Projectors 101

[dabears32]

I know questions like this are asked all the time but I am lost here..

I am still exploring garage simulator set up ides. I think I can get an 8 foot high by 10 foot wide impact screen. I'm not too worried about image quality or even filling the full screen. TCG doesn't seem to have top of the line graphics but maybe I am wrong.

So my questions are: why wouldn't a cheaper projector work? Something like the below link from Amazon? Could I use this on say a table above and/or a little behind the SkyTrak with the offset?

2nd Question: Assuming I can't use a cheaper one like above. What is the cheapest one that would work? For my first build I would prefer not to do a ceiling mount but also do not want it on the floor directly in front of hitting strip. At least a little offset?

Thanks!

Amazon.com: YABER Y30 Native 1080P Projector 9500L Brightness Full HD Video Projector 1920 x 1080, ±50° 4D Keystone Correction Support 4k & Zoom,LCD LED Home Theater Projector Compatible with Phone,PC,TV Box,PS4 : Electronics

[preludesam]

The reduced cost comes at a price for features that will drastically affect your experience.

It appears you could use it to the side on a table with a 50 degree keystone correction but we mostly find the cheap projectors seriously degrade the picture on the edges with large amounts of keystone correction.

The throw ratio on this projector is high. We want a short throw projector for sims so you can place it closer to the screen and not have to worry about blocking the image causing shadows while hitting the ball. For a 96 inch high image this projector needs to be 18 feet from the screen. Most people don’t have that space or they do not want their shadow cast on the screen while hitting. I think this is the deal breaker. You either have to choose have a really tiny image on a huge screen or seeing your shadow while playing.

You shouldn’t worry about placing the projector directly above where the ball is on your setup. It’s the best place for it and keeps it safe from impact plus you don’t cause shadows.

I don’t believe for a second this thing has a 9500 lumen output. A projector with that lumen count from a reputable manufacturer is $7K-$10K. It probably only
has 2500-3500 lumens and that’s not really that bright in a well
lit room.

These projectors tend to have a higher failure rate and quality control issues.

[dabears32]

The reduced cost comes at a price for features that will drastically affect your experience.

It appears you could use it to the side on a table with a 50 degree keystone correction but we mostly find the cheap projectors seriously degrade the picture on the edges with large amounts of keystone correction.

The throw ratio on this projector is high. We want a short throw projector for sims so you can place it closer to the screen and not have to worry about blocking the image causing shadows while hitting the ball. For a 96 inch high image this projector needs to be 18 feet from the screen. Most people don’t have that space or they do not want their shadow cast on the screen while hitting. I think this is the deal breaker. You either have to choose have a really tiny image on a huge screen or seeing your shadow while playing.

You shouldn’t worry about placing the projector directly above where the ball is on your setup. It’s the best place for it and keeps it safe from impact plus you don’t cause shadows.

I don’t believe for a second this thing has a 9500 lumen output. A projector with that lumen count from a reputable manufacturer is $7K-$10K. It probably only
has 2500-3500 lumens and that’s not really that bright in a well
lit room.

These projectors tend to have a higher failure rate and quality control issues.

..
Thank you

[aryantes]

I read a review that said they estimate the lumens output for the Y30 projector to be closer to 1200 or 1500 lumens.

[preludesam]

So way worse than average… It figures and another reason going this direction is risky. If they are inaccurate about the lumen count what else are they falsely advertising?