Room Size for Curved Screen

[cornleader]

So I have been looking through posts for the last 2 nights and I know it is here somewhere, but for the life of me I can't find it so I'll justs ask.

What is the recomended room size for a 737 cockpit using a curved screen? Or even the diameter of the screen at the 180 degree point?

[737NUT]

Depends on your pit size and projectors. I have a 14'x20'x9'high so i can use regular PJ's and full shell so it really depends on your set-up.

[cornleader]

I have to build based on my room size. The room is 10 feet wide, its long enough and high enough. I just wondering if a 10 foot wide room will take a full size 737 cockpit. Perhaps I could place the screen in the corner if needed and have the cockpit positioned in the room at 45 degrees.

[Sean Nixon]

I think it will be possible with a 10ft room, but you'll need ultra short throw projectors. The width of a 737 cockpit is around 8ft, so you'll have a foot either side. Make the screen as big as you can, i.e. 5ft radius, 10ft diameter. Rotating the pit to face the corner of the room may help increase your screen size, I'd draw a scale plan of the room and try a few variations on paper.

I've got a bit more room width than you, you'll find some dimensions in this post if they'll help, but don't be put off, I definately think you can get 180 degrees in a 10ft space.

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/showthread.php/19264-Pictures-of-my-curved-screen-setup?highlight=

Sean

[cornleader]

So I assume a curved screen is perfectly sperical and not eliptical? If that is the case then a 10 foot room sounds like it would be too small. That would only give me 1 foot on each side to project an image. That doesnt seem to be enough room on the sides.

[cornleader]

Thanks to some graph paper and some nice paper circle cutouts, I think I can suport a 14 foot diameter screen! Thanks for the help.

[Sean Nixon]

One of the problems we have when planning a curved screen setup is the lack of information available. We are a small percentage of simmers, and not everyone who has a curved screen setup will be on the forums. Therefore we need to do a lot of the research and experimenting ourselves. This proves problematic as building curved screens and buying projectors to 'see if they'll work' is time consuming and expensive. But that's the way it is, unfortunatley.

If you have found an extra 4ft, then that's good. 10ft is probably the smallest diameter you'd get away with, I reckon it gets less complicated the more room you have. But I've seen a couple of setups that have good visuals in a very small space.

I think even at 14ft you are going to need ultra-short throw projectors. Be sure to use the projector calculators available on the net to help plan your setup.

Also be aware that similar visuals can be obtained by using 3 straight angled screens, rather than a curved screen.

Asking lots of questions and posting your thoughts and findings all helps the cause.

Sean

[cornleader]

Research is key. I have taken on some very unique projects with great success. The reason for that is as you stated, reasearch and communities like this one. <--- sounds like cheesy plug lol. Now that I feel comfortable with a 14 foot diameter screen, I am looking at positioning and projectors. I have some scaled paper cut outs and trying some numbers.

[jskibo]

Ivar has a pretty good PDF tutorial on projector setup and design on his page: http://www.ivarhestnes.com

[Jan Pemöller]

hello,
I have a curved screen with approx. 12-13 feet diameters and short throw projectors. The problem is, that the displayed screen after NTHUSIM does the job will be smaller (hight approx 3 feet). Other point is: I can see that I have a curved screen if I look to the right of left site. On my setup it is still ok, but it will be worth when the curved screen would came closer to my angel of view.
(Sorry for my english) = So, 10ft will be tough !
Regards
Jan

[Sean Nixon]

Jan makes a good point about NTHUSIM.

In that case, 3 angled screens may be a better route to take.

Here are some pics from RalphW's sim, who is using this method. I'm unsure of his dimensions, but he has an FDS shell which is 8ft across the rear. His screens are not too far away either side of this...

[cornleader]

Ivar has a pretty good PDF tutorial on projector setup and design on his page: http://www.ivarhestnes.com Ivar's setup looks amazing. I like how he drafted his layout BEFORE building. The pdf he has on his screen layout is great. Just what I am looking for. Showing what measurements need to be taken and how they will impact your final setup.