Sounds amazing, any pics please? I though for a wrap around screen with 3 projectors you needed to mount them on the ceiling. Did you stack yours on top of each other?

 

 

Nice, how to do feel not having any peripheral vision when taxing etc?

 

i have no problems taxing because i use this excellent software that tilts the head movement automatically when you are taxing, brilliant piece of software!

 

http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi.htm

 

 

Resolution isn't as important when projected on the big screen, plus the projector uses different technology called DLP (Digital Light Processing) then the regular LCD monitors

 

I'd probably say that's true for HDTVs in general.  To me, things aren't as sharp, and yet, when you see everything full size...the land...the controls...it really adds something more than what you lose in sharpness.  I have a 42" HDTV and it's very good (about 4 feet from my eyes).  I would suggest a 50" or 55" would be better.  I'd be interested in trying a 3D display as well. 

once you try a projector you cannot go back to a tv, because you get addicted to the sheer size of it ! 

once you try a projector you cannot go back to a tv, because you get addicted to the sheer size of it ! 

Agreed, Besides PC and FSX, playing TV or Movies combined with a good surround sound system actually feels like you are at a theater.  Did you go for a screen or are you proecting it on the wall like I do? I know a screen would be even better but coincidentally when my house was built, the wall I use was painted with what is said to be the best color and texture if you intend to use a projector, off white with a egg shell texture. The result is better then any TV I've seen (At the time) so I felt no need to go for a screen. 

yes i am not using a screen, i am just using the wall, it is a off white colour so it suits me fine. 

some pics of my set up, it is abit of a mess at the moment. 

 

 

pic

Hi Clayton, sorry no pics to post. It's actually very difficult to get decent pictures from within my Sim because you are going to need some very fancy wide angle lenses to show it off properly. Rather like the problems you are having I think. So, just for interest (and not bragging), thought you and others might like a little more info. Firstly as said before I have three short throw projectors; these sit on the floor infront off Sim in and 'arc', coupled to a Triple Head to Go Unit, which if you are not sure what that is, it plugs directly to my Graphics Card, and gives the normal central picture, plus the right and left picture all at one time. My three screens are made with MDF board, then plaster board, then professionally plaster skimmed. These were then painted with a special screen paint, which helps with the reflection of the picture. I use seven PC's!, one is my main Server running FSX, the other six run items like Project Magenta Software, Pilots, Co-Pilots and Engine Instrumentation, FMC etc etc. I use PFC Hardware for Yoke, Pedals, Avionics, MCP and FMC. I built my own over head panel; loads of dials, LEDs, switches etc, but dosn't actually work. Everything is controlled from the central avionics unit. I also have a D-Box motion platform for my Pilots seat.

 

I started building this in 2004, but we wont tell my other half what it has all cost, otherwise I'll be in the dog house. Suffice to say it didn't grow on a tree; had to work very hard to aquire it all!

 

Just as a foot note, and back on topic really, I did once try a curved screen using the three projectors. The problem with this is that one requires some special software to get rid of the distortion you get on a curved screen. This worked quite well, but I had all sorts of problems getting each picture to properly aline with the next, so gave up on that and went back to three flat screens set at an angle to each other to form an arc. There is a small line where the pictures join, but really isn't that noticeable.

 

Sorry about the lack of pics, but hope you have found this informative.

. I also have a D-Box motion platform for my Pilots seat.

 

 

 

That sounds like a great setup. But I'm curious - do you not find it odd that your seat moves but the view doesn't ?

Hi DickB, with regard to the D-Box. At first I thought this might be a problem, and at first had considered placing the whole Sim on the platform. At the time I contacted D-Box, because the weight of the Sim was too much for the actuators used for a seat. They were going to help with larger Actuators, but the cost really went sky high, so I decided to return to the seat option only.

 

In answer to your question though, no it's not a problem. Just imagine you were sitting in a real plane in front of all those instruments etc. If you were in rough weather, you would not be able to keep a steady fix on what was in front of you, and you would adjust accordingly. I have given an extreme example above, but even in light weather, the result is much the same. You tend to forget that the Sim is a fixed item, and the effect in ones brain is really very good indeed. The seat also vibrates, and this general vibration is felt across the whole sim.

 

I should add that the sim is built on a metal tubular frame, which makes the vibration felt possible.

Thanks - I've been considering a motion platform (when I can find one at the right price :rolleyes:) and that's something I've always wondered.

wow you must have an amazing set up there, mine is pretty basic but it has got me out of flightsim sitting in front of a monitor and using mouse clicks to play FSX, 

i just did a flight into new delhi it was an amazing experience doing the approach with the huge projector and the wing views ! 

this is pretty cool

 

http://www.ckas.com.au/ckas_thruxim_52.html

it has got me out of flightsim sitting in front of a monitor and using mouse clicks to play FSX, 

 

That's exactly what I'm looking to try and do. I think the minimum for that is getting an FMC and MCP.

Another vote for projector.

 

I have been using projectors for the past twelve years and would not think of simming without one and Track IR today! I have presently an Epson EH-TW 3200 HD beaming from the ceiling at an angle with absolutely zero image distortion giving me an HD (1920 x 1080) panel of 1.4m x 0.8m at just about 1,2m from my seat at the table level (0.80m), my head due to the angle of projection is not visible on the screen, it is hard to believe that you are not seating in the real thing with dials being about the actual size... 

 

I agree that the lamps can now be used much longer (4000 hours instead of 2000 before) and are not as expensive (my first lamp changed 7 years ago on my previous JVC DLA 21SX costed me 950 $!!!). This completed with a set of 14 GoFlight modules including throttles, MCP, yoke and PFC pedals makes for an extraordinary immersion experience. 

 

In addition, with the lumen available, absolutely no need for a dark room, I have two windows in my office and would only close curtains when "flying" at night because of the overall atmosphere

 

It is a pity that more fellow simmers don't try this, may be this topic will help to open their eyes.

Another vote for projector.

 

I have been using projectors for the past twelve years and would not think of simming without one and Track IR today! I have presently an Epson EH-TW 3200 HD beaming from the ceiling at an angle with absolutely zero image distortion giving me an HD (1920 x 1080) panel of 1.4m x 0.8m at just about 1,2m from my seat at the table level (0.80m), my head due to the angle of projection is not visible on the screen, it is hard to believe that you are not seating in the real thing with dials being about the actual size... 

 

I agree that the lamps can now be used much longer (4000 hours instead of 2000 before) and are not as expensive (my first lamp changed 7 years ago on my previous JVC DLA 21SX costed me 950 $!!!). This completed with a set of 14 GoFlight modules including throttles, MCP, yoke and PFC pedals makes for an extraordinary immersion experience. 

 

In addition, with the lumen available, absolutely no need for a dark room, I have two windows in my office and would only close curtains when "flying" at night because of the overall atmosphere

 

It is a pity that more fellow simmers don't try this, may be this topic will help to open their eyes.

where did you mount the track IR? 

Clayton my set up is similar to yours and I use VRinsight for radios autopilot and have side screens except I don't have a desk at all because Use a lazy boy recliner in front of the screen,  :biggrin:    this way I can fly for 6-10 hrs, feet up and all controls, throttle and stick are on side tables   

The track IR "camera" is on top of my yoke box tightened to my desk, around 60/70 cm away from my headset on which the detectors are. Both the camera and detectors are slightly slanted so as to face each other adequately.