Russ, 4 years later and this is still the best multi-monitor setup video on TH-cam. I discovered a while back that if I just drew it out, I could measure the exact angles and avoid all the math. That worked great! One topic I have never seen discussed is the virtual cockpit rendering. Larger monitors setup with correct FOV give perfect external results but I would love to have my front monitor placed roughly where the base of the windshield would be in order to have x-plane render rain effects. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a way to do this. Even VC panel renders huge on my 55” screens and is impractical. I can live without the panel as I have a complete panel but would love to get the rain effects. It seems like there should be a way to scale the rending of the cockpit but I have never seen any way to do that. Thanks for all your great content Russ, love watching your videos.
Fantastic video. Thanks so much for putting all the work into that. I've struggled with getting a proper 3 monitor setup for a while and after watching your video, I see where I went wrong. Great job on this!
Really awesome stuff. You take the time to explain in a way that anyone can understand and feel confident to try. I watch all your videos. I think they are great and you are an incredible instructor. Thank you.
You sir are a great teacher and this was an excellent video! I really appreciated seeing the “theory” behind getting the correct distance and angles of monitor placement. Also, the explanation on how bezel correction works was great! 👍
Thank you ,Russ. I have been flying my sim for several months now and I did something while trying to add a scenery upgrade for OSH.. So I had to go back to setting up my monitors and this video really helps. I don't know if you remember but I had a problem getting the touch screen on my smaller monitor to work. I also couldn't get the instruments on air manager to fully work. I'm still a novice at windows10 and computers in general, so your videos help me out a lot. It was much easier flying the real Airbus.
Great video with clear explanations (minus high end math). I'm sure many of us are debating whether to go with a single, ultra wide monitor like the LG 49", or to take the 3 monitor approach while maintaining a minimum fps standard (around 30) that will appeal to the majority of simmers.
Sim 737 Pilot the problem with the ultra wide is that since it is a single wide angle view it will still have distortion as you approach the edges of the monitor. This was my issue with NVIDIA surround using three monitors as a single wide view. To see this effect see my video on multi view setup. th-cam.com/video/a7LfXqpi-I8/w-d-xo.html Go to about 5:20 to see that portion IMHO the FPS loss is worth it for the accurate view. I have to admit as a RL pilot I would rather reduce graphics settings to maintain a good FPS and keeping a geometrically accurate view. I understand that some simmers are more interested in seeking as close as possible to a photorealistic view and can accept the view edge distortion.
@@rbarlow I agree with you. Id rather have the geo accurate view and decrease settings as needed to keep the fps acceptable. Based on your video, I'm now leaning toward 3 monitor setup.
Excellent presentation. I agree with your assessments! Very useful information for us real world pilots building our own simulator setups. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your video's on Multi monitor setup for the new XP11. I found it most interesting and helpful. I have yet to get XP11, as I'm still on XP10.50 but do most of my simulated virtual flying on P3dv3!. Video's like yours are slowly pushing me toward XP11Regards Mike from Scotland UK
Hello Rus. Thank you for this very good video regarding a multi monitor setup. I have used a 2 monitor setup for a long time for FSX and P3D and in the old stretched out form for X-plane. Always used the tryout the figures method to get a good image. Now I know how to calculate them correctly. Thank you for that. With regards to the smaller 30 degree FOV option. To get higher horizon view the monitors could be turned 90 degrees. This will give a smaller width and more height. Then you can get a good setup with 5 monitors for a 150 degree horizontal FOV in combination with a good vertical VOF. I wil modify my settings the next time I use my monitor. For now I am using my Oculus Rift VR wiht FlyInside XP for the complete immersion. The only minor on this is that te resolution is not that good yet in order to see everything as sharp as it is in real life. However the imersive effect of VR is compensating that. For now I wil use the montor setup as backup for high resolution precision flying.
Great video....actually all of your videos are very helpful. Right now I have 1 wide screen 29 inch gaming monitor which is great. Looking forward I want to set up a 3 monitor cockpit and will be using larger monitors. Do you have a suggestion on what model that will not break the bank would be a good one to look at?
Thanks for the response and I did not ask the correct question. My distance from all 3 monitor is good, however, I can't zoom back far enough to see the entire virtual cockpit.
Brilliant video thanks, so well explained. I am building 737 cockpit and think will go with 5 x 26" option. My issue is that you made clear that FOV needs to be centre so how do I manage with controls in captain position please?. Thx
It is helpful in every way. i have been flying with a single monitor, an i5 intel laptop with barely a graphics card UHD 960. Wonder how come I kept at it with a FPS of 12. Needless to say that I had to set the graphics to almost nothing in order to fly at a decent frame rate. Tomorrow my Cyber Power will arrive bringing an Intel Core i9 9900, 16 gb memory, NVIDIA Geforece RTX 2080 Super, 1 TB SSD. I can't wait to set it up with the 3 50 inch 1080p Monitors. I'm sure there will be quite an adjustment in flying dynamics as the new FPS rate with be so much more. I'm like a kid at Christmas. Thank you for the blueprint for setting it up correctly.
Russ, thank you very much for your details explanation. As a physicist I have no problem with the maths ;-) I'm running FS 2020 and still wondering what setup will be the best, because 3 monitors with 4k will be too much load on the graphics card, I'm afraid. Maybe I go for one monitor (55" TV 4K) first, see the FPS and then decide later.
The curve should help somewhat but I wonder what radius the screen is curved to. From my video example for the 70 degree Michael Brown setup, the correct viewing distance is about 30.5 inches with a 49" diagonal monitor. Not sure how that would affect things. Try using the formulas and calculating the viewing distance (D) and radius (R) and find the difference. Then put a straightedge across the curved monitor and see the depth of the curve. That should give some idea how close the radius of the monitor is to the ideal radius. I am probably going to set my monitors to the 60 degree FOV to see how that works. No way a computer available now can drive more than three monitors and maintaining several copies of X-Plane 11 on different machines would be a pain IMHO. Anxious to hear how your ideas work out.
Russ Barlow thanks much for the reply Russ, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes, and do the math on the layout. I even wonder now if those TVs are constant radius or some compound curve.. Anyways I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the 3 TVs, new yoke, and possibly a new computer just for the primary X-Plane installation.
TV monitors are ordered Russ; 2 matching Samsung 49" curved sets, and the companion curved model in the 55" size for the front view. An ASUS 21:9 ultra wide computer monitor will be for the gauge panel. Wish me luck!
Russ Barlow hi Russ, the third and last TV is arriving tomorrow! They look pretty good, but I've just been watching some X-Plane TH-cam videos on them so far. I'll try to get the radius on them for your reference. Can I email you offline?
finally got a build thread started Russ! forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/118220-overly-ambitious-tbm-850-cockpit-build-brunner-yoke-g1000-4-large-screen-tvs-dash-panel-multiple-pcs-etc/
Thanks so much for your videos. I have only tried msfs 2020 so far and don't love the implementation for multi screen. It's unstable and lacks flexibility. Plus I don't expect better from 2024 so I thought I'd look into X Plane. You mention using 5 monitors in this type of setup. Seems like the most outputs modern graphics cards have is 4 and some are limited to only using 3 at a time. I use three 55 inch tvs. How would go about getting 5 displays to work?
