long then, you'll see!
Yep, the missus popped a transistor on my Tron holding the flipper for to long while she joined a mate an I in a conversation. She may have been a little intoxicated at the time, so I cut her some slack...... :lol
Definitely don't hold the flipper for extended periods of time.
stern's are definitely not made for women. Still haven't met one who doesn't take 10 minutes to say something that would take a guy about four words.
I'm guessing you would never see a current stern having coding like on a tz where you can put it in 'pause mode' with the flipper up.
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What about Sterns research and development costs ? They can't just instantly drop prices dramatically. It's not realistic. They also have to pay for a new factory which is three times the size. Someone has to bear the cost of the millions upon millions it's all going to cost. All these new staff for the design and manufacturing team aren't going to be cheap either.
Also, I have played the Mustang Pinny and it is far from a lemon. It's a excellent Playfield and a very enjoyable game. Not every game is going to sell like ACDC did. Mustang is an outstanding player.
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Looks like it is a custom board running an embedded controller with Linux as the OS?
Time will reveal more but FAR more promising than using a cheap $50 PC part that's for sure.
Seeing the big stink you made about anything even remotely pc related?
you even scoffed at the idea of Linux or windows based pinball's now you see even stern moving in that direction and you have changed your tune
having your cake and eating it too it seems?
But I will agree with you here, it is good to see they are moving on with Technology in a pinball, seems you arnt against the technology it seems you are more against other companies you dont like using it.
This is stern playing catch up right here as far as technology
but still better late than never ^^^
Maybe you better start looking at Linux or windows based games your self, thats JJP and Stern with networkable machines,
there is plenty of potential in game play for both those new machines that have network ability dont you think?
Regards Rich
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Looks like it is a custom board running an embedded controller with Linux as the OS?
Time will reveal more but FAR more promising than using a cheap $50 PC part that's for sure.
Seeing the big stink you made about anything even remotely pc related?
you even scoffed at the idea of Linux or windows based pinball's now you see even stern moving in that direction and you have changed your tune
having your cake and eating it too it seems?
But I will agree with you here, it is good to see they are moving on with Technology in a pinball, seems you arnt against the technology it seems you are more against other companies you dont like using it.
This is stern playing catch up right here as far as technology
but still better late than never ^^^
Maybe you better start looking at Linux or windows based games your self, thats JJP and Stern with networkable machines,
there is plenty of potential in game play for both those new machines that have network ability dont you think?
Regards Rich
First - how about you refrain from attempting to "say what I think"
Second this boardset (from what has been shown so far) IS NOT PC RELATED AT ALL, do you get that?
It appears to be an embedded processor running linux (from reports) so this would make it very similar to many smartphones, more specifically Android smartphones (80% of the smartphone market despite the hype from Apple).
I don't give a toss about what other companies are doing or using, I'm just not that interested and I am certainly not bothered. If you think I am then you are deluding yourself.
I am running my own race and doing my own things the way I think they should be done that best suits MY business. I assume the others are also doing what they consider to be the best for their respective businesses.
Let me make it so clear that you cannot possibly misunderstand what I am saying -
I do not care what others use, I DO care if they use what I and many other technical people consider to be a dumb setup (using $50 PC motherboards) and thus deceiving the public into thinking they are getting something special when they are not. PC motherboards DO NOT make an industrial or commercial machine and this has been proven time and time again. Many who have been in the amusement industry for as long as I have, have seen the fallout from this but some others choose to ignore it.
Clear enough?
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I have been out of the industry for 10 years now, but in my last year or two saw the boutique cnc machine tool builders enter the market and was that a nightmare. They used pc based stuff and it was like being part of the r&d dept everytime things went wrong. Parts replacements were the same. Get a replacement lcd and find they changed supplier and the plugs are arse about. Not very professional at all. That's what is worrying me about the new guys. I love moving forward but would feel more comfortable if a big player did it. In my example people like fanuc or mazak, or in pinball, stern or williams. It would give me a little more confidence that these guys had the dollar backing to maybe look after me in the future......but no guarantee of course......you still take a risk with pc tech forever leaping forward
Btw I'm not a ipad 1 or holden mark 1or dos 3.00 kinda a guy. More ipad2 holden mark3 or dos 3.1 or 3.2. At least you hope most of the bugs are sorted etc
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from what I have read it is the Spike TM system is the same one that was used in The PIN with linux on a particular chip in that board. It then links to 4-5 other small computer boards under the playfield to then control all the functions.
like what Rob said while Stern are going strong there will be spares to keep machines going.
