Widescreen projector setup for racing simulator

[BrodyPenn]

ok... I have been brainstorming lately about how to make my existing racing cockpit/simulator (http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?p=2648484#post2648484) more immersive, but still stay relatively low in cost. My idea is to replace the existing monitor with a 56"x22" curved screen using two projectors to make one image that is 2560x1024. The main reason for the smallish size when using a projector is that I need it fairly portable, and also my space is really limited.

I can build the frame for the screen with no problem, as I have access to all of the proper tools and materials. As you can see from my illustration below, I will most likely have to mount the projectors less than 5' away from the screen. I have tested this with an Epson PowerLite 53c at my job and the distance is ok, as well as the distortion from the curved screen. I have also tested the angle with using the keystone to make sure that the height of the projector relative to the curved screen would work and it was acceptable.

Now, here comes the tricky part; what projectors to buy and how to mount them. I am not sure which way will be the best to mount them. I have illustrated two ideas I have had for mounting them and I don't know which will work better as I don't have 2 projectors to test it with yet. I would get less image distortion by crossing the beams, but will they cancel each other out a bit? I don't know that much about projectors, so forgive me if it is an obvious question.

The second part is; what projectors should I buy. Now, I am on a fairly tight budget and the projectors will probably have to come from eBay or something because I know I can't afford two projectors at retail prices. Image quaility is important but not the most important aspect of the projector I need. Since I will be using them for racing sims the quality just needs to be sufficient enough and bright enough to get me by :) The quality of the Powerlite 53c is more than ok, but the resolution of it is limited I think to 1024x768, but I could be wrong. So, what I am looking for are two identical (I presume) projectors that do not have to be top of the line, but acceptable for my application that are reasonably purchased used. It would be nice too if the replacement lamps weren't outragous, but that is part of life :^) If anybody has any ideas, please share them.... and also if I am just wasting my time b/c it wouldn't be worth it :)

thanks

Brody


http://www.stereoslab.xtremesimracing.com/simstuff/projectorsetup.jpg

[HeadRusch]

Honestly, I'd start with 1 projector and see how that works out.

Then, consider adding the second projector if you think that the added horizontal resolution will benefit you. Also, projectors dont age evenly.......within a certain amount of time you may have a problem with brightness between the two displays, which would be quite distracting, I think. Then there are the focus issues on a curved screen, hotspotting, and so on and so on.

With a curved screen you're going to be getting a fisheye effect, aren't you?

While I applaud your efforts, I'd consider a single projector first.....you can always add on later.

[BrodyPenn]

hey thanks for the response. The image distortion actually works out ok, b/c the FOV you have to use in racing sims with a wide screen like that make the distortion look fine. Most of the distortion is at the sides anyways where it would be in my peripheral vision anyways. Like I said, it is mainly for immersion not image quality. 3 projectors is ideal, but I know I can't afford 3 decent ones. :)

[scorch123]

BrodyPenn,

Search here for the edge blending threads on the CRT forum. The trick will be finding an appropriate video card which supports the game software. You might want to consider or 2 or 3 display wide video wall for your display.

Have fun with your project,

- Steve O.

[BrodyPenn]

using the Matrox TripleHead2Go box with three LCD monitors angled in on the sides is definately the cheapest way to go, but I hate the black bars from the monitors and also the image would not be nearly as big. This is just a pipe dream I guess... maybe eventually I can figure out a way to make it work :)

[HeadRusch]

Thing is lots of gaming cards support dual-monitors stock these days.....so you get a dual DVI you can drive two projectors digitally. You get into 3 displays, then everything changes.

The advantage is that if you can live with resolutions like 1024x768 (with AA and AF turned up) you will get a beautiful picture. Since the price of projectors go up rather seriously as resolutions increase, this may be a more realistic scenario.

Also...be careful what you buy on ebay, it all comes back to hours on bulb and how that projector was treated. No sense getting a bargain on a projector if the polarizers are on their way to burning or the bulb only has a few hundred hours left on it.

[BrodyPenn]

1024x768 would be fine. As for the ebay thing, I know what you are talking about, but I really can't afford a new one...lol So, I guess this may be a project idea for a person richer than I :) I would just like to see it work :) I wish projectors were more reliable and lasted longer (bulb) but that is the nature of the beast I guess.

[BrodyPenn]

ok... I guess the only way to effective do it is to put 3 panels at 30* angles and have the projectors point straight down towards them. The curved idea works to a certain extent, but the amount of fine tuning involved would just be too much. If only they made a lens for this :) I am still going to try and pursue the curved idea, just because it looks so damn cool...lol :) I can get 3 Epson Powerlite S1+'s for under $1000 and they have a good enough picture for me and the replacement bulbs are reasonable. So we will see what happens...it might just be overkill :)

http://www.stereoslab.xtremesimracing.com/simstuff/projectorsetup2.jpg

[HeadRusch]

For the effort you'd put in, why not just do 3 37" LCD displays...

