My Build 3.0 - Maybe the final one???

[dunginhawk]

There are options using wake on lan, a android phone or tablet, or a raspberry pi, etc... nothing super elegant thats for sure. ill keep searching.

[gene438]

Yes, I used the bios option. I checked for you concerning the laptop and the consensus is that because a laptop is battery based, none of the mfgs built in the option to auto power on in their bios.....I cannot find a solution other than switch to a desktop unit....sorry.

[dunginhawk]

So do you use the power on bios option for the PC? basically when AC power is applied, it starts up? thats not available on my laptop, so i have to find another way. As for the projector, going to head out and see about that option, its an OptomaHD 143. The scripting thing is pretty cool... I think it would be cool to say "Ok google, lets play pebble" and have it launch all the way in to that.

Alsok thank you very much for doing the video

Ok... i dug in to my projector a little bit and found the setting booyeah... just plugged it in to a Smart things outlet and its good to go. instantly worked "hey google turn golf projector on" bingo. Once i figure out how to get my PC able to be powered on ill be all set.

[dunginhawk]

So do you use the power on bios option for the PC? basically when AC power is applied, it starts up? thats not available on my laptop, so i have to find another way. As for the projector, going to head out and see about that option, its an OptomaHD 143. The scripting thing is pretty cool... I think it would be cool to say "Ok google, lets play pebble" and have it launch all the way in to that.

Alsok thank you very much for doing the video

[gene438]

Forgot to add that to get the projector to come on when power is turned on, go to menu, options, advanced and find "Direct Power On".....you need to turn this to "on"

This is for an Optima 1080 GT....not sure on other projectors...but look for anything called direct power or auto power, etc. etc.

[gene438]

OK guys, I got this all working and made a short video. I can now cut everything on and be ready to hit at the driving range with one verbal command.

Here is the video

Actually I will make another video showing the one command, I actually created the first video when I had it broken into 3 commands because there are some times when i want to turn on only the projector, then times when I want to turn on only the computer...so I actually broke it down to 3 commands, but then created an automated command that executes all 3 at once. So, I can say turn on the ProTee, turn on the projector, and turn on the computer (to turn on separately) or Hey google, turn on the golf simulator and everything turns on.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[dunginhawk]

My projector has CEC, so I should try to figure that out.

[simmb]

Maybe something possible using CEC over HDMI. If your PC and projector support it would it not be possible to use HDMI link to power them both on/off at the same time?

[dunginhawk]

So if you have an actual PC you can do it easily... Go in to the BIOS enable the option that says "Power on with AC power" or something to that extent. Then you just need a smart switch. You can then set up IFTTT (free and easy) with google assistant or alexa and just say "Ok Google, turn on the pc" and it flips the switch and it turns on. However im using a laptop which doesnt have that option in the bios.
Projector could be doable with a logitech harmony remote, but im not sure how else.

also, I do have stringify, however i use webcore for scripting with smart things. Much more powerful (just more coding) haha.

[gene438]

You are right, that would be cool. I will investigate also to see what can be done with the projector. I have a mouse mapping script that is working great on the PC side, I guess if I could figure out how to have it boot up when power is turned on, I could automate that as well....hmmmm

Also, take a look a stringify for automating

[dunginhawk]

Ok, Gotcha... so right now im struggling to find a couple things. 1. My laptop which does not have (AC POWER boot) which means once I give it power it boots, so Im trying to figure out a Wake on lan + IFTTT workaround (without using android). 2. I want to find a way to enable the projector to turn on and actually light the lamp, if possible. 3. I HIGHLY doubt without the use of a servo arm to hit the button if its possible to remotely turn on the skytrak unit but that would be cool.

[gene438]

Sorry Dunginhawk, you are partially correct. I have an optima 1080 and you are correct in that I am actually just powering up the unit with a smart switch. I do still have to use the remote to turn on lamps. I'm not sure if I am really saving anything, but I hated the idea of the little red light being on 24/7.

Also, I basically use a power cord with the projector, protee lights and protee mat plugged and then plug that into a smart switch.

BTW, I used the smart things hub for a couple years. I recently bought as Abode security system which has it's own hub and I switched all my lights, etc. on to the abode hub, which I find is very, very easy to use. I love the Abode app and the hub just seems to recognize all the devices so much easier. My smarthings hub would drop connection 2 or 3 times a day, but the Abode has not lost connection at all.....

[dunginhawk]

Gene.. i have a question with the Google home stuff... So i have smart things hub and about 100 smart items. OUtlets, etc.. So i have the stuff to make it work. Question is, how do you get the projector to actually turn ON, vs just become powered (meaning when you plug it in, it has power, but does NOT turn on). So how do you get it to actually turn on?
I plan to use google home and smart things as well.
thanks

[gene438]

I may be mixing up answers for questions from different people, but here goes:

1)I bought the screen direct from mfg with the guys on this forum. I liked the first one so much that I went ahead and bought a second screen on the second run just to keep as a backup.
2)I agree with what Corey says regarding dimples. At least on my screen, they brush out very easily and I use a steamer to clean mine about once a month.
3)Unless you have used a screen before, you probably will not understand or believe when I say that most wrinkles, dimples, etc. even when in the screen, will not be noticeable when a full screen movie is playing....they just don't show up.....You really only see them in normal light when projector is turned off.
4)As for easy control, I have tried and been through everything. I tried voice control, wireless keyboard, foot pedals, touch screen monitor, and remote keyboard on Ipad. All work to some degree and I enjoyed playing around with them. For me, I have settled on a combination. I use Google Home and smart switches to turn on and off projector, protee lights, and protee mat. I simply come in and turn on computer and "click" on an autoscript I call "Golf". That loads protee and then tgc and puts me on my favorite driving range with 8 iron in hand and auto rewind turned on. While that is running, I simply say, "Hey Google, turn on the golf simulator" and my projector, lights and mat come on. As far as in game, I prefer to use the ipad with remote keyboard....it works flawlessly and I like the layout.

[PeterRobitaille]

Corey from P2P has told me that although the screen shows a dimple when you impact it with a ball, the next ball creates a new dimple and the other one disappears, etc. He said that by going up to the screen (IE if you change to watching a movie) and brushing it with your hand, the last dimple will disappear. He also said that the SQ screen has shown minimal distortion and sagging through testing.

I bought a BenQ TH671ST and an Alienware gaming desktop to run the software in 16:9. The bonus room should be completely framed later this week, so I am going to probably play around with the projector and some whtie sheets to determine final screen size, distance to projector, distance to hitting zone, etc.

Some things currently on my mind while laying in bed...If any of you have thoughts or ideas, they are more than welcome!

- Can't do a full 16' wide screen, so if I am limited to 12'-ish width, will the corresponding height at 16:9 be good enough for feeling "in" the SIM? My roof line is pitched, so the ceiling height where the screen hangs will be roughly 8.5' and will be just over 10' in the hitting zone.
- Trying to figure out a track system for side black curtains that will be functional for protection (the ball strike is facing a shed dormer that has large picture windows) where the curtains can be brought out far during golf, and bunched back up around the screen during movie nights.
- Trying to figure out how I can have a badass audio/theatre sound system for movie watching, that won't be getting destroyed during golfing.
- Trying to figure out an "easy" control system (Like Harmony Etc) that can do a single-button push for "play golf" or "watch movie" including power shades in the room if that is possible.