Triple Monitors or 75" 4k TV ???

My A10C cockpit is getting close to being finished so I have to start thinking about external displays. My only experience is using a 42" HD TV which was barely adequate. I also have a 120" screen with a JVC projector. That is a VERY nice way to fly. But a full sized cockpit just won't fit in the home theater room. Actually it will, but my better half says NO it won't.:music_whistling:

I am considering a single 75" 4k TV or maybe a triple 50" monitor setup. I have a 1080ti to drive everything. I also ruled out projectors even if they do provide a great view of the sky. Its mostly because of the cost of replacing bulbs. 3 projectors can give you 270 degrees of view but every 2000 hours the bulbs start to blow and they are expensive to replace.

So I would like to get some opinions from those who have experience with, lets us say, "the more exotic display setups". Pro's, con's, do's and don'ts are all appreciated.

Thanks for your input guys.

Have you considered the incoming higher definition VR goggles? Much more immersion for a fraction of the price. With VR software and hardware evolving quickly, I am not sure there will be a need for these kind of setups much longer.

Have you considered the incoming higher definition VR goggles? Much more immersion for a fraction of the price. With VR software and hardware evolving quickly, I am not sure there will be a need for these kind of setups much longer.

That's not really an option when you have a fully functional real cockpit.:smilewink:

I am a fan of the single large 4K. Mount it as close as you can to maximize the actual FOV, then match the game's FOV to the real one and enjoy 1:1 scale. Not quite as immersive as VR, but with incredible graphics quality that won't be available to VR for a few years or more.

I started with triple monitor but got so annoyed by the bezels and the lack of immersion that I ditched the center screen and replaced with a nice 4k screen (PC monitor, not TV). I kept the side screens for maps, Teamspeak and Helios etc, which was (for me) much better than a cockpit view stretched artificially over 3 screens.

Then I got a rift and never was able to go back to flying in 2D with track IR. Its just so much better, and if you have a fully function real cockpit, imo, even more so a reason to use the rift, so you can reach for the actual knobs and buttons :)

What about a single ultrawide monitor?

Also, for those that already own triple screens ASUS has come out with (should be available soon) these devices that hide the bezels:

What about a single ultrawide monitor?

 

Also, for those that already own triple screens ASUS has come out with (should be available soon) these devices that hide the bezels:

I'm very happy with my single ultrawide monitor (34" 3440x1440). Really nice upgrade from a single monitor for viewing area without needing to worry about getting into insane resolution territory that a triple monitor setup can require.

The downside being that ultrawide "PC monitors" don't get that big and are very expensive if you want gaming bells and whistles like GYSNC/Freesync and high refresh rates. It's a good fit for me because I have it on an arm mount and can bring it closer or further away at will and I want GSYNC and fast refresh for other PC games as well. If you'd be using one statically in a cockpit solely for simming I'm not sure an ultrawide monitor would be a great solution.

... if you have a fully function real cockpit, imo, even more so a reason to use the rift, so you can reach for the actual knobs and buttons :)

So how would you be able to see the caution panel lights or the mfcd's or the fire indicators when wearing VR goggles. How do you know where your hands are since they're not seen on VR? With a real cockpit all you need to display is the external view. That's why selecting the best possible display is so important.

So how would you be able to see the caution panel lights or the mfcd's or the fire indicators when wearing VR goggles. How do you know where your hands are since they're not seen on VR? With a real cockpit all you need to display is the external view. That's why selecting the best possible display is so important.

When you are wearing the VR, if your virtual cockpit has the same dimensions as your home cockpit and same switch locations, you don't need to see the switches/knobs or your virtual hands to operate them. You can instinctively reach for the right spot. Whereas it is much harder for me to find my MFDs and Warthog throttle switches that do not correspond to any onscreen buttons/knobs. The benefit of flying VR is you don't have to make instruments/displays functional. Just model the shapes and make the knobs/buttons/levers functional.

Also having a cockpit myself (although nowhere near OP's level), it wasn't very practical in VR. There's nothing wrong with a nice display.

Hi John! Just saw this post and was wondering if you came up with a solution? I know it's kind of hard when you ask something like "I'm baking an apple pie, does anyone know which apples I should use?" and the responses are "Have you tried oranges? They're the best!" But, what can you do? ;)

And really John, you're close to being finished? (Which your work really is fantastic! Thank you, btw, for your help) Holy crap, I can't ever imagine being close to being finished! Even if I get everything done, I'll still be saying to myself that this could be a little better, or maybe I'll remake that... I'm sure you understand :lol: I am, however, really interested in your original question, as I've been thinking that myself. Huge monitor, projector, or three screen. Maybe we can discuss next time on Skype, until then though let me know what you came up with!

