Free download: Visual Pinball Setup Checklist (PDF)
A 4-page printable checklist that follows this guide step by step, from cables and OLED settings to your first table. Check off each step on screen or with a pen, and write down your TV's IP and MAC addresses for LGTV Companion.
This guide is written for our three-screen virtual pinball cabinets: a 4K LG C-series OLED playfield, a backglass monitor and a full DMD monitor, plus an optional topper screen if you added one. It walks you from a blank Windows PC to playing your first table using the free Baller Installer, which sets up Visual Pinball X, PinUP Popper and everything they need in one go.
We combined the official PinUP documentation and the best community walkthroughs, then cut everything that doesn't apply to this setup. Follow the steps in order.
Key takeaways
- Install everything with the free Baller Installer to
C:\vPinballon a clean Windows 10/11 PC. - Set all screens to 100% scaling, make the 4K OLED the main display, and arrange screens left to right: playfield, backglass, DMD, topper.
- Choose the Full DMD layout at 4K, then place each screen in the setup wizard.
- Run VPX at 3840×2160, 120 Hz, cabinet mode with frame pacing on.
- Keep the OLED on always-on power and use LGTV Companion so it turns off with the PC while Pixel Cleaning still runs.
Quick answer: Connect your PC to all three screens, set Windows to 100% scaling with the OLED as the main display, install the Baller Installer to C:\vPinball, choose the Full DMD layout at 4K, place each screen in the setup wizard, then set VPX to 3840×2160 at 120 Hz in cabinet mode.
Your Cabinet's Screens
| Screen | What it shows | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Playfield: LG C-series 4K OLED | The pinball table | 3840×2160 at 120 Hz |
| Backglass monitor | Animated backglass art and videos | 1920×1080 (1080p) |
| Full DMD monitor | Score display, PuP-Pack videos and game help | 1920×1080 (1080p) |
| Topper (optional) | Extra video and animations above the backglass | Your topper's native resolution (shown as "Recommended" in Windows Display settings) |
Didn't order a topper? Skip every step marked Topper. Everything else is the same.
Still choosing a cabinet? Compare our fully assembled cabinets and virtual pinball flat packs, or read flat pack vs. fully assembled.
What You'll Need
A Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) PC, ideally a fresh install. The Baller Installer is designed for clean installs only (Nailbuster wiki).
A processor and graphics card that can drive 4K at 120 Hz. Before you buy or reuse a PC, check how well its processor and graphics card are matched with a free bottleneck calculator. Pick your CPU and GPU, set the resolution to 4K (3840×2160) and the refresh rate to 120 Hz, and see whether either part holds the other back. At 4K the graphics card does most of the work, so it's usually the part to prioritize (CalculateBottleneck). Treat the result as a guide, since these calculators are based on general gaming benchmarks rather than pinball tables. Plan on at least 16 GB of RAM.
Three video outputs, or four with a topper. The OLED needs a 4K 120 Hz-capable HDMI output on your graphics card. Check that the card has enough outputs for the backglass, DMD and topper too.
A certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for the OLED. Older cables often can't carry 4K at 120 Hz.
A network connection for the OLED (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). It lets the PC turn the TV on and off automatically (Step 9).
A keyboard and mouse. You don't need your cabinet buttons configured yet. A keyboard is fine for your first test games (January 2025 Baller tutorial).
Step 1: Connect the Screens and Set Up the OLED
Connect the cables
- OLED playfield → a 4K 120 Hz HDMI output on the graphics card, connected to the TV's HDMI 1 input. LGTV Companion (Step 9) expects the PC on HDMI 1 (Way of the Wrench).
- Backglass monitor → a second graphics card output.
- Full DMD monitor → a third graphics card output.
Keep the OLED on always-on power
LG OLEDs clean their own pixels after you turn them off. A short Pixel Cleaning cycle runs after about every 4 hours of use, and a longer one after 2,000 hours. It won't run if the power cord is unplugged or the power strip is switched off (LG Support).
