Opinions on this setup. Any concerns?

[arwin]

Hi All,

First off, I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for all the great info! I knew very little about projectors coming into this project and I've found a ton of great threads regarding this!

If you've seen some of my other posts recently, I purchased a projector but realized that it wasn't going to work out and went digging through a ton of threads here.

Here's what I came up with for the setup that I think will work for me. Just waiting to confirm that it's all going to work.

Projector: Optoma 1080p Data Projector (GT1080)
Projector Ceiling Mount: SkyRail
Screen/Impact Screen: Net Return - Pro Series Simulator Screen (83" High x 94" Wide (6'9" H x 7'8" W)
Ceiling Height: 130"
Top of Screen: 83"
Projector Image Offset: -8"
Projector needs to be lowered by: 39" (130" - 8" offset - 83" top of screen = 39" )
Throw Distance for 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 47" (According to http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GT1080.htm)
Throw Distance for 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 62" (According to http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GT1080.htm)
Throw Distance Difference: 15"
Hitting Area Distance from Screen: 78" (6.5 feet)

Since I will be going with the Optoma GT1080, it's a short throw and the projector will now be mounted in front of the golfer, which should have no issues with shadows.

I saw the thread with the sliding ceiling track and I wanted something with a more professional look and I found one at AllSportsSystems.
It looks like it would be perfect since it's got 17.5" of play in the throw distance to convert the 16:9 aspect ratio for movies then to the 4:3 aspect ratio for when I want to use the full screen for golf. I sent them an email to confirm that I can lower the projector to the appropriate height to match the screen height.

I saw a lot of threads regarding BenQ 1085ST and the newer version of the BenQ 2150ST but the throw distances for the BenQ would be 71" and 94", which would have a throw distance difference of 23" which is more than the SkyRail can handle.

Having said all this, I still have a couple of concerns.

1. Based on the results from projectorcentral (attached), the graphs on the chart indicate that I'm in the red portion of the scale and it shows this warning: "Recommended Image Brightness for rooms with ambient light". What does this mean? Is this going to work?

2. With the projector now being mounted about 1.5 feet in front of the golfer and will probably be mounted at about 7.5 feet high, is there concerns of a golfer hitting the projector with their clubs?

3. If the SkyRail cannot support an extension to lower the projector, is there a way where the projector can be mounted to the ceiling and still work with this setup? From what I've read, there is horizontal and vertical Keystone for the Optoma GT1080 of +/- 40 degrees (both veritcally and horizontally). But if the Keystone is used, it will affect the resolution of the image being displayed.

Is there anything else that I am missing?

Much appreciated. Thanks!

[arwin]

Anyone????

[Ironstrokes]

I have the GT1080 ST and also have a bit of keystoning and dont really noticed much of a difference in the resolution. Im guessing it may be there but not discernible by my naked eye at least. So if you have to do a little bit I dont think it will bother you.

Not totally sure about the ambient light thing but im guessing they are just suggesting that with this projector the picture may be a little washed out if you have too much lighting in the room. In my experience as long as you have your room lighting aiming back toward where you are hitting and behind I think youll be good to go.

If you dont already have them, highly recommend getting some track lighting. Got them for my ceiling and did away with the large standing lamps I had in the room previously. After aiming the lights attached toward the back of the room it did wonders for darkening the area around the screen and making it pop much more.

Not sure if youll have an issues swinging with it in that area. I would get an old cardboard box and quickly hang it where you think the projector will be and take all kinds of swings and see how close you get to it.

Good luck with everything

[gene438]

I have the optoma 1080 and you can see my setup up below. I have never had an issue with hitting the projector. However, some of my friends who come over feel uneasy for awhile until they get used to hitting inside.

[arwin]

Thanks guys.

I ordered the projector. I hope this all works out!

[ROY]

Hi All,

First off, I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for all the great info! I knew very little about projectors coming into this project and I've found a ton of great threads regarding this!

If you've seen some of my other posts recently, I purchased a projector but realized that it wasn't going to work out and went digging through a ton of threads here.

Here's what I came up with for the setup that I think will work for me. Just waiting to confirm that it's all going to work.

Projector: Optoma 1080p Data Projector (GT1080)
Projector Ceiling Mount: SkyRail
Screen/Impact Screen: Net Return - Pro Series Simulator Screen (83" High x 94" Wide (6'9" H x 7'8" W)
Ceiling Height: 130"
Top of Screen: 83"
Projector Image Offset: -8"
Projector needs to be lowered by: 39" (130" - 8" offset - 83" top of screen = 39" )
Throw Distance for 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 47" (According to http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GT1080.htm)
Throw Distance for 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 62" (According to http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-GT1080.htm)
Throw Distance Difference: 15"
Hitting Area Distance from Screen: 78" (6.5 feet)

Since I will be going with the Optoma GT1080, it's a short throw and the projector will now be mounted in front of the golfer, which should have no issues with shadows.

I saw the thread with the sliding ceiling track and I wanted something with a more professional look and I found one at AllSportsSystems.
It looks like it would be perfect since it's got 17.5" of play in the throw distance to convert the 16:9 aspect ratio for movies then to the 4:3 aspect ratio for when I want to use the full screen for golf. I sent them an email to confirm that I can lower the projector to the appropriate height to match the screen height.

I saw a lot of threads regarding BenQ 1085ST and the newer version of the BenQ 2150ST but the throw distances for the BenQ would be 71" and 94", which would have a throw distance difference of 23" which is more than the SkyRail can handle.

Having said all this, I still have a couple of concerns.

1. Based on the results from projectorcentral (attached), the graphs on the chart indicate that I'm in the red portion of the scale and it shows this warning: "Recommended Image Brightness for rooms with ambient light". What does this mean? Is this going to work?

2. With the projector now being mounted about 1.5 feet in front of the golfer and will probably be mounted at about 7.5 feet high, is there concerns of a golfer hitting the projector with their clubs?

3. If the SkyRail cannot support an extension to lower the projector, is there a way where the projector can be mounted to the ceiling and still work with this setup? From what I've read, there is horizontal and vertical Keystone for the Optoma GT1080 of +/- 40 degrees (both veritcally and horizontally). But if the Keystone is used, it will affect the resolution of the image being displayed.

Is there anything else that I am missing?

Much appreciated. Thanks!

Hello Arwin,
I am also using the Net Return Pro and am looking into the impact screen options. How do you like your impact screen - did you purchase it from the Net Return or another brand? How is it holding up? Also, can you post some pictures of your set up - this would be much appreciated! Thanks.

[brg1875]

gene438 it looks like you've changed your setup from the one posted above but how far away was your projector from the hitting area and how far down from the ceiling was it? Lastly I'm assuming you mounted it upside down?

[gene438]

You are correct, I just finished the redesign a month ago.

1)I did mount the projector upside down
2)distance from hitting area is approximately 2.5 feet in front. I believe It was 7.5 from screen and I placed the hitting matt 10 ft from screen.

Hope that helps

[aeroburner]

still think the kegerator is the best part of the room gene