Hi, I am attempting to get 3 Projectors and use the TripleHead2Go System for triple Screen. I have been toying with the Idea to use a Mirror to help with the Throw rate of the Projector and the limited space I have..

I would like to know will the total Distance of the throw rate say if it was 8ft and I only have 4Ft of space Now If I used a Mirror at the 4Ft mark it now will bounc back to the screen at another 4ft that would be the 8ft Total I need?? Is this correct??

Or when you use a mirror the Throw rate is Not the same?? I have experimented with a Smaller 8" Dia. Mirror it was wierd to get a bigger image I had to move the mirror closeer the the Lens??

Help I am so confused?? If you are Wondering I will be using a translucent screen and trying to get a Big image with Little throw rate Space for my Virtual flight simulator..

You have to have a mirror big enough to catch the entire light cone or image if you will.

Closer to the lens the light cone is small, 1/2 way to the screen the mirror has to be at least 1/2 the size of the end screen size.

The mirror should be a 1st surface optical mirror, not a tpyical bathroom / bedroom / decoritive mirror you would hang on a wall, ect..ect...

The throw DISTANCE does not change when using a mirror. It is folded. As John said, the closer to the projector, the smaller the mirror can be. Do yourself a favor, lay it out on paper. Diagram it so you can see where you can place the mirror and what size you will need. This means you have to have a "paper-doll" cutout of the projection cone to move around, fold, etc.

Hey, Good tip on the 1st refelctive mirror I didnt know that Thnx;)

Ya, I am in the beginning phases of this Project, I am still NOT sure what size Screen I want but will figure that out over the weekend..

Can you get these 1st refelctive mirrors in a curved shape?? I am trying to make the screen Curved and at a 120-180Deg. viewing angle..Or would a flat mirror do the trick and just project onto a Curved screen?? I have a Nice Program to fix the
Geometry problems associated with Curved screens called Sol7 Home sim version by Immersaview..

Also I am thinking of going Rear Projection any Ideas on a Cheap Translucent screen?? What do they even make those types of screens of??

I have seen reflective film used as first surface mirrors, but I imagine it would be difficut to get a perfectly smooth and flat substrait. An thin acrilyc FSM that you could bend slightly would probably give you better results. Even if you can correct the geometry in software, you'll probably have to used a curved mirror so you can maintain focus.

Aside from the throw distance problems, I don't think you'd be able to do 180deg with 3 screens, as the back reflections from the two end screens would wash each other out.

http://www.firstsurfacemirrors.com/acrylicfirstsurfacemirrors.htm

We've used this rear-projection stick-on screen film with good results.

3M Vikuiti rear projection film
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Vikuiti1/BrandProducts/main/productliterature/productinformation/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECFTDQ8KB7_node=ZGCKC342Z0be&PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECFTDQ8KB7_root=GST1T4S9TCgv&PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECFTDQ8KB7_vroot=S6Q2FD9X0Jge&PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECFTDQ8KB7_gvel=HPL81X5HFMgl

Good luck,

Jonathan

Hi, Maybe you are seeing something I don't?? But I dont think there will be any Washout?? If you think there is gonna be can you expand on your Thought as to why you think that??


I am thinking each section I will break the Full screen into 3 sections but it will be 1 large screen seamless when viewed from the Viewing position. I am going to make them a 60"- 70" screen in a 4:3 Ratio the Full effect will be a widescreen but broken down to 3 - 4:3 Sections..


I will also be doing a Rear Projection now I still may or may NOT curve the screens depends on the mirrors and How difficult to get 1st Surface Curved Mirrors?? I found a place from the above links for a company I beliecve it was 3M and asked fore a Quote on 3 Pieces 60: Diagonal.. Hopefully it will be withing my budget about 3-4Grand for 2 more Projectors and the Screen material and mirrors??

