Building den - which projector to use?

Hi all I am building a den with a built in cockpit-steering wheel etc for simulations. I wanted to use a projector with 8 feet screen to get the feeling of really being there, so does anyone know of any issues running F1C, GP4 , GPL etc on a large screen and which would be the best projector to use. Thanks very much

Ken wrote:

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> Hi all > > I am building a den with a built in cockpit-steering wheel etc for > simulations. > > I wanted to use a projector with 8 feet screen to get the feeling of really > being there, so does anyone know of any issues running F1C, GP4 , GPL etc on > a large screen and which would be the best projector to use. > > Thanks very much

Hi Ken: Wow, 8 feet. A "Regular" TV image isn't that great, resolution wise. One wouldn't look good expanded to 8 feet. I'd recommend an projector capable of HDTV, or better yet, higher resolutions. A screen that wide is probably going to play on your peripheral vision, which is sensitive to flicker. So a good refresh rate is also important. I'd post questions to a newsgroup with the word "video" in the name. Bring lots of money, and please get back to us. I'm curious about what you find out. What wheel are you using? Where do you live? Can I come over to play? Larry

"Larry Lindstrom" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:7_G8c.95614$po.733470@attbi_s52...

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> Ken wrote: > >> Hi all >> >> I am building a den with a built in cockpit-steering wheel etc for >> simulations. >> >> I wanted to use a projector with 8 feet screen to get the feeling of >> really being there, so does anyone know of any issues running F1C, GP4 , >> GPL etc on a large screen and which would be the best projector to use. >> >> Thanks very much > > Hi Ken: > > Wow, 8 feet. > > A "Regular" TV image isn't that great, resolution wise. > One wouldn't look good expanded to 8 feet. > > I'd recommend an projector capable of HDTV, or better yet, > higher resolutions. A screen that wide is probably going to > play on your peripheral vision, which is sensitive to flicker. > So a good refresh rate is also important. > > I'd post questions to a newsgroup with the word "video" in > the name. > > Bring lots of money, and please get back to us. I'm > curious about what you find out. > > What wheel are you using? > > Where do you live? Can I come over to play? > > Larry >

Thanks for your advice Larry - Well appreciated. Maybe when I get the whole setup done I will take a picture and post it. I am using a Logitech momo force feedback right now and I am building a cockpit to suit my size. I live in the US but I am English

Ken, Im supposing that you want better resolution, because TV's are only like 320 by what 180 double interlaced resolution (pretty crappy) you might have to look into one of those "PC Screen, presentation projectors" that many Corporations show the P-Point presentations on... One I got to use once went up to about 6ft, with 600x800, this was over 2years ago, BTW... I definitely remember, I was told not to Screw it up because it cost over 3000 $ us... Surely they are cheaper now... Ken wrote:

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> "Larry Lindstrom" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:7_G8c.95614$po.733470@attbi_s52... >> Ken wrote: >> >>> Hi all >>> >>> I am building a den with a built in cockpit-steering wheel etc for >>> simulations. >>> >>> I wanted to use a projector with 8 feet screen to get the feeling of >>> really being there, so does anyone know of any issues running F1C, >>> GP4 , GPL etc on a large screen and which would be the best >>> projector to use. >>> >>> Thanks very much >> >> Hi Ken: >> >> Wow, 8 feet. >> >> A "Regular" TV image isn't that great, resolution wise. >> One wouldn't look good expanded to 8 feet. >> >> I'd recommend an projector capable of HDTV, or better yet, >> higher resolutions. A screen that wide is probably going to >> play on your peripheral vision, which is sensitive to flicker. >> So a good refresh rate is also important. >> >> I'd post questions to a newsgroup with the word "video" in >> the name. >> >> Bring lots of money, and please get back to us. I'm >> curious about what you find out. >> >> What wheel are you using? >> >> Where do you live? Can I come over to play? >> >> Larry >> > > Thanks for your advice Larry - Well appreciated. > > Maybe when I get the whole setup done I will take a picture and post > it. > > I am using a Logitech momo force feedback right now and I am building > a cockpit to suit my size. I live in the US but I am English

The big killer with projectors is the price of the bulbs. "Sting32" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Ken, > > Im supposing that you want better resolution, because TV's are only like320

