STOP PRESS::: New Homepin LED DMD in early development

[Homepin]

OK - I was trying to keep this quiet until I actually had some product to test but things tend to leak when it's big news....

We are heavily into development of the Homepin LED DMD 128 x 32 and expect to have finished product about middle to late 2013.

There are some major differences with our product over the competitors:

(1) The Homepin DMD will be made using individual, custom made for us, 1.2mm LED semiconductors and so we will NOT be using the industry standard 'blocks' of LEDs that both other manufacturers use. This means NO visable lines that many complain about in the other displays available.

(2) Our DMD will use purpose made LED driver ICs that are made in Taiwan and ONLY available for sale in China - these are used on all of the huge outdoor LED advertising screens you see around the place and it means a lower parts count and less cost!

(3) Ours will be REPAIRABLE - yes, if one pixel dies you can replace that single LED OR return the DMD for an exchange unit (at this stage estimated to be $99 exchange - after the warranty period).

This product would not be possible if it was not for my excellent contacts in China and if I didn't have an office and staff there.

Here are some pictures in the factory that will be making the product for us - they manufacture the large outdoor screens and are very experienced at it.

Me holding an assembled RGB panel that is to have some final tests done before mounting in the plastic frame:



The final inspection before being sent through the flow solder machine:



Me, helping out with the assembly 



A final QC check before being sent to the sealing section (Homepin units will not be sealed as they don't need to be waterproof):



This is a BRILLIANT driver chip that solves a lot of problems when we design and build this product (Part # blanked out as commercial in confidence):



It is our intention to also make the large 192 x 64 display that is now almost impossible to find and if you do manage to locate one the vendors often want $500 to $800 for it 

There is a VERY major investment in this project because the MOQ (at this stage) is 5000 pcs...I'm still looking at how to fund that - more news on this project as it comes to hand......................

[Retropin]

WOW - way to go Mike!

[4_amusement_only]

Great work, good luck on its completion

[swinks]

awesome, will you be doing colours as want a green one for my CFTBL 

[Homepin]

awesome, will you be doing colours as want a green one for my CFTBL 

I have until March 3rd to decide BUT I am leaning towards white with optional plastic filters that clip on the front for all the primary colours including the 'standard' orange

[elkor-alish]

Sweet Mike!

Look forward to seeing more about this one.

[elkor-alish]

awesome, will you be doing colours as want a green one for my CFTBL 

I have until March 3rd to decide BUT I am leaning towards white with optional plastic filters that clip on the front for all the primary colours including the 'standard' orange

That would be a great way to give everyone the colours they want without too much hassle, nice.

[Strangeways]

This is huge news. Well done Mike - Shipping was always a killer on these and the risks involved with damage.

[MartyJ]

Agreed re the lens option. White LEDs seem to have a really nice lumens. Games like T2 scream for a blue or grey lens

[Pintoxicated]

Very impressive stuff Mike.  Some great ideas with a repairable display that you can change the colour of at will.  Is it going to be a drop in type lens?

Very best of luck with it all.  

Maybe a business partner to help fund the project??

[humpalot]

can you make the small 128x 16 dmd as well?  These too are hard to get and expensive.

[swinks]

awesome, will you be doing colours as want a green one for my CFTBL 

I have until March 3rd to decide BUT I am leaning towards white with optional plastic filters that clip on the front for all the primary colours including the 'standard' orange

I was thinking of this a little while ago, as long as it works I reckon that would be awesome.

Also will these cater for the various shades of light to assist in detail?

[Caveoftreasures]

Well done Mike.   Forward thinking and dedication as usual.  A big 3 thumbs up. 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

(3) Ours will be REPAIRABLE - yes, if one pixel dies you can replace that single LED OR return the DMD for an exchange unit (at this stage estimated to be $99 exchange - after the warranty period).

And on this point, WIN

I have a couple of Xpin displays and I love them
But they did arrive with dead pixles (I was offered replacement blocks, but my soldering is not that good)

I would go for colored LEDs, not filters (but will buy either way)
but at 5000 units, they might be hard to sell

will they be 100% plug and play?
With xpin I still had to fit a foam surround and thin sheet of plastic over the top of everything

[ddstoys]

Awsome Mike will definately grab a couple when there done