Multi-Projector Build 2.0

[BHawthorne]

I'm in the process of redesigning my projection setup and am looking at a projector refresh too in the process. I need some input on projectors. My requirements are DLP 3D Ready, at least 1280x800, short-throw and under $1k.

Here are the current ones I'm looking at:
Optoma GT700: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GameTime_GT700-projection-calculator-pro.htm
Optoma GT720: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GameTime_GT720-projection-calculator-pro.htm
InFocus IN146: http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus-IN146-projection-calculator-pro.htm
BenQ MW811ST: http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-MW811ST-projection-calculator-pro.htm
Dell S200: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Dell-S300-projection-calculator-pro.htm
Dell S300W: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Dell-S300W-projection-calculator-pro.htm
ViewSonic PJD7583w: http://www.projectorcentral.com/ViewSonic-PJD7583w-projection-calculator-pro.htm
Optoma TW610ST: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-TW610ST-projection-calculator-pro.htm

Optoma GT700 is 0.72:1 short-throw. 2000/2300 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 3000/5000 bulb life.
Optoma GT720 is 0.72:1 short-throw. 2000/2500 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 3000/5000 bulb life.
InFocus IN146 is 0.48:1 short-throw. 2700 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 4500/6000 bulb life.
BenQ MW811ST is 0.49:1 short-throw. 2500 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 4000/5000 bulb life.
Dell S300 is 0.52:1 short-throw. 2200 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 5000 bulb life.
Dell S300W is 0.52:1 short-throw. 2200 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 5000 bulb life.
ViewSonic PJD7583w is 0.49:1 short-throw. 3000 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 4000/6000 bulb life.
Optoma TW610ST is 0.52:1 short-throw. 3100 ANSI lumens. 3D ready. 3000/4000 bulb life.

So many of the options are roughly 0.5:1 short throw that the only reason why I would pick one of the Game Time projectors is that it is more cost effective x3. If I can find one of the 0.5:1 short-throws on sale within the price range of the GT projectors that might be my best bet. Any thoughts about these particular models? I've not had a chance to look over their rear port configurations yet. That might be another purchase point I'm currently overlooking.

Given that all are DLP 3D Ready, at least 1280x800, short-throw and under $1k, which should I pick, and why?

[stickygreen]

I have no personal experience with any of these projectors, but I have had a few Viewsonics in the past, and have had good experiences with there equipment.

[ZeosPantera]

Firstly, What kind of size are you going to be projecting (55" - 120")? Next what kind of lighting situation are you dealing with / are there windows in the room / are the screens home-made and/or do you know the Gain value? If you have the ability to control the lighting and your projecting under 72" the lumens are the least important factor. I'd just try to find out how the models you have chosen react in 3D mode without the glasses. I was reading up on an optima HD66 a while back and they said the brightness dropped significantly when it tried to push 120Hz. Also mind the power consumption on there. Three projectors each pulling ~300 watts for 2-4 hours of gameplay a day can be hazardous to your wallet.

[BHawthorne]

What I'll find is that how the color wheel works on 99% of the 720p DLP projectors is that it'll take a hit in lumens rating regardless of brand. They all use the same DLP engine chips for the most part. The room I project in is 100% dark though. No ambient light, so while I'll take a contrast hit with the 3D mode, the brightness isn't going to be a big deal on my home setup. It might become an issue if I show it at shows again though.

I think I really want to go 0.5:1 short-throw. The GT700/GT720 are appealing to me because I've used them before and know their strengths and weaknesses, but 0.5:1 short-throw affords me alot better flexability in projector mounting and screen design. My preferred lighting setup I'd like to do how it was setup for the 6800-series launch event. Hardly any ambient light but 3 small spot lamps overhead of the user area and some red led mood lighting in the side black wall curtain areas. The lack of spot lamps in the House of Blues build was annoying to me.

[stickygreen]

I wonder how these short throw projectors will handle the 3D..? cause of the extreme fish eye of the lens, i would imagine that the 3D would be distorted around the outer edge, but i guess theses manufactures have it figured out.. cause there selling them.

you definitely should try before you buy, just in case the 3D effect gets weaker around the edges of the screen.

[BHawthorne]

I wonder how these short throw projectors will handle the 3D..? cause of the extreme fish eye of the lens, i would imagine that the 3D would be distorted around the outer edge, but i guess theses manufactures have it figured out.. cause there selling them.

you definitely should try before you buy, just in case the 3D effect gets weaker around the edges of the screen.