Use a usb-c /usb 3 docking station like the Plugable products that allow additional monitors plugable.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlbQUwSCpZNDOd82bSKaBHFzqHFl3aY6JqhcH5QipAyj68a_JW
Hi Russ, thanks for the great video. I've got plans to do Michael Brown's 210° setup (as he calls it) but I'm going to try it with 3 Samsung *curved* 49" LCD tvs which should help reduce the distance deltas from corners to eyes. I'll use a 29" ultra-wide 21:9 flat monitor for dash panel. Curved TVs might be a consumer fad but for close-in viewing, they seem to be the natural choice. Just worried about seeing pixels. Obviously 4K is not really an option both money and processor wise. Regardless, it might be a neat experiment to redo your math but with curved screens, and see what the benefits/drawbacks are. Hopefully X-Plane 11's monitor adjustability will be able to allow for more crazy monitor options like this. Thanks again!
Russ Barlow I only have a single GTX 780Ti and the display port output is hosed, forcing me to use HDMI. Time for a new video card anyway. The three curved TVs arrived, but one of the side 49" sets came damaged...so I will have to wait a little bit longer to start playing around. P. S. I got a matching Samsung curved 55" for the front display instead of three 49's.
So disappointing that Asobo hasn't implemented proper triple screen support yet for FS2020, when X-Plane had it years ago. I'm looking to get this simulator and give it a try for that reason alone since I already use triples for iRacing.
Thank you for the detailed explanation on using multiple monitors. I do have one question: Is it possible to use four monitors where the two center monitors are in a straight wall format with the other two monitors creating the side views. Thank you in advance.
Great video! Thank you for taking the time to make this. I would be very curious to see a video about a topic you briefly mention here: monitor/FOV setups with home cockpits for 2 pilots (side by side). What would be the best monitor/FOV setup if both pilots were to be placed equally away from the center (i.e. like in a real aircraft)?
As I said in the video, there is only one spot in space that gives the correct geometry for all three ( or more) monitors in a multi screen set up. The effects can be mitigated by making the screens as larger as possible so that the percentage of distance from the “sweet spot” is a smaller relative value. This is similar to like your two eyes, which are not both in the ideal position, but are close compared to the distance to the screen so the error is not obvious. To avoid this, collimated optics are used in the airline simulator visual display system so that the out the window (OTW) scene is seen by both pilots at a distant focus rather than at the focal distance of a projection screen. This is achieved through an optical system that allows the imagery to be seen by the pilots in a parabolic mirror that has a vertical curvature, the curvature enabling the image to be seen at a distant focus by both pilots, who then see essentially the same OTW scene without any distortions. Since the light arriving at the eye point of both pilots is from different angles to the field of view of the pilots due to different projection systems arranged in a semi-circle above the pilots, the entire display system cannot be considered a collimated display, but a display system that uses collimated light. Ref en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collimated_light
One thing I forgot to ask about -- an alternative to the collimated light display. Would it be better in the two-pilot home cockpit scenario if two views were mapped -- one for each pilot (from each seat's view perspective) -- and the views would be switched back and forth depending on who was pilot in command? For that scenario, is there any way to adjust the FOVs with the correct offsets and differences for each monitor (i.e. different FOVs for each) to get an immersive and realistic view for at least the PIC when s/he's flying? Sorry if my questions are a bit basic, but I sometimes have trouble imagining the geometries involved. Thanks again!
Alex's Flying Club I I’m afraid there’s just no perfect solution but trying to set up the different monitors for different eye positions would be worse. You could simulate the effects by setting up your eye in a position that subtends the same horizontal and vertical angle as your larger monitors would and then moving your eyes left and right in the scale amount to see how the view changes. The effect that n the forward view is not really that noticeable. Yes he side monitors are where each pilot
Thank you for your video, I'm new to X-Plane 11 and have 3 monitors, they're about 22inches viewing field, but I can't get them to work together. They're placed at 45 degree angles. How do I do it?
Hello ! Thank you for sharing the inspiring video. I wonder how do you connect the 3 TVs to your graphic card. Do you use DP to HDMI adapters? Are they all passive adapters or active adapters ? I have a 1070 graphic card. And I don't know what I need to buy. Thanks.
Use passive DP to HDMI adapters for the DP ports. A 1070 can run three monitors and a single touchscreen but not with more than mid level graphics settings. The new RTX3070 looks like a great value when they become more available. For the CPU clock speed is more important than number of cores ...
Thanks for the crystal-clear instructional video, Russ. I have been successful in setting up my home cockpit sim views with the information supplied and my triple monitor setup works very well with 45 degree offsets. I was hoping that you might have some further insight regarding other problems with X-Plane 11 working in conjunction with AirManager, the Knobster, and a five-monitor panoramic view with two touch screens for the instruments panel. I would be happy to contact you through AirManager if you prefer. Please advise. Thanks.
same theories apply but I think curved is a problem. X-Plane at lease projects an image that is made for a flat screen. I will not be correct on a curved screen but may not be that noticable. Problem is that the curve has a radius. Unless you chose a field of view whose correct view distance coincident with the screens curve radius it will "possibly" look bad. Certainly not peefect.
This is so very useful. Thank you for your painstaking and clear explanation! One question, if I may: I'm thinking of using 3-5 monitors in portrait aspect (as I am interested in building a heli sim and this will provide for chin-window views). Obviously the much narrower width of each screen will affect FOV and viewing distance, but my question concerns the XP horizon. You say this defaults to the middle of the monitor. Can the horizon be moved higher? Thank you again, Russ.
Hey, thank you for sharing such an informative video. I'm currently thinking about setting up a three monitors flight sim (instruments panels shown on the monitor). I wonder do you think 49 inches TV is enough? Do you recommend any "perfect" size for flight sim? Thanks.
Bigger is better since you have more room to accommodate a cockpit. If you want to set the side monitors back 60 degrees on each side you get a 180 degree FOV which is great but yo would have to have your eye pretty close to the front monitor.you can use the formulas in the video to work the distances out. I have 3 - 49” monitors and wish I had used 55”. They are pretty affordable now.
Hi Russ, thanks very much for this video! Apologies if this has already been answered, but exactly what are the specs of the monitors/TVs you’re using in this video, i.e. size and resolution? I’m thinking of upgrading to bigger monitors as I’m currently running 3 x 1080p 24” monitors which I’m finding are way too small. I have a GTX 1080 so just trying to gauge the expected performance if the resolution bumps up. Thanks!
Jack Y that setup has three 49” 4K monitors but only can run them at 1080p . It has an i7-4770K cpu and a GTX 1070. It has since been upgraded to a i7-8700 and GTX 1070ti. I am running a 4th monitor with Air Manager for a panel on the same computer. That way I can drag pop out windows fro X-Plane go place in my Air Manager Panel. You should be able to do this with your setup but remember some graphics settings like number of objects is CPU limited. I’d get 55” monitors if your room size can support it since the prices on TVs are cheap now and size DOES matter regardless of what your girlfriend says. The further the monitor is away(bigger monitor) the less you will need 4K.
