What's better, triple monitors or single TV

[Cowboy10uk]

Hi everyone, I currently fly using 3 x 23" monitors in nvidia surround 5760 x 1080, while my PC copes well with this res, due to the fact my monitors are not vesa compatable, it's making it hard to add another monitor for Helos use, due to room on my desk. This has got me thinking if I'm using the best setup or not, I see from the my setup thread, that the vast majority of you are using single large screen TVs, instead of multi monitors to fly with.

 

So may I ask what benefits this setup will bring over mine, would I get better immersion if I swapped to say a 42" TV vesa mounted to the wall and a single 23" widescreen on desk for Instrument panel, rather then the 3 23" I currently have on my desk?

 

I'm assuming that TVs use a 1920 x 1080 Res, so I'm guessing it will get Better Fps.

 

Any advice, will be greatfully received.

 

Cowboy10uk

[BIGNEWY]

I have got so used to having the extra view available via 3 screens I don't think I could go back to one screen.

 

I have a forth screen on a second gpu but I have disabled it at the moment, for now not having screens behind my mfds does not bother me.

 

Also removing the bezels on my monitors made a big difference on the amount I had to adjust

 

 

It all comes down to personal preference :)

[Kuky]

I switched to 3x 27" screen setup also and same as BIGNEWY I feel someone stole something from me when I turn off side monitors... It does take some time getting used to triple screen, but I would also say after getting used to 3 monitors is like getting used to TrackIR... you can't go back... the only downside is performance loss due to need to render the DCS World 3 times and few other bugs with multi-monitors use... all of which are not really deal breakers for me, but just so you are aware ;)

[BIGNEWY]

but I would also say after getting used to 3 monitors is like getting used to TrackIR... you can't go back... the only downside is performance loss due to need to render the DCS World 3 times

 

I use eyefintiy setup and only render one view :) and although you get some stretch at the ends of the screen I have got used to that as well.

[Cowboy10uk]

Thanks for the replys guys, I do love my 3 screens, just kicking myself, I didn't check they had vesa mounts, would be so much easier if they did. I'm quite used to the Bezels, so tat dosnt bother me.

 

Just intrested to see other people's views, as most run single TVs by the look of it.

 

Just trying to get the best immersion I can.

 

As you all know, I ask questions every few months, as I keep changing my mind on my setup every few weeks. Lots of ideas but never have the confidence to just go with a decision.

 

Cowboy10uk

[Kuky]

I tried one viewport and I just can't live with stretching. Luckily my PC can still handle 3 viewports.

[Flim]

You can try 4 projectors.... ! lol

 

I'm playing with the CubE and even with lower res, it is pretty dang cool.

[Cowboy10uk]

Lol Film. ;) if you can get that past my wife, then I'm game. :)

[Flim]

well, honestly... I like both

 

3 screens are cool, and one large screen works well. I tend to lean toward large screen simming, it brings the outside to real size and helps perfromance. Even one 1080p projector is really neat if your using a touchscreen and Helios. I was thinking about a 60 inch lcd...

[walker450]

OP: Have you tried portrait? Thats what I'm using now.

 

As far as the general debate of 3 monitors or 1 TV goes... I have done both in several configurations and have came back to triple monitors each time... It's hard to beat 3x the pixels for a game this detailed.

 

My 2 cents... :)

 

Here is a link to a thread I started, it has a pic of my setup at the bottom, among others: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=97673&page=3

[BIGNEWY]

thumbs up for portrait ! I was using portrait but since flying FC3 I switched to landscape again.

[Cowboy10uk]

Sadly due to the design on my monitors, I.E. buttons that stick out of the bottom, I am unable to mount in Portrait mode. Should really have done my homework first when buying ( no portrait mode, no Vesa mode, can't mount on a triple monitor stand ) , although never thought I would end up getting 3 of them. :doh:

 

LG W2361V, in case anyone is intrested.