In our cabinets, the OLED playfield is plugged into an always-on outlet so Pixel Cleaning can run every time the TV turns off. Leave it plugged in there.
Building from a flat pack? A master/switched power strip works well. Plug the PC into the Master outlet and the backglass, DMD and power supplies into the Switched outlets, so they turn on and off with the PC. Plug the OLED into the Always On outlet. A switched outlet cuts the TV's power completely, which stops Pixel Cleaning from running (Way of the Wrench).
Set up the TV (use the LG remote)
These settings come from a 42-inch LG C3 set up for a virtual pinball cabinet (Way of the Wrench). Press the gear button on the remote and choose All Settings.
Picture
- Picture > HDR Select Mode (picture mode): change it from Standard to Game Optimizer for lower input lag and proper gaming refresh rates.
- Picture > Advanced Settings > Brightness: the out-of-box color looks good. If you mostly play in a dark room, lowering OLED Pixel Brightness from 100 can help extend the panel's life.
General > Game Optimizer
- Low latency: On.
- Frame rate readout: should show about 120 (119 is fine). If it shows 60, check your cable, HDMI input and Windows refresh rate.
- Game Genre: Standard.
- Prevent Input Lag: Boost, for the fastest flipper response.
- G-Sync: On.
General > OLED Care > OLED Panel Care
Pixel Cleaning: runs on its own after you turn the TV off. You can also run it manually with Start Now, or have it run the next time the TV turns off. Turning the TV back on mid-cycle cancels it, and it simply runs again next time.
Screen Move: On. It shifts the image a few pixels over time to reduce image retention, and you won't notice it during play (RTINGS).
Adjust Logo Brightness: set to High. It dims anything that stays still on screen too long, such as a table's apron, instruction cards and the part of the PinUP Popper wheel that never moves (Way of the Wrench).
General > System > Time and Timer
- Set your time, date and location.
- Timers > Auto Power Off after 4 hours: leave it On. If the cabinet sits running unattended at a party, the screen still shuts off.
Energy Saving: turn it Off so the playfield runs at full picture quality.
Get the TV ready for LGTV Companion (Step 9)
- Go to General > Network, select your Wi-Fi connection and make sure Wi-Fi is on.
- Open Other Network Settings > Advanced Wi-Fi Settings and write down the TV's IP address and MAC address exactly as shown.
- Go to General > Devices > External Devices > TV On With Mobile and check Turn on via Wi-Fi (LGTV Companion).
Install the PinOne software first
Our cabinets use a PinOne controller board from Cleveland Software Design for the cabinet buttons, coin door and feedback devices like solenoids and the shaker. Connect the PinOne to the PC by USB, install its drivers and software, and test the buttons before running the Baller Installer. Hardware drivers should always go in first (Nailbuster wiki).
Step 2: Prepare Windows
Right-click the desktop and choose Display settings.
- Make the OLED your main display. Select it and check Make this my main display.
- Arrange screens left to right: OLED playfield, then backglass, then full DMD, then topper if you have one. Line up the top edges. The numbers Windows assigns don't matter, only the arrangement does.
- Never place a screen to the left of or above the OLED, because negative positions confuse the pinball software (Nailbuster wiki).
- Set Scale to 100% on every screen, including the topper. Windows usually sets the 4K OLED to 150%. At 100%, the desktop icons on the OLED will look tiny. That's normal and required.
- Set the resolutions: the OLED to 3840×2160 with a refresh rate of 120 Hz (under Advanced display), the backglass and DMD monitors to 1920×1080, and the topper to its native resolution.
- Keep all screens in Landscape in Windows, even though the OLED lies flat in the cabinet. From the left side of the cabinet, the desktop should look like a normal landscape screen. (Step 9 has an optional trick to rotate the desktop only when PinUP Popper is closed.)
- Turn HDR off on all screens.
NVIDIA Control Panel (NVIDIA graphics cards)
Using an AMD card instead? Skip this section and follow the Nailbuster AMD notes.
- For each screen (including the topper), set Output dynamic range to Full. Do the same under Video > Adjust video color settings. This prevents washed-out colors and black boxes around videos.