I am more concerned about games that run lcd's like JJP and Heighway, what happens when the lcd dies in a few years time and you can't get that model anymore or if the company closes then all lcd stock will dry up then you will have a game that loses alot of it's features and scoring. I still like my dmd, symbolic of the era.
I like where Fast Pinball is going with having a dedicated circuit board with a socket for a beagle bone black or a plug for a Raspberry PI to cable connect. Then the code and dmd art is stored in the mini computer and runs via python via Mission Pinballs Framework. If you get a game with this unit in it, you can simply buy 1-2 spare beagles or PI's and store in the pinball spare parts box for $50 each.
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Just to use a small example of pin2000 and its no biggy if you are savvy, but my rfm has a different monitor manufacturer to my swep1. To put my replacement new WG brand monitor into the rfm, I need to reconfigure the plugs. Not so for the swep1as it has an old WG but both games involve structural mounting mods to get the new crt in. So I think this illustrates how even Williams changed their minds on pc hardware that didn't make the rfm spare plug and play and that was in one year.
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It appears to be an embedded processor running linux (from reports) so this would make it very similar to many smartphones, more specifically Android smartphones (80% of the smartphone market despite the hype from Apple).
Yer and smart phones and tablets are so much more reliable than a PC.
you wanna talk about throw away tech? talk about Smart phones and Tablets.
Your Rant was about how hard it is to repair main boards for the regular guy.
the regular guy doesn't fix tablets or Smartphone boards do they?
And those boards on Smart phones and tabs are so easy for the regular punter to fix, because they fix them by opening the lid of the bin
What data is out there to say Sterns new boards are more reliable than a PC board anyways?
Its easier to fix a Pc than a smart phone, eg loss of sound on a pc board then you can replace a sound card.
if sound is lost on a board that has everything built into it whats the fix? A full board?
Video dies on a Pc, well you replace the video card you could even upgrade the video card at the same time
WHat do you have do to fix dead video on a board that has everything embedded into it like this? buy a full new board?
Everything you used as an argument on your rant is a problem on this board and even more so because it is all embedded onto one board.
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i just had to repair a stern white star board with an intermittent sound fault, the fix was 1 SMD chip bought from stern via amd. the cost of 1 chip was $120
if i had got mt fault finding wrong i would have been out of pocket $120.
give me a through hole board with eproms any day over an smd board with smd dedicated I.C.s
even intermittent faults on the SAM cpu board are a nightmare
so what happens when stern decide they are no longer going to sell the I.C's for the whitestar boards or they become unavailable
there is one regulator on the white star board that doesn't even have a stern part number according to the manual and i cant find a replacement anywhere (yet)
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i just had to repair a stern white star board with an intermittent sound fault, the fix was 1 SMD chip bought from stern via amd. the cost of 1 chip was $120
if i had got mt fault finding wrong i would have been out of pocket $120.
give me a through hole board with eproms any day over an smd board with smd dedicated I.C.s
even intermittent faults on the SAM cpu board are a nightmare
so what happens when stern decide they are no longer going to sell the I.C's for the whitestar boards or they become unavailable
there is one regulator on the white star board that doesn't even have a stern part number according to the manual and i cant find a replacement anywhere (yet)
The PAL / GAL chips on the whitestar boards have Stern part number label on them and the corresponding part number on the schematics. Yet of you try to order this part from Stern - they have no idea what you are talking about. Even photos of the board and emails to the USA - Nothing. In the end, I replaced the entire board for over $600.
All because Stern's R&D didn't learn that the batteries should be mounted OFF the $600 board and in a $5 battery holder screwed into the side of the headbox.
SMD technology = Board replacement = puts techs out of business as customers can easily swap over boards.