Personally my GPU creates negatives which I develop in my black room and then run through a film projector. I find that the 6 hour input lag makes me more patient, and the fidelity and charm of film is really quite something.
@@ChrisHaye :) The few quick frames of the audio mixer and studio monitors completed the PRO picture for me. Always a pleasure to watch and hear a pro product. Great work indeed!!!
I found racing in VR, while better, more of a hassle to get set up and harder for longer races. And being that I can't just jump into a race meant I was playing less often.
Racing in VR has been a sweatfest, and I also stopped racing a lot because of that. Now I'm back to single 27" as that is all I have space for. I also had to stop drifting and only focus on racing, as drifting with a single 27" monitor is pure guessing, lol
I'm in a similar boat.. jumped VR straight away in simracing and honestly I love it, but what I love is now outweighed by what I don't love and that's prompting me to go toward a set of triples. the compromises I make from going away from VR will likely be outshined quickly when I get used to running in trips.. it will certainly make my racing and race setup a lot smoother. I expect to still be a sweatfest, although not as horribly on my face.
Chris, highly considered, well thought out, quality content as usual. Your standard for content is just remarkable. There’s just so much care taken in this videos and it shows. I’m just here letting you know it’s appreciated. I’ve noticed your incredible knack for ingame cinematography and the like. I know it’s your niche so how well it’s done isn’t at all surprising. I’d be COMPLETELY fine with a “showcase” video of just your cool in game shots. A video that truly focuses, no holds barred, on your specific interest. Actually come to think of it, I can’t think of any yt video I’ve seen that does the same.
Thanks Sean. I do get close to that sometimes - but I notice a lot of viewership starts to drop off if I get a bit too arty. Something to keep trying until I find the right balance I think. There's always a tension between what I want to make, and what the audience as a whole can stomach! Haha!
@@ChrisHaye How about a video showing how to recreate TV camera angles and viewpoints from real races? That might allow you to be arty and simmy (new word?) at the same time.
Went from a single 1080p, to a Valve Index. Not going back is the theme in my case. Obviously my old regular GTX 1080 is getting a decent workout of the newer titles, but this will be solved in due time. Nothings beat the natural feeling of freely looking around while driving, it does require some adaptation at first.
@@stephanholding As far as racing games are concerned, Race Room Experience, Assetto corsa and project cars 2. The first two required some voice atack binding to make them properly usable in VR (binding wheel controls to mouse and keyboard).
@@stephanholding Project Cars 2 for the integrated controls (easy to navigate menus and such from the wheel with headset on). However it does require a decent computer to reach high frame rate in VR but this goes for pretty much all of them except RaceRoom. Also, some combo of car/track are hit or miss, same for physics. All in all, a very streamlined VR racing experience, which is a great plus; For the other two, love the solo racing in RaceRoom, the AI is very competant, clean but not easy to beat once you get their difficulty level just right but the game lacks content without investing some money for cars AND ESPECIALLY tracks (Still is a Free to play, so no harm in trying it out); Assetto Corsa for the racing and physics, while some combos are very hit or miss, love that the AI feels alive to me (make mistakes, push too hard things like that) adding to that a massive list of free mods, many of good qualiy. In my case, the last two required to setup Voice Attack to translate wheel controls to mouse movements and action. In the end, depends on what you prefer and which compromises you find acceptable. Make sure to setup Crew Chief, greatest tool you can have for any of these.
@@djmustang000 Yup, VR in PCars 1 and 2 is fairly the most complete experience and the most easy to setup/use Dirt Rally 2 is nice too, Rfactor 2 seem to work well also Asseto corsa do have some issue with the game menu not in VR, and taking off the helmet each time is boring in the long run, and the second did have a big issue (but fixed now) that the centering of helmet didn't work Didn't test PCars 3, need to do it Bonus to automobilista 2 who use the engine of Pcars2, so VR work in the same way, and it's magnificient.