- Under Manage 3D Settings, set Power management mode to Prefer maximum performance.
Before you install
- Update Windows and your graphics driver, then pause Windows Update so a restart doesn't interrupt the install.
- Install 7-Zip (64-bit) and use it for every archive you download. It unblocks files automatically.
- Pause your antivirus during the install. You'll add a permanent exclusion in Step 6.
Step 3: Download and Run the Baller Installer
- Go to the official PinUP Baller Installer page and click Download Direct for the latest release (about 1.6 GB).
- Right-click the downloaded file > Properties. If you see Unblock, check it, then click Apply and OK.
- Right-click the installer > Run as administrator > Yes.
- Check I accept the agreement > Next.
- Leave the folder as
C:\vPinball. - Click Install. When DirectX appears, accept and click through to Finish.
- Leave Run Config checked and click Finish. The setup wizard opens.
Only download from the official wiki, the Baller Installer Facebook group or the Virtual Pinball Chat Discord.
Step 4: Choose the Full DMD Layout at 4K
The wizard works left to right. Read the welcome page, then click Next Page.
- Layout: select Full DMD, which means three screens: playfield, backglass and a dedicated DMD monitor.
- Playfield resolution: select 4K.
- Click Apply Layout, confirm the diagram shows playfield, backglass and DMD left to right, and click Next Page.
Topper: if the layout list shows a full DMD option that includes a topper, choose that one. If not, choose Full DMD anyway. You'll assign the topper screen by hand in Step 5.
Step 5: Place Your Screens
Step #1 – Test Display Layout. You want to see "All Monitor Settings seem correct!" If you don't, go back to Step 2.
Step #2 – Install Apps. Windows will flash open and closed. That's normal. Click OK when the backglass server registers, then wait for "installing apps finished."
Step #3 – Setup Display Positions. For each screen area: select it, drag its test window onto the correct monitor, click Full Screen, set Default State to Show Always (On), and click Save Settings.
| Screen area | Put it on |
|---|---|
| PlayField | OLED playfield |
| BackGlass | Backglass monitor |
| Full DMD | DMD monitor |
| Music | DMD monitor |
| Game Help | DMD monitor |
| Topper | Topper screen, if you have one. Otherwise skip it |
Tip: when you fill the OLED with the playfield window, it covers the setup buttons. Drag the setup window over to the backglass until you finish (January 2025 Baller tutorial).
Click through each area once more to double-check, save, and click Exit Setup.
Step #4 – Apply Display Settings to All Apps. Wait for "Step four is all done!!"
Step 6: Set the Score Display on Your DMD Monitor
Your full DMD monitor shows two different things. The Full DMD area (set in Step 5) shows PuP-Pack videos and media. The virtual DMD is the score window for each game. Now set the score window.
- Click Next Step – DMD Page.
- Use the backglass and full DMD test buttons to confirm both appear correctly.
- Start the virtual DMD test. A small score window appears.
- Drag it onto the DMD monitor and stretch it to fill the screen, or size it however you prefer.
- Right-click it > Save Position Globally, then save.
That becomes the default for every table. You can save a custom position for any individual table later.
Stop the DMD test before closing the wizard. Then click Close, and a PinUP folder appears on your desktop.
Add the Windows Defender exclusion
- Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.
- Scroll to Exclusions > Add or remove exclusions.
-
Add an exclusion > Folder > select
C:\vPinball.
Only download tables from trusted community sites, because files in this folder won't be scanned.
Step 7: Check for Updates
- Make sure you're online and the PinUP Popper menu is closed.
- Open PinUP Popper Config from the desktop PinUP folder and click Check for Updates (upper right).
- Compare versions and dates before you click Apply Updates. Don't replace newer files with older ones (January 2025 Baller tutorial).
- On the Popper Setup tab, click Backup DB to save a backup.
Never run separate VPX, BAM or DMD installers on top of a Baller install, because they overwrite your settings (Nailbuster wiki).
