rec.autos.simulators

by **Stephen F** » Tue, 09 Sep 2003 15:38:12

> On Fri, 5 Sep 2003 08:39:04 +0200, "Stephen F."

> >But everyone forgets the high price of the bulb in current LCD projectors
> >(about half the total cost) and relatively short life (something like
1000
> >hours). You should consider this in your decision to purchase.

> It is an issue, and probably depends whether you want that size of
> screen for movie use alone or for general viewing.

> If for general viewing and watching a lot of TV (6hrs/day?) then 2,000
> / 6 - 333days, which with a bulb coming in at $360 or so is $1/day for
> the viewing (lamp life is 2,000 hours).

> For me I just want to watch movies, the odd big football match
> (Champion's League, World Cup) and F1, so the lamp would last ages.

> Of course the best solution is when it's not yours :-)

Also important to remember that the 2000 hours includes gradual dimming of
the bulb. Performance in the second half of the bulb's life is not as crisp
as in the first. And I agree with the last line; I borrow a projector from
the office from time to time.

Stephen

by **Steve Smit** » Tue, 09 Sep 2003 21:19:28

Hi John,

Haven't been able to find the MS cordless keyboard n' mouse, but found the
name & info of the "air mouse":

http://www.gyration.com/default_uk.asp

Anybody know anything abt. this product?

--Steve

> On Fri, 05 Sep 2003 02:38:04 GMT, "Steve Smith"

> >The Samsung DLP is quite unlike ye olde rear-screen projectors. It's not
as
> >good as a 50" tube would be...but there ain't no such thing.

> Reading your reply makesme remember the point I wanted to make :-)

> During a meeting with some T.I. guys a few months back it was
> suggested not to look at DLP as a "new improved" DLP was on the way.
> The main saving seemed to be space, so reading your later comment
> about the Samsung's footprint maybe it already uses that.

> Given that my wife is Japanese, Korean products are pretty much a
> no-no for me (!!) but Samsung products do tend to be good.

> >The FragBox is a stone bargain at $995...Falcon NW is selling hundreds of
> >'em...but the form factor is nothing you couldn't duplicate w. a Shuttle
box
> >(altho the FragBox uses an ICE box) for a few hundred less.

> My Shuttle is actually an ICE box, which I mainly wanted for the peace
> and quiet. My previous one sounded like an Apache in full-on attack
> mode, with seven fans blasting away, so the ICE is sheer bliss.

> >Does Microsoft still make the wireless keyboard/mouse?

> They do indeed, I just bought a set recently. I've always liked the
> ergonomics of Microsoft mice, and with the wireless and optical it's
> really excellent. Certainly sounds ideal for what you intend, and will
> happily work on couch, trouser leg, carpet - indeed I'm testing all of
> these while typing this :-)

> John

by **Gerald Moo** » Thu, 11 Sep 2003 05:03:06

> Hi John,
> So...I've decided to replace it
> with a 50" Samsung projection TV, the main difference--other than a
> scarifying price-tag--being that it uses DLP (digital light processing)
> technology, so has only one gun instead of 3; its electron stream is aimed
> by turning on & off some 917,000 eensy-weensy mirors...for a rez. of 1024 x
> 768 (if I've done my math right).

> Indeed, the Sammy has a VGA (or XVGA) input, plus HDTV capabilities, 16:9
> screen, optical audio I/O, iLink (aka FireWire) output, Faroudja
> de-interlacer (nee line doubler), etc., etc., so I thought Why the Shtup
> Not? I'll replace the AV receiver I've been using for the Pana with the
> Fragbox, using the midget 'puta as a TVR (TV recorder), like a TiVo...only
> w/o the monthly cost, and as a killer game platform to put stuff like "Call
> of Duty" up on the big screen.

If you haven't been there already, check out
<http://www.racesimcentral.net/; and be
prepared to spend a lot of time reading. They have lots of other
interesting and useful forums at this site, aside from the one
dedicated to home theater PCs.

I built a small***pit style frame and mounted my wheel to it. I can
move it far enough out of the way that my wife doesn't mind. Maybe
you can do similar. Racing is a blast on the big screen.

I play UT2003 and similar from my couch, no probs. You get used to
the unconventional position rather quickly. I use an optical mouse
which seems to track very well. I am not a frag master, but I dont
suck too bad, either. Well, for a 35 yo, anyway.

"You'll love it! It's a way of life!"

by **Steve Smit** » Thu, 11 Sep 2003 07:13:17

Thanks, Gerald. I've spent a lot of time on the avs forum - that's where I
got most of what I know about the Sammy DLP big-screen!

As mentioned elsewhere, I've ordered a Gyration "air mouse." We'll see if
it has the right stuff for RS:RS, MoH, CoD, CS:CZ, etc.

by **Gerald Moo** » Sat, 13 Sep 2003 22:18:42

> As mentioned elsewhere, I've ordered a Gyration "air mouse." We'll see if
> it has the right stuff for RS:RS, MoH, CoD, CS:CZ, etc.

Jeez, maybe I should revise what I said about me not sucking... I
don't even recognize half of those games! But I saw the DooM 3 movie
from E3 and all I can say is GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!

by **Steve Smit** » Mon, 15 Sep 2003 07:09:06

Tried the Gyration. Meso-meso. I suppose one might get used to it. It has
gyros within, so the motion is all in the wrist. I'd prefer something like
head-tracking (IR) technology, so you could make big, sweeping gestures,
like Tom Cruise in "Minority Report." The Gyration stuff is well designed,
made, packaged, and docu'd. Reasonably priced, too: you can get the air
mouse and a wireless keyboard (both have a longer-than-normal RF range: 25
ft., primarily for presentation in big conf. rooms) for $99.

rec.autos.simulators

Sweet LAN-party rig!

Sweet LAN-party rig!

Sweet LAN-party rig!

Sweet LAN-party rig!

Sweet LAN-party rig!

Sweet LAN-party rig!

Sweet LAN-party rig!