Coolest. Gaming Set-up. Evar.

[Steel_Wind]

I'm not finding the Dell 2200 on their site at this time. However, they do have an 1100 that is selling for $699.00. It says that the model is new and it looks a lot like the 2200. Any thoughts on this model?

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/proj?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Hmmm...

Well. It's not an ass-kicking unit, but it would appear to be ok and would meet min requirments.

It is not on the Projector Central database yet as its only been out a month or so. That means we don't know what the min throw distance/resolution specs are - but I would anticipate they are comparable to similar units in a similar range at SVGA resolution which tends to be a little larger than XGA at that throw dist, ie. 36"-44" at 5'7" throw. That's speculation - but educated speculation

It's new - it's on for $699 and it's a Dell. If budget is your issue - this would probably fill the need.

Note - Dell often does not run these specials for long, so if you are sitting back thinking you can get it at this price in a week or two - I wouldn't bet on that if I were you.

Specs on 1100MP

- New Design - just released. Dell's new low end DLP Projector

--800x600 native mode with autoscaling (not great, but it will do the job)

-- 2100:1 contrast ratio for improved image depth and clarity. (Very good. This is one of the benefits of buying a new model with a new design using the new DLP video circuits and processors.)
-- Brightness of 1400 ANSI lumens max for crisp video and graphics. (sufficient)

-- Dimensions - 9.9 x 8.4 x 3.96 inches; weight - 4.85 lbs. (reasonable in size, though a little square.)

-- Accessories that ship standard with each 1100MP projector include a sturdy, hard foam carrying case; all compatible video cables, including S-Video, composite video, component video/HDTV, audio, VGA and USB; a quick start guide; and a remote control. (nice cabling + a case)

Verdict: Seems to be adequate to the task and you'll get a better definition then is shown in my pics of comparable size and brightness. Brand new for $699 with ZERO mileage on the bulb? Not too shabby at all. Give it a go and let us know

-- For more information, visit www.dell.com/1100MP.

 

[Steel_Wind]

What do you guys think of the Boxlight SD-650z Projector ?
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Boxlight-SD-650z.htm

I think it's just a touch brighter than the 1100MP, but not so much you are going to notice, really.

Otherwise, it is identical in all basic performance features- as described the the manuafacturer at least - to the Dell 1100MP discussed above

They all lie a little in their ads as they measure ANSI and contrast under conditions that are not going to be of the nature real people use these under. That said, Dell tends to lie a little less flagrantly.

Verdict: Adequate for the purpose. Depends on the price, I'd say.

 

[Toscadero]

Steel Wind,

Thanks for the reply. I've been following this thread and trying to figure how I can swing the money. The Dell popped up today I believe and the offer is only good until the 13th of April. Considering that I am also making the leap to a laptop this may be in my price mode. I was going to get a laptop eventually so that is not much of a leap, but this will keep my total cost under $2,000.

I've also been looking at the BenQ, but that easily puts me over $2,000 with the laptop. Any tips on what I should look for in a laptop? Video cards, etc.?

 

[Steel_Wind]

Laptops are a very personal matter, I think. People like different things, use them for different purposes. That dramatically affects what you will need or want. I use mine everyday. It is principally a web browser /word processor, but I also use it for movies, gaming and my kids play PC Games on it .

But out of all of the above - the most important thing to me was that I use it everyday. It comes to work with me, to court and home. I lug it around a lot - so it needs to be dependable and light. I use it to type - so I like a nice keyboard. I use it on the train - so wide screen is out. End result: I got a Thinkpad. A low end 3d video chipset but it works for my purposes.

Your needs may be very different. If you are looking for a desktop replacement, Toshiba Satellite or HP may be the way to go. A widescreen like that is *out* for my purposes though.

For gaming .pdf use, one of my oldest friends in my gaming circle picked up a Gateway Tablet/Notebook convertible. We are all insanely jealous of it. It's very nice.

NVidia or Radeon chipsets if you can. But there are a lot of factors which go in to what laptop floats your boat. Nearly all will support a projector, so after you ensure it will do that, choose the model which fits your needs best.

 

[Frostmarrow]

-My first try. I rigged the projector to the ceiling using wires and a lamp mount. The projector was a Toshiba TDP T-80. I also had a locked security wire attached as a double safety.

The projector lit up a respectable area on the table. Some 36" by 18" at least. I forgot to bring the camera but luckily at least I had my cell phone.

I used TabletopMapper to make a bunch of maps. Mostly I used maps from Complete Divine. On the pictures you can see the temples of Ehlonna and Hextor. I also used maps from The Secret of Bone Hill. These maps turned out best mainly because they were made back in the old days when 5' was 5'. Also those maps were b/w and that makes for great contrast.

I haven't tested this in play yet but hopefully my group will find a time to do so soon. Most of my friends are in favor of the idea. Those I've demonstrated it for are duly impressed. For sure, they have ideas for how to better mount the projector but I don't mind.

TabletopMapper worked great and the zoom in the program was enough to quickly find the right scale in mere seconds.

