3 Projector Build

[rdqlus]

Just ordered the projectors this morning. 3 Optoma GT720s. I'm using 3 flat sections to start and may move to a curved screen later. I'll be driving them with a 7970 but will probably grab nVidia's next chip when it's available to try out 3D.

I'll post some pics of the setup once it's finished but it should be pretty plain. Looking forward to it though ...

[BHawthorne]

Sounds cool. Keep us updated. I'm a fan of setup pictures. I love to see other new setups as they're built and refined. :)

[reuben.ahmed]

I'm waiting for your response. I'm interested in GT720 or GT750s. Heck, even BenQ W6000 for 1080p x 3. I simply need to see more setups to decide on what I'd like to do.

Please post back with your results of 720s, thanks.

[BHawthorne]

The Dell S300 is also a good option. I did two installs in Denver with those this month.

Personally, I'm more of a fan of dual-projector 2560x800 now. The cost of entry into the surrond projection club is a lot more affordable that way. Also since it's just pushing 2x 720p no need for a second entheusiast level video card. Double savings by just needing one card and one less projector. Problem is that's only viable on the AMD side. I used triple projection for years and reverted to dual projection in late 2011 in preference of taller FOV on a 180 degree screen setup.

I'm not saying that AMD + dual projector is the only way to go. I'm just offering a cost effective alternative to do a simular setup. The only reason why people used to go triple display is because of LCD bezels. LCD bezels are a total non-issue with projectors. NVIDIA will force two video cards and three projectors cost overhead. Just making you mindul of the budget requirement differences to achieve simular visual immersion.

[reuben.ahmed]

Do 3 projectors also do 180 degrees (or more?).

Why would 2 projectors give you a taller FOV?

Would you recommend 1080p projectors if you're only doing 2?

That is some good information, I was thinking I had to do 3.

Personally I'm just interested in "getting in the game". I just want to try iRacing, other flight simulations, and games just to feel the immersion and have friends go wow.

Thanks,
ELmO

[chieftex]

Frankly, the 2 projector idea is brilliant. I have no idea why that never occurred to me. And you are right, it will lower the graphical power needed. By any chance do you have some videos of such a setup? It would be great to see how much more or less you get to see over 1 monitor or 3 monitors.

[BHawthorne]

I don't have any video of my current screen available but I do have video of the previous. This was my 120 degree 60" projection height screen with two projectors. I now use a 180 degree 72" projection height screen with two projectors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMAX4_ZY_RA

Here is the only current pic I have of my 180 degree 72" projection height screen. I need to take some updated pics and video of it. The pic below is a good example of what dual projection is capable of. Compare it to my old 150 degree screen in the NTHUSIM ad on the left side of the forums menu. You get a lot more FOV height with two projectors vs three.

Attached files

[reuben.ahmed]

That looks great, can you explain to me though how:

1. 2 projectors can create 180 degrees?


2. which projectors are you using?


3. Why is the FOV taller? Are you projecting them vertically?


4. What is your final resolution?

Confused.

Thanks,
ELmO

[BHawthorne]

1. Each projector is covering approximately 100 degrees of projection (including the edge blend area)

2. Optoma GT720

3. The aspect ratio of the projection dictates it. Standard landscape orientation on the projectors.

4. 2560x800 native

My example is the extreme limit I'd run 1280x800 projctors at. 72" screen height things begin to get pixelated. 60" is a lot tighter pixel, but is a trade off in immersive screen size.

[rdqlus]

Got an email saying that the projectors are ready for pickup. I should get around to installing the mounts this weekend and trying them out.

The dual-projector setup looks awesome too. The only downside is they require edge-blending. Flat sections would put the crosshairs in the seam. That said, I'm already planning my curved screen ...

M.

[reuben.ahmed]

1. Each projector is covering approximately 100 degrees of projection (including the edge blend area)

2. Optoma GT720

3. The aspect ratio of the projection dictates it. Standard landscape orientation on the projectors.

4. 2560x800 native

My example is the extreme limit I'd run 1280x800 projctors at. 72" screen height things begin to get pixelated. 60" is a lot tighter pixel, but is a trade off in immersive screen size.

Thanks.

1. Would you recommend using 1080p Projectors for 6ft height?


2. If so, how does the BenQ W6000 sound?


3. How far back are you throwing, for the 1280x800 at 72" height?


4. What's wrong with the Optoma 750 (newer version)? It also supports 3D!

Thanks,
Reuben

[BHawthorne]

Oops, I missed the last question.

