D&D 5E LCD Gaming Table Concerns

[Johnny Champion]

I have had a chance to read several topics and posts on the use of VTT for both remote and face to face sessions. Those discussions has been incredibly helpful as our group moves in this direction. I am posting this new topic not just for myself but to engage the broader group of EnWorld in what I think can be a great (but potentially expensive) aid to F2F gaming.

Many of the threads on the topic are either several years old or may have to more to do with VTT software comparisons. However, new technology and a reduction in cost for TV/Monitors have now made the topic ripe for discussion.

My face to face group (5 + DM) plans to build an LCD game table with the following:

1. Build a stand the will house a horizontally mounted LCD TV. Rather than building into a table, the thoughts are to place it on the table. This could prevent damage caused by liquids. It also can be moved and stored in between sessions.

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2. We plan to use as large an LCD TV as possible. Prices have declined so much. A 55" can be purchased for <$600 with the right deal. 55" has a display area of 28"x48".

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3. Our thoughts are to use Roll20 and Chromecast and run through Chrome. Testing of this has been great but I am sure other VTTs would work great as well.

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4. Though we may add remote players in the future, we are primarily using this table as an aid to F2F. Maps, monster images, sound effects and of course battle maps will be the focus.​

Question:

I am concerned about the size of the TV mounted in this orientation and if anyone has used such a large screen size? Warping and heat dissipation seem to be real concerns. Parallax and viewing angle may be something that hurts gameplay experience but we would only find out about this after the fact. #Oryan77 (failed attempt to link him) has built a similar table several years ago with success. I asked him recently if his group still uses it frequently and if there have been issues related to his LCD screen over the years. He suggested I bring this to the broader forum.

Thanks

Chris

PS: I wasn't sure where to post this thread, we do play D&D 5E however, and this table would support this gameplay.

 

[the_redbeard]

Back in 3.5, I used a projector to show a Maptools player screen. I found that orientation to be problematic because it drew us away from facing each other at the table; that for us was a big part of the experience that we ended up losing.

In the end we started playing at a house with a glass table and used tracing paper to catch the image and a mirror to reflect the projector's image up. The tracing paper introduced a lot of fuzziness, so that wasn't ideal either.

I'm hoping for some kind of horizontal mounting for an LCD, but haven't laid out the cash or modifications yet. I would suggest a mount that raises it above the table (say bottle/can high) to limit the threat of spills and also provide some heat circulation space. The Hackmaster people (kenzerco) made their LCD _portable_!



The thread on their forums discussing building that is here: http://www.kenzerco.com/forums/show...Board-%28aka-The-Steve-Lawrence%99-Special%29

Maptool: we didn't use any of the macros or any of the mechanics or dicerolling. It was strictly for maps, icons (sometimes we still used minis), spell and effect areas, and especially for light and fog of war. (One of the many reasons that Fantasy Grounds is unsuitable for me is how much fog of war, vision and lighting does to improve the fun with a battlemap.)

 

[Jester David]

Okay, not a carpenter or engineer. But, if doing this, I wouldn't put the TV on top but instead mount it underneath a plexiglass surface, so there's a barrier between the screen and dropped minis or spilled drinks. (Plus, you can use wet-erase markers on plexiglass.) Perhaps something where you can slide the TV in and out from one side. There should be some kind of catch or latch that holds it tightly in place though.
There would need to be adequate support for the sides and middle of the TV to minimize warping. They are meant to be vertical. But there also needs to be enough open space for airflow to keep the electronics cool. A few wide boards in key places should be enough.
But that's a much, much bigger build as you're making a whole table.

A frame or case to put the TV on top of the table would also work, but it has to be thin enough to not require standing to see the map. Again, it'd have to support the center mass as well as the corners, but could be open on the sides (designed like a large X) to allow air flow. Since flatscreen TVs are designed to be mounted they get a lot of their airflow through the sides, so you can make the middle solid. And open sides would also enable you to pick-up the TV and set it down again.
Pair it with bar stools or higher chairs to elevate people above the table and you're good.

Heck, you could probably even get away with something as simple as glueing dowels to the corners of the screens that support the sides flush with the back and it would probably work... Maybe some blu-tac as a test, to see if the TV's viewing angles work.

 

[Nylanfs]

Why not use this setup for a projector?

 

[davout1805]

Do you plan on using a touch screen and physical miniatures?

I look forward to your future posts.

 

[Johnny Champion]

Why not use this setup for a projector?

In fact there are different opinions within our group. It seems like the speed and safety of equipment lend itself to a projector setup. We may try this first as a proof of concept...but I love the idea of a horizontal LCD screen and still am pushing for it.

 

[Johnny Champion]

Do you plan on using a touch screen and physical miniatures?

I look forward to your future posts.

I have looked at IR Touch Frames. They can be added on quite simply but at a cost (+$500). Chromecast (via chrome) does not pass mouse feedback so the touch frame would need to be connected to the Casting PC which then eliminates that player from using his/her mouse for other activities. We liked the idea of not having to use a dedicated PC for the VTT.

Minis would be an important part of the VTT. I have read some posts that seem to indicate a gradual move away from minis and embracing full digital but I am partial to them.

 

[the_redbeard]

Do you plan on using a touch screen and physical miniatures?

I look forward to your future posts.

When we didn't use miniatures (and during 3.5, touchscreens weren't yet an option) we used a bluetooth mouse that was passed around in initiative order. That worked pretty well.

 

[Ktulu]

I'm using a top mounted projector from my ceiling and roll20 to display maps. Seems to work very well for me. I would agree with the Canuck that you should mount plexiglass over the monitor if you go horizontal mounting.

 

[transtemporal]

For the investment, I'd probably want to enable physical and virtual players to play on the same surface. I'm pretty sure one of our players linked something like this a while ago, I'll see if I can find the link.

Also, I like the idea of a LCD TV because a projector means you have to have a fairly dimly lit room.