Russ Barlow Thanks so much for replying. I’ve measured up my room and I think I’d be risking a divorce if I go over 32”, so that’ll have to do for now! It’ll still be a step up and I can find a pretty cheap (in the UK) IPS model which I think would work well - the ViewSonic VX3276-MHD-2. Hopefully when we move into a bigger place I can get three 55 inch TVs, and maybe even a second PC to push them pixels!
I know this video is pretty old. but I hope this messages reaches you. I want to do 4 screens and the bezel of the 2 in the front being in the center and 2 for side views. for a 2 seat cockpit. Is this possible? I haven’t been able to find an answer. I’ve seen a few ppl using it this way but just 2 screens. As long as I have the computing power will the visual aspect work?
Obviously if the four TVs form a single view there will only be a single point that yields a perfect view. The math works for any number of screens. Just sit centered and perpendicular to all four screens. Say you want a 160 degree total FOV with 4 monitors. The lateral offsets of the monitors from left to right. -80, -40,40,80 all with a 40 degree FOV minus bezel correction. The monitor rake back angles would be the same as the lateral offsets but no bezel correction for those. Use the same formulas to calculate the ideal eye distance. BTW trying to place the pilots eye not centered in the monitors array… in this case in the inside edges of the middle two monitors will create the effect of flying or taxiing in a crab. Very annoying and noticeable especially on landing or taxi where the centerline is obvious.
Fantastic video! Might be a silly question, what software were you entering this data in to correct the image once you made these calculations? The bezel correction was a huge benefit to the overall experience im hoping i could do this with my setup!
Ilija labovic I am not near a computer but on graphics settings is an area for each monitor. You have to scroll down under each and click the + to expand the settings. Then set the visual offsets and field of view as discussed in the video.
Hey Russ you have an e mail I am struggling getting triple 1440 p monitors to work right I xplane 11 and now I am wondering about getting bigger screens what would you recommend for TV thanks James
Is there a reason why xplane only allows me to select 60hz and not 144hz refresh rates. Both of my monitors are set to 144hz, but when I select 144hz, xplane defaults my selection to 1920 X 1080 60hz?
Hi Russ, First of all I really enjoy your videos! I want to build a setup with 2 seats, but as you demonstrate, this is not ideal. Would it be any advantage to have a setup with 4 screens. Leftmost at -45deg., 2x at 0deg for each seat and the rightmost at 45deg.? Any advice on this?
Thomas Nilsen if you did this it would be equivalent to a single large screen to calculate the ideal eye point. Then you would have to calculate the actual FOV for the two side monitors based on the geometry of the setup. The bigger forward view would help by moving back the ideal position but the total field of view (FOV) will be less. There still will be only one ideal eye point though. The only solution for a multiplace cockpit is very large screens or a large projected curved screen. It really doesn't solve the problem but as the size gets larger(and ideal viewing distance) the error becomes less evident. Actually even our two eyes cannot both be in the ideal position but since the distance between our eyes is small compared to the monitors size it is not really noticeable. Good luck.
Thanks much! Unfortunately, there is no room for a curved projection screen. So I'll probably fit as large screens as I can (3x 42-48") and live with the compromise. In any case, I plan to fit a number of hardware instruments with physical buttons, as well as multiple instances of air-manager to create the cockpit (737NG). So it will still be quite immersive I think. For me, the most enjoyable part is the system programming and monitoring. Scenery comes second. :)
Russ, regarding your image of Michael Browns 70" FOV setup, What size screens are your calculation based upon? I am laying out the same with 55" 4K TV's and would appreciate your calculations for - D & W Dimensions if I set FOV 70 on each TV. Thanks.
Use the formula from 8:29 in the video and use 70 degress instead of 90. D= W / ( 2 * tan( 70/2)) so D= W/(2* tan(35)) tan(35) = 0.70 so D= W/1.4 or D= 0.714W so if your 55" monitor probably has a width of about 48" so the proper viewing distance from the screen is about 34.3" If the side monitors are raked back at 70 degrees each the distance to each monitor should be the same. I found 60 degrees worked better for me since I used 49" monitors. I think you can probably get by with 70 degrees FOV using 55" screens. That gives a 210 total FOV which will allow looking slightly (15 degrees) behind the wing line(lateral axis). I put my screens on rolling stands so I can change the angles as desired. Let me know how it works and send a few pictures.
Russ, you're right, 70 works great. I do have many other questions and was wondering if you have a website or Discord channel where guys like me, and all your loyal followers could connect and share ideas, thoughts and configurations? I ask because I recently setup a DISCORD server focusing on BRUNNER HARDWARE and have met a number a great guys willing to share their experiences in a much more productive fashion than what forums provide. The same is needed for those of use with multi-PC multi-screen networked setups. TH-cam is great but not very efficient for helping one another in an efficient and personal environment. Have you given any thought to Discord? I would really like to talk to you about network setups, and anyone else desiring the same. Thanks.
Russ, I recall having a spreadsheet where I could enter my monitor size and the eye distance was calculated automatically. I can only assume you sent it to me but I can no longer find it. Would you mind providing a link to download it? Thanks
Very straight forward. Just install Air Manager on the second computer and the Air Manager plugin on the first computer with the Sim. If they are on the same network they will connect. Check out the Sim Innovations Wiki for step by step details.
Pretty simple with XP. You obviously need two licenses for XP and three if you want a panel with a popped out window fro XP like the G1000. On the network tab in XP set panel PC set as the Master and the two scenery PCs as External Visuals. I would put the center three monitors on your strongest pc and your far left and right on a second PC. You could set the FOV to about 45 on ach monitor( minus the bezel adjustment ) and set the horizontal offsets on center three monitors to. -45,0, 45 and the left and right to -90,90. Be sure you eye is centered and perpendicular to all five monitors. May need 55” monitors to get your sim inside this arrangement depending on what you panel consists of.
Thank you for putting so much time into this, Russ. I am starting out with XP and it was very helpful. In your opinion, would a 3-screen setup like this also work with one 50” central TV and two 43” sides? Perhaps there would be perspective issues?
It can work but the geometry gets a but more complicated since the different Fields of view in the smaller monitors. you will need to take that into account to make things look right, Also since XP does not allow vertical adjustment of the eye position on each monitor but only the vertical angle you will need to be sure the side monitors are centered vertically on the center monitor so the horizon line will match up . Since 20" and 43" TV are about the same cost, I would just match the three monitors sizes. I also highly recommend they be identical make and model since the color/contrast/response times and the look can be hard to match with different TVs.
As usual very useful video thanks very much. I have one question, which I keep asking on and on, which is very much unknown to me" I have moltipy screen and setup of homemade Cockpit, I love to turn off the cockpit switch the center scree to show prop only for Cessna 172 sp is this possible? Thanks if someone could answer this question.
Video distortion is non existent. However, my default view is a forward with 3D cockpit and for the default 737, It puts me much to close to the panels. Even after zooming out by hitting the "," key, I'm still too close. Is there a way to zoom out further for X-Plane 11. I had the same issue with FSX and the fix included modifying the config file to Wideaspect = True instead of Wideaspect = False. Please advise.
Thomas Briscoe You can set the Field of View to whatever you like in the graphics tab of the Settings. Another option might be to physically move the eye point backward. I think the default key is either period or comma.