A fierce battle as elven rangers fight to protect their lofty tree temple.

 

[SirJalore]

Going to give this a try

Okay... So this is my very first post on Enworld, and this is the first thread that has made me take the leap to become part of the discussion.

So first, thanks for starting this thread Steel_Wind, it has my players very excited about the prospect of using a projector during gameplay.

One of our group first thought he'd be able to borrow one from work and when that didn't turn out, I got frustrated so just went and bought one, based a lot on what had been said here on this thread.

Here is what I got for just over $1000.00 at Sam's Club. I wasn't going to buy it outright, but when my wife said, "It's what you need, right?" "yeah, I think so." "Then buy it!", you don't let that kind of opportunity pass you by! (I was considering waiting until Steel_Wind got the 'how to' manual put together first, but I couldn't wait so I've become self taught on projectors at this point. Thanks to whoever posted up the projector central website, that place rocks for this information.)

I wasn't able to get it mounted up yet, (after a rather spectacular failed plan, of which I really don't want to relate at the moment... still too painful ) but should have it for out next session, which unfortunately won't be for awhile. But the thing is supersmall and just as good on the tech specs info. vs. anything else I've seen put forward, except that one super mini model that hasn't come out yet that someone posted earlier, so for the money and the mobility factor and as such also the versatility of using it for both the game and for a home theater system I am rather impressed. The only concern I have had is if the lumens were going to be enough. I've run it in a lighted room and it does very well when the video feed is from my laptop. I will post up some digital photos if I can when I get it all hooked up. At this point the plan is to just put it into a small cage, (actually the cage is an ironing board hanger I picked up at Lowe's that fits it perfectly, thanks also for that idea Steel_Wind!) and put some hooks in the cieling over where we play and hang it there. As the weight of the thing is like just over 3 lbs., it should'nt be a major problem or concern.

At any rate, I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for letting me blabber on! But this really is something that I think will make gameplay even more fun! It will actually reduce some of my stress on prepping for eash sesson as DM.

PS Hereis a link of a review by projectorcentral.com on the model I bought. Let me know what you all think of it!?

 

[Steel_Wind]

PS Hereis a link of a review by projectorcentral.com on the model I bought. Let me know what you all think of it!?

The specs on the model look fine. Brightness might be a little low though, especially if you are using fast frames/color changes instead of "presentation mode" (most of time time presenation mode should be fine for gaming table applications), . Overall it sounds ok - and the image size appeared to be good at 42"+ at 5'6".

My real concern was this quote from the review:

No Ceiling Mount - Although not stated in the User's Manual, the Sharp XR-1X is not suitable for ceiling mount due to the limited air flow when the projector is inverted. Sharp does state the constraints on the bottom of the projector and the User's Manual demonstrates a number of ways to do front and rear projection from a table or floor. Since this projector is intended for mobile use and sharing, we do not consider this a limitation. However, if your needs require a ceiling mount, seek another projector.

Now - you aren't inverting it but you are putting it on its side. This should *probably be ok*, but check this often during your sessions.

My expectation is that you will be able to deal with this with a small external fan if you need to. A simple 5 inch case fan from a computer would probably be sufficient - but please do not ignore this issue. Too much money for a new projector to start screwing around with warranties and heat flow.

Post pics as soon as you got em!

 

[SarlonDragier]

Animations

I have all my maps on my laptop. I don’t erase anything. They look FABULOUS and I can even include animated effects like fireballs, walls of fire, lava pits, etc.

What are you using for the animations such as the 'fireball'?

Borrowed a projector from work and set it up in 15 minutes...looks great.

Thanks!

 

[Steel_Wind]

Hi everyone!
This idea is completely awesome and I will probably try it out. My question is, what projector do I use? I have a budget of about 500-600 dollars, possibly 700. I want something about the quality of what steel_wind has. I have an 8 foot ceiling and size and weight don't matter to much, as long as I can figure out a way to hang it. Any news on the site steel_wind?

If our setup is "good enough" for you, the Dell 1100mp would appear to fill that need with a picture which will have even better contrast and definition than the one we use for $699. It's on sale right now for another 10 days or so.

Link is in the spec discussion above.

If you want to go cheaper than that - there are really no credible options currently in the marketplace for doing so with a new projector. You can ebay one. That will probably be ok. But it might not be. It is very much a case of caveat emptor and the bulbs for a DLP are high pressure optics doo-dads which will cost between $300-$400 to replace. That is not a typo and that already assumes you are buying it online. Yes. That expensive for a replacement bulb.

ebaying a projector for $500, only to have to replace the bulb in 4-6 months time for $400 more may not be a bargain compared to buying a new projector at a great price.

Then again, you may get a geat XGA projector off of ebay that more than makes up for the bulb issue. Or your ebayed unit may end up having a low mileage bulb so you can save a litle in the short to medium run (ours is still just fine). It's a crap shoot.

 

[RithTheAwakener]

definately a great idea, id love to play in a game using a projector, and i bet it would keep side-talk down quite a bit