Time to increase my SA! New monitor quest...large single, or smaller triple monitors?

[Zilch]

I'm currently using a 19 inch Acer at 1680x1050 that's performed quite well for several years, but I'm finding that in DCS, especially WVR fights without labels, I'm seriously hampered because of two things:

 

1. No head tracking. I spend more time hitting buttons to control my view than my aircraft, and can't think in terms of tactics as well as I should.

 

2. Other vehicles appear only as tiny dots until it's WAY too late to identify them, much less maneuver for good positioning for the merge. I almost have to use labels to see anything, and that breaks immersion and feels like a cheat, both of which defeat much of the allure of DCS.

 

Problem 1 is easily solved with a TrackIR, so I'll be getting one of those at some point. I've tried a homemade head tracking device, but after spending hours trying to calibrate it and getting nothing but severe eyestrain and headaches, I think there's something inherent with either my physical model, room I'm using, or software that's preventing it from aligning. Time to try the TrackIR.

 

Problem 2 is why I'm here...I'm wondering if it's possible to get something like a 1:1 size ratio, or close to it, if I get a large enough monitor. It would be tons more effective to dogfight those MiG-15's if I could actually see which way they're pointing, how they're moving, and so on. Also, having cockpit instruments appear as large as they would in real life would eliminate a lot of zooming in and out that I end up doing. And, for immersion, seeing things as large as they would be in real life (or at least as close as I can reasonably achieve) would be amazing.

 

I have two possible options. I happen to have an older 32 inch TV that runs at 720i that I could rig up for free. I expect calibration issues, but at least it costs nothing. I've read elsewhere that images come up all fuzzy. I may try it later today, but even if it makes the image larger, if I can't read the instruments or ID an enemy fighter because the image is fuzzy, there's no point. Has anyone else had success with a TV as a monitor, especially a 720?

 

The other option is to buy a new monitor setup. I'd love to hear from other DCS folks about what they've rigged and how much I should expect to shell out. I'm considering a large, single monitor with my current 19 incher set up with Helios for instruments, or perhaps a three monitor setup.

 

I'm totally new to the concept of multi-monitors. What are the considerations? My current GeForce 750ti has one each output for VGA, HDMI, and DVI. Is this sufficient, or would a second video card be a benefit? If so, do they need to be identical? Do multiple monitors cause frame rate issues? Further, could a large, single monitor cause frame issues? Do the three monitors allow for individual POV/FOV adjustment? That is, if I angle them inwards in a vague canopy shape, can you adjust for the fact that it would be like looking a few degrees off your plane's boresight, instead of looking straight ahead seated a couple of feet to my side?

 

Thanks for any advice! I know I'll be dropping some money eventually, but now is the time for cost/benefit analysis and would love to hear from people have the same goals with their video gear.

[Bushmanni]

2. Zoom. There's no hardware available currently (or in foreseeable future) that would solve this problem. Big screen does make thing appear closer to lifesize (and makes spotting easier) but you still won't see their attitude until zoomed in.

Edited February 22, 2015 by Bushmanni

[Sabre-TLA]

I have a single 47" LG TV running HD (1920x1080) and I find it good for spotting targets without labels.

 

Screen is large enough to give you that lifelike sizing of the instrument panel and gauges.

 

I haven't expanded beyond a single monitor as the Track-IR does make it easy to look around.

 

Once you go big you never go back.

[Alterscape]

I personally run 3x 24" 16:10 monitors in portrait for a combined 3600x1920 resolution. The portrait setup is not as wide as triple landscape, but it has one huge advantage: angular resolution. My "monitor" is about the same size as a 40" diagonal single display, but has almost twice the resolution of a 1080p display in both dimensions. The displays I use would cost about $1000 new today (I paid a bit more because the center monitor is about 8 years old, and was more expensive at that time), which compares favorably with a even a 32" 4k display (currently $1800 through Dell). There are bezels, but truthfully they're easy to ignore after a while.