Russ I am rebuilding my sim I have a CLS Brunner yoke red bird rudder peddle and throttle and flight illusions radio and gauges stack so I have one 27" 165 HRTZ monitor but want to go bigger so thinking a TV What are your thoughts and I do want 3 monitors thanks
james Higgins... my monitors are Vizio 49 inch 4K televisions. I think the 4K is overkill now considering the state of graphics cards. I would suggest the largest 1080p TVs you can afford and fit into your room. My only caution is that you be sure that the input lag on your TVs is not a problem. I use research from www.rtings.com/tv. who rates TVs for video gaming
i don't know much about head tracking, but that setup looks like it would be sweet if you had head tracking and it only tracked your forward/backward head movements and NOT your looking left and right movements.
Matthew Holevinski there is only one “sweet spot” where the physical view of the screens match what is displayed on the screens. I think physically moving your head would undo that match especially for the side screens. The only display system that provides accurate views from various cockpit locations is a collimated mirror setup ( read about here. www.christiedigital.com/emea/simulation/simulator-projector-systems/solutions-for-simulation-projection/3d-collimation. )
The point is this. You move your head or you move the picture. Consider. I have tried out all, i mean all possibilities in the last 8 years. My conclusion become this. Back to simple. 3 52 inches monitors in portrait mode. Flat. This gives automatically the half screen as scenery end the other half the complete cockpit in his original shape. If i move back in the monitor then i have left window and right window and can still read the instrument cockpit. I use now also RTX 2080 Ti. (Fps is out of concern) My feeling was never so close like this because the size from the cockpit is 1 To 1. the Yoke in the screen is the same size. The instruments are about original size. Very great feeling i promise. And i fly always whit the cockpit integrated. Cheers.
I think XP11is slightly easier and much better than FSX out of the box. See this video as it might help in selecting which simulator th-cam.com/video/CD3Mgm9APqY/w-d-xo.html
First, a curved screen still requires proper geometry and there is only one optimum eye position to see the geometrically correct view. As for curved screens and projectors there are several reasons these setups are problematic. 1- projectors also have resolution limits so the field of view is limited so multiple projectors are needed. Three projectors for good resolution 180-210 degree total field of view. 2- the projectors must be mounted overhead requiring a high ceiling and keystone correction. Depending on the geometry of the cockpit your setup may create shadows on the screen. 3- it is difficult to keep all three projectors aligned at various temperatures since tiny movements are exaggerated when projected 4- in all but the most expensive laser projectors the image will appear duller and less bright than a TV image 5- the overlap areas between projectors have to be blended to look consistent with the non overlapped areas. This is difficult to get perfect. 6- building a good and geometrically accurate curved screen is somewhat difficult 7- finally, all sims ( except XPLANE pro) support a planar projection designed for flat screens. It must be corrected by some third party, fairly expensive third party software like Fly Elise to get an accurate image to project on a cylindrical screen. Mapping the image can be time consuming and may require frequent recalibration. All in all LCD TV screens are way easier to set up and use despite accepting the bezels and other limitations. Cheaper too considering the price of TVs now. VR offers the alternative to both screens and projectors and the view is always geometrically perfect.
Great vid easy to understand and to follow up. tnx Not using the VC thus give you some better performance, but you losing some aspect of realism which one of them, like the glare shield, front cowl ,propeller spinning, you lose the sense of the cabin environment and etc
That is an old video but it was three visuals on one computer and the panels running Air Manager on a second networked computer. Look at some of my more recent videos for newer details
Russ, what considerations/calculations should one do when considering a projection screen out front? Check this out, two monitors mounted to the sides for 225d FOV, but only a single screen up front via projector: th-cam.com/video/K72u-n0rJSo/w-d-xo.htmlm. I'm thinking this may resolve some of the view angle issues regarding 2 pilot cockpit, but curious how accurate/inaccurate such a combo would be.
I run a i7 32 gig ram 2060 video. I've tried to run this setup for weeks.. trial after trial.. it just wont run on mine. Ive unplugged and switched plugs on monitors n moved them around. Works great on nvidia surround but I would love to see it like you have yours. Anybody have a nvidia 2060 that can run this setup want to confirm. Maybe tell me how ur monitors are plugged in. Also i run 3 40 tvs.. not monitors. Not sure if that would be an issue.
@@harpoon_bakery162 yes. I had to delete the file ... inside.. x plane/output/ preferences/ a file named screen or window positions.. then go thru the setup of window positions again. No biggie.. but yes worth it. Hard on pc.. but view is great.
Russ, 4 years later and this is still the best multi-monitor setup video on TH-cam. I discovered a while back that if I just drew it out, I could measure the exact angles and avoid all the math. That worked great! One topic I have never seen discussed is the virtual cockpit rendering. Larger monitors setup with correct FOV give perfect external results but I would love to have my front monitor placed roughly where the base of the windshield would be in order to have x-plane render rain effects. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a way to do this. Even VC panel renders huge on my 55” screens and is impractical. I can live without the panel as I have a complete panel but would love to get the rain effects. It seems like there should be a way to scale the rending of the cockpit but I have never seen any way to do that. Thanks for all your great content Russ, love watching your videos.
Fantastic video. Thanks so much for putting all the work into that. I've struggled with getting a proper 3 monitor setup for a while and after watching your video, I see where I went wrong. Great job on this!
Really awesome stuff. You take the time to explain in a way that anyone can understand and feel confident to try. I watch all your videos. I think they are great and you are an incredible instructor. Thank you.
You sir are a great teacher and this was an excellent video! I really appreciated seeing the “theory” behind getting the correct distance and angles of monitor placement. Also, the explanation on how bezel correction works was great! 👍
Thanks. That is a rather old video but the concepts are solid.
@@rbarlow absolutely but the concepts were new to me. 👍
This is an excellent, professionally done, instructional video. And I say this as a former teacher. Real good job Russ!
Just getting started with X-plane 11 and this was an extremely helpful presentation. Great job.Thanks.
Thank you ,Russ. I have been flying my sim for several months now and I did something while trying to add a scenery upgrade for OSH.. So I had to go back to setting up my monitors and this video really helps. I don't know if you remember but I had a problem getting the touch screen on my smaller monitor to work. I also couldn't get the instruments on air manager to fully work. I'm still a novice at windows10 and computers in general, so your videos help me out a lot. It was much easier flying the real Airbus.
Fantastic video. I am setting mine up right now with three-TV's and this is exactly what I was wondering about when it came to geometry.
Great video with clear explanations (minus high end math). I'm sure many of us are debating whether to go with a single, ultra wide monitor like the LG 49", or to take the 3 monitor approach while maintaining a minimum fps standard (around 30) that will appeal to the majority of simmers.
Sim 737 Pilot the problem with the ultra wide is that since it is a single wide angle view it will still have distortion as you approach the edges of the monitor. This was my issue with NVIDIA surround using three monitors as a single wide view. To see this effect see my video on multi view setup.
th-cam.com/video/a7LfXqpi-I8/w-d-xo.html
Go to about 5:20 to see that portion
IMHO the FPS loss is worth it for the accurate view. I have to admit as a RL pilot I would rather reduce graphics settings to maintain a good FPS and keeping a geometrically accurate view. I understand that some simmers are more interested in seeking as close as possible to a photorealistic view and can accept the view edge distortion.