I use to use a single 43 in TV as my sim racing set up for a very long time. I do a lot of sim racing car painting. I finally moved up to a triple screen set up several months ago and it was one of my best sim racing decisions. Better for the racing, as what was described. But from the outside racing, productivity side, it did wonders. I'm able to have photoshop on one screen, reference pics on the next, and then youtube/netflix/etc on the last.
Hi Chris, I'm racing on triples and I couldn't agree more with you, all the pro's you discuss are the reasons I play on triples, but the cons you discuss are also the reason I'm looking into ultrawide 1440p. Thanks for the great content as usual, you're just so easy to listen to without losing interest.
I had my first triple screen setup in 2013. By 2015 I was tired of various headaches and the massive amount of space it took up and heat it created. Went back to single monitor until this year. I now have 2 monitors side by side, one high-refresh VA curved for gaming, and one flat-panel IPS for productivity. This is the best setup I've ever had. I will probably never go back to 3 panels.
Glad you mentioned the large amount of space a triple monitor setup needs. I use VR and an old TV for sim racing and a 144hz monitor for regular gaming. Still takes up less space than triple monitors would.
I use 49" Super Ultrawide. It's mazing for literally everything I use my pc for. Gaming Music Production Film watching General multi-tasking Random Internet stuff. All of it. I'll never go back.
Same here. Ive had triple 23 inch, triple 25 inch ultrawides, ultrawide hybrid triple setup, single 29, and 35 inch ultra and now a 49 inch super wide. This single 49 is everything I could have ever dreamed of.
Tried singlescreen and VR, and imho VR blows everything out of the water if you can stomach it, otherwise i believe triples would work the best. That single-seater experience you get is just something else, my friend actually started to watch f1 because of that. What i like is having perception of depth and seeing how far i am from something or how close I am to someone, and all that naturally by turning my head (to be fair, same could be achieve with trackIR, only without depth). Plesae don't kill me for having my opinion :D
VR is 100% the way to play sim racing. Of course there are some compromises but overtime these will be mitigated the same way 4K has become the norm. Motion sickness goes away within a week and if you race for longer than 2 hours, get some Dramamine and you won’t even think about it. My lap times have gone down considerably since going to VR.
I was using VR for almost 2 years, but after purchasing a 49" widescreen and discovered 144 Hz, I ditched VR for that. Now I'm using TrackIR and it hasn't the depth, but the performance of a single screen with probably 160° hFOV like triples, just without borders.
Have the 49" Samsung G9 Odyssey now for 2 weeks. Its awesome. iRacing running with solid 120fps (1080TI GPU & Intel 8086lim CPU) in 5120x1440 resolution. love it. I am coming from a 50" 4K TV.
By far one of the best channels for sim racing. Cool, humble, and well educated. Another well explained video for a beginner such as myself. Thanks so much Chris.
Great video as always, Chris. I actually just transitioned from racing in VR 100% of the time to using triple monitors. I made the switch because I was starting to get severe eye strain from the poor resolution in VR, but was hesitant to switch because the depth perception and spatial awareness that VR provided. I can say that after a week on triples and I SHOCKED by all the details I was missing by racing in VR. The main con is that the 3D environment of VR felt more natural, but the clarity, FOV, and scale of triples took that format over the top for me. I don't see myself going back to VR anytime soon.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who struggled with VR. Beyond the headaches and pronounced eye strain, the loss of detail was the biggest detriment to me. Even with the latest headsets, there is just so much more detail in a proper 4k or 8k monitor.
@@flyingphoenix113 2022 will be the year of high resolution VR glasses. Varjo Aero is already just as good as a monitor. Cheaper solutions will hit the market upcoming yeafs, but untill then triples are really awesome no doubt.
I've come to the exact same conclusion for my own channel actually but it's good to hear a professional say it as well! :p For filmmaking or even running those beautiful modern games graphics triplets can be a pain, and with all the peripherals us simracers already use that's something I'd like to avoid tbh, anyway great video and thanks for the insight!
