I've got a pretty large gaming group, and sometimes its a pain to show a small hand drawn map to the whole group, much less other types of handouts, and I was thinking about getting a projector to blow those maps up to a larger size so everyone can clearly see them.
I'm not interested in an HD movie projector, nor am I interested in a top-down projector for the battlemat, I just need something simple to throw a static image up on the wall or ceiling.
Anyone ever tried one of those "toy" projectors like the Eyeclops? I'm curious as to how well something like that would work, or if it would be too fuzzy or faded to use for something like maps (that would have labels).
My other idea was a wireless scan converter to just show images and maps on the large TV at the other end of the room.
Any advice or experiences from anyone else?
Any advice or experiences from anyone else?Last session I happened to have a 17" LCD screen out that I was prepping for a presentation. Even something that small, set up on a 4' piece of furniture as a second monitor for my laptop, was an amazing benefit when reviewing a PDF map that I had drawn. I could zoom in or out as needed, showed some "inspirational" photos from a trip I had recently taken to help set the landscape environment in the minds of the Players, and so forth.
I think until I have the time, space and money to build my projector-rigged gaming table, the simple LCD off to the side will be a staple stand-by.
FWIW,
Rez
Hmmmm, I've considered that too. I can always drag the flat panel from my main computer out to the game table and hook it up. I may tinker around with that and see how well I can fit that in.
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I put the maps up on my laptop, which I have kept handy since I started using that way for maps and pictures. You can zoom in to the very hallway they are at and avoid showing the room behind a closed door.
[edit] I realize you probably don't have a laptop handy, since you mentioned physically moving your moniter. I was mentioning the handiness of zoom if you do move your computer to the table (or in view)
Actually I use the laptop behind the screen! So, if I hooked up the extra monitor and used it to display the maps...yeah, I may have to experiment. Wouldn't hurt, and it might save me a little cash before I go out and buy a cruddy projector!
I also have the speakers plugged in for the background music, and a raised platform in the center of the table with lighting underneath, which I use to lay out the terrain and minis in combat while leaving everyone plenty of room on the table for their books, character sheets, and dice. :)