@@rbarlow I agree with you. Id rather have the geo accurate view and decrease settings as needed to keep the fps acceptable. Based on your video, I'm now leaning toward 3 monitor setup.
Wow! You took this to a new level for me. Amazing
Excellent presentation. I agree with your assessments! Very useful information for us real world pilots building our own simulator setups. Thanks for sharing.
Can you tell I was an engineering student in college? A little geeky but thanks for appreciating it😁
@@rbarlow :-) You are in similar company. I was/am the same. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for your video's on Multi monitor setup for the new XP11. I found it most interesting and helpful. I have yet to get XP11, as I'm still on XP10.50 but do most of my simulated virtual flying on P3dv3!. Video's like yours are slowly pushing me toward XP11Regards Mike from Scotland UK
Good vid, I am a retired 64 mtp, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to being satisfied with flight sims.
Hi Russ , just watched these videos again , so informative and helpful , thanks
Hello Rus. Thank you for this very good video regarding a multi monitor setup. I have used a 2 monitor setup for a long time for FSX and P3D and in the old stretched out form for X-plane.
Always used the tryout the figures method to get a good image. Now I know how to calculate them correctly. Thank you for that.
With regards to the smaller 30 degree FOV option. To get higher horizon view the monitors could be turned 90 degrees. This will give a smaller width and more height.
Then you can get a good setup with 5 monitors for a 150 degree horizontal FOV in combination with a good vertical VOF.
I wil modify my settings the next time I use my monitor. For now I am using my Oculus Rift VR wiht FlyInside XP for the complete immersion.
The only minor on this is that te resolution is not that good yet in order to see everything as sharp as it is in real life.
However the imersive effect of VR is compensating that.
For now I wil use the montor setup as backup for high resolution precision flying.
Great video....actually all of your videos are very helpful. Right now I have 1 wide screen 29 inch gaming monitor which is great. Looking forward I want to set up a 3 monitor cockpit and will be using larger monitors. Do you have a suggestion on what model that will not break the bank would be a good one to look at?
Fantastic summary, thank you. I will certainly tag it as a favorite.
Appreciate your awesome sharing video 😊
Thanks for the response and I did not ask the correct question. My distance from all 3 monitor is good, however, I can't zoom back far enough to see the entire virtual cockpit.
Brilliant video thanks, so well explained. I am building 737 cockpit and think will go with 5 x 26" option. My issue is that you made clear that FOV needs to be centre so how do I manage with controls in captain position please?. Thx
This is what I've been looking for! Thank you!
It is helpful in every way. i have been flying with a single monitor, an i5 intel laptop with barely a graphics card UHD 960. Wonder how come I kept at it with a FPS of
12. Needless to say that I had to set the graphics to almost nothing in order to fly at a decent frame rate.
Tomorrow my Cyber Power will arrive bringing an Intel Core i9 9900, 16 gb memory, NVIDIA Geforece RTX 2080 Super, 1 TB SSD. I can't wait to set it up with the 3 50 inch 1080p Monitors. I'm sure there will be quite an adjustment in flying dynamics as the new FPS rate with be so much more. I'm like a kid at Christmas. Thank you for the blueprint for setting it up correctly.
Russ, thank you very much for your details explanation. As a physicist I have no problem with the maths ;-) I'm running FS 2020 and still wondering what setup will be the best, because 3 monitors with 4k will be too much load on the graphics card, I'm afraid. Maybe I go for one monitor (55" TV 4K) first, see the FPS and then decide later.
Russ, Great videos! You are an MIT level instructor.
The curve should help somewhat but I wonder what radius the screen is curved to. From my video example for the 70 degree Michael Brown setup, the correct viewing distance is about 30.5 inches with a 49" diagonal monitor. Not sure how that would affect things. Try using the formulas and calculating the viewing distance (D) and radius (R) and find the difference. Then put a straightedge across the curved monitor and see the depth of the curve. That should give some idea how close the radius of the monitor is to the ideal radius. I am probably going to set my monitors to the 60 degree FOV to see how that works. No way a computer available now can drive more than three monitors and maintaining several copies of X-Plane 11 on different machines would be a pain IMHO. Anxious to hear how your ideas work out.
Russ Barlow thanks much for the reply Russ, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes, and do the math on the layout. I even wonder now if those TVs are constant radius or some compound curve.. Anyways I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the 3 TVs, new yoke, and possibly a new computer just for the primary X-Plane installation.
TV monitors are ordered Russ; 2 matching Samsung 49" curved sets, and the companion curved model in the 55" size for the front view. An ASUS 21:9 ultra wide computer monitor will be for the gauge panel. Wish me luck!
Let me know how it works
Russ Barlow hi Russ, the third and last TV is arriving tomorrow! They look pretty good, but I've just been watching some X-Plane TH-cam videos on them so far. I'll try to get the radius on them for your reference. Can I email you offline?
finally got a build thread started Russ! forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/118220-overly-ambitious-tbm-850-cockpit-build-brunner-yoke-g1000-4-large-screen-tvs-dash-panel-multiple-pcs-etc/
Absolute master class, thank you
Thanks so much for your videos. I have only tried msfs 2020 so far and don't love the implementation for multi screen. It's unstable and lacks flexibility. Plus I don't expect better from 2024 so I thought I'd look into X Plane. You mention using 5 monitors in this type of setup. Seems like the most outputs modern graphics cards have is 4 and some are limited to only using 3 at a time. I use three 55 inch tvs. How would go about getting 5 displays to work?
Use a usb-c /usb 3 docking station like the Plugable products that allow additional monitors
plugable.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlbQUwSCpZNDOd82bSKaBHFzqHFl3aY6JqhcH5QipAyj68a_JW
Hi Russ, thanks for the great video. I've got plans to do Michael Brown's 210° setup (as he calls it) but I'm going to try it with 3 Samsung *curved* 49" LCD tvs which should help reduce the distance deltas from corners to eyes. I'll use a 29" ultra-wide 21:9 flat monitor for dash panel. Curved TVs might be a consumer fad but for close-in viewing, they seem to be the natural choice. Just worried about seeing pixels. Obviously 4K is not really an option both money and processor wise. Regardless, it might be a neat experiment to redo your math but with curved screens, and see what the benefits/drawbacks are. Hopefully X-Plane 11's monitor adjustability will be able to allow for more crazy monitor options like this. Thanks again!
I have a GTX1070 using HDMI cables attached to DisplayPort sockets using adapters.
Russ Barlow I only have a single GTX 780Ti and the display port output is hosed, forcing me to use HDMI. Time for a new video card anyway. The three curved TVs arrived, but one of the side 49" sets came damaged...so I will have to wait a little bit longer to start playing around.
P. S. I got a matching Samsung curved 55" for the front display instead of three 49's.
Really terrific, definitive stuff!!! Thanks so much!
Chas
So disappointing that Asobo hasn't implemented proper triple screen support yet for FS2020, when X-Plane had it years ago. I'm looking to get this simulator and give it a try for that reason alone since I already use triples for iRacing.
