Author Topic: Largest Monitor for Aces High? (Read 566 times)

Halo · « **on:** September 23, 2003, 03:22:20 PM »

Just curious what is the largest monitor anyone is using to play Aces High? I have a nice ViewSonic 19-inch flat screen, but I'm drooling at all the huge new TV monitors coming out and wondering IF they are being used in Aces High.

You know the ones, the 45-inch to 60-inch plus sexy flat HDTV plasmas and whatever, projection or otherwise.

No way I'm going to spring for a huge screen until they get WAY more affordable, but got to wondering if some of you technically inclined are hooked up to some sort of super screens.

While on the subject, is the regular bulky monitor still the best picture? If not, what is?

What ultimate screen should we all be drooling for say in the next two years?

llama · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2003, 05:13:29 PM »

I use a digital projector. Really. And a custom-built cockpit that keeps me relatively low to the ground (and reclined) so the projected beam can pass over me unobstructed,

The image is around 8 feet across. The resolution is only 1024x768, but for years I played anti-aliased 640x480 with a Voodoo5 card, so it is still an improvement.

And no, I am not making this up.

-Llama

ramzey · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2003, 10:00:59 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by llama
I use a digital projector. Really. And a custom-built cockpit .......

any pictures ?

Reschke · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2003, 10:31:17 PM »

I want to get that new Apple 23" flat panel monitor and so does my wife but not for $3000.

llama · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2003, 10:32:14 PM »

I have some photos of the cockpit that are about three years old, and they were taken as I was packing up for the 2000 WarBirds Con, so the surrounding room is looks like a bomb went off, but that said, here they are:

http://www.warrenernst.com/photos/cockpit/

There has only been one bit of change in the flight gear. The "pinky trackball" to the left of the throttle failed about 6 months ago, so I replaced it with a serial-port glidepoint.

You may be asking "Where's the computer?" The PC is 8 feet from the cockpit next to my desk. The PC always has TWO keyboard and mice connected: the desk gets a USB keyboard and PS/2 mouse, while the cockpit gets a PS/2 keyboard (the FLCS and WCS need a PS/2 keyboard connection) and a serial pointing device. There are extension cables for the joystick, keyboard, serial, and sound (microphone and speakers) devices. I just manually unplug the monitor from the back of the PC and plug in the VGA extension cable to the projector when I want to play. I don't even need to reboot.

Incientally, the entire cockpit slides around a bit to also accomodate a force-feedback steering wheel for when I play GPL and other driving games. It can also be disassembled with thumbscrews and 5 allen screws, and broken down into reasonably easy-to-transport components that fit in an SUV. If I wasn't going to do a road trip to the west coast minicon in the sports car, I might have brought it along to show folks.

-Llama

Sancho · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2003, 12:58:09 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Reschke
I want to get that new Apple 23" flat panel monitor and so does my wife but not for $3000.

Actually the Apple 23" Cinema HD display costs $2000 new. Using it with a PC, you would need also a DVI capable video card and the Apple DVI -> ADC video adapter--since the Apple monitor uses a proprietary connector. That's an extra $100.

You could also get a Sony 23" LCD with the same 16:10 1920x1200 display size for about $1800 refurbished (aka "I have dead pixels and was returned by previous owner"

) to $2100 for new--so it's about the same cost as the Apple in the end.

Those 23" flat panels are super sexy, but I wouldn't want to play AH on them. You would either have to fly at 1900x1200 resolution and suffer decreased framerate and smaller dot-range airplanes (lose sight, lose fight, remember?) OR run at decreased resolution and have the picture look all fuzzy. LCDs don't scale down resolution too well, IMO. Ghosting of the image may also be an issue, but this may not be too noticeable/bothersome in a flight sim--never tested that myself.

I've been eyeing a 1280x1024 17 or 18" LCD since that's about the resolution I use in AH now and what I set my desktop resolution to. But I'll save my money for now and stick with my 19" CRT.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2003, 12:56:06 PM »

I played once on my friend's projector. 1024x768. The screen was about 6' x 8'. Those are really the way to go if you want a BIG screen. Picture quality is awesome too. You shoulda seen the Superbowl on it in HDTV.

Eagler · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2003, 01:24:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by FUNKED1
... You shoulda seen the Superbowl on it in HDTV.

Like to of seen that

Had to "suffer" through it on a 32" HD Sony

ramzey · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2003, 02:04:28 PM »

ty, Llama, nice cockpit

Quote

Originally posted by FUNKED1
I played once on my friend's projector. 1024x768. The screen was about 6' x 8'. Those are really the way to go if you want a BIG screen. Picture quality is awesome too. You shoulda seen the Superbowl on it in HDTV.

so Mike next saturday? i can bring beer;)

Halo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2003, 11:18:38 PM »

Another power outage at home, so went again to the bright lights at Best Buy. Oh those TVs! Truly amazing to see a range of same name products (television sets) in a discount store from less than a hundred bucks to nearly $10,000.

Should start a rumor that AHII will require minimum 52-inch HDTV plasma flat screen. Nah, that would be way too cruel.

Trell · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2003, 02:55:59 PM »

If i had the money i would buy a panny th42phd6uy plasma screen.
they look beautifull. That would be the perfect moniter.
granted I would need to sit like 6 feet awaqy. But with a moniter like that.
Who Cares!