I already have with the GT720. They're 0.7:1 short-throw. I saw no issue with the NVIDIA 3D Vision kit on it while I had them available for testing. With the NTHUSIM setup there is 15% overlap on the projections for edge blending anyways. Not overly worried about the outer edge because it's blended into the next projection.

[stickygreen]

well my concern was that if the edges of the 3D was warped or distorted, this might cause an issue with edge blending. But it seems you've tested this, so just nevdermind my irrelevant hype.

[BHawthorne]

I'm working with a few people over at MTBS forums on the S3D aspects of the build. I'm going to go GT700/GT720 based on a few factors. #1 is price. The factory refurbs are very cost effective for this projector. Two if my three current EX525ST were also Optoma factory refurbs and I have had zero issue with them. #2 is I have a track record using the GT700/GT720 and know the menus setup for them. #3 is Optoma is a known quantity for me -- I have had a good run with my EX525ST and not really seen any issues with them since I purchased them in October of 2009.

More info to come soon as I work through the new screen design and mounting locations.

[BHawthorne]

The initial design for the screen is done and delivery of the first projector is here. I've been messing around with the 3D Vision kit for about an hour now with random 3d video content. Also got some game time in on Just Cause 2 in 3D Vision. The second projector is supposed to be delivered Thursday. That tentatively means this coming weekend is screen build time. :D

[BHawthorne]

Here is the latest design. I'm hoping to do the screen build this weekend. I'm still torn on whether I should modify my mobile frame for this or go fixed plywood build?

[BHawthorne]

A few more goodies gathered for the build. Not sure if I want to go Tri-SLI GTX260 or Tri-SLI GTX470. I'll probably go with the GTX470 because I intent to game a lot on the setup too. I'm still clearing out the room for the build. Ug, lots more to do on this before it's functional. The main headache is that ceiling fan in the room needs to be pulled.

[ZeosPantera]

You need to set up that treadmill and use it as your walk control. Go full virtual commando.

[BHawthorne]

hehe, actually the treadmill will be in the room after the build is done. Also an exercise bike. I told myself if I'm going to be in front of the screen I at least should exercise more. :lol:

[stickygreen]

keep the updates coming.

[BHawthorne]

The second projector arrived yesterday. Did a bit more moving around of stuff out of the room for the screen build. I'm tied up with a wedding dvd production this weekend so probably not much to show for a few more days. Money projects take priority over hobby projects. Expect much more movement on the build next week. :wink:

[stone]

if I'm going to be in front of the screen I at least should exercise more

Great motto! And great project!

[BHawthorne]

Nothing on the build side of things at the moment. My current idea is to use the two S3D capable projectors and hide the third turned off to enable NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround. That'll allow me to run 3DVS on just two projectors for the setup. I then setup NTHUSIM for dual-projector and scale the triple resolution to the dual-projection. I'm pondering setting the triple resolution to 3072x768 and projecting that as 2560x720. NTHUSIM's bicubic scaling should make it look good regardless of whatever I do. It's not ideal but it'll work. Alternatively, I'm pondering selling my three EX525ST and getting the third projector that way, but as is this screen design is currently configured for dual-projector layout.

Experimenting with the GT720's today it looks like setting "High Altitude" mode on the fans might compensate for portrait rotation, so an alternate setup could be 3x1P 2150x1280 with 16:10 AR set on the projectors to scale as 2400x1280. Either way it goes these are pretty odd configurations just to get S3D function on a curved screen. The advantage of 3x1P is really short throw and a projection with 1280 pixel height.

[BHawthorne]

Small update on things. I've reevaluated the build and will be instead putting it into the basement room again, but as a 13x13 full circular projection using the two GT720 and the 3 EX525ST. I'll use the two GT720 to watch movies on and the three EX525ST to play regular games on and all five for FSX.

[ZeosPantera]

a 13x13 full circular projection using the two GT720 and the 3 EX525ST. I'll use the two GT720 to watch movies on and the three EX525ST to play regular games on and all five for FSX.

Can you post a diagram?

[BHawthorne]

[quote]a 13x13 full circular projection using the two GT720 and the 3 EX525ST. I'll use the two GT720 to watch movies on and the three EX525ST to play regular games on and all five for FSX.

Can you post a diagram?

I'll probably work up the details in the next few days to show. My plan is just to get it built. I can then diagram it out afterwards. :)