What projector gives best results?

[raygun]

Hello all

I am currently using a Benq mp771 projector for my Beech Baron cockpit. It has been playing up for a while and I need to get a replacement. I am only using a single display that is about 9 ft wide and 4 ft high. I have limited headroom and distance from the screen so I need something that is either short throw or ultra short throw.

I am using fsx as my sim and the image quality I get is OK but it is a bit grainey, I am not sure if this is due to the limit of the projector or the software. threfore when buying a new one I had considered an HD model.

I would like to know what other people have and what the limitations are as I cannot really afford to get it wrong with the next projector. Has anyone got a projector that gives really great results both in terms of image quality and in terms of image size in relation to distance from the screen.

Any help would be very wolcome

Regards

Raygun

[navymustang]

At 17 in away from screen, the ultra short throw can deliver about 82 inches of horizontal view.
I have used the Benq 1085ST with great success.  It's an HD projector short throw.  For ultra short throw I am using a Vivatek D75x series.
Jim

[raygun]

Hi Navymustang

thanks for taking the time to reply.

My current projector is playing up at present so I am being forced to look for something else. I am thinking of something like the Benq 1085 st. It needs to fit into my very small room and project a reasonable sized image. Currently my projector is not 1080p and has a lowish native resolution. I am hoping that with the 1080 p I will get less pixelation in the image and that I will see my photo scenery as it should be.

I am on a tight budget so I may have to save up for the Benq model, they all seem to be about 8 or 900 pounds UK. I guess that is what you have to pay for a descent image.

Many thanks

Raygun

[MjTom]

Hi,
I think Benq 1085st it´s the same beamer as the Benq 1080st in Germany.
This beamer is also my favorite.
I need 3 pieces for a 8m x 2m curved screen.
The price is realy heavy and makes no moves to fall.
Best price in Germany: 939€
But I've found so far no alternative.

so long...Thomas

[Ridgenj]

Hi, what about Optoma GT1080 ST? In the US is about 700 dollars and is very suitable for small room.

Cheers
Luis aka Ridgenj

[HarryZ]

If one is planning to go the 3 projector route then it's important to choose a projector that will give you the proper vertical viewing height.  Horizontal viewing area usually isn't an issue but  getting the image high enough for the entire curved screen can be, especially at the extreme left and right areas of the screen.

And regardless of the quality of the HD projector, the image you get will not be as good as a HD television or monitor.  Projectors on a 180° curved screen will give you more realism in flying but not the clarity  of image you get from an LCD monitor or tv.  As usual, there are pros and cons for each.

[737man]

Optoma GT1080 ST I use 3 of these
outstanding and very clear

[Ridgenj]

Any issues with the vertical projection with your Optoma's? to a 180FOV circular screen?

Harry, I was under the impression that TV LCD's had issues with fast moving frames?
No doubt the pics is superior and cant be matched with a projector, probably laser ones might come closer.
I had a three monitors setup when AMD launched their surround capable cards and I couldn't stand to have the two "black bulks" in front of me and in the way of the scenery.
I advised yesterday someone that the FDS forum to talk to HarryZ and Nat before buying a large 4K Samsung LCD TV. I might have given wrong caution signals against the LCD option.

cheers
Luis

Cheers
Luis

[737man]

Works great with fly-Elsie

http://www.fly.elise-ng.net/

[HarryZ]

Any issues with the vertical projection with your Optoma's? to a 180FOV circular screen?

Harry, I was under the impression that TV LCD's had issues with fast moving frames?
No doubt the pics is superior and cant be matched with a projector, probably laser ones might come closer.
I had a three monitors setup when AMD launched their surround capable cards and I couldn't stand to have the two "black bulks" in front of me and in the way of the scenery.
I advised yesterday someone that the FDS forum to talk to HarryZ and Nat before buying a large 4K Samsung LCD TV. I might have given wrong caution signals against the LCD option.

cheers
Luis

Cheers
Luis

Hi Luis,

A year or so ago, the makers of LCD TV's stated that they had fixed the fast action blurring of their products.  I found this amusing because they promoted a fix for a problem  that they never acknowledged for years!  But I recently purchased a 4K LCD Smart tv for personal viewing and must say they are impressive for clarity. I watch football, hockey, baseball etc and there didn't appear to be any blurring.

The debate of using LCD TV's vs projectors has been ongoing for some time on this forum but it boils down to personal preference as well as availability of space and budget.  Nat and I prefer projectors (it's what we do in our business) but others prefer TV's.  Nat has far more experience and knowledge than I do so he would be the "go to" guy for projectors.  I have backed off the installation of sim projector systems and concentrate more on the Warpalizer blending software one needs for projector use on curved screens.

[Ridgenj]

Wise advice as usual Harry, happy to have you here. The most I have done is 34" Dell Monitor for my x-plane setup. Can't figure it out how to go with x-plane and three projectors since I don't have the professional version.
It syncs around 30 Hz and not 60Hz as advertise, btw, I drive it with a Nvidia Titan. Second to none visual quality.

On another note, how many licenses do I need to drive a Server plus 3 IG and Warp?

Cheers
Luis 

[tennyson]

I've seen this same thread come up every now and then, not just on this forum, but on many cockpit builder sites.

Thanx to Nat, I went the way of three projectors and three dedicated PC's. I use Fly-Elise and have suggested the same to many of my fellow builders from around my area.

I recently took a look at Brian Williamsons' A-320 on the Gold Coast and he was running a curved screen like mine with three Optoma GT 1080's and Fly-Elise.
It's a wonderful set-up and don't know how it get's any better than that, for a non-commercial set-up.

I've also seen the big TV set-up recently and the first thing that hit me in the face is the bezels. I've watched hours of video of this set-up and no matter what is said, I cannot get used to seeing those bezels, it's an immersion killer, for me.

The second draw back, from a TV point of view, was the mis-match of screen colour and hue.
I know that people will say that you can adjust monitors and calibrate them and I am sure it has already been done on this set-up, but it's really noticeable, to me.

Perhaps I've become spoilt with high def, short throw projection on a curved screen, but to me, there is no better low cost non-commercial solution.


Frank Cooper

[Ridgenj]

Frank, I had a three monitors desktop setup for years and the bezels were a killer.
lately I tried two 34" curved LCD's and couldn't stand it.
I decided to buy a customized 180FOV screen which was done by Art Mai in Florida, beautiful.

Cheers
Luis

[HarryZ]

Wise advice as usual Harry, happy to have you here. The most I have done is 34" Dell Monitor for my x-plane setup. Can't figure it out how to go with x-plane and three projectors since I don't have the professional version.
It syncs around 30 Hz and not 60Hz as advertise, btw, I drive it with a Nvidia Titan. Second to none visual quality.

On another note, how many licenses do I need to drive a Server plus 3 IG and Warp?

Cheers
Luis

You only need one license for the home user version of Warpalizer.  You get 4 dongles to insert into the USB port of each computer (one server, 3 clinets)  Takes a bit more work to run the blending as opposed to one computer feeding 3 projectors. The cost is slightly higher for the 4 computer set-up.

[Ridgenj]

Harry, please PM me the price for 4 pcs.

Cheers
luis

[Nat Crea]

Thanks for the kind words Harry and Frank!

As of 2015, I have been using either of the W1080ST, EH200ST or Canon WUX400 in my installations, depending on specific requirements/room dimensions.

I have to agree, If done right, projected curve visual kills TV's.
Not sure if you need to have a Facebook account, but there's plenty of good reasons here:

https://www.facebook.com/NatVIS.SimulatorDisplays

Nat