Nice I cannot wait to see how it looks!

I have heard nothing but negative about maxvista, I would stay away from this option. I have read that the performance of this software is not really that great when used for flight simming. I would consider THead2go or one large screen, personally Im using a 60" DLP TV for the main flight display.

ermias,

I too have not heard good things about maxivista.  Warning!  

That is purely from reading boards and talking to cockpit builders... not first hand.  But it likely is a good indication.

I'd skip WideView unless you are exceeding the capibility of other options like the Matrox 3H2Go.  People who use that usually are runniong WAY more than three exterior displays.  I have also heard that the multiple computers do not display EXACTLY the same image unless you are using the newest version for FSX.  Stuff like clouds are not precisely located on all machines.  Again that impression is gained simply by reading...and easily could be wrong.  And every one of those machines has to be able to run FS200X at decent framerates...... otherwise you bog things down.

The Matrox solution is NOT cheaper than a digital projector...... the unit itself is in the $300 range, and three good LCD screens are going to cost you at least $250 apiece (likely way more for fast big ones)....... so you are easily into at least $1000.  Shifting to three large CRTs will drop the price quite a bit... but then you have serious heat issues in the pit as well as space and weight issues on the glareshield top. 

The projector I just bought came to $800.  If I had the longer throw space I could have used the Epson Powerlite 77C,..... and that one could be had direct from Epson (online) for $599, plus maybe 30 bucks for shipping.

The positive thing for monitors and such is the really fine resolution possibilities.  No question on that.  The good thing for projectors is the large screen size possibility relative to dollars spent to get it (or Yen or Marks or Ducats or Sheckels or Pounds Sterling, or whatever).

Good luck.

best,

..................john

ermias wrote on Oct 7^th, 2007 at 10:18am:



Fortunately my wife has submitted herself to my crazy plans. Of course I need to finish a few projects around the house before I start.

I don't think resolution is as important as the immersion you gain from a large display keep that in mind when deciding on what to do.

Best,
john

John, I hate the notion of work around me when I have something to try and play with. For some reason it seems to pop up as if it knows your intentions.
Good luck with the setup. I hope we will hear [see?] from you soon.
ermias

A

MONUMENTAL

STEP FORWARD!

PROJECTOR INSTALLED AND TESTED

The Viewsonic PJ358 arrived from Newegg in record time today.  The box was absolutely pristine as the UPS guy handed it to me.  The first thing I noticed was that the box felt empty.... it was that light.

After completing a bunch of necessary "real job" work that had me chaffing at the bit, I finally tackled reading the projector manual and unpacking all the parts.  It is a very nice package.  Nice carrying bag included.  Power cables for US / Europe/ Asia included.  Very good documentation, and simple setup.  No drivers to install ......... "Plug and Play".  Adjustments like inverting the image and keystone correction were a snap to figure out.  Remote control takes care of the projector controls from the pilot's seat.

Here's the unit:




First I tested the short throw capabilities with the projector in an easily accessed location ... and they are even better than I thought they'd be.  HUGE and very clear and bright image in a short distance.  I set the projector up and tested it on a window shade nest to the simpit.  It looked great with the just the computer's desktop.




SO......... I took out the 19" LCD monitor that has been serving as my front view.  I then built a temporary shelf in the pit above the back of the pilot's seat and over the "roof" of the cockpit (but still in the enclosure) for the initial "single throw" test of the projector.  This setup projects the image directly onto the forward wall ahead of the windscreen.  The distance, lens to wall, is 48".  The wall was already painted white.......but it is not intended to be the actual screen.... it is just white for testing  

The projected image is very large...... and it makes an amazing difference!!!!!  On daylight flights the image is SO bright that the whole pit is nicely illuminated....sort of like daylight.  Night scenery is AMAZING, with the stars actually tending to "twinkle" for some strange reason.

