I wonder if I could trouble you for your opinions on the best PC projector to use for FS9. My system will probably be a P4 (Intel mb socket 478), 3GHz w/512 cache, 800 MHz FSB, Hyper-threading, a good gig of DDR RAM and an ATI TV in and out video card (9800-XT?). I plan to use my PC as a home entertainment centre for TV, movies and particularly FS9. I am hearing a lot about DLP technology. I'm pretty sure I'll need a projector with DVI as well.Thanks in advance.

42" Plasma is the way to GO! it's like a very large LCD except 100 times more bright and clear and you can run the Matrix on it when you are not flying around in glee ;)[h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/196432/winglets_lg.jpg

It's strange, but you don't hear much talk of projection round here and yet it seems to me to be the perfect way to immerse yourself in large screen FS, and fairly cheaply. Yes, a good PC projector is a couple of grand, but heck a screen that large would be in the tens of thousands. Any presentations I have seen off a PC projected on a wall have been very sharp; so why don't more people do this in FS I wonder?Can't afford it myself, I might add!Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

You may want to look this article over:http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1645Simpit

>so why don't more people do this in FS I wonder?because you can obtain the same end result with a Fresnel lens for 1/10 of the price.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

Actually, I think many home cockpit builders are using the projector solution for total immersion. I have a Viewsonic PJ501 (800x640) and the image is "thrown" about 9 ft from my back. Since this projector has the best "throw distance" of all I have researched, I get an image in front of my homebuilt A320 windscreen of about 6ft wide by 5ft high with quite a clear picture. The immersion factor is so good that sometimes you will get some vertigo in certain configurations, (ie. 30 deg bank onto final). I think that the Viewsonics are the best for front projection and if mounted behind you, then you will get a great show. This is a screenshot of an earlier model but you get the picture. I would go for the Viewsonics hands down at $1,000.00 for the PJ501. If you want a higher res XGA (1024/780 - PJ 551 ) than you have to go for $1,600.00. This is a bit much for me since I plan to DVI out to another PJ 501 projector for a 90 deg side view. I tried it with FS9 multimonitor function and the FPS was fine. Need to build my screen system.

Hey salbado that looked really nice! Do you have a web page or other screenies to look at?

Yes, Come on Salbado, give us a few more screenies please, that one you posted looked bloody marvelous,I myself am looking into getting a projector. I may even be able to buy it through my workplace to make it VAT Free etc,that picture you took looked nice. can we have some more please,and details of what resolution you're running at,size of screen/pulldown screen etc,lumens.thank you Salbado,Steve. UKPS, do you know if FS9/FS2004 runs OK with P4 3.0ghz Hyperthreading ?Cheers. I plan on going from this Asus A7N8X Enforce2 Rev2 Deluxe to an Intel - D875PBZLK all at 800mhz board too, this should hopefully make FS run a bit faster and smoother. would be nice to top it off with a nice B I G screen projector too,

OK guys...These shots were done using a resolution of 800 x 640 with an "old" Sharp projector. The new Viewsonic is at least 3 time better in contrast and resolution. Look up the details on the PJ 501 and you will notice the specs are pretty good for a $1,000 projector. I don't hink you need any better because even these new projectors compress for 1024x768 which is XGA. The cockpit will always be dark, even for daytime flying but the instrumentation alwasys looks cooler. Anyhow, I like to fly at night in IMC most of the times. The simulator you see in the pictures are 2002 as I have just completed my conversion to FS9 with Project Magenta, FSUIPC, FDS, FS NAV, UT, ProMFD,wxRe nd some other things, it took quite awhile. Just twaking the last of it now.Regards, Sal

Thank you so much everyone! This is great info and it will surely help me in deciding what to purchase. I see ebay is littered with projectors so it should be achievable (money wise).Your opinions are much appreciated.

thank you Sal, and Wayne, good luck, do me a favour please Wayne and send me a private message please as and when you do get a projector to let us all know how it's going, more and more people are trying to go over to this type of thing now as they are becoming more commercialy available,and more people are making them so the competition is forcing the prices down somewhat,e-bay is fine Wayne but just be carefull, look for sellers with lots of GOOD feedback, and make sure if you buy from out of you're country that the warranty (if new) if transferable, nearly all of the sony for egsample are.cheers,Steve.W, UK (SB55MV / XH558) on VATSIMagain lovely pics Sal,thank you for sharing them with us.

I borrowed an old unit to try out. It was about 6 years old. It looked great to me. When I posted a message about trying it (a projector), all I got was negative comments.In 6 years these things have gotten way better, and are about 1/3 of the price (comparing apples for apples).The jury is still out for me, and I hope you get more comments.I read where real high-end professional units use triple DLP, rather than a rotating color wheel. One for each color. They say they are used in theatres now for some movies (I don't know). I wonder if this idea will ever come to the home market at an affordable price.Bob (Lecanto, Fl)AMD, Athlon XP, 1800+MSI, K7T266 XP ProPC 2100 DDR, 1024 MBXP, Home Edition Elsa GLadiac 920, GF3/64Mb andPNY, Verto nVidia TNT 2-M64/32WD, 100 MB, 7200, Ultra 100Sound Blaster, Audigy MP3+CH Prod, VPP Yoke - Sound CardCH Prod, Pedals - Sound Card