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Space Invaders 'reflector' cabinet question.

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jukingeo:

Hello,

I am looking to build a custom 'bartop' Space Invaders cabinet.  It will run off of a computer board and Mame, but the one thing that is nagging at me is how to duplicate the 'mirror' set up that was used in both the original Space Invaders 'reflector' Midway cabinet and also Space Invaders Deluxe.

I have worked on 'reflected' cabinets before where the monitor was located in the lower part of the cabinet and the video was reversed.   Then in the upper part of the cabinet there was a mirror that reflected everything back to the player.  While I understand this concept fully, this really ISN'T the same as Space Invaders.   Space Invaders allows you to see THROUGH the 'mirror' at a 'backdrop'.   This makes the Invaders to have that 'hovering' ghost look.  THAT is the effect I would like to duplicate.

Unlike other mirrored cabinets, I am thinking that perhaps Space Invaders doesn't use a mirror at all, but a very reflective piece of glass.  This would allow a good reflection as well as being able to see through it.  If that is the case then the effect would be based on the popular "Pepper's Ghost" effect.  So let me know if I am on the right track here.

Now, another thing that comes to mind is the backdrop itself.  I am guessing that this is lit up somehow.  So I would need info on that as well.

I am posting here in the restoration thread because I am sure that there are several of you that perhaps restored a Space Invaders cabinet and I am wondering if you could share some pictures with me as to how this effect was done in the Space Invaders cabinet.  Pictures are worth 1000 words, so that is probably the best way to learn how this is done.

Overall the plan is to duplicate the top portion of a Midway Space Invaders cabinet, but on a smaller scale so I can place it on a table, shelf or counter.  I was going to use a 15" flat screen monitor and orient it the same way as it was in the original SI cabinet.

Any tips and pointers would be appreciated.

Thank You,

Geo

SirPeale:

It's called a "two-way mirror"

Kevin Mullins:

Also called a "half silvered" mirror.
Ask a glass shop about it .......

jukingeo:


--- Quote from: SirPeale on December 02, 2009, 03:34:54 pm ---It's called a "two-way mirror"

--- End quote ---

--- Quote from: Kevin Mullins on December 02, 2009, 04:28:08 pm ---Also called a "half silvered" mirror.
Ask a glass shop about it .......

--- End quote ---

Ok, but how is it oriented in the cabinet?  Silvered side to the front or back?   How is the backdrop set up?

I have not seen the inside of a Space Invaders cabinet so I don't know how it is set up, in fact it has been a while since I even PLAYED the game in an original Midway cabinet.  This is the reason WHY I posted in the restoration section (yes, there is method to my madness), because I am sure those that have restored a Space Invaders cabinet could provide those pictures.   So I didn't exactly appreciate finding that my post was moved here instead, since it is probably a person that restored an SI that could help me the most.





Kevin Mullins:

Well, if it's like an Asteroids Deluxe the "mirrored" side would face you. (really hard to tell the mirrored side, but there is a difference)
And ad far as "how"...... we'll have to visualize here.

Draw a square.
Now draw a diagonal line through it from top right to bottom left.
Artwork would be on the left side facing the right.
Monitor would be on the bottom facing up towards the mirrored side of the glass.

What the exact angle is, I'm not sure. But that's the concept anyways.

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