Projector Confusion / Ceiling Fan in Way

[Maveri9720]

Hi All. I just put my golf sim room together this weekend and was disappointed in my projector that came with my sim room bundle, due to my lack of knowledge and research into the projector and whether it would be a good fit for my room. It is a Maxell MC-EX5001 and its resolution is only 1024x768 in 4:3 and my room is too small for its throw ratio, as it's placed against my back wall on a shelf and it still doesn't fill the screen in 4:3. I definitely want a 16x9 HD projector, but don't really need 4k though. I may use it for some sports or movies, but the priority is golfing and I'd like for it to be able to project nicely TGC or E6.

I've gone cross-eyed on ProjectorCentral and I believe I need a throw ratio of .9:1, but when I use the calculator there, none of the projectors show a TR of .9:1, as all are around .8:1, which will project a larger image than I have screen. I don't think I have a crazy build or anything, so I feel there should be decent options available to me, but I'm insanely confused right now and desperately don't want to purchase another ill-suited projector.

Here's my set-up: 10' W x 7.5' H screen with 150" diag and my hitting spot is 8' from the screen. I want to ceiling mount my projector, but I have a ceiling fan perfectly in the way of where I'd mount a nice ST projector from. So I'll need to mount it just behind the ceiling fan and the distance from the screen to where I'd like to mount the projector is 9'. I'd have the projector mounted roughly 8' from the ground and 2' from the ceiling, as I have a 10' high ceiling, which places it just behind and above me, but doesn't interfere with my swing and I don't think will throw a shadow on the screen either.

Any help would be most appreciated! Thank you!

[3on3putt]

Is the ceiling fan really necessary?

[Maveri9720]

Necessary, no, wanted, yes though, as it does get a little warm in there playing for awhile. But if it really complicates my situation and leaves me with few options by leaving it, I would certainly take it down and just turn down the AC some, lol. What are your thoughts, as I know you are the resident expert here? And thank you for your time and help.

[3on3putt]

Lol I wouldn't call myself an expert by any means. Projectors are really confusing at first but actually pretty simple once you nail down the basics.

So you have a perfect 4:3 ratio and you have 2.5 feet between your screen and ceiling. So I would look for something with a lot of vertical offset which will allow you to mount the projector as high as possible.

This Optoma is very popular (I'm sure you've come across it already) =

https://www.projectorcentral.com/Opt...ulator-pro.htm

It would fill your screen from 6'8'' away and would mount 13 inches above your screen.

The best place for a projector is right over the golf ball (or close to it). So if you hit from 8 feet away, this Optoma would work quite well. It will be about 8.5 feet in the air and lined up with about the front edge of your hitting mat. That's out of the way of your follow through.

This InFocus would also work very well =

https://www.projectorcentral.com/InF...ulator-pro.htm

It would also mount 6'8'' away to fill your screen and would go 14 inches above your screen.

This person is selling a projector with the same specs that would work well for you also =

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/classified-ads/home-golf-simulators/330469-optoma-eh412st-short-throw-projector-with-floor-shield

You're thinking you need to get the projector behind you to get it out of the way. But what you really want to do is get it over the ball (or close to over the ball) and higher up.

The fan is going to be in the way of these projectors. I would ditch the fan and just put a box fan on the floor for some air circulation.

[Maveri9720]

Thank you so much for the valuable info and links! Compared to me, you are most certainly an expert. I really like the Optoma and think it would be a great fit, especially with the 4k capabilities for future use, so down comes the ceiling fan! Really dumb follow-up question for you though: aspect ratio for this projector lists it at 16x9. Is this a setting I can change on the projector?

Also, do you think there is a market to sell the Maxell here? Not sure what to do with it. I guess I could try contacting the shop where I got it to see if they would provide some type of refund.

Again, thank you for your time, help and patience. Very helpful and most appreciated!

[3on3putt]

Thank you so much for the valuable info and links! Compared to me, you are most certainly an expert. I really like the Optoma and think it would be a great fit, especially with the 4k capabilities for future use, so down comes the ceiling fan! Really dumb follow-up question for you though: aspect ratio for this projector lists it at 16x9. Is this a setting I can change on the projector?

Also, do you think there is a market to sell the Maxell here? Not sure what to do with it. I guess I could try contacting the shop where I got it to see if they would provide some type of refund.

Again, thank you for your time, help and patience. Very helpful and most appreciated!

1.) That Optoma is not 4k. It's 1080p. (1080 is what most people use. 4k is still a ways away from being the norm). It can receive a 4k image, but is not capable of outputting a 4k image. It will only produce a max of 1080.

