Projectors for Golf Simulators 101

[dborden0]

Not sure on your finished size or how far back you can go with the projector, but if you go 4:3, you might be able to position it so the black bars aren't on the screen and are just off to the side. Good luck, make sure you post some pics when your done.

Did you pick a projector? If so, which did you get? I'm trying to decide which way to go.

[mshockey22]

There's a lot of good info here. Hopefully, people are still watching this thread. I'm in the market now for a projector and have some placement options. I'm just not sure which projector would actually be the best. The screen size will be a 14' x 10'. The enclosure is 15' x 10' x 10'. Hitter will be at about 9' - 10'. I definitely want a full 1080p. I have the option to put the projector at 7' on the floor in front of the hitter inside a custom built cover. I also have the option to mount the projector at 10' and attach it to the enclosure bar above the hitter (so, about 9' off the ground). What projector would you guys recommend and which option would you choose? I'd like to stay around $1000, but budget is flexible for a good unit. Here's the options I've come up with:

At 10' mounted to bar:
Acer H7550ST - Seems to have everything
BENQ 1085ST - Lower lumens at 2200. Also, contrast is only 10,000

At 7' on floor with cover:
Acer H6517ST - Lower contrast at 10,000
Optoma EH200ST - Seems to have everything, but haven't found anyone who's used one for this.
Optoma GT1080 - A little older model but looks good. Also, lumens are at 2800

Lumens may not matter too much as I'm using a full enclosure that should keep out the light. I'm looking at buying everything from golfsimulatorsite (screen, mats, frame, netting, blackout panels, etc). They've been super helpful and very responsive to my questions so far.

[wbond]

Not sure on your finished size or how far back you can go with the projector, but if you go 4:3, you might be able to position it so the black bars aren't on the screen and are just off to the side. Good luck, make sure you post some pics when your done.

Thanks,
We are finishing sewing the screen tonight and hopefully playing by Sunday. Thats the goal anyway.
Think I will try the 16:10 since it has a shorter throw. Not to sure on black bars on the screen.
Thanks again

[SIm]

Thanks,
We are finishing sewing the screen tonight and hopefully playing by Sunday. Thats the goal anyway.
Think I will try the 16:10 since it has a shorter throw. Not to sure on black bars on the screen.
Thanks again

[Dax]

I think 16:10 would likely be the best.

[wbond]

With 6" either way, i would say test both and see which image looks best to you from your hitting position. Going with 4;3, i think you may have black bars on the sides, since it's native 16:10, that may be the best way to go.

[SIm]

Back from playing on pjc. If I go 4.3 it leaves 6" on either side of the screen white. If I go 16:10 it leaves 6" top and bottom white.
What would you guys that have used these go with? Which would be the better route? The throw distance changes about 18" or so when going back and forth between the two.
I apologize for thinking that it was worse.

[SIm]

Never once have I talked to Cory and I edited the post.
Thank you for your quick response and sharing your info. It is greatly appreciated

[SIm]

Thanks, I am at the mounting stage. My wife and I are finishing sewing the screen tonight and grommets tomorrow. I will play with the aspect ratio on pjc. So from your recommendation with my screen size would you mount for 4.3? Want to do this once.
Thanks!

[aja]

You were not misled by Cory. There aren't a lot of 4:3 projectors these days. The projector that you got has got a lot of pixels - as in it has high resolution. It has better resolution and better lumens than most of the HD projectors being discussed in this forum.

When you run it in 4:3 mode you will get very good resolution.

Projector Central shows only small bands on the sides that you lose by choosing 4:3 versus 16:10 native. Move the projector slightly back and you get full coverage of your 4:3 screen with a very high quality image.

Not sure where your ***** of white comes from.

Language, man.

[wbond]

I currently have a 4:3 projector and from what i've found, you will still get a much better picture using a full hd projector in 4:3 mode based on amount of pixels that will be shown. Going from 800x600 to 1440x1080, it's over 200% more. The problem you may have though will be the throw distance and the width of the projected image. Based on projector central for your projector, if you fix the throw distance and change from 4:3 to 16:10 or 16:9, the width changes on your image. So you will need to see if you can make this work based on what size image you want.

aja, after you said that I used the 4.3 calculator on pjc and my screen is a lot closer to that aspect then it is a 16:10.
Not real happy after being lead that I needed a 16:10 projector for my setup by par2pro. I spent 2k on a projector and could have gotten the same results at under 1k. I bought the Pannasonic pt-vz575NU. I never once checked the 4.3 as I was never told that that could be an option or that there would be a shitload of white at 16.10
Even paid $150 for the projector consultation.
Anyone know if this projector will work at 4.3?
If it was for me I would say damn but since it is for the kid and christmas now I say F***

[SIm]

aja, after you said that I used the 4.3 calculator on pjc and my screen is a lot closer to that aspect then it is a 16:10.
Not real happy after being lead that I needed a 16:10 projector for my setup by par2pro. I spent 2k on a projector and could have gotten the same results at under 1k. I bought the Pannasonic pt-vz575NU. I never once checked the 4.3 as I was never told that that could be an option or that there would be a crapload of white at 16.10
Even paid $150 for the projector consultation.
Anyone know if this projector will work at 4.3?

[Dax]

I have not checked out this projector, but recall some were pretty happy with it. Try the HD25-LV. If I recall it correctly, Craig118 uses it and was pretty happy. I remember thinking that this would be he one I would go with if had not already got my 1080st. Plug it into Projector central and see if it might work and perhaps try sending a PM to Craig118.

[aja]

There is a considerable difference between 1920x200 and 1280x800. Night and day difference. Neither is a true HD, by the way.
The farther away your projector, the less light hitting the screen and the greater the likelihood of shadows (from the golfer) obscuring the image. Short throw projector would be best for this reason.
Why are you planning 16:10 when your screen format is 4:3? You're going to have a lot of white space on your impact screen.
Don't put yourself under time pressure if you want to do this right.

[SIm]

The last of my build is finding the right projector. This is has not been an easy task.
I have the Protee with putting sensor. My tee is exactly 10'6" from the screen. My enclosure overhead tapers from 10'7" above sensor to 10' at the screen. I have enough room to go back to a 20' throw distance and have been looking for something to project at 16:10 onto a 13'6" wide screen in HD at around 12'. I could go between sensor lights as long as it doesn't interfere with the vertical cam and could also go back as far as 20' as long as there is no shadowing. I would like to keep my expense under 2k or close to that as I am now in a pinch. Anyone know if there is a considerable difference between 1920x1200 and 1280x800? I am truly exhausted with this search and have come here to ask for your help. I am in rural Pa and my 9 year old daughter plays at the Copperhead classic at Innisbrook in a month. I need to get this running by this weekend. Please, please help me. Yes I have spent hours and hours on projector central and it has not been my friend. 16:10 in hd and the right throw distance with the right lumens and the right contrast etc. is like a needle in a haystack.
Thank you all very much