Daphne on a second monitor? YES! And other emulators, too!

[tabascoman77]

Hi all...

Whenever I've tried to play Daphne on my pincab, it always shows up on the lower playfield monitor. I cannot seem to find an option within Daphne so that it will show up on the backglass monitor...unless I am missing that setting someplace within the Daphne software, which I might be.

Regardless, is there a parameter I could enter into PBX that would tell PBX to force Daphne to play on that monitor (since I just use PBX to play it anyway) or is there something I'm missing within Daphne to use a second monitor?

Thanks for the help!

[Draco1962]

Following is from Google AI search:

Modifying Game Shortcut Properties (Advanced):

 

1. Locate the executable file for the Daphne game (e.g., daphne.exe).
2. Create a shortcut for this executable by right-clicking it and selecting "Create Shortcut."
3. Right-click the newly created shortcut and choose "Properties."
4. In the "Target" field, after the existing path, add a space and then -adapter 1 (for the second monitor) or -adapter 0 (for the primary monitor).
5. Click "Apply" and then "OK." Use this modified shortcut to launch the game on the specified monitor.

 

Code example in "Target" field 

    "C:\Path\To\Daphne\daphne.exe" -adapter 1

 

[Draco1962]

On 9/19/2025 at 10:05 PM, Draco1962 said:

Following is from Google AI search:

Modifying Game Shortcut Properties (Advanced):

 

1. Locate the executable file for the Daphne game (e.g., daphne.exe).
2. Create a shortcut for this executable by right-clicking it and selecting "Create Shortcut."
3. Right-click the newly created shortcut and choose "Properties."
4. In the "Target" field, after the existing path, add a space and then -adapter 1 (for the second monitor) or -adapter 0 (for the primary monitor).
5. Click "Apply" and then "OK." Use this modified shortcut to launch the game on the specified monitor.

 

Code example in "Target" field 

    "C:\Path\To\Daphne\daphne.exe" -adapter 1

 

What I would suggest is trying to use the code example text -adapter 1 to your parameters for your setup for DAPHNE under Other Systems

[tabascoman77]

On 9/21/2025 at 5:19 AM, Draco1962 said:

What I would suggest is trying to use the code example text -adapter 1 to your parameters for your setup for DAPHNE under Other Systems

 

Followed the instructions to the letter.

I get the attached error message.

Attached is the PBX log file as well for your perusal.

log.txt

[tabascoman77]

Deleting the code and posting this...

lair vldp -fullscreen -x 1920 -y 1080 -framefile "C:\vPinball\Daphne\framefile\vldp_dl\lair\dlcdrom.txt" -adapter 1

...does the exact same thing.

The code above will work if I delete "-adapter 1" from it...but it runs on the table monitor, not on the backglass.

Log is attached.

log.txt

[Mike_da_Spike]

I found a guy on reddit with the same question,  but he didn't had luck.

I'm not sure if daphne is able to switch to another monitor. I thought -adapter is what steam use to launch a game on different monitor.

Another option is to switch the primary monitor just before you launch Daphne in a launch before script.

And set it back with a launch after scripts. But I'm not sure if pinbalkX would like this.

I use it before I launch PBX. Imy ayfield screen is the middle of 3 screens and set the primary to that one. And when pbx is closing it switch back to my left monitor as that is my desktop pc. I use this free tool : https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html

[tabascoman77]

24 minutes ago, Mike_da_Spike said:

I found a guy on reddit with the same question,  but he didn't had luck.

I'm not sure if daphne is able to switch to another monitor. I thought -adapter is what steam use to launch a game on different monitor.

Another option is to switch the primary monitor just before you launch Daphne in a launch before script.

And set it back with a launch after scripts. But I'm not sure if pinbalkX would like this.

I use it before I launch PBX. Imy ayfield screen is the middle of 3 screens and set the primary to that one. And when pbx is closing it switch back to my left monitor as that is my desktop pc. I use this free tool : https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html

It seems like such a simple thing to do, something the Parameters field would be able to solve.

[Draco1962]

Unfortunately, what seems should be simple isn't always. DAPHNE is an old emulator by today's standards and was designed with a single display in mind.

That doesn't mean there isn't a way to do it, but that the solution may not be an easy task to find.

[Draco1962]

I meant to ask if you tried launching it from a command line using lair vldp -fullscreen -x 1920 -y 1080 -framefile "C:\vPinball\Daphne\framefile\vldp_dl\lair\dlcdrom.txt" -adapter 1 outside of PinballX?

Also, you may want to try Hypseus Singe which is a more modern Daphne fork with additional features.

[SixOfTwelve]

I haven't tried it with Daphne or Hypseus, but I've had luck before with other games doing the following with AutoHotKey:

- Turn all screens black (with the GUI command)

- Start the game in non-fullscreen mode

- Move the window to your desired monitor position

- Send ALT+ENTER, or whatever puts the game into fullscreen mode

- Remove the black GUI so the screen becomes visible.