Thank you for the detailed explanation on using multiple monitors. I do have one question: Is it possible to use four monitors where the two center monitors are in a straight wall format with the other two monitors creating the side views. Thank you in advance.
Great video! Thank you for taking the time to make this. I would be very curious to see a video about a topic you briefly mention here: monitor/FOV setups with home cockpits for 2 pilots (side by side). What would be the best monitor/FOV setup if both pilots were to be placed equally away from the center (i.e. like in a real aircraft)?
As I said in the video, there is only one spot in space that gives the correct geometry for all three ( or more) monitors in a multi screen set up. The effects can be mitigated by making the screens as larger as possible so that the percentage of distance from the “sweet spot” is a smaller relative value. This is similar to like your two eyes, which are not both in the ideal position, but are close compared to the distance to the screen so the error is not obvious.
To avoid this, collimated optics are used in the airline simulator visual display system so that the out the window (OTW) scene is seen by both pilots at a distant focus rather than at the focal distance of a projection screen. This is achieved through an optical system that allows the imagery to be seen by the pilots in a parabolic mirror that has a vertical curvature, the curvature enabling the image to be seen at a distant focus by both pilots, who then see essentially the same OTW scene without any distortions. Since the light arriving at the eye point of both pilots is from different angles to the field of view of the pilots due to different projection systems arranged in a semi-circle above the pilots, the entire display system cannot be considered a collimated display, but a display system that uses collimated light. Ref en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collimated_light
Thank you for the thorough and quick reply! I'll read more about these focal effects that you mention.
One thing I forgot to ask about -- an alternative to the collimated light display. Would it be better in the two-pilot home cockpit scenario if two views were mapped -- one for each pilot (from each seat's view perspective) -- and the views would be switched back and forth depending on who was pilot in command? For that scenario, is there any way to adjust the FOVs with the correct offsets and differences for each monitor (i.e. different FOVs for each) to get an immersive and realistic view for at least the PIC when s/he's flying? Sorry if my questions are a bit basic, but I sometimes have trouble imagining the geometries involved. Thanks again!
Alex's Flying Club I I’m afraid there’s just no perfect solution but trying to set up the different monitors for different eye positions would be worse. You could simulate the effects by setting up your eye in a position that subtends the same horizontal and vertical angle as your larger monitors would and then moving your eyes left and right in the scale amount to see how the view changes. The effect that n the forward view is not really that noticeable. Yes he side monitors are where each pilot
Thank you for your video, I'm new to X-Plane 11 and have 3 monitors, they're about 22inches viewing field, but I can't get them to work together. They're placed at 45 degree angles. How do I do it?
hello Mr Barlow. Is there a solution for the annoying black blinking, when you click on one of the screens? To push a button or to go to a menu.
Hii friend!! Do you have a surround sound?? What kind of speakers do you use?? Tks a lot!!!
Thanks for taking the time to make this.
Hello ! Thank you for sharing the inspiring video. I wonder how do you connect the 3 TVs to your graphic card. Do you use DP to HDMI adapters? Are they all passive adapters or active adapters ? I have a 1070 graphic card. And I don't know what I need to buy. Thanks.
Use passive DP to HDMI adapters for the DP ports. A 1070 can run three monitors and a single touchscreen but not with more than mid level graphics settings. The new RTX3070 looks like a great value when they become more available. For the CPU clock speed is more important than number of cores ...
@@rbarlow What CPU clock speed do you recommend ? Thanks
Awesome video. Does anyone knows whenever we switch the view from 3D Cockpit to Hood view, Hood and Propeller should be shown?
Thanks Russ. Very nice job.
How I can set up 2 monitors 58” for X-Plane 12
What kind settings going be using?
Very informative! Many thanks.
Thanks for the crystal-clear instructional video, Russ. I have been successful in setting up my home cockpit sim views with the information supplied and my triple monitor setup works very well with 45 degree offsets. I was hoping that you might have some further insight regarding other problems with X-Plane 11 working in conjunction with AirManager, the Knobster, and a five-monitor panoramic view with two touch screens for the instruments panel. I would be happy to contact you through AirManager if you prefer. Please advise. Thanks.
Why is the right monitor yellow or is that the angle
The best analyze that I've seen so far... How many inchs has these monitors? HD or Full HD? Thanks.
Mr. Ros - Gamer BR 49” 4K but setting are 1920 x 1080 because graphics cards cannot handle 3 4K monitors
@@rbarlow Mr Russ. Are these 49" 4K monitors or TVs? Also, these don't look like ultrawide.
Thank you for the very thorough video. Have you ran any numbers on any 49” super ultra wide’s or curved super ultra wides?
same theories apply but I think curved is a problem. X-Plane at lease projects an image that is made for a flat screen. I will not be correct on a curved screen but may not be that noticable. Problem is that the curve has a radius. Unless you chose a field of view whose correct view distance coincident with the screens curve radius it will "possibly" look bad. Certainly not peefect.
Hi Russ, what do you think about the new 49" Samsung curved R1000... I am thinking on a 4 screens setup for a 2 men cockpit 1/1 of a A330
claude-serge Seron great question because my question was actually geared towards this exact monitor.
This is so very useful. Thank you for your painstaking and clear explanation! One question, if I may: I'm thinking of using 3-5 monitors in portrait aspect (as I am interested in building a heli sim and this will provide for chin-window views). Obviously the much narrower width of each screen will affect FOV and viewing distance, but my question concerns the XP horizon. You say this defaults to the middle of the monitor. Can the horizon be moved higher? Thank you again, Russ.
Bob Gilchrist ...yes, it can be adjusted in PlaneMaker. If you need specific help let me know via PM so we don’t tie up Russ’ channel.
If they taught geometry to me like this in high school using a real-world flight sim application, I would have paid attention to every second.
I know what you mean. I got a degree in Aeronautical Engineering just because I loved airplanes since I was a small boy
Hey, thank you for sharing such an informative video. I'm currently thinking about setting up a three monitors flight sim (instruments panels shown on the monitor). I wonder do you think 49 inches TV is enough? Do you recommend any "perfect" size for flight sim? Thanks.
Bigger is better since you have more room to accommodate a cockpit. If you want to set the side monitors back 60 degrees on each side you get a 180 degree FOV which is great but yo would have to have your eye pretty close to the front monitor.you can use the formulas in the video to work the distances out. I have 3 - 49” monitors and wish I had used 55”. They are pretty affordable now.
@@rbarlow Thank you for such a quick reply! Okay I think I'll get 3 55" TV for flight sim! Have a good night!
What graphics card are you using please and how are you monitors connected to it (for the 3 main views) thanks
Hi Russ - I just changed my 3 monitor set-up from NVidia Surround to a 45 degree FOV per your video and the graphic distortion virtually nnon
Hi Russ, thanks very much for this video! Apologies if this has already been answered, but exactly what are the specs of the monitors/TVs you’re using in this video, i.e. size and resolution? I’m thinking of upgrading to bigger monitors as I’m currently running 3 x 1080p 24” monitors which I’m finding are way too small. I have a GTX 1080 so just trying to gauge the expected performance if the resolution bumps up. Thanks!
