Interesting projector project

Hi All,

I've recently discovered this forum and its clear that no one knows projectors better than the 'avs' community...

So here's my situation. I'm planning on building a Formula 3 racing simulator as I've gotten hold of a damaged tub (monocoque chassis) which would make an ideal platform. I'm really trying to find the most effective and efficient method of giving the driver a sense of immersion, and it seems like projectors are the way to go. Clarity and sharpness is a must (HD 1080p 1920 x 1080?), and I'd like to have a 1:1 view to help the driver think that he is driving the real thing (I intend on lining the tub up with the on screen image).

I've had a look into 3d, polarized method and shutter glass method, but I'm uncertain as to whether this is compatible with the game 'rfactor' and if the results will be good enough to use? I've read that polarized comes with its drawbacks such as ghosting and cross over, and shutter glass could have negative medical effects due to blanking one eye out 50% of the time?

The other option is obviously 2d, in the form of curved or flat screen, 1 or 3 projector config. One problem I do have is that I would like to place the tub as close to the screen as possible to help immersion (<2metres). This would mean that if I'm projecting an image from the same side as the tub ( front projection if I understand correctly?) then I would have to find something that can project at such an angle as not to cast a shadow onto the screen.

I'd like to have a full 180 degree FOV, but am unsure as to how complex this task is? If I had to go down this route, I suppose I could invest in a lower cost projector as I'd be using three of them together and each one would be projecting a smaller picture?

I've had a look around for projectors, and there seems to be a great deal of them out there! The panasonic AE4000U caught my eye if I decide to go down the single projector flat screen route? Would this be suitable for my application? I forgot to mention that the room is not the biggest around, I'd say maybe 15 feet long? I'm really struggling to pin down the properties I need in a projector, apart from the 1080p HD, I suppose throw distance and lens shift would be critical?

I imagine the other option to avoid the shadow problem would be rear projection, but how much throw distance would you need in this case, as I'd still have to place the racing tub on the otherside which technically would divide my room into two halves with the screen in the middle?

As for screens, I've had a look at a number of DIY screen builds on here and I might try my hands at building my own. The only problem is that I m located in the UK and the materials mentioned on here are normally from shops specific to the states.

Regarding budget, I wouldn't say its fixed, as I want to buy a quality item and not have to change it within a year. I'd say I have up to 5000 Dollars at most, but am open to opinions etc...

I've attached a picture of what the tub looks like to get an idea of the size I'm dealing with. I'm open to critisism and would greatly appreciate any advice...

Kind regards,

Julian

P.S. When referring to the attached photo, the yellow coloured cone attached to the front of the tub will not be used on my simulator configuration to reduce the overall length ( and the fact that a crash stucture cone would cost around 12,000 dollars )

Thanks for the fast reply! IMO those have very harsh blend lines from one projector image to the other, especially the first link. I think its mainly becuase they're using flat screens rather than a continuous curve? I've seen some very good curved projector set ups, but unfortunately never found out what projectors they were using. I'm really looking for a nice crisp image for my budget and application. That and advice as to whether to go down 3D route or not, and what properties to look for in a projector needed for my project. I hear a lot of people are using the Epson 8350?

Thanks again,

Julian

With projectors, could you connect them up with Triple Head 2 go? I haven't bought the PC yet so I can still spec it with the eyefinity 3d Vision. This would mean going down the shutter route I suppose. How good is this method when gaming, any delays etc etc? That would also mean I'd need to build a SILVER curved screen to display the 3D image am I right, or is there some sort of the 3d projector material ready made?

Just so that I have a choice of two. If I had to choose 2D, would you go DLP or LCD. Currently it seems like a v.good LCD is the panasonic PT AE 4000u and a v.good DLP is the mitsubishi HC4000 (if opting for 1 projector). Only issue is that there is no lens shift with mitsubishi, jsut digital keystone. Would this hinder my application? Any others you can think of?

Also do you think its do able - i.e. placing the tub relatively close to the screen with a front projection without getting alot/any shadows appearing?

Thanks again!

Julian

Hmmm I m not sure if the triple head blocks edid data, I ll try have a look to find out. So that means a normal projector screen material would be fine for the 3D image??

I've attached a diagram with all the dimensions of the tub. Again note that the nose is not present in my configuration. Now sure how close I want to go, as I don't know if there are any side effects form going too close such as screen door etc , If someone could give me a range I would really appreciate it.

