4:3 or 16:9 - BenQ HT2150ST

[jesseasi]

Sorry if this topic has been covered. I am trying to figure out the best setup to maximize my screen size and usability for both Golf simulator and possible video gaming setup.

My Screen is being custom made right now by Cory. It will be 128" wide by 109" tall. The aspect ratio of this comes to 4 : 3.4

With the BenQ HT2150ST - how should I set it up? Based on projector central and using the zoom of the projector.

I could go with 4:3 ratio and use 128" wide 96" (8 foot) tall. This seems just about perfect for golf.
I would have to mount the projector 9'10" from the screen with 1.20 zoom.

Or - should I run the projector at 16x9 and then get a size of 128" by 72" (6 foot) - this would be perfect for the video gaming systems and watching movies - but seems like a waste of space in terms of golf simulator setup.

So I guess my questions is. What is the best setup? How would it work if I wanted to switch to watch movies? It seems like if I want to run at 16x9 or 4x3.

I appreciate any help I can get on this.

Thank you!
Jesse

[wbond]

I like it better to fill as much of the screen as possible for golf. If you want to watch movies, you will have to move the projector to switch between 4:3 to 16:9 assuming you use the full width of the screen.

[vrpunk]

I personally think 16:9 is more immersive if you have a wider wall. I am doing a 16:9 screen with top black valance but leaving enough at the top if I ever get a cheaper short throw projector to do 16:10 WUXGA. I do have a 4m x 3m wall that gives me a 2.25m high screen (or 2.5m if I go to 16:10 later).
Good luck.

[jesseasi]

Ok - I am learning as I go along here. Seems like you need to decide if you want to run 4:3 or 16:9 before mounting your projector. Has anyone here tried to use a sliding rail kit to mount their projector?

Using the tools at projector central - here is what I come up with.

	Mounting Distance
Ratio	Foot / Inches	Inches	Zoom	Horizontal Size	Vertical Size
4:3	9' 10"	118	1.20 zoom	128	96
4:3	11' 10"	142	1.00 zoom	128	96
16:9	7'4"	88	1.20 zoom	128	72
16:9	8'10"	106	1.00 zoom	128	72

If I use 1.20 zoom for 4:3 - I can maximize my screen width and I need to be mounted 9'10" from the screen. This seems Ideal for hitting balls as the projector would be almost directly above the hitting zone.

Then if I want to switch to watch movies/play video games. I change to 1.0 zoom and slide the projector forward to 8'10" - just 12". Then I would still maximize the horizontal screen space and just have a shorter vertical screen (still 6 feet tall).

Has anyone here had any luck or experience with finding or using a sliding rail ceiling mount?

I found this one - http://www.allsportsystems.com/store....php#listing_3

Interested to see if I am finding a solution here or if I am chasing something that is just not applicable.

Thanks!

[wbond]

Yes, i built my own sliding mount in my garage for both 4:3 and 16:9 applications. Works well when kids want to watch something out there. My screen is more square than rectangle so I went with 4:3 for golf to fill it better. If you've got the room than I think most would prefer the 16:9.

[p3eps]

As above - go with what fills your space.
I only have room for a near square screen, so on my second attempt I've gone 4:3.

I did originally try it as 16:10, but I ended up with so much blank space that I regretted it from the start. My image started about 2ft off the ground, and stopped about 3ft from the top. I had a narrow band of image!

When I re-did my setup, I switched to a 4:3 aspect - which fills about 90% of my screen. I then masked the top part off, so that the image fits perfectly within the white space. It looks so much better! Way more professional looking, and less like a home DIY project!

If you have room for a 16:9 or 16:10 screen, then go with that. If you're limited, go for a 4:3. Just make sure that you don't end up with a letterbox of image in the middle!!

[brg1875]

I'm hoping one of you can test this for me before I pull the trigger. Can you tell me if your hitting area is 2' or 3' in front of the projector if you'll have a shadow or not?

Also, how is the brightness on the projector? Projector calculator is showing at 4:3 it's towards the end of the brightness scale.

[jesseasi]

We went with the BenQ HT2150ST. I run it at 4:3 aspect ratio. I was happy to see that my FS1 software and TGC support running at 1600x1200 resolution. The projector sits directly above the hitting area. I was not able to flush mount it to the ceiling because it has an offset of only -2". Had I gone with the Optoma 1080 I would have been able to mount it even higher. Originally I had planned on moving the projector so I could switch from 4:3 to 16:9 for movies / tv / video games. But I don't ever see us doing that. It looks great in the 4:3 aspect ratio and switching to 16:9 looks fine.

With the projector right above the hitting area - there is never any fear of hitting it.

I think the brightness is fine. Here is a picture of my wife hitting balls into the screen. We have some soft ambient light.

[calebm1001]

Yes, i built my own sliding mount in my garage for both 4:3 and 16:9 applications. Works well when kids want to watch something out there. My screen is more square than rectangle so I went with 4:3 for golf to fill it better. If you've got the room than I think most would prefer the 16:9.

wbond could you elaborate on this set up a bit more? Or could you link me to another comment where you may have explained this? I need to do the same thing and not sure if spending another $100+ on something sim related would be a good idea.

[wbond]

With my projector, if you change aspect ratios then the distance from the screen changes. Since my projector doesn’t have a manual zoom feature you would have to physically move the projector. This setup allows you to do that. It also makes it easier to adjust to fit the screen and get it square. It’s just two tracks that are parallel to each other and level. Then you mount the projector to two pieces of angle iron that are perpendicular to the tracks.

[calebm1001]

wbond, the reasoning makes sense, but how you accomplished it is what I would like to know more about.

Does it have wheels? How does it slide? Or are you just unmounting as needed to fit the proper ratio you’re looking for Then remounting? Could you take some more photos when you get a chance?

[wbond]

No it just slides back and forth and has some side to side movement if needed