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> by what 180 double interlaced resolution (pretty crappy) > > you might have to look into one of those "PC Screen, presentation > projectors" that many Corporations show the P-Point presentations on... > One I got to use once went up to about 6ft, with 600x800, this was over > 2years ago, BTW... I definitely remember, I was told not to Screw it up > because it cost over 3000 $ us... Surely they are cheaper now... > > Ken wrote: > > "Larry Lindstrom" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:7_G8c.95614$po.733470@attbi_s52... > >> Ken wrote: > >> > >>> Hi all > >>> > >>> I am building a den with a built in cockpit-steering wheel etc for > >>> simulations. > >>> > >>> I wanted to use a projector with 8 feet screen to get the feeling of > >>> really being there, so does anyone know of any issues running F1C, > >>> GP4 , GPL etc on a large screen and which would be the best > >>> projector to use. > >>> > >>> Thanks very much > >> > >> Hi Ken: > >> > >> Wow, 8 feet. > >> > >> A "Regular" TV image isn't that great, resolution wise. > >> One wouldn't look good expanded to 8 feet. > >> > >> I'd recommend an projector capable of HDTV, or better yet, > >> higher resolutions. A screen that wide is probably going to > >> play on your peripheral vision, which is sensitive to flicker. > >> So a good refresh rate is also important. > >> > >> I'd post questions to a newsgroup with the word "video" in > >> the name. > >> > >> Bring lots of money, and please get back to us. I'm > >> curious about what you find out. > >> > >> What wheel are you using? > >> > >> Where do you live? Can I come over to play? > >> > >> Larry > >> > > > > Thanks for your advice Larry - Well appreciated. > > > > Maybe when I get the whole setup done I will take a picture and post > > it. > > > > I am using a Logitech momo force feedback right now and I am building > > a cockpit to suit my size. I live in the US but I am English > >

First of all you need to find a projector that can produce that size of a picture in your room. I'd say that you need to have the projector something like 15-18 feet from the screen. I recommend you to go to http://www.projectorcentral.com/ for information on projectors. They have a projection calculator at http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator.cfm If you only are going to use the proj for gaming a 4:3 is fine. On the other hand if you want to use it for home cinema purposes you might want to look at a 16:9 (Wide screen) proj. You can get an InFocus X1 (4:3) for $999 or a Epson PowerLite Home 10 16:9) for $1299. Kotten "Schooner" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<sOJ8c.10460$[email hidden]>...

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> The big killer with projectors is the price of the bulbs. > > "Sting32" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > > Ken, > > > > Im supposing that you want better resolution, because TV's are only like > 320 > > by what 180 double interlaced resolution (pretty crappy) > > > > you might have to look into one of those "PC Screen, presentation > > projectors" that many Corporations show the P-Point presentations on... > > One I got to use once went up to about 6ft, with 600x800, this was over > > 2years ago, BTW... I definitely remember, I was told not to Screw it up > > because it cost over 3000 $ us... Surely they are cheaper now... > > > > Ken wrote: > > > "Larry Lindstrom" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > > news:7_G8c.95614$po.733470@attbi_s52... > > >> Ken wrote: > > >> > > >>> Hi all > > >>> > > >>> I am building a den with a built in cockpit-steering wheel etc for > > >>> simulations. > > >>> > > >>> I wanted to use a projector with 8 feet screen to get the feeling of > > >>> really being there, so does anyone know of any issues running F1C, > > >>> GP4 , GPL etc on a large screen and which would be the best > > >>> projector to use. > > >>> > > >>> Thanks very much > > >> > > >> Hi Ken: > > >> > > >> Wow, 8 feet. > > >> > > >> A "Regular" TV image isn't that great, resolution wise. > > >> One wouldn't look good expanded to 8 feet. > > >> > > >> I'd recommend an projector capable of HDTV, or better yet, > > >> higher resolutions. A screen that wide is probably going to > > >> play on your peripheral vision, which is sensitive to flicker. > > >> So a good refresh rate is also important. > > >> > > >> I'd post questions to a newsgroup with the word "video" in > > >> the name. > > >> > > >> Bring lots of money, and please get back to us. I'm > > >> curious about what you find out. > > >> > > >> What wheel are you using? > > >> > > >> Where do you live? Can I come over to play? > > >> > > >> Larry > > >> > > > > > > Thanks for your advice Larry - Well appreciated. > > > > > > Maybe when I get the whole setup done I will take a picture and post > > > it. > > > > > > I am using a Logitech momo force feedback right now and I am building > > > a cockpit to suit my size. I live in the US but I am English > > > >