Yeah - pushing that many pixels is no small ask, there's no two ways about it. If you're primarily on iRacing or Raceroom, then it's not quite as bad, but ACC, AMS2, PC2/3 etc. are a real challenge if you want to go above 1080p. Doable, but a challenge!
i think this is a very important topic, where we could and should go much deeper. i think it's good that youtubers are talking about it. personally, i would never limit myself for my youtube channel. it really hurts me to hear that you miss your triple setup.
After 6 months using triples, i came the same conclusion of yours, and i went back to single monitor about a month ago. My wallet is very angry that this video was not released 6 months ago.
Nice video Chris, it all boils down to peoples preferences as well as circumstance. For many watching their primary focus is on Sim racing where as for you it looks like your focus is more on creating content and exploring the technology rather then spending countless hours racing. So your current set up suits you perfectly.
Thank you so much for making an actual youtube video instead of a glorified advertisement. You got straight into the topic, discussed it thoroughly without wasting any time, had great visuals to keep the eyes busy while the ears were listening, and the video isn't even that long. It almost felt too sudden the way this video ended because I'm so used to another 60 seconds of bullshit at the end of a youtube video. I think I'm going to check out more of your content if it's all like this. Bloody awesome.
My wallet and I have been through the lot. Triples, VR, and Projection. After 21 years sim racing here I sit in front of my Asus 27" 2560x1440p single monitor, and I'm going to share a secret... It's all you need. Upgrade your wheel and pedals, run a single screen, tell your wife she's beautiful and buy her something nice.
No way man. I wouldn't miss that sence of speed and curved monitors surrounding me for anything else. Single monitor feels like looking through a pipe for me now. I don't use my rift s anymore as well. I took way too many ginger pills to be able sit 30min with it.
In my recent return to simracing, I more or less stumbled on using my old 48" Sony FHD TV as a single monitor. Beyond the obvious graphical issues of sitting less than 1m from a large 1080p monitor, the immersion was an enormous step up, from the 27" panel I used briefly. Now, it doesn't hurt that the TV has a low felt input lag, but for the price, (free) and ease of use I couldn't be happier. I will most likely be switching to a 4k screen in the near future but, I really don't think it will give my any real change in the actual driving experience. I have it on a Sim-labs stand, and tucked down right behind the wheel base. Happy camper in single land. Haven't used a tripple though.
Firstly as always great content, Chris. I have raced on a single screen, ultra wide, triples and VR and while VR offers the most immersion and my fastest lap times and consistency, after about an hour my vision and brain start going wonky. If I could handle more VR I would race exclusively in VR. After an hour or so I switch over to my triples. When it comes to triples vs ultra wide, the only advantage my triples have over the ultra wide is the extra FOV and a slight bit more immersion - as Chris said, peripheral view is the race/track and not my physical surrounds. I think at the end of the day it’s all personal preference, and there’s no winner, it’s what works for you and your setup.
My transition in the last year looks kinda like this: Single - Triple - VR - Triple again - Ultrawide Like you said every setup has his pros and cons and so has everybody to find his best compromise as well.
I've recently ditched the triple 22" 1080p monitors for one, 34" curved 21:9 ultrawide (actually I've left one of those 22" as a secondary monitor for productivity, but I race on the ultrawide only). The main 2 reasons were: 1. Throw out the window the annoying need to set up the nvidia surround each time i run a sim, then to rearrange my triple screen desktop when I turn surround off. For some oblivious to me reason nvidia didn't manage to make that transitions a 1-click job with saved presets. No, each time all settings for monitors positions and bezel correction gets all scrambled. 2. Improve the experience for anything but sim racing: other games, videos and even productivity (one big main monitor and a smaller secondary works better for me than 3 identical but rather small screens) I am sim racing at a regular desk, not a dedicated sim rig, so ditching the triple screen setup meant that I could also ditch the fixed, triple monitor stand that needed to be set up pretty far away from the desks edge. As the new monitor is on its own, regular stand I can move it around my desk and actually move it closer to my face when sim racing. That accompanied with an ultrawide form factor, a generally bigger screen and the fact that it's curved means that I didn't give up almost any horizontal FOV, and actually gained some vertical. I can finally see the dials of the virtual car with a correct fov setting, so I could ditch some of the hud elements and gain more immersive experience.