I'll have to check, but I think I did it for Rollers of the Realm. OP, if you're interested, I can dig out the script.

[SixOfTwelve]

I still haven't tried it, but according to the documentation of Hypseus Singe, you can set the x and y position of your video. I think it was originally intended to make the use of bezel graphics easier, but I guess you could use it to push the video onto another monitor as well.

Here is the list of command line arguments:

https://github.com/DirtBagXon/hypseus-singe/blob/master/doc/CmdLine.md

The bezel command line arguments are listed separately:

https://github.com/DirtBagXon/hypseus-singe/blob/master/doc/Bezels.md

[SixOfTwelve]

Just gave it a try - no joy, unfortunately.

The -shiftx and -shifty commands go from -100 to +100 pixels only, so they're useless for shifting the playscreen, for example, 1920 pixels to the right.

Also, going out of fullscreen with ALT+ENTER works, I can also pull the window over onto my backglass, but once I press ALT+ENTER again, the playscreen is displayed half on the playfield and half on the backglass - no matter how far I pull it over.

The only luck I had so far was with starting the game without fullscreen, setting the resolution to that of my backglass in the BAT file (-x 1600 -y 1200, for my case), then dragging the screen over to the backglass. But then of course you have borders around the window and the Windows menu bar on top.

I guess the dragging could be automated with AutoHotKey, and I know there are commands to remove Windows menu borders from program windows that can be found in the AutoHotKey help file. I could look into that, but I'll wait to make sure this is is even still an issue for you before I go digging.

Drop a line if you're still interested!

[tabascoman77]

I've tried each iteration...man, @Draco1962, with all due respect, I really don't feel like fiddling with the other laserdisc emulator because Daphne was a pain to set up and get working within PBX. Not that it isn't a good idea...it's just that it took me hours to get Daphne to run on PBX and I don't wanna lose more hair fooling around with Hypseus.

[tabascoman77]

On 10/8/2025 at 1:19 PM, SixOfTwelve said:

Just gave it a try - no joy, unfortunately.

The -shiftx and -shifty commands go from -100 to +100 pixels only, so they're useless for shifting the playscreen, for example, 1920 pixels to the right.

Also, going out of fullscreen with ALT+ENTER works, I can also pull the window over onto my backglass, but once I press ALT+ENTER again, the playscreen is displayed half on the playfield and half on the backglass - no matter how far I pull it over.

The only luck I had so far was with starting the game without fullscreen, setting the resolution to that of my backglass in the BAT file (-x 1600 -y 1200, for my case), then dragging the screen over to the backglass. But then of course you have borders around the window and the Windows menu bar on top.

I guess the dragging could be automated with AutoHotKey, and I know there are commands to remove Windows menu borders from program windows that can be found in the AutoHotKey help file. I could look into that, but I'll wait to make sure this is is even still an issue for you before I go digging.

Drop a line if you're still interested!

It's definitely still an issue.

[tabascoman77]

On 10/4/2025 at 6:54 AM, Draco1962 said:

I meant to ask if you tried launching it from a command line using lair vldp -fullscreen -x 1920 -y 1080 -framefile "C:\vPinball\Daphne\framefile\vldp_dl\lair\dlcdrom.txt" -adapter 1 outside of PinballX?

Also, you may want to try Hypseus Singe which is a more modern Daphne fork with additional features.

Meant to tell you, yes. I tried that. I get the same "bad command line" error in Daphne. 

[tabascoman77]

So, tried the shortcut trick again (with "-adapter 1" in the target field after the path to the exe). This time, I told PBX to access the shortcut, not the actual EXE...still no joy. It launches, then immediately kicks back to PBX.

So...I tried to just put -adapter 1 in the command line...nope. Bad command line error and kicks back to PBX.

I tried reassigning x/y so that maybe the video screen would slide over to the other monitor...nope.

This thing just does not want to work on a second monitor within PBX. Every single time I open up in PBX, it just defaults to the table monitor

Hypseus Singe does not seem to have any sort of option to move to a secondary monitor either. And there's no command within PBX that would force the picture over?

[Draco1962]

Sorry that didn't work, but thanks for reporting back. You might need to look into the AHK (Auto Hot Key) route for a custom solution. You'd probably need two scripts:

• Launch Before to make the second monitor primary to launch DAPHNE on the second monitor
• Launch After to make the first monitor primary upon return to PinballX

Message @SixOfTwelve to see what he says or maybe can come up with to assist.

On 10/8/2025 at 4:19 PM, SixOfTwelve said:

Just gave it a try - no joy, unfortunately.

