Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: spacejunkie on August 22, 2007, 07:03:28 pm

Title: Can I reflect my space invaders image so it isn't backwards?
Post by: spacejunkie on August 22, 2007, 07:03:28 pm
Hi people new here and to all this and i'd be lieing if I said I'm not a little intimitdated by all you vetran people but figure if I'm going to get an answer to this question it'll be here so here it goes.

I've had an upright space invaders in my garage for the last 14 years and after by chance reading about mame I figure it's time to wipe the dust off this baby and rebuild it, it's the original 1978 cab I probably could get it working again where i bought all the electronics from a second cab but figure this might be easier... I hope.

Problem

For the heck of it I placed my 17 inch monitor where the original monitor was, glanced at the background and said yessss but quickly realized that the lettering/words and game reflected backwards on the backdrop/mirror no matter how i rotate it'll still show backwards.

So the image needs to be flipped basically inside out to reflect properly is there a mame or rom with the settings i need out there? I don't really want to place a monitor upright when I have everthing in the cab to show this effect btw cab is perfect so I'm really wanting to make this work either way.

Thx in advance
Spacejunkie
Title: Re: Can I reflect my space invaders image so it isn't backwards?
Post by: cw on August 22, 2007, 07:37:31 pm
please find a generic cab or build your own cab.... do not trash this classic, if you dont want to restore it sell it or give it to someone who will......
Title: Re: Can I reflect my space invaders image so it isn't backwards?
Post by: spacejunkie on August 22, 2007, 10:00:28 pm
CW I believe I asked a question not ask what your thought about converting my machine. It is a matter of opinion of what you think as of trashing the cab. I bought it, I own it and I'm believe it or not entitled to do what ever I please with it.

There are thousands of people converting original machines to mame I will be saving all the boards, wiring etc in case I ever do decide to restore it to it's orginal state but for now it's going to be mame.

I live in a small town and nobody I would trust to work on such an old machine so for now instead of it sitting in my garage for another 14 years myself and my kids will be enjoying it instead of it collecting dust.

Do i wish to sell..... no unless someone wants to buy the machine for enough money that would allow me to buy a dedicated mame machine, including the shipping to me in eastern canada and the shipping cost of my machine to them plus the price....... I didn't think so.

For those that may encounter the same problem the solution I found on the net finally, it's switching 2 wires in your monitor ( PC monitor in my case) the red and blue switch and gives you a mirrored image when reflected in the mirror in your cab everthing shows normal. The link I found is here:

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/yoke.html
Title: Re: Can I reflect my space invaders image so it isn't backwards?
Post by: torez on August 22, 2007, 10:11:54 pm
CW I believe I asked a question not ask what your thought about converting my machine.

You will get more bees with honey, not vinegar.  This board is full of classic arcade enthusiasts and cw was just expressing his opinion on the subject that was posted in an open forum.
Title: Re: Can I reflect my space invaders image so it isn't backwards?
Post by: Austin.Wolff on August 22, 2007, 10:35:55 pm
CW I believe I asked a question not ask what your thought about converting my machine.

You will get more bees with honey, not vinegar.  This board is full of classic arcade enthusiasts and cw was just expressing his opinion on the subject that was posted in an open forum.

And so was spacejunkie.
Title: Re: Can I reflect my space invaders image so it isn't backwards?
Post by: cw on August 22, 2007, 10:55:20 pm
ok all in all a space invaders is a terrible friggen cab to mame for more than just because its a classic reason.  First off the cp is way way to small to really do much with.  If you want to add wings to that thing and fly it around that up to you.  Second your going to be kind of hard pressed to fit a pc monitor in the same spot the arcade monitor is in.  Third the mirror and the reflection onto the artwork.   This might make it just a little hard to see.......

so its not just because its a classic and I dont think you ever mentioned even trying to find something else you just assumed you could not.....

as far as the yoke swap goes... yes its very easy just power down first...
Title: Re: Can I reflect my space invaders image so it isn't backwards?
Post by: Pac-Fan on August 22, 2007, 11:01:07 pm
Creating a mirror image is simple depending on what you want to do.

1) Assuming you're going to use windows, use a video driver that supports this. I think both ATI and nVidia have this option but am not sure. I know they offer rotate, but not sure about flip (mirroring)

2) Tell your emulation software to flip the image in one direction creating a mirror. I believe Mame can do this, but not sure about the rest. Check their docs.

3) If you're going to use real arcade boards or don't want to deal with software, all you have to do is swap either the vertical pair of yoke wires or horizontal pair (then rotate the monitor accordingly) and you'll have the mirror image you want.  See BobRoberts web page about yoke flipping for technical info.

That said, playing most games in the mirror setup might be annoying, especially if you plan on leaving the reflected moon in the picture, but that's your call.