I moved from a triple 24" setup to a single 50" 4k TV. The extra expance of the screen is great. I play mostly in VR now.

From your options for siming is go with the triple 50's. The screen is large enough to fill your vision so the extra screens would just add to the immersion. I find from my triples setup you concentrate on the center screen and the sides fill your fov.

Be warned that regular gaming becomes a pain on triples and using various hacks and fixesv to get games to work. Since I made the jump to VR I went to a large single screen for gaming as triples was becoming a headache to maintain.

If you are only simming then triples is the way to go.

Have you considered the incoming higher definition VR goggles? Much more immersion for a fraction of the price. With VR software and hardware evolving quickly, I am not sure there will be a need for these kind of setups much longer.

At this moment VR is not the answer. It is not replacing even a 1280x720 display by its resolution. And real cockpit (or just using display) allows one to use actual checklists and draw on maps etc instead just virtual ones without good handling capability.

When we get VR gloves, then we get one step closer to real cockpit. But still lacking the checklists and maps etc and more importantly resolution.

With current speed, VR is good maybe in 5-7 years.

So how would you be able to see the caution panel lights or the mfcd's or the fire indicators when wearing VR goggles.

How about just by looking at the warning lights or MFCD?

(But that is the problem as the HMD resolutions are too low for good glance viewing and you need more often to lean forward close by to see well the values or texts)

How do you know where your hands are since they're not seen on VR? With a real cockpit all you need to display is the external view. That's why selecting the best possible display is so important.

You should try Oculus Touch Controllers ;)

It is amazing feeling when you can point and grab buttons and knobs etc in cockpit and press them by seeing "your hands" as the gloves. The downside currently is that you need to grab the touch controller each time and place it near the HOTAS once you have done adjustment. So it is little like grabbing a mouse.

But maybe one way could be this:

Seriously, that is ultra fun experience. It is just little challenge to hold the virtual joystick if you don't have a good arm rest but it actually is very usable.

Mousing in VR is no different than mousing in 2d

I am a fan of the single large 4K. Mount it as close as you can to maximize the actual FOV, then match the game's FOV to the real one and enjoy 1:1 scale. Not quite as immersive as VR, but with incredible graphics quality that won't be available to VR for a few years or more.

Yah, I have 65" curved 4k AND Oculus Rift.

Hardly ever use the rift.

I still recommend having triple monitor as DCS supports dedicated FOV for "each monitor", which I call "true multi monitor support"

This having "dedicated FOV for each monitor" is rather important as with conventional setup, wider FOV makes warp effect that ruins your experience(side edge of monitor is rendered stretched out).

Ill just leave this here..... http://www.simpit.co.nz/

The owner of simpit and Icarus is a member here and is quite helpful if you want projector assistance however, the OP said no projectors!

Im thinking triple screen would be best for a simpit, that way if you have them fairly close, it should fill most of your peripheral vision.

I still recommend having triple monitor as DCS supports dedicated FOV for "each monitor", which I call "true multi monitor support"

 

This having "dedicated FOV for each monitor" is rather important as with conventional setup, wider FOV makes warp effect that ruins your experience(side edge of monitor is rendered stretched out).

That is fine except for the massive hardware needs to get usable framerates out of a three camera setup.

I'm thinking about a 50" or so curved 4k. Any pics of curved monitor setups?

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My next attempt will be 40 inch Sony 3d tv 1080p. WIll replace 32 inch 1080p tv. Not sure I need to go 4k for DCS....idk.

My next attempt will be 40 inch Sony 3d tv 1080p. WIll replace 32 inch 1080p tv. Not sure I need to go 4k for DCS....idk.

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I'm thinking about a 50" or so curved 4k. Any pics of curved monitor setups?

 

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These pics were taken from behind my sim seat. Typically, my eyes are 24" from screen. When in game, all I see is DCS. I estimate the instrument panel is 80% scale with the FOV I prefer.

Guys, when you talk tripple screen setup, you mean 3x1080p right? Hows is performans in 4k? Can it be done like 3 times 4k screens?