Jack Y that setup has three 49” 4K monitors but only can run them at 1080p . It has an i7-4770K cpu and a GTX 1070. It has since been upgraded to a i7-8700 and GTX 1070ti. I am running a 4th monitor with Air Manager for a panel on the same computer. That way I can drag pop out windows fro X-Plane go place in my Air Manager Panel. You should be able to do this with your setup but remember some graphics settings like number of objects is CPU limited. I’d get 55” monitors if your room size can support it since the prices on TVs are cheap now and size DOES matter regardless of what your girlfriend says. The further the monitor is away(bigger monitor) the less you will need 4K.
Russ Barlow Thanks so much for replying. I’ve measured up my room and I think I’d be risking a divorce if I go over 32”, so that’ll have to do for now! It’ll still be a step up and I can find a pretty cheap (in the UK) IPS model which I think would work well - the ViewSonic VX3276-MHD-2.
Hopefully when we move into a bigger place I can get three 55 inch TVs, and maybe even a second PC to push them pixels!
Great video. Do you have a excel file we can download for the bezel calculation?
I know this video is pretty old. but I hope this messages reaches you. I want to do 4 screens and the bezel of the 2 in the front being in the center and 2 for side views. for a 2 seat cockpit. Is this possible? I haven’t been able to find an answer. I’ve seen a few ppl using it this way but just 2 screens. As long as I have the computing power will the visual aspect work?
Obviously if the four TVs form a single view there will only be a single point that yields a perfect view. The math works for any number of screens. Just sit centered and perpendicular to all four screens. Say you want a 160 degree total FOV with 4 monitors. The lateral offsets of the monitors from left to right. -80, -40,40,80 all with a 40 degree FOV minus bezel correction. The monitor rake back angles would be the same as the lateral offsets but no bezel correction for those. Use the same formulas to calculate the ideal eye distance.
BTW trying to place the pilots eye not centered in the monitors array… in this case in the inside edges of the middle two monitors will create the effect of flying or taxiing in a crab. Very annoying and noticeable especially on landing or taxi where the centerline is obvious.
Fantastic video! Might be a silly question, what software were you entering this data in to correct the image once you made these calculations? The bezel correction was a huge benefit to the overall experience im hoping i could do this with my setup!
Ilija labovic it was X-Plane11 graphics settings
Russ Barlow could you send me a screenshot of where you entered? I was not able to find anywhere for bezel correction
Ilija labovic I am not near a computer but on graphics settings is an area for each monitor. You have to scroll down under each and click the + to expand the settings. Then set the visual offsets and field of view as discussed in the video.
Great video Russ.
Great video, thanks
Hey Russ you have an e mail I am struggling getting triple 1440 p monitors to work right I xplane 11 and now I am wondering about getting bigger screens what would you recommend for TV thanks James
Is there a reason why xplane only allows me to select 60hz and not 144hz refresh rates. Both of my monitors are set to 144hz, but when I select 144hz, xplane defaults my selection to 1920 X 1080 60hz?
Fabulous video. Thanks?
Hi Russ, First of all I really enjoy your videos! I want to build a setup with 2 seats, but as you demonstrate, this is not ideal.
Would it be any advantage to have a setup with 4 screens. Leftmost at -45deg., 2x at 0deg for each seat and the rightmost at 45deg.? Any advice on this?
Thomas Nilsen if you did this it would be equivalent to a single large screen to calculate the ideal eye point. Then you would have to calculate the actual FOV for the two side monitors based on the geometry of the setup. The bigger forward view would help by moving back the ideal position but the total field of view (FOV) will be less. There still will be only one ideal eye point though. The only solution for a multiplace cockpit is very large screens or a large projected curved screen. It really doesn't solve the problem but as the size gets larger(and ideal viewing distance) the error becomes less evident. Actually even our two eyes cannot both be in the ideal position but since the distance between our eyes is small compared to the monitors size it is not really noticeable. Good luck.
Thanks much! Unfortunately, there is no room for a curved projection screen. So I'll probably fit as large screens as I can (3x 42-48") and live with the compromise. In any case, I plan to fit a number of hardware instruments with physical buttons, as well as multiple instances of air-manager to create the cockpit (737NG). So it will still be quite immersive I think. For me, the most enjoyable part is the system programming and monitoring. Scenery comes second. :)
Great video! was a great help, Thanks..
Russ, regarding your image of Michael Browns 70" FOV setup, What size screens are your calculation based upon? I am laying out the same with 55" 4K TV's and would appreciate your calculations for - D & W Dimensions if I set FOV 70 on each TV. Thanks.
Use the formula from 8:29 in the video and use 70 degress instead of 90.
D= W / ( 2 * tan( 70/2)) so D= W/(2* tan(35))
tan(35) = 0.70 so D= W/1.4 or D= 0.714W
so if your 55" monitor probably has a width of about 48" so the proper viewing distance from the screen is about 34.3"
If the side monitors are raked back at 70 degrees each the distance to each monitor should be the same. I found 60 degrees worked better for me since I used 49" monitors. I think you can probably get by with 70 degrees FOV using 55" screens. That gives a 210 total FOV which will allow looking slightly (15 degrees) behind the wing line(lateral axis). I put my screens on rolling stands so I can change the angles as desired. Let me know how it works and send a few pictures.
Thanks Russ! I’m setting them up now and will let you know.
Russ, you're right, 70 works great. I do have many other questions and was wondering if you have a website or Discord channel where guys like me, and all your loyal followers could connect and share ideas, thoughts and configurations? I ask because I recently setup a DISCORD server focusing on BRUNNER HARDWARE and have met a number a great guys willing to share their experiences in a much more productive fashion than what forums provide. The same is needed for those of use with multi-PC multi-screen networked setups. TH-cam is great but not very efficient for helping one another in an efficient and personal environment. Have you given any thought to Discord? I would really like to talk to you about network setups, and anyone else desiring the same. Thanks.
Russ, I recall having a spreadsheet where I could enter my monitor size and the eye distance was calculated automatically. I can only assume you sent it to me but I can no longer find it. Would you mind providing a link to download it? Thanks
Great 👍 presentation
Could you explain how to set up a second computer to run Air Manager software?
Very straight forward. Just install Air Manager on the second computer and the Air Manager plugin on the first computer with the Sim. If they are on the same network they will connect. Check out the Sim Innovations Wiki for step by step details.
Hello what are you using for monitors
Great video and pretty descriptive
I'd like to use 5-43" monitors with 2 pcs, can that be done and could you add any tips on how to do it.
Pretty simple with XP. You obviously need two licenses for XP and three if you want a panel with a popped out window fro XP like the G1000. On the network tab in XP set panel PC set as the Master and the two scenery PCs as External Visuals. I would put the center three monitors on your strongest pc and your far left and right on a second PC. You could set the FOV to about 45 on ach monitor( minus the bezel adjustment
) and set the horizontal offsets on center three monitors to. -45,0, 45 and the left and right to -90,90. Be sure you eye is centered and perpendicular to all five monitors. May need 55” monitors to get your sim inside this arrangement depending on what you panel consists of.
@@rbarlow Thank you!