I attempted to Draw a Pic in Paint but I hope you get the idea:

The Screens will have Frames I can make out of Aluminium that I saw from the 3M Website and the Projectors will either be mounted on the top but Probally the bottom as that is how they did it at 3M. then Pointing at the Mirror then reflected back to give me a 60" Diagonal Screen.

Now it may take some adjusting and tweaking I may include Adjustable adjustments on my Stands for the Projectors and mount them to the Frame so they won't move after adjustment..


http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9881/pit.jpg
Shot at 2009-02-26

Any comments or Constructive critisism I am ALL Ears umm about my Project NOT the Drawing LOL!! ;)

Do you already have the projectors? It would seem easier to buy 3 short throw 4:3 projectors if you have 4 feet of space plus the time savings would be huge.

A model that comes to mind is the NEC WT610E. There are others, do a search on projector central.

Screen material from Da-lite or Stewart would easily blow your budget. The rear projection film might work but the regular vikuiti screens will probably blow your budget as well.

Bob

I Had bought a Sharp XR10XL Projector so I plan on getting 2 more. I need the Projector to be able to be capable of 3D and the list is Very Short for that type of projector. This Projector works fine for me and since I already have 1 and it works in 3D That is a Plus. It is a 4:3 Projector at 1024x768 I dont need a 720P or 1080P Projector altho DepthQ has a nice 720P 3D Projector but it is 6 Grand :(



http://www.3dmovielist.com/projectors.html



I have a Dedicated room for this 12'x13'.. I use a 45" screen Now and the throw rate on that is 5'. I plan on being in the corner of the room and go Diagonally but to give me more space to move around I am going to use mirrors to shorten the throw length for more Breathing space..

I had put in a Request for a Price for the Rear Projection screen I shall see how much it will cost.. I do have a Low cost alternative but I would rather use Real Rear Projection material..


Gerald

The throw DISTANCE does not change when using a mirror? i dont really get it..http://www.temp6783745.dreamhosters.com/BB/Bi.gif:(

The throw DISTANCE does not change when using a mirror? i dont really get it..http://www.temp6783745.dreamhosters.com/BB/Bi.gif:(



Your Pic isnt showing ??

I would have to put the Projector 7 Feet Behind the Screen that only leaves me with about 6 feet to put my Setup in front of the Screens essentially taking ALL the space in my room. If I use a Mirror basically I cut the Length Behind the Screens in half but still the Full 7 feet as it goes from Projector too mirror to Screen still 7 ft in essance but with a mirror there I can cut the total of 7 Ft in half giving more room in my room ;)


look at my Drawing If I dont use a mirror I need to put the mirror 7ft Behind the screen taking alot of Room up. Now look at the Picture I drew and see how with the mirror there it takes up less space but still need 7ft for the trow rate for a 60" size screen ;)

Correct. Example: a projector needs 10' to project an image 8' wide. That distance is fixed by the projector's optics, it cannot be changed. However, by using a mirror, you can reduce the space required by FOLDING the image throw. Say you need 8' of throw but you only have 5' of space. By using a mirror, you have the projector near the screen, facing AWAY from it, projecting into a mirror. The distance from the screen to the mirror is 5', that means that the projector is placed 3' from the mirror.

If you still have trouble grasping the concept, consider that EVERY rear projection TV uses the EXACT SAME technique.

A few years ago when I installed huge 3 gun CRT projectors in rear projection installations, we constantly had space that was way too short for a straight on shot so we would bounce the image onto a mirror and then on to the screen. We even had some installations where there were TWO mirrors for a DOUBLE bounce. Very tricky.

The throw DISTANCE does not change when using a mirror? i dont really get it..http://www.temp6783745.dreamhosters.com/BB/Bi.gif:(

I found a Place iWeiss I emailed them to make sure the material they are selling is what I need..

Well One place wants over 2 grand for a translucent Screen Ouch :(

I found a Website that gives me the Addys of TV Repair Shops locally I plan on calling a Few this Week maybe Sunday if they are Open..