 

Just researching if its cheaper to get 3 x vesa compatable ones or just grab a large TV.

 

Cowboy10uk

[Gadroc]

To be honest I go back and forth. I love it when I'm flying in it (I have 3x 46" TVs), but when ever there is an update/upgrade to DCS it's a pain in the butt. There are just lots and lots of odd bugs to work through getting a DCS tripple screen setup dialed in.

 

• menus don't work correctly
  
• some UI screens are un readable
  
• some UI elements scale improperly
  
• frame rate/joystick position indicators are poorly positioned
  
• getting zoom/fov/head position with a readable HUD is a PITA
  
• frame rate takes a hit
  

 

All of those require lua edits which potentially get overwritten or complicate updates. Lastly these are compounded for my pit because I need 5 extra screens to run the pit (2x MFD, RWR, HSI and CDU). This can take a toll on frame rate and I'd like to have a nice steady 30+ frame rate at all times.

 

I'm debating on how to setup visuals on a go forward basis for my pit. I'd like to try a portrait / landscape / portrait setup, but I'm fearful of the future compatibility of softth with newer updates to DX11, windows 8 and other things.

[JG14_Smil]

 

There are good and bad points to everything.

 

Single HDTV gives great framerates but until you've seen things happen off screen with only a glance (now on-screen in a triple monitor setup) it is hard to judge.

 

Menus work fine after mods.

joystick position indicator is right where I want it after a mod.

FPS counter is way off to the left... no fix for that. My FPS are 26-50 so far.

 

PLP with a Helios monitor is a good way to go, but not for everyone. The more I fly it, the more I like it, but I would not like to use it for dogfighting or crazy ACM. Adding realism = possible motion sickness.

Edited December 25, 2012 by JG14_Smil

[Gadroc]

Of course this thread made me tear up my setup and rearrange again. It says something that I keep trying to make it work. Looks like I found a setup that gives me 140 view with 3 46" screens and I'm getting 60 fps in the instant action mission. I'll do more testing after I fix the height of the mounts with the new pit tomorrow.

[metalnwood]

What on earth setting gives you 60 fps with 3 screens for views and another helios screen?

 

On the latest 1.2.2 I am getting up to 50 with portrait/landscape/portrait and another helios monitor. I do have all the settings on high except water/civ traffic and heat blur so potentially I could go higher by dialling other stuff back.

 

Like you Gadroc I had thought about PLP and potential issues with DX11 etc but as long as I stick to windowed mode it shouldnt be a problem and I currently dont have any sim other than FSX that doesnt play nicely with PLP in windowed mode.

[Cowboy10uk]

Of course this thread made me tear up my setup and rearrange again. It says something that I keep trying to make it work. Looks like I found a setup that gives me 140 view with 3 46" screens and I'm getting 60 fps in the instant action mission. I'll do more testing after I fix the height of the mounts with the new pit tomorrow.

 

 

 

Sorry mate. ;)

 

But if you get it working, it will be worth it. I seem to spend more time tinkering than flying these days as well.

 

It's quite intresting that those with triple screen setups at least those of you who have replied, all seem to go back to triple screen after trying a large screen tv setup.

 

Because of that alone, I think I'm going to stick with my original plan using 3 screens for view and one for touch. Still not sure if I'm going to go Helios or GregP's way.

 

Possibly a mixture of both, I.E. Loz's Helios profile for A10, but then using GregP's method for all other aircraft that dosnt have a Helios profile.

 

Quite pleased with the response this question has got, some great reads and ideas coming.

 

Cowboy10uk

[metalnwood]

You mean went to triple tv's :) Between here and the iracing forums there are quite a few triple tv setups making their way in to simulation. A good tv costs about the same as a good monitor did a number of years back so it seems much easier to justify :)

 

I don't know how GregP does things, I assume he just uses his 4th screen as a touch screen and presses buttons on the virtual cockpit that way?

