Here are some pictures of my completed outside visuals. 7 24 inch LCDS monitors running of 7 separate wideview client computers.
The client computers are;
dc7800 slim form
Dual core
3 GHz processor speed
1333 MHz forward bus speed
DDR2 with 2 GB of memory, PC2-5300 memory rating
Memory speed 667 MHz
160 GB hard drive, HD speed 7200 rpm
Video is NVIDA Geforce 8440 245mb
Windows 7
The server computer is quite powerful and runs all the other bits and pieces like the inside flight instrument panels, engine gauges, and overhead panel interface.
Interesting enough, the client computers where purchased off ebay for about 100 dollars each...they are re-furbished with a Microsoft registered refurbisher COA and the original COA, (an installation disk is included for each PC).
Although the side window frames are still bare wood, they will be covered with the appropriate trim along with the overhead trim which i have yet to paint.
The forward plywood out-riggers on the forward section of the simulator are designed to accomodate the monitors.
Very impressive James! Wonder, did you experience any setup/configuration troubles with 7 PC and Wideview?
Nick
Have you ever thought about pulling the frames off the monitors and butt them up to each other closer? You'll gain more viewable space with even less notice to the edges themselves. You can use VESA mounts on the back of each one (the location of where screws go in a square configuration), and then remove the monitor stands.
Some people remove frames for the MIP monitors (I do), but I've never really seen anyone do it on the outside visuals. Of course, you could do it and set a new standard...as if you aren't already with your nice sim setup.
John
@Nick,
not really any setup configuration problems...it all went together pretty good...i initially had the forward view monitor set up directly in the center of the simulator...that is to say directly inline with the center post....but this does not give the correct field of view when sitting in the left seat..therefore had to move everything over to the left about 12 inches so the forward view is not just about directly in front of me (not quite but close) and the remaining monitors are set at 22.5 degree angle to one another left and right.
The problems that I thought I would encounter (like networking 8 computers etc) did not happen.
The most time consuming thing is getting the zoom set up on each PC to give a seamless view.
@John,
Yes John, I am probably going to get rid of the monitor borders to give a better seamless appearance...I did this with the flight instrument panel monitors, but like you said, I will have to devise some sort of bracket assembly to hold them in place.
The
Great looking sim. Good to see a classic 146 sim. It's a great aircraft and will be many hours of stop fun!
Iconic and amazing aircraft. Looking forward to seeing more of your sim.
Thanks
Rhys b