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View Full Version : Have any of you set up your gaming system with 3 screens?


caliviper
27-10-2006, 1:36 AM
Hi guys,

I posted this in the projectors forum, but figured maybe I can get a better response here.

I just bought a high end gaming PC that will be dedicated 90% of the time to auto racing simulators (GTR2, rFactor, etc.)

I am about to order the HotSeat racing cockpit and already have all the pedals, steering wheel, shifter, etc.

What I want to do now is to create a fully imersive environment which includes using larger screens than you can get with monitors, and surround the cockpit with these screens and then projecting onto them.

This will all be in a dedicated gaming room that is about 12 feet X 15 feet.

I want to use a 3 screen set up allowed by using the Matrox Triple Head 2 Go screen splitter which will take my pc's outputted image of 3840X1024 and splut it into three outputs of 1280X1024. I'd like to run 3 projectors to create as seamless a wide screen output as possible.

So since this will not be used for anything other than gaming, how low end can I go on projectors to get a kick ass game set up without breaking the bank? Can this be realized for under $2K USD including the screen?

The projector would need to have VGA inputs and a resolution of 1280X1024. I will be linking the 3 screens together with the middle one facing me directly and the two outside screens somewhat angled in towards me (sitting in the cockpit) to try to give a little peripheral vision if possible. I want to run the picture at a size that conveys reality. I dont know what that is, but I am guessing that a 40 - 50 inch wide screen (times 3) would be perfect.

I know NOTHING about projectors or screens. I have been researching all day and am more confused now than I was then. I checked out bizrate.com and shopping.com and see they have tons of projectors and screens, but dont know what is good and bad.

For budget reasons, I was looking at the Da-Lite pull up (portable) screens as seen here: http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/74647
Would something like that work for gaming?

I've blown my cash on the new PC, the cockpit, all the peripherals, etc., and I was just going to use three 20" monitors, but I figure if I can get 3 projectors set up and running for under $2K with everything and have it look incredible, then I will probably go that way. The 3 monitor will cost me about $800 when I factor in the stand I will need to connect the 3.

I REALLY hope you can guide me in the right direction. If this has been covered here recently, I would appreciate a link and perhaps photos? For example, I do not know the ideal angle to have the outside 2 screens angled in at.

Thanks!

M

pixelpixel
27-10-2006, 7:18 AM
your just crazy!:grin:

Tigerblade
27-10-2006, 8:01 AM
This is the specific projector thread, they will be alot more help

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=121

I think lol

You'll need at least a SLi/xfire powered rig to pull it off tho I reckon.

3 screen goodness is awesome tho, been doing it for about a year now, albeit on a smaller scale, and when having to use a pc with one monitor it's quite hard as you become totally accustomed to using the real estate 3 screens brings in web browsing etc.