 

I do that in some sims where something like helios is not an option. It works well and I could imagine with DCS and a combination of snap views that it could work really well by placing the console areas on the touchscreen in an easy to press orientation.

 

The only thing I dont like about spanning the view/VC across my smaller touchscreen is that the view also goes there and it sometimes looks strange as it spans from the larger monitor above to the smaller below. Often it lines up very well and gives a very strange 3D effect as the smaller screen is closer. Not sure I like that a lot.

[PeterP]

 

I don't know how GregP does things, I assume he just uses his 4th screen as a touch screen and presses buttons on the virtual cockpit that way?

 

Watch a video here

>>> http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1631869&postcount=2

[metalnwood]

Yep, I use it that way when I cant use helios although I am the opposite of you, I find it easier with helios on. No matter though :)

[_Dredd]

What resolution are you running those screens at? And is that a single spanned viewport or left, right, centre viewport?

 

I'm running PLP and centre lowere screen with MFD exports. I can't run Helios at the same time, as helios output lags for some reason and becomes pointless for me :(

 

Maybe this is something to do with using SoftTH.

My avg fps are 25-35, if I could somehow improve that I'd be over the moon; but I think I can't as the video card VRAM is maxed out(buffer).

 

Using 7970 3GB and 3930k @ 4.6ghz here.

 

 

 

There are good and bad points to everything.

 

Single HDTV gives great framerates but until you've seen things happen off screen with only a glance (now on-screen in a triple monitor setup) it is hard to judge.

 

Menus work fine after mods.

joystick position indicator is right where I want it after a mod.

FPS counter is way off to the left... no fix for that. My FPS are 26-50 so far.

 

PLP with a Helios monitor is a good way to go, but not for everyone. The more I fly it, the more I like it, but I would not like to use it for dogfighting or crazy ACM. Adding realism = possible motion sickness.

[PeterP]

I can't run Helios at the same time, as helios output lags for some reason and becomes pointless for me :(

 

Have you turned on a Windows Aero-Theme and didn't checked "Disable Aero interface" in DCS ?

If not: Try it again with Aero enabled.

 

Long story short: Helios needs a WDM driver function to run properly, that is only enabled when aero is active.

Edited December 27, 2012 by PeterP

[JG14_Smil]

yes, what Peter said.

 

I am running my monitors setup as PLP(L). The (L) is my Helios monitor. It is a bit more efficient than running P(L over L) P.

 

I am using SoftTH, with the PLP as local and the (L) as non-local. I am running a 7970 3G, i7-3770 @ 4.2G.

 

Try enabling aero desktop as Peter said. You can always use the disable aero when in the sim if you need.

 

The more I fly that setup in the pic, the more I like it. I was worried I would not as I love super smooth FPS. The trade-offs are well worth it here.

Edited December 27, 2012 by JG14_Smil

[_Dredd]

I have Aero enabled and in game settings don't have "disable aero" option ticked.

I didn't think of the local and non local setting, I'll try setting the dash monitor as non local and see if that works better.

If I enable the "disable aero theme" in game settings I cant exit a mission or instant action mission as it doesnt let me click the exit button on popup menu, I have to ctrl-alt-del and logoff to shut down the game and desktop then log back on.

 

Helios is exporting and i see the gauges and HSI working, though it crawls along and isnt smooth as if the update interval is once every 3secs or something and it looks very laggy and delayed on the gauge displays.

 

"JG" , would you be able to show your windows desktop config setup and helios setup profile/configs?

Maybe it's the way I have it setup and working, as I have the left (P) monitor as primary and the dash (L) monitor configured in windows monitor setup under the center (L) monitor.

Edited December 27, 2012 by _Dredd

[metalnwood]

Hang on. Are you using softth? I didn't see that.

 

You need to make sure that in the main section of your sffth config you have keepComposition=1

 

Thats why you cant click on the quit button as well because your aero is turned off. That is a known bug because aero is turned off. (the cant quit thing)