Outstanding...A++
Thank you for putting so much time into this, Russ. I am starting out with XP and it was very helpful. In your opinion, would a 3-screen setup like this also work with one 50” central TV and two 43” sides? Perhaps there would be perspective issues?
It can work but the geometry gets a but more complicated since the different Fields of view in the smaller monitors. you will need to take that into account to make things look right, Also since XP does not allow vertical adjustment of the eye position on each monitor but only the vertical angle you will need to be sure the side monitors are centered vertically on the center monitor so the horizon line will match up .
Since 20" and 43" TV are about the same cost, I would just match the three monitors sizes. I also highly recommend they be identical make and model since the color/contrast/response times and the look can be hard to match with different TVs.
Russ Barlow Great, thank you.
Fantastic !!!!👍
As usual very useful video thanks very much.
I have one question, which I keep asking on and on, which is very much unknown to me" I have moltipy screen and setup of homemade Cockpit, I love to turn off the cockpit switch the center scree to show prop only for Cessna 172 sp is this possible? Thanks if someone could answer this question.
Yes you need to use plane maker in xplane
Video distortion is non existent. However, my default view is a forward with 3D cockpit and for the default 737, It puts me much to close to the panels. Even after zooming out by hitting the "," key, I'm still too close. Is there a way to zoom out further for X-Plane 11. I had the same issue with FSX and the fix included modifying the config file to Wideaspect = True instead of Wideaspect = False. Please advise.
Thomas Briscoe You can set the Field of View to whatever you like in the graphics tab of the Settings. Another option might be to physically move the eye point backward. I think the default key is either period or comma.
Absolutely awesome, thanks a lot
thank you very helpful
Russ I am rebuilding my sim I have a CLS Brunner yoke red bird rudder peddle and throttle and flight illusions radio and gauges stack so I have one 27" 165 HRTZ monitor but want to go bigger so thinking a TV What are your thoughts and I do want 3 monitors thanks
james Higgins... my monitors are Vizio 49 inch 4K televisions. I think the 4K is overkill now considering the state of graphics cards. I would suggest the largest 1080p TVs you can afford and fit into your room.
My only caution is that you be sure that the input lag on your TVs is not a problem. I use research from www.rtings.com/tv. who rates TVs for video gaming
great vdo
why is the color of the right monitor so different ? different colorscheme ?
I noticed that too but only after looking at the. Video. I think that monitor is set differently. I will investigate.. Thanks.
the buttons aren't clickable on my 2nd monitor. Is there a solution?
Really very informative
i don't know much about head tracking, but that setup looks like it would be sweet if you had head tracking and it only tracked your forward/backward head movements and NOT your looking left and right movements.
Matthew Holevinski there is only one “sweet spot” where the physical view of the screens match what is displayed on the screens. I think physically moving your head would undo that match especially for the side screens. The only display system that provides accurate views from various cockpit locations is a collimated mirror setup ( read about here. www.christiedigital.com/emea/simulation/simulator-projector-systems/solutions-for-simulation-projection/3d-collimation. )
the tree big screens ...are they connected to the same GPU?
Yes a Nvidia GTX1070 which has 4 output ports.
The point is this. You move your head or you move the picture. Consider. I have tried out all, i mean all possibilities in the last 8 years. My conclusion become this. Back to simple. 3 52 inches monitors in portrait mode. Flat. This gives automatically the half screen as scenery end the other half the complete cockpit in his original shape. If i move back in the monitor then i have left window and right window and can still read the instrument cockpit. I use now also RTX 2080 Ti. (Fps is out of concern) My feeling was never so close like this because the size from the cockpit is 1 To 1. the Yoke in the screen is the same size. The instruments are about original size. Very great feeling i promise. And i fly always whit the cockpit integrated. Cheers.
Is X -Plane Mor COmplicated To Operate , Than Flight Simulator X ? .Should I Upgrade From FSX TO X-Plane/, Or To FS 2020 .?
I think XP11is slightly easier and much better than FSX out of the box. See this video as it might help in selecting which simulator
th-cam.com/video/CD3Mgm9APqY/w-d-xo.html
Why not just do a projector and curve projection canvass?
First, a curved screen still requires proper geometry and there is only one optimum eye position to see the geometrically correct view. As for curved screens and projectors there are several reasons these setups are problematic.
1- projectors also have resolution limits so the field of view is limited so multiple projectors are needed. Three projectors for good resolution 180-210 degree total field of view.
2- the projectors must be mounted overhead requiring a high ceiling and keystone correction. Depending on the geometry of the cockpit your setup may create shadows on the screen.
3- it is difficult to keep all three projectors aligned at various temperatures since tiny movements are exaggerated when projected
4- in all but the most expensive laser projectors the image will appear duller and less bright than a TV image
5- the overlap areas between projectors have to be blended to look consistent with the non overlapped areas. This is difficult to get perfect.
6- building a good and geometrically accurate curved screen is somewhat difficult
7- finally, all sims ( except XPLANE pro) support a planar projection designed for flat screens. It must be corrected by some third party, fairly expensive third party software like Fly Elise to get an accurate image to project on a cylindrical screen. Mapping the image can be time consuming and may require frequent recalibration.
All in all LCD TV screens are way easier to set up and use despite accepting the bezels and other limitations. Cheaper too considering the price of TVs now. VR offers the alternative to both screens and projectors and the view is always geometrically perfect.
WOW! Subscribed!!!!!
Great vid easy to understand and to follow up. tnx
Not using the VC thus give you some better performance, but you losing some aspect of realism which one of them, like the glare shield, front cowl ,propeller spinning, you lose the sense of the cabin environment and etc
Good point and I do use the VC some.
muy buena visual
What are the specifications and size of the screens
My TV screens are 49” diagonal 4K but operated at 1080p
How do you have this wired?
That is an old video but it was three visuals on one computer and the panels running Air Manager on a second networked computer. Look at some of my more recent videos for newer details
Russ, what considerations/calculations should one do when considering a projection screen out front? Check this out, two monitors mounted to the sides for 225d FOV, but only a single screen up front via projector: th-cam.com/video/K72u-n0rJSo/w-d-xo.htmlm. I'm thinking this may resolve some of the view angle issues regarding 2 pilot cockpit, but curious how accurate/inaccurate such a combo would be.
so sum for all. make your setup. eye position is middle of evyrthing. change pov smaller until bexel gone
Bezel correction at 26:01
I run a i7 32 gig ram 2060 video. I've tried to run this setup for weeks.. trial after trial.. it just wont run on mine. Ive unplugged and switched plugs on monitors n moved them around. Works great on nvidia surround but I would love to see it like you have yours. Anybody have a nvidia 2060 that can run this setup want to confirm. Maybe tell me how ur monitors are plugged in. Also i run 3 40 tvs.. not monitors. Not sure if that would be an issue.
Did you ever figure it out? Was it practical?
@@harpoon_bakery162 yes. I had to delete the file ... inside.. x plane/output/ preferences/ a file named screen or window positions.. then go thru the setup of window positions again. No biggie.. but yes worth it. Hard on pc.. but view is great.
Hey bro I want to see you fly in it
Can some one help me with the math i have basic math skills and this is over my head on a calculator what is *