Step 8: Set Up Visual Pinball for 4K at 120 Hz
- Open
C:\vPinball\VisualPinballand launch VPinballX. - Go to Preferences > Video/Graphics Options:
| Setting | Choose |
|---|---|
| Graphics preset | High-end PC (step down if you see stutter) |
| Display | The OLED playfield |
| Display mode | Exclusive fullscreen |
| Resolution | 3840×2160 |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
| Frame pacing | On |
| View mode | Cabinet (double-check this) |
| Anti-aliasing | Quality FXAA |
| Cabinet anti-stretch | On |
| Ball trails | Off |
These are the starting points one 4K/120 Hz OLED cabinet used (January 2025 Baller tutorial). Adjust from there based on how your PC performs.
- Load the included Leprechaun King table and play a game.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| 5 | Insert coin |
| 1 | Start game |
| Left / Right Shift | Flippers |
| Enter | Plunger |
| Q (twice) | Exit the table |
Check every screen: the table on the OLED, the backglass art up top and the score on the DMD monitor. Most tables don't use the topper, so it's normal for it to stay blank here. It comes alive with PuP-Packs and Popper media.
Step 9: Make the OLED Turn On and Off with the PC
Because the OLED stays on always-on power, it needs something to switch it off when the cabinet shuts down. You could use the LG remote every time, but the free LGTV Companion app does it automatically (LGTV Companion on GitHub). Turning screens on in the same order every time also helps keep the playfield and backglass from swapping when the pinball software starts (Way of the Wrench).
- Make sure you've written down the TV's IP and MAC addresses and enabled Turn on via Wi-Fi (Step 1).
- Optional but recommended: reserve that IP address for the TV in your router settings so it never changes.
- Go to the LGTV Companion releases page, download the latest LGTV Companion Setup .msi, and run the setup wizard. If your browser or Windows warns that it can't verify the file, choose Keep only if you downloaded it from that official GitHub page.
- Open LGTV Companion, type a name for the TV (for example "Playfield") and check Automatically manage this device.
- Click Configure, enter the TV's IP address and MAC address exactly as recorded, and click Save. The other settings can stay at their defaults.
- Click Apply and accept the pairing prompt on the TV if one appears.
- Test it: open the drop-down menu (the arrow next to the device) and choose Test, then confirm. The screen should go off while the TV's standby light stays on, which means it still has power for Pixel Cleaning. Wait 5 seconds, then press Enter on the keyboard to turn it back on.
- Important for Popper: open LGTV Companion Settings > Shutdown settings and change Timing from Default to Early, then click OK and Apply. Without this, shutting down from the PinUP Popper menu can happen too fast, leaving the OLED on (January 2025 Baller tutorial).
LGTV Companion can also turn the TV off when the PC is idle, which protects the OLED from a static menu screen.
Want to see it done? Watch the full LGTV Companion and OLED setup walkthrough from Way of the Wrench on YouTube.
Optional: Make the OLED desktop easy to use from the front
PinUP Popper needs the OLED at 100% scaling and in landscape. On a 4K playfield, that leaves tiny desktop icons that you have to read from the side of the cabinet. Two small free tools can switch the OLED automatically: 100% and landscape while PinUP Popper runs, then 250% and rotated 90° when you exit to the desktop, so you can work from the front (Way of the Wrench).
Download the tools. Get SetDpi.exe from the SetDPI releases page, then get iRotate from EnTech Taiwan.
Make a scripts folder. Create
C:\CustomScriptsand copy SetDpi.exe into it. Run the iRotate installer and chooseC:\CustomScriptsas the install folder.-
Rotate the desktop at startup. Open Notepad and type these two lines:
@echo off C:\CustomScripts\iRotate.exe /1:rotate=90 /exitChoose File > Save As, set Save as type to All Files, name it
rotate-at-startup.batand save it inC:\CustomScripts. Make it run when Windows starts. Press Windows + R, type
shell:startupand press OK. Copy the .bat file into the folder that opens.-
Add the PinUP Popper scripts. Open PinUP Popper Config > Popper Setup > Global Config > Startup. In the startup script box, enter:
C:\CustomScripts\SetDpi.exe 100 C:\CustomScripts\iRotate.exe /1:rotate=0 /exitIn the closing script box, enter:
C:\CustomScripts\SetDpi.exe 250 C:\CustomScripts\iRotate.exe /1:rotate=90 /exitSave. Because the OLED is your main display, SetDPI changes it without needing a screen number (SetDPI on GitHub).
