Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: dbh991 on February 04, 2011, 03:04:55 PM

Title: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: dbh991 on February 04, 2011, 03:04:55 PM
I am now using a 14" 1024 x 768 monitor.  Am I at a noticeable disadvantage in a dogfight, all else being equal, to someone using a 21.5" 1920 x 1080 monitor?  Reason for asking is I am considering upgrading my monitor from/to as described above and am wondering if it is worth the bother/money.  Eye candy I don't need, ability to stay competitive I do.  Thanks in advance.  Also, I use a TrackIR if that makes any difference (love the TrackIR).
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Tigger29 on February 04, 2011, 04:21:45 PM
Wow a 14" monitor at 1024X768... is that an old CRT monitor?

Of course you are at a disadvantage in a dogfight.  To be honest, us with bigger monitors don't really see MORE than people with smaller monitors see... but what we do see is much more detail in what we DO see on the screen.  This is not about eye candy so much, it's about making out a plane way off in the distance and seeing it in enough detail to determine which way it is facing, how fast it is going, and perhaps even get an idea as to what kind of plane it is.  What would be just a little 'blob' on your screen will be a fuselage with wings and engines on a bigger monitor (with a higher resolution).

Have you read the Aces High graphics guide?  If not click HERE (http://www.lca.ympsa.com/ahgfxguide.pdf).. it's a good read.

Anyway, the question is if your video card will handle a higher resolution?  If you are struggling to maintain a decent level of performance at 1024X768, then you might really have problems running 1920X1080 as it has almost three times the number of pixels to draw.
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Ghosth on February 04, 2011, 04:58:24 PM
in a word, yes.

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: dbh991 on February 04, 2011, 07:13:02 PM
Wow a 14" monitor at 1024X768... is that an old CRT monitor?

Yes.  I think of myself as 'frugal'.  My wife describes me as 'cheap'.

My recently upgraded graphics card is more than up to the task of supporting the larger monitor.

I have my eye on a few monitors on ebay as described.

Thanks to you and others for the input.  I will go for the monitor upgrade.
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Tigger29 on February 04, 2011, 07:34:41 PM
I will go for the monitor upgrade.

Prepare to be blown away...
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Dichotomy on February 04, 2011, 07:50:23 PM
in a word, yes.

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".


I swear if it's one of the last things I do I'm going to get you a 30" smallfry ;)
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Dichotomy on February 04, 2011, 07:54:14 PM
Yes.  I think of myself as 'frugal'.  My wife describes me as 'cheap'.

My recently upgraded graphics card is more than up to the task of supporting the larger monitor.

I have my eye on a few monitors on ebay as described.

Thanks to you and others for the input.  I will go for the monitor upgrade.

DB

Just for the record.  It doesn't matter how good your equipment is (and trust me mines top of the line) getting good is all about the guy looking at the monitor and handling the controls.  Not saying don't upgrade. By all means do.  This is pretty much the only hobby I have so I sink my disposable income into it and I don't deal with wife ack anymore (thank whatever deity you choose).  My next upgrade will be a TD built system, followed by a triple head set up, then a gradual replacement of my CH gear before this wears out.  I'll still be horrible but I'll be having fun regardless :D
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: guncrasher on February 04, 2011, 09:40:22 PM
I have beaten some really great sticks in dogfight because I had trackir.  Sometimes it is the controls.

Semp
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Bruv119 on February 05, 2011, 04:00:03 AM
in a word, yes.