Is there anything wrong with the GT750? No, but it's an unknown to me. I'm not going to recommend hardware I have no practical experience with. The Optoma Gt700 and GT720 all support S3D. This is not new to the GT750. The GT750 only adds SBS mode. There is another user on the forum that just picked up the GT750's for his setup. It would be best to get input from him on GT750 specifics. I'm only familiar with the GT700 and GT720.

[BHawthorne]

[quote]1. Each projector is covering approximately 100 degrees of projection (including the edge blend area)

2. Optoma GT720

3. The aspect ratio of the projection dictates it. Standard landscape orientation on the projectors.

4. 2560x800 native

My example is the extreme limit I'd run 1280x800 projctors at. 72" screen height things begin to get pixelated. 60" is a lot tighter pixel, but is a trade off in immersive screen size.

Thanks.

1. Would you recommend using 1080p Projectors for 6ft height?


2. If so, how does the BenQ W6000 sound?


3. How far back are you throwing, for the 1280x800 at 72" height?


4. What's wrong with the Optoma 750 (newer version)? It also supports 3D!

Thanks,
Reuben

There are no ultra short throw 1080p. Be mindful that the further back you have to mount the projectors the deeper the room must be and also more likely that you would be sitting within the projection obscuring it. To illustrate the issue, a typical 1080p might need 25 foot of lens throw to do the same thing a 720p short throw can at 10 foot. Ultra short throw projectors are the innovation that enabled these screen builds. Without them, the setups would be very difficult to achieve without standing or sitting within the projected area. Ultra short throw mounts the projectors over you, not behind you.

No idea on the BenQ W6000. Haven't seen the specs yet.

To further elaborate on my first part of the message, In circular screens like this it's best to use ultra short throws. 0.72 to 0:49 range. Those are only available in 720p 1280x800 projectors though. I'd love to see a 1080p within that lens throw range. Problem is the manufacturers haven't produced one yet as a consumer product. Typically, my projectors are mounted 8-11 foot from the deepest centerpoint of the screen.

[reuben.ahmed]

Thanks for the information.

We need to create a sticky that talks about 2 vs 3 projectors, FOV, throw distance, resolution, etc. I'm sure there are many people like me (even others in this same thread) that are confused and curious, and can't get into the game because to pay for 3x1080p projectors and PC hardware is an expensive guess to make when you don't know what you're going to get.

I can help create that once I start doing my own build. I kind of want to see someone do an Optoma 750 build though. I have the Optoma HD33 and it's a marvelous PJ for 3D. I really wonder how and if that 3D would work with a PC, and what games would be supported.

I even started looking into motion seating that creates G forces, but most of those chairs are 7-12K in cost! A normal chair and force feedback wheel is good enough for now, LOL.

Thanks,
ELmO

[BHawthorne]

How-to FAQs are something I've meant to do for awhile now on the NTHUSIM wiki site. They implemented wiki just for that purpose there. My plan is to do a few FAQs (probably one a month) and to keep them updated on that site. At issue is I need someone with a new user perspective to give a list of the relevant questions that you have. After doing this stuff so long I take for granted a lot of the minute details that are not readily apparent to most people.

[metalnwood]

Thanks for the information.

I even started looking into motion seating that creates G forces, but most of those chairs are 7-12K in cost! A normal chair and force feedback wheel is good enough for now, LOL.

Thanks,
ELmO

This one is $1800 and has had good reviews that I have seen.

http://ultraforcesim.com/

[BHawthorne]

My only experience is with D-Box actuator chairs. We used the Virtual-GT setup for two AMD events, a D-Box movie seat for CES and two prototype D-Box seats for later AMD events. So far I've been most impressed with the D-Box hardware. It's not a casual price point though. It's top of the line with a premium. I always saw it as a mismatch with what I've been attempting to do with hobby level multi-projection and lowering the bar so about anyone could use it though.

[reuben.ahmed]

Yes, I was speaking about d-box. I want one badly. I heard you can get them "cheaper" if you can find someone who is selling used.

The problem with that ultrasim chair is what if you're fat? Or too thin? How will it create the right pressure points?

Good shot for the price....

[chieftex]

I still think this 2 projector thing is genius! Tell me, what does eyefinity look like with 2 screens instead of 3? Do you have any photos of something in action? Perhaps a pic of a game like a driving game, with the view from 2 screens instead of 3 (or even instead of 1). Or a video?

[reuben.ahmed]

Also, what's your throw distance for the 2 projectors and the projected image size?

Just trying to get the sense of the amount of room we need to do this.