Projector and Simulator A/V Setup

[mdprince]

Hi All,

I’ve been following this forum for a few months and am excited to start contributing notes from my own experience soon, as I’m kicking off a new simulator build in the next couple of weeks. It will be in an attic space I’m finishing, so I have some flexibility with the screen build and setup.

In the meantime, there are a few specifics on how people have set up their projectors, controls centers, and some HDMI out and DisplayPort questions that I haven’t been able to track down. For reference, the setup will be a Uneekor EYE XO simulator with an Optoma GT1090HDR short throw projector, powered by a Dell Alienware computer using a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card.
Any photos are appreciated and hopefully others find the questions below helpful as well:

PROJECTOR

• The GT1090HDR has a 14” vertical offset for a 7’ throw distance with an associated 14’ screen width (see chart and diagram). Combine the vertical offset with a ~4-6” drop from ceiling for a low-profile projector mount and another 2” drop to projector lens center, it’s a total displayed image drop of around 20”. This would mean a 10’ ceiling would only allow for an 8’4” high screen using this particular setup. Can the projector be tilted slightly upward to gain back some of that height and the image subsequently corrected using keystone? I’m talking 3-4 inches total. Otherwise, could you recess the projector slightly into the ceiling to gain some of the height back?
• Will GTC2019 display in a 16:10 aspect ratio?

COMMAND CENTER/COMPUTER

• The RTX 3080 has 1 HDMI output and 3 DigitalVideo Outputs. Does anyone have experience with how these are used by the GTC2019 software? I’ve pasted an image that I would really like to mimic for my setup. From my research, this is the best I can gather:
  • The HDMI out is the main game play and will likely be run through a receiver to the projector. This is for the large screen image.
  • Would DigitalVideo Port 1 display to the side TV with swing analytics?
  • Would DigitalVideo Port 2 display to the computer monitor?
• The Uneekor swing cameras would be a nice addition for the front and side views. How do those feed into the computer and where do those images output? Additionally, there’s a very short list of compatible and not compatible projectors for the swing cameras, but the GT1090HDR isn’t on either of them. Can the swing images be displayed to a side TV rather than through the projector if it isn’t compatible? If there’s a wiring diagram of how these are set up it would be EXTREMELY helpful.

I really appreciate any insight and will post follow-ups throughout the build with lessons learned and full details on the setup. Thank you in advance for the assistance!

[preludesam]

Not sure about some of the questions but here is my take on the ones I know. One thing to maybe clarify would be if it's an Alienware laptop or desktop. Laptops are not created equal to desktops even though they may claim the same parts and hardware specs.

• Will GTC2019 display in a 16:10 aspect ratio? = The game will check the resolution of the driver and operating system so as long as you have the resolution option created in the Nvidia control panel then the game will have the option in settings to choose that resolution. I would also make sure the device (i.e. projector or monitor) is setup to that resolution in the Nvidia control panel as well.
• The RTX 3080 has 1 HDMI output and 3 DigitalVideo Outputs. Does anyone have experience with how these are used by the GTC2019 software? I’ve pasted an image that I would really like to mimic for my setup. From my research, this is the best I can gather? = Digital Video Port 1 or Digital Video Port 2 could be used for either. You have the ability to change them or drag extra windows into each screen. Display ports can use an adaptor to HDMI but not the other way around. Remember most TVs do not have Display ports.
• The Uneekor swing cameras would be a nice addition for the front and side views. How do those feed into the computer and where do those images output?= They are USB 3.0 based cameras using a USB connection to the computer. Unkeekor's software handles all the footage and they are not defaulted to output to the other monitors or devices. If you are on a laptop then I would advise no more than one camera with this much bandwidth. If you are on a desktop then we need some specs from your computer to see if you have the power to use them. If the specs of the pc are comparable to the RTX3080 then I would think you are ok. You may need a PCI USB 3.0-3.1 card as sometimes cheap motherboards skimp out on the onboard USB controller causing frame drops and loss of connection. Another note to the cameras are you need a ton of lighting to have a good experience. Giving you an idea on the lighting recommendations something like 15K-30K lumens are needed. That's a lot of bulbs and lighting.
• Additionally, there’s a very short list of compatible and not compatible projectors for the swing cameras, but the GT1090HDR isn’t on either of them.= I think this has to do with frame timing and the projector showing a strobe effect when reviewing swings. A pain for some but not a deal breaker for all hence why the listed confirmed projectors.
• Can the swing images be displayed to a side TV rather than through the projector if it isn’t compatible? If there’s a wiring diagram of how these are set up it would be EXTREMELY helpful.= This can be done using Uneekor's software but I am not sure you can use it will playing TCG. I could be wrong maybe others will post about it.

[mdprince]

Thanks, preludesam! That's a ton of good info. The Alienware computer is a desktop with an i9 processor and 32GB of 3400MHz RAM as I'm trying to make this a long term investment that'll hold it's own for a while with software upgrades. I also just received the reply below from Uneekor support surrounding swing camera and projector interference (note: this is for the add on cameras and has nothing to do with the EYE XO system):

"At this time we are gathering data to see what is causing the flickering. The projector you are planning on purchasing does have flickering.when used with Swing Optix."

[preludesam]

Do you know what motherboard is listed for the system? For example, I have a z390 with an intel 9600k and a Texas Instruments onboard USB controller. Swing Catalyst has a couple of articles going into camera setups and the bandwidth limitations while using two high-speed USB 3 cameras. If it does not have a strong onboard controller you're going to have issues. This is why they recommend a PCI-E USB card as it eliminates any possible failures from bandwidth. I think you would probably be ok with your PC specs but it's never a guarantee. Since it's a desktop I would be pretty sure you have room for the USB card if needed. I am not going the Swing Optix route just due to the cost and I'm an electrical engineer and I feel like I can build a better setup. I like tweaking stuff and the fact they are color is a waste to me. I don't think people realize it requires 3-4 times more light with color vs monochrome. If you want the plug and play option definitely go for it. Just remember the lighting requirements.

[mdprince]

Here's the link for the PC I'll likely end up with: https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/sh...6-7f1eb7506aaf

I considered going with a less expensive system with a NVIDIA 3070 card, but based on reviews and FPS, it seems like the 3080 will do a much better job of protecting for future upgrades. The 3090 is great but way more expensive and doesn't justify the additional cost as it only gives incremental gains.

I may actually go with the AMD Ryzen processor as they seem to have caught up (and potentially passed) Intel. I agree about the cameras and the expense with the Uneekor system. One question....is the ability to use the USB cameras already built into the Uneekor software? For example, could you purchase a couple of USB 3.0 cameras and get essentially the same experience? Either way, I'll hold off and incorporate them later into the build.

Also, I'm a mechanical engineer :-)

[spiege2]

I have to say never thought about the projector and cameras. Couldn’t find a projector before now I am really lost. How can uneekor only have one approved. A little disappointed! I bought the cameras on sale during Black Friday! I think I will call them on Monday and see maybe they have a list the recommend?

[Slydermv]

I’m just planning and researching. Can not confirm. But from what I understand you can tilt projectors vertically. This will give a tapezodial image. But most projectors have something called “keystone correction” to varying degrees which will correct the image.