[PiedDroit]

Ultrawide screens are a good solution, I've been using 3 16:9 screens for almost 2 years (3 x 21" 1080p) and I switched to a single 21:9 (34" 1080p) monitor (I hated the bezel and the configuration hassle), the size is almost perfect, IMO - no image stretch on the side on high FOV (if you're not using 3 cameras) and no bezel.

It's also great for non-sim stuff, movies and games.

Edited February 23, 2015 by PiedDroit

[CrackerJack]

+1 on PiedDroit's comment. I was going through the same process as you not long ago and settled on an ultrawide 34" monitor LG 34UM95. One thing to consider is if you have trackir you will usually be focused on the center of the screen, 3 monitors don't bring alot of bang for the buck in this case. With an ultrawide you get an expanded FOV without the bezels.

[Puma]

Visibility is all about resolution, so I would like to speak the merits of a 4k display. For accuracy and tactics, I'd rather have a 4k at min settings than fancy graphics at lower resolutions. I have the Seiki 39" 4k tv which I got for $360. It only does 30 Hz, but its not as bad as it sounds and you can't beat the price. Once others come down in price, us this as your bathroom TV :) I did have a to get a GTX 970 to render, but if you can afford it, the experience is unmatched imo.

 

Shorter term, yes, trackir should be your first purchase, and get a good zoom system in place. Last thought... labels aren't so bad. I know they seem like cheating, but real pilots don't have resolution impeeding them, so its just offsetting a handicap of the virtual pilot. I like the mods which make the label like 2 or 4 pixels.

[Zilch]

Ultrawide monitor...hadn't thought of that. Seems like the way to go. I imagine it would feel more natural when you use the TrackIR to look over the shoulder, since you're actually turning your head more. Maybe less disorienting? On the 19 incher, it felt like the motion was quite exaggerated and small head movements, if not calibrated just right, can cause all kinds of weird things. Does the wider screen help this?

 

Wide screen should be nice for Star Citizen (my other addiction) as well.

 

I am typing this on my 32 inch TV. It's awesome for FOV but, as expected, it's a bit fuzzy and I lose some clarity. Gotta love the sense of immersion that the large picture provides, though!

[Buckeye]

34" 21:9 Ultrawide curved is the way to go. I love my Dell U3415W, would highly recommend giving it a good look.

[Thick8]

Wow, a 4k TV for $339! If I thought I could run 3 of them on my pair of 290's I'd sell you my 3 main 39" 1080p screens and buy three of those.

[Scarecrow]

I switched from a 22" Samsung to this two months ago

 

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LS32D85KTSR/ZA

 

Labels off is totally do'able now, I had to knock down the AA in DCS though as i'm only using a MSI GTX 770 4GB.

 

4K needs a damned good GPU to run.

[BitMaster]

Get a Gsync :)

 

see my sig

[BitMaster]

I switched from a 22" Samsung to this two months ago

 

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LS32D85KTSR/ZA

 

Labels off is totally do'able now, I had to knock down the AA in DCS though as i'm only using a MSI GTX 770 4GB.

 

4K needs a damned good GPU to run.

 

 

 

I dont think one will do it

[PiedDroit]

Ultrawide monitor...hadn't thought of that. Seems like the way to go. I imagine it would feel more natural when you use the TrackIR to look over the shoulder, since you're actually turning your head more. Maybe less disorienting? On the 19 incher, it felt like the motion was quite exaggerated and small head movements, if not calibrated just right, can cause all kinds of weird things. Does the wider screen help this?

TrackIR settings are very subjective...

I'd tend to say yes as the wider screen helps to see more stuff on the side thus reducing the amount of head twisting needed, but don't expect a very big change though.

[StandingCow]

Just ordered my 2nd GTX 980, gonna be running 3 Asus VG248QE monitors. :)

 

Only thing that sucks is Amazon is out of prime eligible asus monitors... so I have to practice patience. :(