Projection Vs. LCD

[Sean Nixon]

If its a Cessna pit that you have then the actual viewing area required is not that great.

The outside view is surely independant of aircraft type? Small planes have the same outside view as large ones?? In some cases more glass = more to see.

That's not to say your intended setup won't give good results.

[BHawthorne]

HI.
Generally Projection is used for commercial or educational purpose.
Where as LCD is used as a Commercial as well as Private purpose.
The most consideration part is that cost of product. Projection is costlier than LCD.

Generalizations like that are bad for progress of the community. Everything can be done on a hobby budget. If you're using multiple LCDs, you might as well use a projector. 2 24" LCDs = projector price. I used LCDs for years before going projector. It's just one of those things you have to experience to understand the difference. I'm not saying LCDs aren't a viable route to go. I'm just saying that for outside visualization you can't currently beat projection for immersion factor.

[jer166]

Always enjoy all the good input. I think projection is probably the way I am going to go. Now all I need to do is find the right one.

What is bezel?

[BHawthorne]

What is bezel?

Just the technical term for the frame around a display.

[saabpilot]

My 10 cents ...
If you can afford 3 short throw projectors - and can get the sim room enough cooled with those then that is the way to go.

The screens does NOT need to be curved as many tend to believe - you will get a better picture with one center and 2 outer screens in 45-60 deg angles.
Also there is a neat trick using a TH2Go card to feed them - a "composite" picture with 2 side, one front and a hidden fourth view all from one fast PC.

This has been proven first in Australia and now at Vasteras Air Museum in Sweden who has this setup on one DC-10 and one CV440 Metropolitan simulator.
The Metro previously used WideView and 3 projectors, but that setup is now discontinued.
Check their website : www.flygmuseum.com/

If you cannot use projectors, second choise would be a TH2Go Digital setup with 3 22" LCD:s. Digital since you then can stretch the picture "under" the bezels.

Best,
Bjorn

www.boeing737sim.se

[Tomlin]

Hi Bjorn

I am familiar with Nic's setup with 3 projectors and 5 views but the 'composite' part is a bit confusing for me. Can you elaborate a bit for clarity? My understanding is that there are 5 views (Left, Fwd Left, FWD, Fwd Right, Right) with a 6th view of the sky (straight up) stretched behind it for some reason. Is that what you mean by composite?

[saabpilot]

Hi,

The results from the 4 screen setup is truly amazing.

The screens consist of front and two sideviews + an additional "hidden" screen which is needed for the system to remember screenpositions between sessions.

The first setup this way was the DC-10 and the guys thought a curved screen was needed so that one must use SOL-7.
However they implemented this on the Metro afterwords and skipped SOL-7 since the Metro had 3 large flat screens in 45-60 degree angles in front of the aircraft.
The result was the exact same to the eyes with or without curved screens.

Since I am not myself using this setup and thus do not have details first hand, you should contact the guys at Vasteras Air Museum, they are a real helpful and friendly bunch.

Best and
Merry X-mas from Sweden,
Bjorn

[iFabio2]

if I might add my opinion (as I am trying both to decide which way to go). I would say that the biggest issue to consider is space. if you have the space for the sim AND the projector panels then go for the projectors (1024x768 aren't that pricey after all compared to decent monitors), it will a very different story!!!
If you don't have the space then go for the monitors.

fabio

[BHawthorne]

if I might add my opinion (as I am trying both to decide which way to go). I would say that the biggest issue to consider is space. if you have the space for the sim AND the projector panels then go for the projectors (1024x768 aren't that pricey after all compared to decent monitors), it will a very different story!!!
If you don't have the space then go for the monitors.

fabio

The largest issue can be space, but if you don't have enough room to even do a single projector let alone 3, you might revisit what simpit aircraft you're going to do. My 3 projector circular projection setup is about as exotic as you can do currently with a hobby setup. It's an extreme example. Even using just a single screen or using 2 or 3 projectors on flat angled screens is highly effective.

As others mentioned in the thread Sol7 isn't really needed but it is quite effective in advanced keystone correction even with flat screens. If you want your projection to fit the exact screen you use and pre-warp the image accordingly Sol7 is pretty much your only hobby choice. The only other way is to take an extreme amount of time aligning the projectors to perfectly match up the edges. Ceiling mounting projectors and making sure they're 100% perfectly alligned by hand is a total pain. I'm sure others can elaborate on how difficult it is to line up and maintain the projection edge perfectly that first time mounting the ceiling mounts. Adding in mirrors even doubles the complexity.

[jer166]

I have as much room as I need in my basement but only have 8' ceilings. If I build a curved screen from floor to ceiling will I be able to get the projectors mounted high enough (with a full size cockpit) to fill up the entire screen?