Projectors for Golf Simulators 101

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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

[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]

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!

[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.

[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.

[Dax]

I think 16:10 would likely be the best.

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[dborden0]

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

Oops. Quoted the wrong message. Not sure how to fix from my phone...

[ecarl97]

Hello Y'all,

After some research I found this link; http://www.projectorcentral.com/new-...projectors.htm

This states the following:
Short throw projectors are used in applications where the distance to the projection screen must be minimized. Models are able to project onto a screen from as little as 1.5 feet away. These projectors come in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios and may include support for networking.

I have observed some posts that state its difficult to find 4:3 projectors. Research for some of the projectors listed in the link above does not specifically state they have 4:3 aspect ratio. The reason this is important to me is because the screen size that I have discussed with par2pro and others is this : 7' - 6" h x 9' - 6" w (4:3 aspect ratio)

Would I be good with any of those projectors listed? I see alot of BenQ on here, any thoughts on Viewsonic? I was looking at this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A6UNGXQ?psc=1

Thank You!

[aja]

Any 16:9 projector can also project a 4:3 image (to the best of my knowledge). Most new projectors are geared to 16:9 but aren't limited to that ratio.

After checking the projector calculator this hardly fits the short throw category. I compared to my screen size and my Optoma is placed at 2.5 meters, whereas the Viewsonic ends up being 6 meters from the screen to give the same image size.

I would start at the "Search by Feature" page of projector central http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm and see what you can find. It's intimidating at first, but trial and error should give you something worthwhile.

Remember to plug in your screen width or height as one of the parameters. (Screen diagonal is a useless piece of info since it is dependent on the image ratio...)

[ecarl97]

Thanks aja!!! I will do that!

[Bastiaan]

Hi,

Despite reading this entire thread, I still find it difficult to find the optimal projector (for a ST/TGC setup). To make it a bit easier I made a simple sketch of the room and the dimensions. I was hoping to receive some ideas on possible projectors that might be suitable.

What I learned thus far:
- Should probably be a ST projector given the size of the room
- 4:3
- HD is a must (to properly enjoy TGC) - so 1920-1080 ?
- Room only has 1 small window, so high lumens is not that important
- Most projectors have the ability to zoom in/out so you have some wiggle room with respect to the ideal spot
- Projectors can be titled and the mount will also help achieve the ideal position (thanks Aja)

Would be great if people could recommend a projector that would allow for a bit adjustability to make sure it will work. Budget: 600-900 ? It seems the most named projectors are the Benq 1085ST and Optoma GT 1080, would these work?

I guess most projectors in this budget range offer features such as vertical keystone correction?

thank you very much!

[wbond]

Will you be able to swing driver without hitting the wall behind you down the target line? Just over 4' seems pretty tight.

[Bastiaan]

Yes it is going to be tight but I have seen other people building a smaller room, so I guess it should be ok !