Test it. Start PinUP Popper. The OLED should switch to normal landscape at 100% before the menu appears. Exit Popper, and the desktop should rotate and get bigger.
If the wrong screen rotates, change the /1 to /2 or /3 in all three places. iRotate's screen numbers don't always match the numbers in Windows Display settings. On one cabinet, Windows showed the playfield as 2 but iRotate needed 3 (Way of the Wrench). If the desktop ends up upside down from the front, change rotate=90 to rotate=270.
Watch the auto-rotate and scaling walkthrough from Way of the Wrench on YouTube.
Step 10: Add Tables and Map Your Buttons
Add a table
- Put the
.vpxtable and its.directb2sbackglass inC:\vPinball\VisualPinball\Tableswith matching file names. - If the table needs a ROM, put the .zip in
C:\vPinball\VisualPinball\VPinMAME\roms. Don't unzip it. Only use ROMs you have the right to use. - If it includes a PuP-Pack, extract it into
C:\vPinball\PinUPSystem\PUPVideoswith its folder name unchanged. When the pack offers layout options (usually setup .bat files in the pack folder), choose the one for a full DMD cabinet, or the topper version if you have a topper and the pack supports one. See our PuP-Pack guide. - On a ROM table's first launch, click the playfield and press F3 once.
Add it to the PinUP Popper menu
- PinUP Popper Config > Games Manager > Add New Games.
- Choose Visual Pinball X > Scan For New Games > check the table > Add Games to System.
- On All Games, select it > Import > Lookup > Save.
- Launch PinUP Popper, browse with the arrow keys and press Enter to play.
Some newer tables need a specific VPX version. You can set it per table with the Alternate Launcher drop-down (Nailbuster wiki).
Map your cabinet buttons
- Search Windows for Set up USB game controllers, select the PinOne, open Properties, press each cabinet button and note its number.
- VPX: Preferences > Configure Keys, Nudge and DOF. Enter each button number.
- Popper Config: set Next/Previous Game to the right/left flippers, Game Start to Start, Exit Emulator to your exit button, and Page Next/Previous to the MagnaSave buttons.
Using the checklist? Download the Visual Pinball setup checklist (PDF) to track every step from cables to your first table.
OLED Care Checklist
| Do | Why |
|---|---|
| Leave the OLED on its always-on outlet | Pixel Cleaning only runs while the TV has standby power (LG Support) |
| Turn it off normally, not at the wall | Lets the automatic cleaning cycle run |
| Leave Screen Move on | Reduces wear from static elements (RTINGS) |
| Set Adjust Logo Brightness to High | Dims static aprons, instruction cards and the Popper wheel (Way of the Wrench) |
| Don't leave a paused table or the menu sitting for hours | Static images are the main burn-in risk. Let LGTV Companion blank the TV when idle |
| If the TV asks to run Pixel Cleaning, let it finish | The regular cycle takes about 10 minutes and the yearly one about an hour. Turning the TV on cancels it |
| Leave Auto Power Off after 4 hours on | Shuts the screen off if the cabinet is left running unattended (Way of the Wrench) |
| Consider lowering OLED Pixel Brightness in a dark room | Less brightness can extend panel life (Way of the Wrench) |
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| OLED stuck at 60 Hz | Use a 4K 120 Hz-capable TV input and an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, then set 120 Hz in Windows Advanced display |
| Playfield and backglass swap at startup | Screens turned on in a different order. Keep the OLED on HDMI 1 and let LGTV Companion turn it on with the PC every time |
| OLED stays on after shutting down from Popper | LGTV Companion > Shutdown settings > Timing: Early |
| Screens show on the wrong monitors | Re-run C:\vPinball\Installer\PinUPBallerInstaller.exe, or use Popper Config > Popper Setup > Screens / Theme
|
| Two score displays at once | The table's backglass includes its own DMD. Open VPinMAME Setup64, select the ROM > Game Options > uncheck Use External DMD |