2.) All of those projectors are 16:9 native but can be used in 4:3 as well. On those projector central links, toggle the aspect ratio rom 16:9 to 4:3. Then use the slider to see how the image size changes as the mounting distance changes. (The link goes to 16:9 by default so you have to change it). Changing from 16:9 to 4:3 with the projector is done with just a few clicks of the remote and then selecting the appropriate resolution on your desktop / graphics card and within the game's menu settings. Very simple to do.

3.) You can try to sell the other projector here. There are usually people looking for a cheap entry level projector. If not here try eBay.

[Maveri9720]

You are freaking awesome!!! Thank you so much! I just bought the Optoma. I'll reach out to my online shop first and if they won't do anything, then I'll post it up here. Thanks again for the info and help!

[3on3putt]

No problem. How deep is the overhang roof on the enclosure?

[Maveri9720]

It's 57" deep and the screen starts 4" down from the top of the enclosure.

[3on3putt]

Should be fine. If by chance that front crossbar interferes with the image at all you can back up the projector and zoom out a touch. I think you'll be fine though. Pretty standard enclosure and projector that's common in sim rooms.

When you get the projector, get it hooked up and turned on and then stand on a ladder and hold it in place to find the sweet spot to mount it.

[Maveri9720]

Very happy to hear it. Just ordered my adjustable ceiling mount as well. Will do, thanks again!

[Maveri9720]

Just received an email this morning saying where I purchased the Optoma GT1090HDR online is back-ordered, even though they showed it in stock when I purchased it. It seems it is sold out everywhere with a backorder time of 4-6 weeks at least. Do you think this projector is worth waiting for compared to the GT1080HDR, EH412ST or even the InFocus IN138HDST?

I also just stumbled across the BenQ TH671ST that would mount at 10', 2' behind my hitting spot, and high enough to be out of the way AND would allow me to mount it behind my existing ceiling fan. Thoughts on this model?

[3on3putt]

The BenQ? It has very little vertical offset so with a screen that is 7.5 tall you'll be mounting it only about 8 feet high max. If you're confident that you won't be hitting that with any backswings or follow throughs than go for it. It's hard to say whether or not your shadow might get in the way. At only 2 feet back I would think you'll be okay but I can't say for sure.

[FierceVibe]

Maveri9720, have you received the GT109HDR yet? I ordered mine from Best Buy on May 6. They're giving me an estimated date of May 31 at this point, but who knows, so interested in your experience.

[Maveri9720]

I ended up canceling my order once I was told it would be back-ordered and went with a different projector and set-up, due to my specific room needs. When I was researching, that projector was sold out and back-ordered everywhere, so I wouldn't get your hopes too high for a delivery at the end of May, but you never know. Good luck!

[Sixmudd]

I just ceiling mounted a optoma412st. My screen dimensions are similiar to yours and have an enclosure as well. With some keystone adjustment, works great.

[Maveri9720]

Thanks for the help and input all. I just ordered the BenQ, as this will allow me to maintain my ceiling fan and it seems to be very popular here and has all the specs I should need. Hopefully should be able to install it this weekend. I'll update this thread with my findings once I do. Thanks again!

[Maveri9720]

I have a couple of quick follow-up questions, as I just received my BenQ TH671ST and have it sitting on a ladder in my sim room. What's the highest resolution I can go in 4:3 to have it fit the entire screen (120" x 90")? Also, I've ordered a gaming computer with an NVIDIA RTX 2060 graphics card in it and it should be here in a week or so. Currently, I've been using my Surface Pro 3 tablet to run my Skytrak and Fitness Golf software and its been doing fine. Can I use my tablet to find where to install my ceiling mount or should I wait until I get my gaming computer and hook it up to that before installing my ceiling mount? I wouldn't think there would be a difference, but better safe than sorry.

Thank you!

[3on3putt]

I have a couple of quick follow-up questions, as I just received my BenQ TH671ST and have it sitting on a ladder in my sim room. What's the highest resolution I can go in 4:3 to have it fit the entire screen (120" x 90")? Also, I've ordered a gaming computer with an NVIDIA RTX 2060 graphics card in it and it should be here in a week or so. Currently, I've been using my Surface Pro 3 tablet to run my Skytrak and Fitness Golf software and its been doing fine. Can I use my tablet to find where to install my ceiling mount or should I wait until I get my gaming computer and hook it up to that before installing my ceiling mount? I wouldn't think there would be a difference, but better safe than sorry.

Thank you!

1. Your highest resolution in 4:3 will be 1440x1080.

2. I believe iPads project a different image size, so the same may be true for the Surface Pro. It might be best to wait for the computer to arrive because mounting a projector on the ceiling is a giant pain in the butt so you only want to do it once. In the meantime you can just set it on the floor and it will work just the same (just don't whack it with a club or ball of course).

[Maveri9720]

Perfect! That's exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you again for your prompt advice, much appreciated!