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I've been looking around for an upgrade to my 19" dell ultrasharp monitor. I've liked the idea of a DLP projector for some time, but am now also considering a tv instead. My budget runs at about $1200. With a resolution of 1280x1024 (or 1280x800) which is the better way to go? Projectors offer a bigger picture (and slightly better price) but have problems in sunlight and accumlate high bulb cost. LCD Televisions are smaller (unless you have the cash) and in most cases, take up more room. I've heard televisions don't look very good when used as computer monitors. For sim racing, which would be the better way to go? Thanks |
You might also like to consider the three monitor setup. My projector bulb cost (an reasonably high-end projector) is about 30 cents/hour which is nothing really for gaming and watching movies. CRT televisions don't look good as computer monitors, but (current) LCD's and Plasmas are fine. I sit close to a 50" plasma - the dashboard is approaches real life size but is not quite there. I used to race on a 100" projector but the other cars in front were bigger than real life and felt like I was driving a bus. I could have sat further back but that defeats the purpose. Horizontal field of view is more important to me than resolution, not by changing the in game FOV, but by increasing the aspect ratio of the display device as that doesn't distort perspective. These games show more action to the left & right as aspect ratio increases rather than less to the top & bottom. So 4:1 for a 3-screen setup is better than 16:9 which is better than 4:3. What I think is the ultimate (which you've just reminded me I've forgotten to do) is creating a custom resolution on the projector that doesn't use the top 40% of it so I'll have an aspect of something around 3:1. I think this will give the same feeling as sitting in a real car and sitting reasonably close to the screen will even allow me to turn my head for tight side-to-side battles. I think that would be better than those TrackIR things. | ||
Thanks for reply Jonty, I have a trackIR and it can make you quite dizzy in a battle. So you might have a point. I'd look at the three monitor setups, however I can't afford to up the resolution in game. I use a laptop for sims, and it runs everything perfectly smooth at 1280x1024. Wouldn't a three monitor setup change that? The projector sounds like a better idea, as getting anywhere above 40 inches on an LCD tv approaches 1500 dollars for any decent brand. What kind of lighting were you getting with your projector when you had used it? I have a bit of ambient light still coming in with blinds closed. How many ANSI lumens do you think I should look for? | ||
For a three-monitor setup you'll need something like a Matrox triple-head video card - a laptop is out. I wouldn't buy a projector as an upgrade to a computer monitor though. Warm up time, fan noise (ok during gaming), excessive size when not gaming and controlled light environment are unacceptable. I wouldn't even buy one as an upgrade to a TV, but they make a good supplement. ANSI lumen figures can be very misleading, as can contrast ratios - it's better to read opinions on avsforum.com. I have a projector known for its high light output (a previous generation, but still current Infocus 7205). It's great for up until an hour after sunrise with huge uncovered windows, but then contrast starts to fall off rapidly. For the average projector you definitely want to eliminate any light leaking into the room. | ||
Fair enough Jonty.
As far as the projector goes, It wouldn't be a replacement for the monitor, but more-so as a movie/sim racing supplement. I've looked at a couple "portable" projectors, and could find several uses for them. | ||
I have not tried it out on my PC yet but I got a killer deal on a Westinghouse 42" LCD from Bestbuy. I paid under a $1000 for it. At the time it was the cheapest 1080p LCD TV that was actually worth a damn. Might want to check into that. Westinghouse is a very good brand. Hell they used to make light bulbs (or maybe still do) so LCD is right up their alley. | ||
Thanks william, still think I happen to have some of those light bulbs :-) A couple people have mentioned the deal for that same LCD to me. I want to look at all my options before I make a decision. But its definitely worth taking more of a look at. | ||
No problem. Hell my thing was for a 1080p lcd tv with HDMI connections for under 1000. Hell yeah. But I don't play pc games on mine. I do play xbox360 games on it though and they look great. | ||
With TH2Go out of the equation, and a TV seeming to be more of a problem than a grace, I've decided to take my hand at looking for a projector... I've always heard of going for DLP, as LCD produces less contrast, and screendoor effect.. Anyone have any brands they favor? |