Adjustable projector ?

[GolferChris]

I am planning on/trying to set up a golf golf simulator that could also double up as a cinema theatre room. I have limited space 10 feet wide. Ideally what I am looking for is a projector that could do 4-3 aspect ration for golf simulator (to fill more the screen) but also be interchangeable to say 16-9 or 16-10 so that I would watch sports/films (better viewing experience).
Is this possible ?, Any suggestions/recommendations ?.

[Wormburner]

how long is room?

[GolferChris]

So if I get a projector with Zoom and Lens shift, I wouldnt need to put it on a sliding rail in the ceiling to change between a 4 3 or a 16 9 ratio. Is that correct ?. I checked out that printed. Is says that it is 2,600 lumens. Is that enough?. There may be some ambient light in the room that I am planning. I see some other posts on here that suggest over 3000 lumens (maybe even as high as 5000) is best

[3on3putt]

GolferChris --- You are correct in that a projector with zoom and lens shift features would be an alternative to actually moving the projector itself. Just be wary about using too much zoom (or rather, too much of the wrong kind of zoom. Optical zoom doesn't really affect image quality but digital zoom will cause some pixelation). A little bit is okay. I would say to try to find a projector that doesn't have a huge difference in distance requirements between 16:9 and 4:3 so that you can use only a minimal amount of zoom or make sure to get one with optical zoom and not digital zoom. And also remember that you'll lose a little bit of resolution when you go to 4:3. As far as lumens, the more the better. 2600 is a bit on the low side, especially if there will be other light in the room as you say. My projector is only 3600, which some might argue is still low. But my sim is in the garage where there are no windows and when I turn off the lights I can't even see my hand in front of my face. So the 3600 is plenty for my setup.

[Wormburner]

I can zoom in completely on my projector and I do not see any pixelation. The main change in image quality is what 3on3putt said about changing from 4:3 to 16:9 aspect. You also have to realize you are also using an impact screen and not a cinema screen so you will lose some sharpness in image quality regardless of aspect ratio. I have both a sim room and a media room. I can take the same projector and project on both screens and it looks completely different due to screen material. Now the lumens, I have no issue with the 2600 but you want a controlled lighting environment which you definitely need if you are watching movies in same room. My take on lumens is the higher the lumens the less contrast you have. The image will be bright but you will lose that contrast in color which Im not a fan of. Contrast is what gives you vibrant colors and and dark blacks vs whites. 2600 is more than enough in my opinion. I have a Sony true 4k projector in my cinema room at 1600 lumens but that is what gives it the LED tv look, has deep deep colors and the only way to deepen the colors is the absence of light not more light. If watching movies you will want a dark room partnered with a colorful image. You can see in earlier post that I have lights on and image is still deep in color. This is my opinion only and everyone has there own preference in image characteristics. projectors are limited so you have to decide what is most important to you and your current lighting situation.

[3on3putt]

Most projectors have the ability to switch between 2-3 different aspect ratios. The tricky part is that they generally require the projector to be mounted at different distances for the different aspect ratios.

For example, the Optoma GT1080 Darbee (a popular model for golf simulators) needs to be mounted 5 feet away from the screen to fill a 10-foot wide screen completely from left to right in a 16:9 aspect ratio. But in 4:3, it needs to be mounted 6 feet, 8 inches from the screen to fill it from left to right.

I've seen some people here who have mounted their projector on a sliding rail that allows them to slide the projector back and forth when changing between aspect ratios. May want to look into something like that.

[simmb]

I just used one of those camera sliders to move mine something like this, I took the feet off it and just screwed the rail directly to the ceiling :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-centimeters-Stabilizer-Camcorder-Photography/dp/B06Y46H989/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=camera+slider&qid=1594309895&sr=8-3

[GolferChris]

Thanks sinmb. Do you need a ceiling amount along with that or can you connect the projector directly into the rail ?

[simmb]

Yeah I had a ceiling mount already on the projector I just made it fit onto the slider attachment. You may have to get a bit creative to make the mount fit onto the slider mount.

[Wormburner]

GolferChris Here are some images that may help you get a visual of something similar. My room is 13 feet wide. Room is 9 feet wide where the screen is. Room is around 20 feet long I would guess. I have my projector mounted only 3 inches below ceiling to give me maximum clearance. With lens shift and zoom I can put image wherever i want on my screen which is nice. There is also built in memory settings to make life easier when changing aspect ratios.

[GolferChris]

Nice set up
. What have you on the floor?. Is that carpet or turf ?.

[Wormburner]

It is turf from par2pro made for putting primarily but I use if for both hitting and putting. I will cut a section out for a replacement hitting mat when this wears out. It is 5/8 inch thick so plenty thick.

[steve51523]

I was thinking of using this, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Johnson-...21DR/202091502 instead of the skyrail. Should get it done for about $35 vs $150+ for the skyrail.

[richerod]

Please share images of the finished product. Interested in how you attached ceiling mount to this

[steve51523]

Was going to connect ceiling mount using a small wooden board or maybe a metal sheet with holes so I can connect the wheels from the door slide to one side of the board/metal and the ceiling mount to the other using lags bolts.

[steve51523]

Using the pocket door track seems to work fine instead of the sky rail. Just drilled some holes to connect via the door slides and ceiling mount.

[richerod]

Looks great. DIY success