Easiest and cheapest would be to print out the maps and use an opaque projector. That's what I use to project my painting drafts on canvases. You could try printing it on acetate then use an overhead projector too. That technology is old, so it should be cheap.
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Amazon? Ebay? Used? New? Low-end and scrappy? High-end? Distance from the table? Which projector works best with Paizo's PDF Maps that come with the adventure paths and other supplements? Use Map Tool with it? Use 2 computers? Best experiences with projectors? Basically, please advise!
dot for later. My group has been looking into going down this road.
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However if you really want to go the projector route:
I cannot tell you how much I admire the Mitsubishi line of projectors.
The main feature you should look for is Lens Shift. This allows you to mechanically alter the light path of the projected image. Keystone correction will achieve the same basic appearance but will seriously degrade your image quality as all it does is digitally change the shape of the projected image. Lens shift is better.
Other than that, you want it as bright and as hi resolution as you can afford.
You should also count on using some sort of mirror to reflect the image onto the table. You can mount a projector vertically but it doesn't manage heat as well in non-horizontal orientations and will end up costing you more in replacement lamps.
If money is no object I would go with the Mitsubishi FL6900U. MSRP is about $15K, street price around $10K.
A cheaper (and lower resolution) option is the XD3200. MSRP $7K, street $3500.
I bought a $3,000 projector that supportd HD video and stereo sound off eBay a few years ago for $150. I would think you could find better deals now. I have my projector under the table with a mirror to project up to a plexiglas screen to avoid shadows, but I know other GMs who mount theirs on the ceiling or have built a high stand to perch the projector over the table. Either works fine.
I tried to build a custom optical init to project an LCD image using a screen removed from a monitor through an overhead projector, but I never managed to get the display totally removed from the casing due to some stupid ribbon cables I could not cut.
A cheap LCD HD TV works too.
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I use a ceiling mounted projector/big mini collection at home, but when I'm playing at my friend's place we put maptool on a big tv, and have a handful of mice at the table for players. it works beautifully.
re: projector, I'm using an three year old BenQ projector, and it works just fine, so you don't have to spend a lot of dough to get a nice projector. link.
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If you go for a projector, you will want an XGA projector with at least 1800 ANSI, preferably 2200+ ANSI, using either LCD or DLP projection technology for most applications. Don't go higher than 3300-3500 ANSI, you will gouge your eyes out due to the brightness.
Given the prices of projection technology and cost of replacement bulbs ($250-$400) you will want to buy a new projector. Look around, you can often find one with a spare bulb when you buy it new for about 500-600.
I was the main guy on ENWorld advocating for projection technology during games back in 04-05. But I no longer do so using projection technology.
In all honesty, the age of the projector is now over. For a number of reasons, I would suggest a Samsung 6000 series 120 Hz 46" flat screen, with you adding a see through plexiglass screen to protect the glass, laid horizontally on the table. You will want to ensure there is adequate ventilation. It is discussed in the thread below.
The main thread on horizontal flat screen technolgy on ENWorld is HERE. Pay close attention to Oryan77's setup and those that follow it.
The Samsung 6000 series 120 Hz 46" LED 1.12" thick displays are likely to come on sale at Best Buy this week and next in preparation for the Super Bowl. Have a careful look. Given the cost of a projector, you will achieve a far better display usable under ALL lighting conditions with a flat panel at a price which is competitive to a projector or at least -- not *that* much more. Your usable image size on a 46" flat screen is as large as you would ever get from any projector -- with an image and pixel density which is VASTLY superior, too.
No comparison. Flat panel FTW.
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Yeah, pencils and graph paper FTW!
In all seriousness, if you had ever played with an electonic battlemat, you wouldn't be asking this question. It is a technology which unites the players, focuses attention, and provides a better game experience for all involved.
As I have often mentioned in the past, I am NOT in favor of projecting images on the wall or on a normal vertically mounted TV. Players slip into "entertain me" mode far too easily and the game suffers for it.
But an electronic battlemat on the centre of the table that a player interacts with by picking up and moving his miniature, the same way people normally do with a vinyl battlemat or a flip-mat, provides a better game experience in just about every respect. It is technology which unites the players -- it does not divide them. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
Nobody who ever sat at one of my projection tables ever said "this feels like a board meeting". They were too busy saying "This is FRIKKIN COOL!!"