You can get 3 Westinghouse 37" 1080p units right now for $997 each from ECOST.

[dice65]

what racing sim are you going to use ? im into rfactor and nascar03 by papy.....love to see you get this done

[BrodyPenn]

rFactor, nKPro, NR2003, RBR, LFS, GTL, GTR and anything else I can get my hands on. :)

[mking2673]

Awesome work. I have also thought about doing this but there is no way that it will happen ($). Post pictures when you are done.

[bobpaule]

You move to the world of WW2 combat flight simulation with IL2 Sturmovik and it leave you stuck in 3D. I used to be a 2D racer too, but once you taste 3D aerial combat you will not want anything else.

I use a Mushaburui cockpit sim with CH joystick, throttle, pedals and a NaturalPoint head tracker on a mic stand in front of me looking at a 110" Carada via a PLV_Z3. Amazing gadget the headtracker is, and i can see benefit in racing too. I wish i had it in my Porsche Unleashed days :)

[chris5977]

I love my projector, but I don't think I'd want three of those hot boxes blasting above my head. I saw some very nice 32" monitors for $700 at Costoco the other day.

I'm curious, what PC racing games support three monitors? I remember there is an Xbox 180 racing game that will support three monitors.

[HeadRusch]

You can trick FORZA into using 3 monitors..

[Gn0m4]

Any news?

I´m very interesting in this project. This is my actual cockpit with only one projector: http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=254690


Regards

[HeadRusch]

Holy Crap, what racing game is that???

Seeing something like that makes me want to build a HTPC :D

[JMSpeed]

Holy Crap, what racing game is that???

Seeing something like that makes me want to build a HTPC :D

That is GTL, made by Simbin. RACE and GTR2 are the most recent games released by them and are even more graphics intensive.

[SpeedyHTPC]

BrodyPen, thats an awesome idea with the PJs. I think the direct angled version would work best.

Does anyone know if theres a seamless way of setting this up with monitors? According the widescreengamingforum.com, it looks quite enough with 19" 1280x1024 monitors.

[BrodyPenn]

Yeah there are a couple of ways to do it with monitors. The most popular being the TripleHead2Go graphics adapter from Matrox.

However, yesterday HP revealed a VooDoo new line of projectors that are capable of projecting onto a curved surface and can be set up side by side to form on SEAMLESS image. The pics of it are exactly what I was trying to achieve. Unfortunately they will probably be about $2000 a piece for the PJ's :(

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/01/10/Voodoo_makes_gaming_magic_at_CES/

[EAS]

I second using LCD's. You can get 32's at costco for $600 or less.

If you are really going for removing the frame and are fixed on projectors. any vga projector is going to be enough on smaller screens. Since you have a fixed fram and it doesn't move think about rear projection. It will be far easier to match up in the corners since you can use masking panels extending out from the corners to trim the image. You also avoid sticking your head in the way. Cheapo data projectors might be adequate due to the size of screen you would be using...small in comparison to projecting across a room. You wont get that curved screen look, but I bet you would get used to it. By using mirrors you could make the setup more compact. See how force dynamic does it's projector http://www.force-dynamics.com/customization.php

Note the mirror above the head.

[Kimmelator]

Any updates on your project?

I really like the triplehead2go concept with the three projectors. Are there any examples of this on the web? I have seen a lot of lcd and crt monitors, but no projector setups.

Also, does anybody have any videos or photos of racing games using two projectors? I tried two crt monitors on rFactor and although it was very cool, it was impossible to drive because of the three inches of monitor plastic right down the middle. I thought that with two 16:9 projectors they could be matched up to create a wide view AND a large picture.

Right now InFocus has a big rebate on the IN72 projector which might allow me to buy two of them for racing without getting too much heat from the wife. If anybody has any experience or information on using two projectors for racing sims I would really appreciate it. And keep us posted on your project Brody!

[BrodyPenn]

I haven't seen anybody with a multi projector setup before. Also, I have a buddy who is trying to find another projector to hook up his THTG :)

[Kimmelator]

I found a video that is enititled "GTR2 - Dualscreen" on You Tube. I can't post the link because I don't have enough posts yet, but if you do some searching around you should be able to find it.

It looks like Gn0me4 just posted the video--hopefully he can tell us about his experiences with multiple projectors...

[Kimmelator]

I found another website that tells how to setup projectors for simulators. It's at 3dflightsim.