Yeah, bulbs are over $500, so you might as well have a projector that's worth it. If you're going to use it for TV, make sure it has a line doubler (HD projectors are way too 'spensive), like a Faroudja. You can find projectors that will display 1024x768. Look for good illumination and high contrast. Alternative: you might try a DLP rear-projection TV (only abt. 18 in. thick); they can cost under $3000 for a 40-in. set or over $6000 for the big ones (60+ inches). Look for one w. a digital XVGA input that can handle 1024x758. I have a 50-in. Samsung connected to a Falcon NW FragBox for flite sims like IL-2 and LOMAC. Spectacular...and the bulb cost is more like $300 (and lasts thousands of hours instead of hundreds). "Schooner" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:sOJ8c.10460$[email hidden]...

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> The big killer with projectors is the price of the bulbs. > > "Sting32" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > > Ken, > > > > Im supposing that you want better resolution, because TV's are only like > 320 > > by what 180 double interlaced resolution (pretty crappy) > > > > you might have to look into one of those "PC Screen, presentation > > projectors" that many Corporations show the P-Point presentations on... > > One I got to use once went up to about 6ft, with 600x800, this was over > > 2years ago, BTW... I definitely remember, I was told not to Screw it up > > because it cost over 3000 $ us... Surely they are cheaper now... > > > > Ken wrote: > > > "Larry Lindstrom" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > > news:7_G8c.95614$po.733470@attbi_s52... > > >> Ken wrote: > > >> > > >>> Hi all > > >>> > > >>> I am building a den with a built in cockpit-steering wheel etc for > > >>> simulations. > > >>> > > >>> I wanted to use a projector with 8 feet screen to get the feeling of > > >>> really being there, so does anyone know of any issues running F1C, > > >>> GP4 , GPL etc on a large screen and which would be the best > > >>> projector to use. > > >>> > > >>> Thanks very much > > >> > > >> Hi Ken: > > >> > > >> Wow, 8 feet. > > >> > > >> A "Regular" TV image isn't that great, resolution wise. > > >> One wouldn't look good expanded to 8 feet. > > >> > > >> I'd recommend an projector capable of HDTV, or better yet, > > >> higher resolutions. A screen that wide is probably going to > > >> play on your peripheral vision, which is sensitive to flicker. > > >> So a good refresh rate is also important. > > >> > > >> I'd post questions to a newsgroup with the word "video" in > > >> the name. > > >> > > >> Bring lots of money, and please get back to us. I'm > > >> curious about what you find out. > > >> > > >> What wheel are you using? > > >> > > >> Where do you live? Can I come over to play? > > >> > > >> Larry > > >> > > > > > > Thanks for your advice Larry - Well appreciated. > > > > > > Maybe when I get the whole setup done I will take a picture and post > > > it. > > > > > > I am using a Logitech momo force feedback right now and I am building > > > a cockpit to suit my size. I live in the US but I am English > > > > > >

You should be able to get a decent DLP or LCD projector for a 8ft screen for $1,000 or less, I am currently using my four year old InFocus LP340, which is only really good for 800x600, sitting about 7' away from 6' diag display. The picture is ok, but not great, it is a bit grainy and that is with DLP, if you use a LCD ptojector, you will see even more pixels/jaggies since you should really sit about 1.5x the screen width. Most of the newer projectors can do 1024x768 or 1240x1024 without problem. Good brands to try are: InFocus, BenQ, Panasonic, Sony and Sanyo (the usual suspects). If you want to watch DVDs as well, then you may want to go with a 16:9 display, which do wide screen movies much better, but they tend to be a bit more expensive than 4:3 displays. Happy shopping...