One has to ask oneself...
Do I really want my gaming sessions to feel like a corporate boardroom meeting? Projectors, laptops, smartphone apps, how much is too much?
It's all just tools. Several years ago I actually had a campaign in a large corporate meeting roo. It was cool.
I have run campaigns using vistually all levels of technology and all of them work and provide some advantages while introducing their own limitations to deal with.
These days I am working on 3D terrain which I use with my digital table. It's all good.
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I particularly wish to project all the varied PAIZO maps from Dungeon/Dragon magazines as well as Pathfinder Adventure Paths, Modules, etc.
I happen to have 2 recessed light panels above my game table that I don't use, I use various other soft lighting and small lamps on the table usually. (So I can mount on ceiling if I wish, angled, pointed down, with room for airflow I think.) The mirror approach would work fine - provided someone help me understand roughly how far from the table and how high up the projector would need to be to hit the ceiling mirror properly. I don't think I will project from underneath, as I wish to still use the actual table for other games as needed.
I figure 2000 lumens might be good-enough. I think on ebay I can find something between $200-$300 bucks.
The real question is, from those of you who have already done this, which projector should I buy? I already use all kind of variety of mats and vynal, etc. You name it, I use it. But with the projector, I feel someone out there has first hand experience to recommend the best KIND of projector specifications to help me choose wisely.
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One has to ask oneself...
Do I really want my gaming sessions to feel like a corporate boardroom meeting? Projectors, laptops, smartphone apps, how much is too much?
I understand your point --- and when I play away from home I get a healthy gaming dose of no-battlemat old skool as well. I enjoy it just fine. I believe imagination is all you need. But... for my tripped-out game room at home... I want to add a projector to my ultimate game room because I can. lol
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For example, following one of these links, I see a gamer recommends: Sanyo PLC XU41 XGA (1024 x 768) LCD projector - 1500 ANSI lumens
But I don't understand why? There are plenty of 2000 lumens projectors that are now considered low-end and available...
What features am I looking for to get the best visual, and the best projection distance ratio? In the case of Pathfinder RPG, I'm hoping a short distance to the table from the ceiling or wall would do.
Any advise is welcome.
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Link to my favorite art supply shop
@Squawk - were you suggesting printing the maps on little ascetate cards then projecting? I'm not sure I need to do that step with 188 PDFs in my PAIZO collection. I'd like to go straight from the PDF map to the projector (and possibly filter using MAP TOOLS for torchlight distance display - I'm told the program does that...).
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The shorter the throw the fewer lumens you need.
Projection distance is different for every projector. Most have some zoom range. How much is dependent on the make and model.
Here's a question for you. What size and color of the table you are planning on projecting onto?
Since that is essentially your "screen" that will make a difference.
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I'm thinking about this one: Affordable Projector
@UndeadDan - my game table is brown wood color, but I think on "projector nights" I'll overlay a dry-erase board that I customize to fit snug over the table and project and write on. At least... those are my initial thoughts.
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If you have a laptop with video out, connect it to a large monitor. Also, some flat screen televisions accept signals from computers.
[I’ve never actually tried this.]
thanks,
Kodger
Most video cards these days output via HDMI, or DVI that you can get an adapter for. I've got my gaming/theater PC hooked up to a 65" DLP (through a reciever) set and its awesome.
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800x600 resolution is waaaaaaaay too low in my opinion.
I hear ya. Turns out the next leap up is to buy a good quality projector... and I'm trying to decide between low res and functional, with easily affordable replacable bulbs versus the next step up...
The Optoma Pro350w for example is a leap up to 699.99.
So, I'm wondering if the 200.00 with a back up bulb, cords, remote, and basic functionality is all I need to get started. I guess I wonder since the display range will be short... ceiling to a first surface mirror down to the table... if maybe "resolution" would be over-rated for the purposes of displaying pages from the PAIZO APs.
The maps are rich in color and definition, and it wouldn't be like I'm trying to watch a movie... just display a castle, or a field, or a dungeon...