| Score display in the wrong spot | Drag it, right-click and save globally or for that table only |
| Backglass appears on a PuP-Pack table | Right-click the backglass > enable Exact DirectB2S Match |
| Videos wrong size or position | Confirm every screen is at 100% scale with HDR off |
| Topper stays blank | Normal for most tables. Check the Topper area is placed and set to Show Always (On) in Popper Config > Popper Setup > Screens / Theme, choose a PuP-Pack's topper option, and add topper media in Media Manager |
| Popper screens look wrong after adding the auto-rotate scripts | Popper must start at 100% scale and in landscape. Check the startup script uses SetDpi.exe 100 and rotate=0, and that the iRotate screen number points to the OLED |
| Washed-out colors or black boxes | Set NVIDIA output dynamic range to Full on every screen |
| Table loads sideways or with the wrong view | Open it in the VPX editor, press F6 while playing, adjust the view and save |
| Popper won't start on Windows 11 | See the Nailbuster Windows 11 fix |
| Files disappear or programs won't open | Check the C:\vPinball antivirus exclusion |
Next Steps
- Wheel art and videos: use Popper's Media Manager, or let Popper Auto Record capture playfield, backglass and DMD videos for every table overnight. With a topper, turn on topper recording too, or add topper videos in Media Manager.
- Cabinet feedback: set up DOF for flashers, shakers and solenoids. See our guides on haptic feedback and installing SSF sound.
- Mounting your OLED: read our LG C2/C3 monitor mounting tips.
- Find tables: VPUniverse, VPForums and the Virtual Pinball Spreadsheet.
New to the hobby? Start with our Complete Beginner Guide to Virtual Pinball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Baller Installer layout do I choose for this cabinet? Full DMD, with 4K as the playfield resolution.
Should the OLED be set to portrait in Windows? No. Keep it in landscape. The pinball software expects a landscape playfield.
Why does my desktop look tiny on the OLED? Because scaling is at 100%, which the pinball software requires. It only affects the desktop, not gameplay. To fix it, use the free SetDPI and iRotate tools with PinUP Popper's startup and closing scripts. They switch the OLED to 250% and rotate it for front viewing when you exit Popper, then set it back to 100% and landscape when Popper starts (see Step 9).
Is an OLED safe for virtual pinball? Yes, with sensible habits. Our cabinets keep the OLED on always-on power so Pixel Cleaning can run. Beyond that, leave Screen Move on, and don't leave static screens up for hours. LG's built-in protections run automatically (LG USA Support).
Can I add a topper later? Yes. Connect it, place it to the right of the DMD in Windows Display settings at 100% scale, then open PinUP Popper Config > Popper Setup > Screens / Theme and put the Topper area on it. There's no need to reinstall.
Do I need 120 Hz? It isn't required, but 4K at 120 Hz makes ball movement noticeably smoother on an OLED playfield.
Is the Baller Installer free? Yes. PinUP Popper and PinUP Player are free for personal, non-commercial use, and you install them on your own PC (Nailbuster wiki).
I set up the screens wrong. Can I run the installer again? For screen positions, re-run the setup tool in C:\vPinball\Installer. To run the full installer again, delete the whole C:\vPinball folder first.
Credit Where It's Due
Virtual pinball exists thanks to volunteers who build and share tables, backglasses, PuP-Packs, color files and tools for free. When you enjoy something, leave its creator a thank-you.
This guide draws on the official PinUP Baller Installer wiki, the January 2025 Baller Installer tutorial and a detailed community virtual pinball setup guide, with LG OLED and desktop tips from Way of the Wrench (OLED setup and auto-rotate and scaling) and OLED care details from LG Support and LGTV Companion.