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".


this and CH products  =  win.     
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: RTHolmes on February 05, 2011, 08:02:27 AM
Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".

same here :aok
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Infidelz on February 05, 2011, 09:29:26 PM
http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=24987&itmname=Panasonic+PT-AE4000U&sid=GAPA&gclid=CMSCpZrL8qYCFRVx5QodhWCFDg (http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=24987&itmname=Panasonic+PT-AE4000U&sid=GAPA&gclid=CMSCpZrL8qYCFRVx5QodhWCFDg)

Stop monitor envy! :bhead

Fly Panasonic! :banana:
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: ebfd11 on February 05, 2011, 11:08:08 PM
I went all out when I upgaded and got myself 3 23 inch widescreen monotors. Now granted it comes in handy because I can see what's at my 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock out of the corner of my eye, but it still doesn't make me a better pilot. BUT it looks AWESOME. I would say look at the different web sites and do a side by side comparison and look in the local best but or if all else fails go to wally world and check then out. (Guess where I got my monitors?) LOL yes they were wallyworld monitors but what the hey, I waznted I got, nuff said.
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on February 06, 2011, 03:19:46 AM
http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=24987&itmname=Panasonic+PT-AE4000U&sid=GAPA&gclid=CMSCpZrL8qYCFRVx5QodhWCFDg (http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=24987&itmname=Panasonic+PT-AE4000U&sid=GAPA&gclid=CMSCpZrL8qYCFRVx5QodhWCFDg)

Stop monitor envy! :bhead

Fly Panasonic! :banana:

Projectors require a dark room to operate properly they're hardly a solution for the majority of people. If you can stand sitting in a dark room playing, then a dual projector setup can give a nice widescreen view with zero bezels though. I'm currently building a dedicated projector room with no windows and 100% embedded system (meaning the projector and the computer are encased behind a wall so the fan noise doesn't bother the viewing).
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: Infidelz on February 06, 2011, 07:25:30 AM
Projectors require a dark room to operate properly they're hardly a solution for the majority of people. If you can stand sitting in a dark room playing, then a dual projector setup can give a nice widescreen view with zero bezels though. I'm currently building a dedicated projector room with no windows and 100% embedded system (meaning the projector and the computer are encased behind a wall so the fan noise doesn't bother the viewing).

How do you know that all but a few poor souls don't have projectors already? Aren't you getting one? You almost make it sound so negative yet, you are doing it. Should we follow your example? What are you trying to say? I hope you understand my confusion as you go from not a solution to I am doing it in one paragraph. Amazing, will you run for President?

Infidelz.  :neener:
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on February 06, 2011, 08:26:47 AM
How do you know that all but a few poor souls don't have projectors already? Aren't you getting one? You almost make it sound so negative yet, you are doing it. Should we follow your example? What are you trying to say? I hope you understand my confusion as you go from not a solution to I am doing it in one paragraph. Amazing, will you run for President?

Infidelz.  :neener:

I have a HD projector for home cinema purposes, yes. For general gaming it can never replace a monitor the same way as it can't replace a regular TV in our household. Clear enough answer?
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: CRYPTIC on February 06, 2011, 09:45:42 AM
 Why 2 when you can have 3:http://nthusim.com/setup/amd-tech-day (http://nthusim.com/setup/amd-tech-day) This is some software that lets you do the 3 projector setup with a curved screen.
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on February 06, 2011, 09:55:39 AM
Why 2 when you can have 3:http://nthusim.com/setup/amd-tech-day (http://nthusim.com/setup/amd-tech-day) This is some software that lets you do the 3 projector setup with a curved screen.

Why 2? A typical monitor will cost you 300-400 dollars. A typical full-hd projector $2000. By all means buy 5 of them if you wish :)
Title: Re: Monitor Importance Opinions
Post by: dbh991 on February 14, 2011, 12:56:09 PM
in a word, yes.

Last year I went from a 17" crt to a 23" widescreen, effectively doubling the screen size.
When I did I went from being able to see what someone's wing was doing at 600 yards to being able to see what someones wing was doing at 3k yards.

Gunnery and general ACM improved almost instantly.

FYI I only spent 200$ on that 23".


Just got a pristine used 22" 1920 x 1080 Dell monitor on Ebay.  $200 including shipping.  Wow!  Everything you say is spot on!

Now, why did you guys let me go for so long without a proper monitor?  (just kidding, thanx again for great input)  :cool: