Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: aplat40 on April 02, 2003, 02:12:15 am

Title: Monitor Orientation (mirror image)
Post by: aplat40 on April 02, 2003, 02:12:15 am
Hi everyone, hope maybe someone can help me out.
Any software (or maybe video cards) that allow you to mirror image windows or your OS. I know pivot pro allows you to rotate, but I need to mirror image. I figure the most stable way to have a rotating monitor would be the monitor facing up (on it's back) projected on a mirror and a "lazy susan" to rotate from horizontal to vertical, figure it's more stable, and monitor would be less likely to take stress.
Thanks in advance for any help
PS I know that MAME supports flipping, but also for OS support.
Title: Re:Monitor Orientation (mirror image)
Post by: MameFan on April 02, 2003, 10:53:06 am
I assume this *should* work with PC monitors, as it works with TV's and arcade monitors.

Just swap the yoke wires and you will get a mirror image.

Either swap the vertical or the horizontal (but not both, that'll just "rotate" it upside down).


(standard monitor warnings here: only do this if you know what you're doing and can risk damaging the monitor and know how to do it safely)


Basically the vertical windings are the yellow and green wires, the horizontal are the red and blue.

To reverse the image either:
1) Take the yellow wire and attach it to the post that the green is on and vise-versa
-OR-
2) Take the red wire and attach it to the post that the blue wire is on and vise-versa

This will cause the image to draw backwards, perfect for reflecting in a mirror.

(This is how you can convert a real Kickman board to draw on a "normal" monitor cabinet since their original cab has a mirror in it)


Note: I've tried this with TV's and arcade monitors and it works great.  HOWEVER, I have never tried it on a PC monitor (the wires are likely soldered instead of removeable from the posts) and there may be color purity issues with it (therefore I'd be more apt to swap the vertical windings instead of horizontal, but try either and see what the results are and report back)


Otherwise, no, I do not know of software that will mirror the screen. However there may be something available as Arabic screens (windows itself!) will draw backwards.
Title: Re:Monitor Orientation (mirror image)
Post by: aplat40 on April 02, 2003, 12:42:36 pm
Thanks MAMEfan!!!
Worked excellent, didn't even think of attacking it from that angle.
Title: Re:Monitor Orientation (mirror image)
Post by: Justin on April 02, 2003, 09:09:42 pm
Wow, this is a great idea.  Hadn't thought of this before!
Mirror + monitor on its back = easy rotatable monitor!

I'd love to see some final specs and shots.  Don't forget to share!
Title: Re:Monitor Orientation (mirror image)
Post by: tom61 on April 02, 2003, 10:29:00 pm
Only problem is some monitors do like being aimed up, color distortions (not deguasable), etc. K eep in mind that the deguasing between turning it from horizontal to vertical and vice-versa, will still need to be done, as the monitor still rotates in the Earth's magnetic field.
Title: Re:Monitor Orientation (mirror image)
Post by: aplat40 on April 03, 2003, 02:41:02 am
I'm using a 19" KDS monitor I got from Wallmart for about $170 if I remember correctly, figured same size as the old arcade monitors and much cheaper than a new happs or W/G plus better natural resolution for windows/OS. I do have access to the degauss button through the coin door.
It handles being on it's back fine, my cabinet is an old Operation Wolf cab, and I currently have it in with 2 metal "L" brackets attached to the rather solid metal frame that is under the plastic case if you take it off. (I took the mounting brackets off the old burned in monitor, and connected them to the metal frame of my computer monitor.)
It will probably take me awhile to get around to the lazy suzan...just wanted to make sure I could do it...(mirror image that is) I'm sure it's gonna be tight rotating inside my cabinet.
but I do want to play tempest, and turn around and play joust... so I'll try and be speedy and let everyone know how it turns out
again thanks again mamefan, for the info and for that matter saint, the whole mame team and everyone who helps keep alive the games of my youth and the interface to use them.