The -shiftx and -shifty commands go from -100 to +100 pixels only, so they're useless for shifting the playscreen, for example, 1920 pixels to the right.

Also, going out of fullscreen with ALT+ENTER works, I can also pull the window over onto my backglass, but once I press ALT+ENTER again, the playscreen is displayed half on the playfield and half on the backglass - no matter how far I pull it over.

The only luck I had so far was with starting the game without fullscreen, setting the resolution to that of my backglass in the BAT file (-x 1600 -y 1200, for my case), then dragging the screen over to the backglass. But then of course you have borders around the window and the Windows menu bar on top.

I guess the dragging could be automated with AutoHotKey, and I know there are commands to remove Windows menu borders from program windows that can be found in the AutoHotKey help file. I could look into that, but I'll wait to make sure this is is even still an issue for you before I go digging.

Drop a line if you're still interested!

[Mike_da_Spike]

37 minutes ago, Draco1962 said:

• Launch Before to make the second monitor primary to launch DAPHNE on the second monitor
• Launch After to make the first monitor primary upon return to PinballX

Sounds like the following post : https://forums.gameex.com/forums/topic/31414-daphne-on-a-second-monitor/#findComment-226134 😜 

 

[Draco1962]

2 hours ago, Mike_da_Spike said:

Sounds like the following post : https://forums.gameex.com/forums/topic/31414-daphne-on-a-second-monitor/#findComment-226134 😜 

 

So it does. Imagine that!🤪

[tabascoman77]

4 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

So it does. Imagine that!🤪

Indeed, it does. But @Mike_da_Spike, I did check out that link last night and I have no idea how to apply any of that code nor do I know how to write a script for AHK. I suppose that I could consult the wizards at the AHK Reddit...

[Draco1962]

13 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

Sorry that didn't work, but thanks for reporting back. You might need to look into the AHK (Auto Hot Key) route for a custom solution. You'd probably need two scripts:

• Launch Before to make the second monitor primary to launch DAPHNE on the second monitor
• Launch After to make the first monitor primary upon return to PinballX

Message @SixOfTwelve to see what he says or maybe can come up with to assist.

 

[Mike_da_Spike]

15 hours ago, tabascoman77 said:

Indeed, it does. But @Mike_da_Spike, I did check out that link last night and I have no idea how to apply any of that code nor do I know how to write a script for AHK. I suppose that I could consult the wizards at the AHK Reddit...

It's not rocket sciense. And no AHK needed
I just use downloaded from that website multimonitortool : https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/multi_monitor_tool.html
I use it when I launch PBX 
This is my setup when power on the cab :

i have a mainmonitor which I use for desktop stuff and when using VR
The monitor count in Windows isn't correct as my PF is 3 and my primary is 1
Before I launch PBX i use command :

MultiMonitorTool.exe /SetPrimary 3

This set the primary monitor to my PF
all apps that are launch, will launch there.

When I quit PBX, a after script launch with 
 

MultiMonitorTool.exe /SetPrimary 1

which set my primary monitor to the display I use for desktop activities
 

[tabascoman77]

On 10/20/2025 at 4:10 AM, Mike_da_Spike said:

It's not rocket sciense. And no AHK needed
I just use downloaded from that website multimonitortool : https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/multi_monitor_tool.html
I use it when I launch PBX 
This is my setup when power on the cab :

i have a mainmonitor which I use for desktop stuff and when using VR
The monitor count in Windows isn't correct as my PF is 3 and my primary is 1
Before I launch PBX i use command :

MultiMonitorTool.exe /SetPrimary 3

This set the primary monitor to my PF
all apps that are launch, will launch there.

When I quit PBX, a after script launch with 
 

MultiMonitorTool.exe /SetPrimary 1

which set my primary monitor to the display I use for desktop activities
 

IT WORKS!!! IT WORKS!!! IT WOOOOOOOOOOOOOORKS!!!!!!!!

@Mike_da_Spike, you are THE MAN.

MMT assigns it perfectly to the backglass monitor and then reassigns the primary monitor afterward and I cannot thank you enough. What a cool little tool! And to think I could have saved time with MAME and just used this tool instead to assign monitors.

Sorry it took me so long. I had a ton of stuff on my plate and didn't get to drag my pop-up pincab for about two or three weeks. But it works! I am SO happy! Thank you for helping me solve this!

[Draco1962]

I move this thread and pinned it just in case someone else needs this as a solution for DAPHNE or any other emulators. Thanks guys!

[tabascoman77]

14 minutes ago, Draco1962 said:

I move this thread and pinned it just in case someone else needs this as a solution for DAPHNE or any other emulators. Thanks guys!

Thanks, @Draco1962...you guys have been saving my bacon for years now.  Especially  when I set my son's big arcade pedestal up and had to set PBX to work with like 15 emulators. LOL...