Unofficial BitPixel LED Marquee Info
This page contains some unofficial documentation about the BitPixel LED Marquee. Official documentation about the BitPixel marquee is at http://atgames.net including BitPixel Troubleshooting and FAQs
FOR ALU 1.1 CABINETS ONLY - How to USB Connect BitPixel inside your ALU
BitPixel Software Setup
After installing your AtGames BitPixel LED marquee, follow this video for the software setup from your AtGames Legends Ultimate (ALU). Big thanks for PDbus for producing this guide!
Other things you can do with BitPixel plus a Windows PC
Add your own content
Ensure you have the latest AtGames firmware and use this guide to add your own artwork to a USB thumb drive.
Create a custom default marquee image or animation
- Connect your BitPixel to a Windows PC using the USB cable.
- Download & install the Pixelcade software for Windows on your Windows PC
- Use the Pixelcade Art Browser to save a custom marquee following this guide
For reference, here is a guide with best practices how to create artwork for Pixelcade.
Note that the default animation or logo will be saved to BitPixel’s microSD card. BitPixel’s microSD is 128 MB which is plenty of space as typically animations consume 1 MB to 30 MB of space. When you save a new animation to Pixelcade, the existing one is over-written so you don’t need to worry about deleting files to save space.
Pinball DMD (Dot Matrix Display)
Follow these instructions to setup Pixelcade as a Pinball DMD for Visual Pinball and Pinball FX2 and FX3 (Steam Versions Only)
High Score Scrolling
Use Pixelcade to scroll MAME high scores when a game is launched with Launch Box / Big Box, HyperSpin, or GameEx. Note that a paid version of LEDBlinky is required for this feature http://ledblinky.net. Follow these instructions to setup high score scrolling.
High score scrolling is not supported on your native ALU at this time and you will need a Windows PC for this feature.
Troubleshooting Steps
Please first ensure the toggle switch on the BitPixel board is pointing towards the USB connector. BitPixel will not connect to your ALU if this is not set correctly.
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Issue |
Suggestion |
| Upon launching PixelcadeX, BitPixel goes blank and starts to scroll “Welcome to PixelcadeX but the text is cut off and BitPixel will not change to match the ALU games. |
Most likely the USB connection between BitPixel and your ALU is not stable. Some users have had success using a powered USB hub which is plugged into the right port of the ALU and then plugging BitPixel into the USB hub. This powered USB hub has been tested. If you are adding a USB hub anyway for more drives, light guns, etc., then it’s recommended to go this route with a powered hub. If you do not need a separate hub, some users have replaced the BitPixel USB cable with a 6 ft long USB 3.0 cable. It’s believed that the thicker gauge USB 3.0 results in a stable USB connection but this is still being verified. |
| PixelcadeX download is stuck at 99% | Let it run for an additional 15 minutes and if not complete, then re-start your ALU. Try formatting your USB drive from your PC at FAT32 and ensure the partition has at least 1 GB free. You may also try a different USB drive. |
| BitPixel stays blank on startup and after PixelcadeX is stopped |
Most likely the microSD card on your BitPixel has an issue. Try resetting the microSD card by following these instructions. If the problem persists, you can also try replacing the microSD card (any microSD card larger than 128 MB will be fine) and follow the same instructions to reset. Note that BitPixel can still function without the microSD card, it just won’t show the startup Legends logo and will go blank again after your ALU has been shut off. |
| BitPixel does not turn off when I turn off my ALU. | By design, BitPixel will not turn off when you turn off your ALU. BitPixel’s LEDs need a fair amount of Amps to operate and thus needs its own dedicated power supply. It’s recommended to plug your ALU and BitPixel into a common power strip. Many users have utilized a smart power strip that can be turned on and off with voice commands. |
Contributing BitPixel Artwork
When you download the PixelcadeX software on your AtGames Legends Ultimate, the Pixelcade artwork is also downloaded to your FlashX drive. This FlashX drive is encrypted so you cannot access the FlashX drive separately meaning you cannot add your own artwork.
However, if you wish to contribute missing or clean up existing artwork, you may upload your own artwork to the upload link below and note you must name the file correctly. See the existing artwork listing for naming conventions and see the instructions in this Google Sheet how to make a note of the change you made.
Pixelcade Artwork Creation Guide
Google Sheet Listing of the existing artwork for BitPixel LED