"Jerry" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> You should be able to get a decent DLP or LCD projector for a 8ft > screen for $1,000 or less, I am currently using my four year old > InFocus LP340, which is only really good for 800x600, sitting about 7' > away from 6' diag display. The picture is ok, but not great, it is a > bit grainy and that is with DLP, if you use a LCD ptojector, you will > see even more pixels/jaggies since you should really sit about 1.5x > the screen width. Most of the newer projectors can do 1024x768 or > 1240x1024 without problem. Good brands to try are: InFocus, BenQ, > Panasonic, Sony and Sanyo (the usual suspects). If you want to watch > DVDs as well, then you may want to go with a 16:9 display, which do > wide screen movies much better, but they tend to be a bit more > expensive than 4:3 displays. Happy shopping...

Thanks for all your advice guys - I appreciate it!

"Ken" <NO more spam> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>... > > Thanks for all your advice guys - I appreciate it! Some random thoughts: You need to think about the ambient light levels in your room, this will dictate how bright you really need the projector to be. If you can make the room totally dark, you can get by with a pretty dim projector, say 800-1000 lumens. Screen size plays a role here too, though, the larger the image, the more lumens you need to get the same screen brightness. For games, 800 x 600 doesn't really look that good, 1024 x 768 is acceptable, but barely. I have to turn up the FSAA to make it look smooth. Once you start racing, you don't notice it as much. The size really creates an immersive experience for me. I would love to see 1600 x 1200 or even something like 1920 x 1080 for a picture this size. Maybe in a few more years. Many projectors will sync to these higher resolutions, but you want one with as high a native resolution as you can afford. Bulbs aren't really that expensive per hour. You need to take the information you get from projector central (hours of bulb life), then find out how much replacement bulbs for that projector cost, then do the math. Most bulbs these days last well over 1000 hours. Check out http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb for more information than you can digest in a lifetime. Particularly the digital display, HTPC and gaming forums. Another good company is NEC. Good projectors, awesome warranty. A projector with optical zoom gives you a lot of flexibility in projector placement. If your cable length is much over 6 feet, invest in some decent VGA cabling to avoid ghosting, rings, etc. This doesn't have to be expensive, if you shop around. Figure $40 for a really good 25' VGA cable. Belkin (even their high end cables) really doesn't cut it. Good luck, Gerald

I completely agree with the avsforum.com stuff, theres loads of good info there, also check out avforums.com for an alternate (one is uk, the other us). both great sites. for around a grand sterling id go for the panny ae500, its native to 720 horizontal lines (much higher res than dvds currently support - unless youre talking wmp9 stuff, but then that wont work outside the us :( ). if youve got the cash and the friends at sony, then their new Qualia 004 looks nice, its native 1920 x 1080 hi def, costs around 15 grand sterling, and from reports its possibly the greatest projector yet. im looking at the ae500 myself. pez "Gerald Moore" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > "Ken" <NO more spam> wrote in messagenews:<[email hidden]>...

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> > > > Thanks for all your advice guys - I appreciate it! > > Some random thoughts: > > You need to think about the ambient light levels in your room, this > will dictate how bright you really need the projector to be. If you > can make the room totally dark, you can get by with a pretty dim > projector, say 800-1000 lumens. Screen size plays a role here too, > though, the larger the image, the more lumens you need to get the same > screen brightness. > > For games, 800 x 600 doesn't really look that good, 1024 x 768 is > acceptable, but barely. I have to turn up the FSAA to make it look > smooth. Once you start racing, you don't notice it as much. The size > really creates an immersive experience for me. I would love to see > 1600 x 1200 or even something like 1920 x 1080 for a picture this > size. Maybe in a few more years. > > Many projectors will sync to these higher resolutions, but you want > one with as high a native resolution as you can afford. > > Bulbs aren't really that expensive per hour. You need to take the > information you get from projector central (hours of bulb life), then > find out how much replacement bulbs for that projector cost, then do > the math. Most bulbs these days last well over 1000 hours. > > Check out http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb for more information than you > can digest in a lifetime. Particularly the digital display, HTPC and > gaming forums. > > Another good company is NEC. Good projectors, awesome warranty. > > A projector with optical zoom gives you a lot of flexibility in > projector placement. > > If your cable length is much over 6 feet, invest in some decent VGA > cabling to avoid ghosting, rings, etc. This doesn't have to be > expensive, if you shop around. Figure $40 for a really good 25' VGA > cable. Belkin (even their high end cables) really doesn't cut it. > > Good luck, > Gerald