Below is one quick shot just to show what I have at the moment.  Didn't get the lighting right to really show the windscreen view... but you get the idea from it.  More later.  The image is not as large as I want it, but is already 38" wide on the horizontal measurement.




I shifted the out-the-windscreen scenery view magnification down to .75 and that was PERFECT for flying.  I have already adjusted the eyepoint of that view so that the view I have has me sitting to the left of the centerline of the aircraft...... at the correct distance in the model (checked with Aircraft COntainer Manager and the 3_D pilot model).

I simply cannot explain to you what a difference this simple change makes.  I started flying to test it ..... and I simply could not stop.  AND..... I was hand flying the 146-200 on T+Gs repeatedly into and out of KBOS and it makes all the difference in the WORLD on depth and peripheral perception.  I was greasing landings very nicely, thank you very much; better than I had EVER done before....with nasty cross winds....deliberately landing on the "wrong" runways.  Suddenly it felt VERY real.  And it is not yet fully "isolated" so that I don't see anything BUT "scenery".  IT WAS A BLAST!

I am one happy camper!  

Now I have to go get the actual projector mount built, and go get the correct mirror to set up the "bounce" projection scheme....and that will give me a 60" wide image that will FILL the whole forward view out the "window".

More as it develops.

best,

.......................john

Looking good! 

Bright, isn't it? That definitely helps... brighter images often look "deeper", to me, anyway.
I'm still unclear on exactly how you're mounting the projector; I'd like to see that if possible.

John,
“WOW WOW WOW” is the only available word to say. You have already made somebody jealous
Congrats!!
Ermias

Hi John.

Just got caught up on your flight sim project, lots of interesting and informative reading. Your writing style is easy to read and follow. One comment:

AWESOME!!!!!

You are a real inspiration to us “Walter Middy’s” of the FS world! I commend you for your determination. You have the fortitude to stick to your dream over many years, where most would have given up the ghost long ago!

I’ve recently tinkered with the idea of doing my own cockpit simulator. I love the 757 and am leaning toward a ‘reasonable’ replica of this cockpit. On the one hand you inspire me, you’ve done such a GREAT job; on the other hand you INTIMIDATE me, it’s take so many years to accomplish!

Couple questions:

1) Could you have done the project more in steps and keep the sim functional? i.e. Could you complete portions of the overhead, portions of the console, portions of the MIP, complete the wiring, painting, programming etc, so at least you could still fly the thing incorporating the parts that are finished (rather than wait years)?

2) I’ve been debating the visual issue in my head; using 3 screens to give a wide view of the world VS a projector to give a big picture. The screens, even on large monitors would be relatively small looking over the MIP and much less immersive than a large projected image. However the projected image can’t give the resolution of the monitor and the cost of using three projectors to give a wide view is prohibitive (not to mention the heat!!). Now that you’re using the projector I would be interested in your opinion on the differences.

One other note: I read all the excerpts from a post that directed me to all the different installments up to Part 36. Part 36 directed me to Part 37. Will there be another post to conveniently link us to further updates as they become available?

When will there be a video of this thing in action on YouTube????

Excellent Job!!

Rick

My  2 cents,

  I have to agree with John on the use of a larger display over monitors. Even at lower resolutions the larger display placed properly does in fact complete the immersion effect. I have been toying with a 60" dlp projection screen and to sum it up my 4 year old said it best "daddy its sooo real"

The other John.....

machineman9 wrote on Oct 18^th, 2007 at 12:14pm:




Good one.  Thanks.

oh my days that thing is amazing, those shots of you flying look so real its.. just... well... its WOW!!!

good work john!

Sorry to hear about your fall- next time make sure the laptop is under your kiester- it won't hurt as much.

Looks like another warm day brewing down here; hope y'all get some sunshine up in the hollows of NH.

Keep plugging away- I've been trying to do so; mostly out of sheer irritation that the finishing aspect of my 'pit is turning into a bigger project than the mechanicals and electronics... next time: no exterior!!