Coolest. Gaming Set-up. Evar.

[WampusCat43]

One of my gamers offered me the use of this one. Don't think it will cut it. What's your thoughts? Thanks!

InFocus LP260 Projector Specifications
Brightness (Lumens) : 700 ANSI
Contrast: ANSI:
Full On/Off: 300:1
Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Size (inches) (HxWxD) : 2.9 x 7.4 x 11.4
Throw Dist (feet) : 4.6 - 26.2
Image Size (inches) : 30.0 - 199.2

Lens:
Focus: Manual
Zoom: Manual
Optional Lenses: No
Digital Zoom: No
Lens Shift: No
EDTV/480p: **
SDTV/480i: **
Component Video: Yes
Video: Yes
Digital Input: No
Personal Computers: Yes

Lamp:
Type: 120W
Life: **
Quantity: 1
Display:
Type: 0.7" PolySi LCD (3)
Native: 800x600 Pixels
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (SVGA)

 

[Ariel23]

How do you feel about playing in the dark?

Seriously, though, I would have to agree with your assessment. The 800x600 does not help matters.

 

[tennyson]

The mirror is interesting....

I had a question (forgive me if the answer has been explained already):

Does projecting the image onto a mirror and then onto the table serve any purpose other than ease of setup? Does the image brighten/darken because of it? Is it purely aesthetic?

I was just wondering because I would assume you would lose some illumination by reflecting the image, but the setup looks very cool. Thanks in advance!

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I had a question (forgive me if the answer has been explained already):

Does projecting the image onto a mirror and then onto the table serve any purpose other than ease of setup? Does the image brighten/darken because of it? Is it purely aesthetic?

I was just wondering because I would assume you would lose some illumination by reflecting the image, but the setup looks very cool. Thanks in advance!

The purpose of the mirror is to increase the effective distance between lens and tabletop, therefore making the projected image larger. You do lose some light by adding the mirror (as well as increasing the distance). But sometimes you need the mirror due to lack of adequate headroom.

 

[tennyson]

Well, that makes perfect sense. Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

One of my gamers offered me the use of this one. Don't think it will cut it. What's your thoughts? Thanks!

InFocus LP260 Projector Specifications
Brightness (Lumens) : 700 ANSI
Contrast: ANSI:
Full On/Off: 300:1
Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Size (inches) (HxWxD) : 2.9 x 7.4 x 11.4
Throw Dist (feet) : 4.6 - 26.2
Image Size (inches) : 30.0 - 199.2

I bet it would be workable if you have very good control over the lighting conditions.

 

[Steel_Wind]

It will work, but you will need controlled and low level indirect lighting.

If you look at the setup that Jans Carton uses, his projector is about at that light level (and resolution). He's gone for using light strips to illuminate the room. He says his players are all used to it and people can see and read and that IS the test, isn't it?

The resolution - while not ideal at XGA or higher - is very workable. We use 800x600 on our DLP so I think that will be fine.

You mention that one of your players has offered you the use of this projector. If by that you mean it's not costing you anything or that the cost is very low, I would recommend you try it and give it a go under controlled lighting. If you find the concept is great for your group but the execution just isn't cutting it, at least you'll get familiar with the tech and be able to upgrade with some wisdom and enthusiasm at a later date.

Upshot: Don't look a gift projector in the mouth - even if it's 700 ANSI.

 

[WampusCat43]

Yeah, it's free, essentially. The guy just bought a new house and a new big-screen TV, so he really doesn't have a place to use the projector any more. I'll give it a shot (probably have to go the mirror route - the ceiling in the basement is not very high, and the table is.
The lighting shouldn't be a problem. They rarely need to read anything, and I can put a rheostat on the lamp.

Thanks for the feedback. That's what makes these boards great!

 

[Ashy]

Steel Wind, first of all, let me say - thanks for the awesome idea and the even better "support" (for lack of a more informal term) on this thread! Now, I have a couple of "newbie" questions.

1. Can someone give me a bit more insight into the NWN toolset? Where do you get it from? Is it free? Etc...

2. I've got the Tablemapper tool and have played with it a bit, and while it is cool, it seems to have an odd issue. When you have multiple areas hidden, and go to reveal one of them, they all "blink", so that you get a view of what is behind all of the darkened areas... Kind of odd. Are others seeing this as well, or is it just my ignorance of the tool?

Sorry about the total lack of Knowledge (geekdom) in regards to question #1, but I have to stay away from games like NWN or I do silly things like play for weeks on end and forget to do the less important things, like go to work.

Thanks! As someone who just incorperated digitially recording his sessions, I think that something like this would be AWESOME to add to our gaming experience!

EDIT: Ignore question #1 - found the answer on page 6. However, despite the "tutorial" for Tablemapper on page 4, I am still having some issues with getting it to work properly. If you want, SteelWind, drop me an email at: ashenbach (AT) gmail (DOT) com - thanks again!

 

[Ariel23]

Any word on the projection/gaming guide yet?