Steel_Wind
Legend
jodyjohnson said:
The size of the image is very good at low range, but the listed contrast is the worst I've seen on any new projector. I hope it works out for you though.
Post pics please!
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Coolest. Gaming Set-up. Evar.
- Thread starter Steel_Wind
- Start date
The size of the image is very good at low range, but the listed contrast is the worst I've seen on any new projector. I hope it works out for you though.
Post pics please!
BeerSkunk
First Post
I've had a desire for a setup like this for a couple of years but only recently have the prices of projectors come down enough to make it feasible. This week I purchased an Optoma 739 projector which will be primarily used for business purposes. On the weekends, however, I'll be utilizing it at game sessions.
One of the factors that I have to deal with is the need for an easily portable solution. My gaming group rotates who's house we play at every session. On top of that, I have a small car (Mazda Miata) so the stand for the projector also needs to be collapsable yet still retain its sturdiness. At just over 5 lbs, the projector I'm using isn't heavy, but it does require stiff support to hold it in place. I have an idea for an adjustable height stand with a telescoping horizontal arm to attach the projector to. I've spent a few days sketching out some plans and searching around Home Depot and Lowes for materials. If I get a working solution put together I'll post pictures of it along with the details on how it was crafted. Wish me luck!
In response to people who haven't used the NWN toolset and disbelieve that maps can be crafted in a matter of minutes I'd like to say that Steel Wind isn't exagerating about the time it takes to make a map. NWN doesn't have a large learning curve. It's very simple and intuitive to use. Just based on my experience throwing together maps in NWN versus the time it takes to draw out a map on the Battlemat, I can confidently say that using NWN will be quicker, more detailed, and far more visually appealing. My group has always used miniatures for combat, so this will be a win, win, win for us.
In the long run, say over the next 5 to 10 years, this setup will give way to roll-up flexible displays similar to the Nanochromic displays offered by Ntera. I'm very excited about the future of table-top gaming. It's only going to get better...especially when I get my Holo-mat. =)
One of the factors that I have to deal with is the need for an easily portable solution. My gaming group rotates who's house we play at every session. On top of that, I have a small car (Mazda Miata) so the stand for the projector also needs to be collapsable yet still retain its sturdiness. At just over 5 lbs, the projector I'm using isn't heavy, but it does require stiff support to hold it in place. I have an idea for an adjustable height stand with a telescoping horizontal arm to attach the projector to. I've spent a few days sketching out some plans and searching around Home Depot and Lowes for materials. If I get a working solution put together I'll post pictures of it along with the details on how it was crafted. Wish me luck!
In response to people who haven't used the NWN toolset and disbelieve that maps can be crafted in a matter of minutes I'd like to say that Steel Wind isn't exagerating about the time it takes to make a map. NWN doesn't have a large learning curve. It's very simple and intuitive to use. Just based on my experience throwing together maps in NWN versus the time it takes to draw out a map on the Battlemat, I can confidently say that using NWN will be quicker, more detailed, and far more visually appealing. My group has always used miniatures for combat, so this will be a win, win, win for us.
In the long run, say over the next 5 to 10 years, this setup will give way to roll-up flexible displays similar to the Nanochromic displays offered by Ntera. I'm very excited about the future of table-top gaming. It's only going to get better...especially when I get my Holo-mat. =)
Steel_Wind
Legend
BeerSkunk said:
Well, to be fair and so as not to leave speechless some people who may be a little confused over what we mean:
1 - NWN map building is intuitive and, as advertised, takes a few minutes;
2 - NWN mod building is complicated and frequently esoteric.
You don't need to know how to build a mod; you only need to know how to build a map, a very different concept.
It is indeed. And your Optoma 739 is a very nice projector. Please try and post some pics from your weekend sessions.
I've received a tremendous amount of mail over this thread. People have written me who publish newsletters looking for more info. A dozen people contacted me directly for advice on projectors and it appears another 6 or so of those who responded here have bought projectors in the past 2 weeks.
I truly think we are on to something here and that as projector prices contunue to fall while improving in quality, and people get an opportunity via the Internet, in print, or at Gencon and Origins to see this tech first hand and how it adds to the game, there are going to be a lot of these setups in a lot of gaming circles.
It's just too cool not to want one.
Fantastic pics and setup! I am truly jealous. Has anyone considered a tutorial or idea of how to use just a TV or extra computer montitor instead of the projector setup. This is still out of a lot of gamers pocket books (mine included). I have an extra monitor and would love to be able to utilize some of these ideas, namely the NWN idea with a grid for reference and character icons if there was a way to show where players and monsters were etc. And then go to my battle mat as needed to resolve combat. This would take less mat drawing time to layout a room etc. and leave more for gaming.
Just a thought,
Draxx
Just a thought,
Draxx
punkorange
First Post
Hey, check this out if your looking for a cheap projector. You might wanna do some research on the throw distance, etc, but its worth looking at.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1164861&sku=S339-1200&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM850C
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1164861&sku=S339-1200&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM850C
KaosDevice
Explorer
What about an under mounted projector that would project up onto a screen like thing, am I making any sense? I can picture it in my head, sort of a rear projection affair. Anyone messed around with anything like that?
Steel_Wind
Legend
KaosDevice said:
Yes, but there are problems with this approach.
Please see page 2 of this thread.
BeerSkunk
First Post
Steel_Wind
Legend
punkorange said:
The picture size is good, but the unit is dim at advertised 1200 (more like 1000-1100 in actual use. Mftrs all cheat on advertised brightness)
But that's not the real problem. The contrast is rated at 350:1. Again, they tend to overestimate these specs. And even without overestimating, 350:1 is BAD with a Capital "B". Your picture is going to lack definition and looked washed out as all hell.
There is a reason this is $500. I would not recommend this. I'd go ebay and go used before this one. You'll likely end up doing better.
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