Building a portable projector setup for RPG mapping

[OnlineDM]

@Ferghis: I'm happy to spend money on the stand, but I really want good portability if at all possible. I worry that if the metal base that you sketched (cool sketch, by the way) would be heavy enough to hold the projector securely in place from that angle, it would be pretty heavy to carry. Also, do you have any suggestions in a setup like that about how I would get the projector out over the middle of the table? If the side of the projector were mounted right to the vertical pole as in the sketch, the lens would only be maybe 5 inches out from the side. I'm open to suggestions!

I don't mind handling monster conditions myself - the players will still be able to see them on the monsters (in MapTool I have little icons appear over the monsters to show when they're bloodied, slowed, etc.). As for initiative, I could have it show up on the map if I really wanted to, but I really haven't had any problems just running it myself and letting everyone know who's up next ("Okay, Alayne, it's your turn, Thorfin up next, and then the bad guys..."). But to each his own.

@Tuft: I wouldn't want to use heavy feet because, again, I want portability. But clamping the legs to the table... that's an idea I like! I'll have to give that some thought. One issue to deal with is that I'll be playing at tables of varying sizes and thicknesses; if the tripod legs were right at the edge of one table (ready for clamping), they might be a foot into the center on another table. I'm not quite sure how I'd handle the clamping in that sort of situation. Still, I'm sure I could find a way to always clamp down at least one leg, which is a good start. Thanks for the suggestion!

I'll admit that I don't quite follow you on how putting the fishing line at the bottom rather than near the top helps, but I believe you. I worry that the line would get in the way, though, if it were down low. It's worth experimenting with, but I'm guessing I'll want the cross-bracing for the legs to be at least a foot and a half above the tabletop so that it doesn't get in the players' way.

Great suggestions, all! I'm always open to more ideas, too. I plan to build my first prototype tomorrow (Saturday) and I'll share my progress here.

 

[Tuft]

@Tuft: I wouldn't want to use heavy feet because, again, I want portability. But clamping the legs to the table... that's an idea I like! I'll have to give that some thought. One issue to deal with is that I'll be playing at tables of varying sizes and thicknesses; if the tripod legs were right at the edge of one table (ready for clamping), they might be a foot into the center on another table. I'm not quite sure how I'd handle the clamping in that sort of situation. Still, I'm sure I could find a way to always clamp down at least one leg, which is a good start. Thanks for the suggestion!

To get portable weights, you can use plastic bottles. Travel with them empty and fill them with water when you arrive at the destination. Strap them to the bottom of the legs (or place them on top of broad, flat feet). Then you empty them again before you go back. Make sure the bottles are durable, seals tightly and straps on firmly and securely to avoid wobbliness and spills. A little more bulky than metal feet, but travels lighter.

 

[Tuft]

One issue to deal with is that I'll be playing at tables of varying sizes and thicknesses; if the tripod legs were right at the edge of one table (ready for clamping), they might be a foot into the center on another table. I'm not quite sure how I'd handle the clamping in that sort of situation.

You don't have to attach the clamp directly to the foot. If you drill a hole through the leg, you can tie a piece of string from the leg the clamp, to bridge the distance from the foot's position to the edge of the table.

 

[JDragon]

OD, you actually don't have to worry about getting the projector out to the middle of your image.

Most projectors are set up so that when they are on a table in normal use the bottom of your image is more or less even with the bottom of the lens and the image spreads up from the projector.

I hope that made sense.

So as a result, using the image Ferghis posted, having your projector right next to the support pole will not be an issue, because your image will go out from it.

Another thing to be aware of with set ups like this is if the projector is facing straight down you could end up damaging it. This is because the hotest part of most projectors is the lens putting out all that light. Normally if the projector is sitting on a table that heat goes up with no problem. In the hanging set up that heat will go up through the projector, possibly causing damage over time.

You may be better off having the projector level with a mirror at an angle in front of it to direct the image down.


Just a few more thoughts for you.

If I thought my wife would let me get a second projector just for gaming I would be looking at doing a set up like this myself for when I do Cons.

 

[FoxWander]

For portability you could also look into some kind of boom stand. It should be sturdy enough, since the boom won't have to project very far. You could use a water jug instead of a sandbag for the counterweight- which you could get or fill up wherever you're using it so you won't be carrying the extra weight. Then use a clamp to secure it to the edge of the gaming table for extra sturdiness.

You could probably even make your own boom mount setup using the same square aluminum tubing Sean did for his mount set-up. At any rate, I think some kind of good, sturdy boom mount would be a good compromise between portability and something that won't get in the way. Sean's setup probably works great but it seems like a bit much to be really portable (especially for taking to cons) and I imagine it still gets in the way a lot.

 

[falcarrion]

I created a stand for my projector. I made it out of 1/2 inch metal pipe, a projector mount, and a heavy bar stool lid. This gives me the ability to switch the height by attaching different lengths of pipe togather. I can set it up to project forward and reflect off a mirror down on the table or add an elbow at the top so the projector projects downward.

For the surface to project onto I just use a sheet of white foam core.

I'm working on an even more portable setup once my 3m pocket projector shows up next week.

 

[OnlineDM]

I've moved on in my projector rig development.

Step four: Build a prototype rig.

There are more details on my blog, but I've built the first prototype of the tripod I had suggested, using cheap and simple materials.

There are issues with it, of course, some of which have already been discussed here on EN World. The hinges have some wobble to them, which I don't love (I'm going to try wrapping a little duct tape around them to see if that helps. The legs do seem to get in the way of playing, at least a little bit. And the whole thing feels less steady than I would like.

The steps I plan to take to improve this rig are:

• Level off the bottom of the legs and attach bigger feet (4 inch square plywood) - perhaps clampable to the table
• Attach some rubber to the bottom of the feet
• Figure out a good, rigid bracing system instead of the rope - something that doesn't just collapse when you push the legs together

I'm especially looking for ideas on the last point. I was thinking of something like a long hook and eye, but I can't find one long enough.

I'm also thinking that I'll build a prototype of a single-pole design, perhaps something that I would clamp to the table next to the GM, and then mount the projector to the top of the pole. If I did that, how would I go about mounting the projector? More suggestions, please - you all have been great so far!

 

[falcarrion]

What is the throw distance of your projector?

 

[falcarrion]

click on my name and goto my album section and you can see my projector stand setup.

 

[OnlineDM]

Excellent - now I understand what you were talking about!

Can you tell me more about the mount at the top? I see it in the pictures (specifically 003), but I'll admit that I don't actually understand what I'm looking at. It looks way cool, and it obviously works, but what IS it? And how can I make one?

As for my projector, it's the ViewSonic PJD5152. It's a short-throw projector; the throw range is listed as 27" to 127". I plan to mount it about 30" above the table (though the tripod right now is 36" above the table). Will that be all right?