So what would be a better set up, in the communities opinion, 3d flat screen, 3d curved sceen( with 3 PJ ). 2d flat screen, 2d curved screen.

Thanks

Julian

As for size of screen, I am unsure as to what size, as all I know is that I want it to be 1:1 scale. Does anyone know how I can achieve this. I know I can change FOV and view in game and hence move the camera angle all around. With repect to alignment, I d like to achieve something like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-D_W...ayer_embedded#!

Not sure if he s using r factor though

That example in an extreme case, but does look very good! You make very good points and I do agree that it might be worth just investing in one 3d projector and have a flat large screen. The other option is a curved 180 FOV 2d projector set-up. Which do you think would have the most immersive factor?

I think my biggest problem is that there are these 3 possible configurations, and its hard to decide on one of them (the money envolved doesn't make it any easier either )

I stated my ideal set up btw, if i see that for my budget I can't position my tub so close, I ll move back a couple of feet

The quesiton is which configuration to go for, and then which projector to go for

Hmm what exactly do you mean when you say 'feet on 3 sides of your cockpit'?

Hmm for edge blending, can't I use sofware like Sol7 or Nthusim? Last time I checked they costed around 500 dollars to buy? What is the 25000 price tag for exactly? I definately don't have that much money to spend

Thankyou Snipe3000, will have a look at those projectors. Did you finish your threatre? Also what software are you using to run the 3 projectors , TH2GO or eyefinity? Ithink SoftTH also make some sort of software for this application. What size is your screen and could I be rude enough to ask how much the custom curved screen costed and what radius it is? How far back have u positioned your Projectors?

Andreas, thanks for the advice, it is does make logical sense to buy a relatively cheap 3D PJ just to get an idea of the end result if going down that route. However I think I'm straying away from the idea of 3d until prices go down and then invest in a 1080. Now its a question of 3 PJ curved screen 2D or 1 PJ large flat screen 2d set up.

Kind regards,

Julian

P.S. Had a look at how much Benq W6000's go for in the Uk and it seems to be around 3120 dollars! The Benq W1000+ on the other hand sells for around 1059 dollars! Is there a big jump from the 1000+ to the 6000?

Also, I had a look at the mitsubishi HC3800 which sells in the UK for 1402 Dollars and it seems to be pretty reasonable, short throw, and can permit me to get my tub closer to the screen that Benq if my calculations are correct.

Also, I don't know if anyone can help on this front but to determine what size to make my screen, I need to know how to calculate what size a 1:1 image would be in rfactor? Would this value change when opting for a triple screen set up?

Thanks

Julian

P.P.S. I had a look at the HC3800 seating distance recommendation, and it states around 3.5 metres what a given size (example). What happens if say I sit 2 metres away, will the image appear pixelated and would there be visible screen door?

Last question, if adopting a 3 PJ set up, for each projector to attack its respective section of the screen perpendicularly, I would need to position the projetors in such a way that their projected images would cross over eachother before arriving at the screen. Sorry to sound ignorant, but would this cause any porblems?

The room I've got is around 15 x 18 feet. I'm thinking of a 120-180 degree arc with a radius of 2 metres, meaning the driver will be sitting 2 metres away from every part of the screen (horizontally).

When you refer to large screens, how large would i have to go to start seeing a problem like in the video? If I go with the 2m radius, that would mean I'd be throwing a 82" x 46" (16:9) , 82" x 62" (4:3) picture out of each projector for the 180 degree config. For the 120 FOV, its 54.9" x 30.9", 54.9" x 41.22" respectively. Is that pushing it?

What sort of technology is there to correct those lines? Pardon my ignorance but I thought the digital stuff could do it

No No two metres wouldn't be the throw distance, just the seating position away from the screen. Would having a curvature relative to a raduis of 2metres and projecting the image from a distance of 3metres be a big no no? I image the difference in radii might cause the image to be slightly compressed at both extremes, which can then be re altered using warpalizar?

I have to say that Warpalizar does look impressive. Would it produce the same results with 3 projectors rather than just two? I'm not looking for 100% perfection, but I'd like 80% + just so the transition from one screen to another does not look too bad and lose that feeling of immersion. The reason I stray slightly away from 2 Projector is that I think if I get a messy transition exactly in the middle of the screen, it'll be very distracting?

On the projector front, its looking like a W1000+ or the HC3800, opinions?

Julian