For enjoyment when racing nothing can beat VR for me now. The sense of depth just makes everything come to life. I did recently pick up a 34" ultrawide and it's still a pretty good experience with the wider field of view on offer, and streaming on a single display is much more straightforward than in VR.
FOV far too small, refresh rate too low, resolution absolute crap... handling is obnoxious, uncomfortable... my Vive Pro with aftermarket improved lenses sits unused in a corner for half a year now. No, VR is not yet the solution.
@@iseeq72 I didn't like the Vive, very uncomfortable indeed and the lenses looked terrible. But it also was one of the first ones. There are a lot better options by now, have you tried any of them? I'm currently using Rift S and I'm very happy with it.
@@iseeq72 Are you running potato computer? I'm having great time with the Index and hi end PC, G2 should bring way more sharper image, remains to be seen which one I'll sell. Good VR experience is expensive at the moment, good headset and PC to run it is costly. But so are triple screens :p
Went from 34" ultrawide to triple 32" curved monitors and it's pretty game changing in terms of immersion as well as judging corners / sightlines in races!
Chris, Any chance that we can get a different background song/beat in the next video? This one has been rubbing me since it debuted 3 videos ago tbh. It’s mostly the high note that pierces through everything, goes from background to foreground there.
Good video. I am perhaps an oddball. I got into sim racing with VR. I have since moved to a triples setup with 180 degree FOV, and I cannot imagine going back to VR. Sim racing in VR is far more fatiguing to me, and the limitations when “stuck” in VR can be frustrating. I think overall VR is more immersive, but triples are more enjoyable, and I am definitely faster and have more awareness with the massive FOV. Chris is definitely right on the downsides though. I’ve spent countless hours getting them calibrated both physically to achieve 180 FOV, as well as in the sims themselves. And I’ve definitely been forced to commit this computer 100% to sim racing. With VR, I was able to keep my computer at my desk and still use it for gaming, and just run the headset to my sim rig. but now all my ports are being used for the monitors affixed to the sim rig.
I ditched my triple screen set up about a year ago. I replaced it with a curved 144hz 49inch ultra-wide. Initially, I did it because the triple setup was taking up too much space in my man cave. When I mounted the Ultra-wide, it became clear that once the race starts, the immersion level is just the same for me. The ultra-wide was also easier to move and orientate differently in the room. I use VR now and then, but still prefer the comfort of a screen system. As you mentioned in the video, there are all the cons of a triple, which I can agree on. The ultra-wide proved a perfect compromise for me personally.
I was gonna buy triples but because of lack of space and my wife being a hater I had to "settle" for VR. When I tried racing on a monitor again after a while of using VR exclusively I realized I can't go back anymore. The ability to look ahead into a corner and the fact you get proper depth perception just completely sold me. Not to mention immersion.
Those are valid points although I would still put a triple screen setup above any other monitor based setup out there. Personally, I took the VR road about 5 years ago and it was the best decision I have ever made (Sim-wise). It was Not a smooth transition, it was difficult at first and took some adapting but boy am I glad I stuck with it. Combined with a reasonable priced motion platform (Next Level) it gives you the best gaming experience you could get.
I’ve tried going back to single a couple of times over the years but I just can’t get immersed like I do in triples. I enjoy VR sometimes but that can be a hassle getting in and out of all of the time. When high fidelity wireless VR becomes the standard then I’ll make that switch. Until then it’s triples for me.
🤷♂️ Yep. Stick to what's proven is a good idea. It's worked a long time- - as far back as 1080i GT4 wrapping around on some PS2s on up to 3 or 5 screens wide.👍 🤔 Heck, GT3 even had 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock views over firewire ( *s400* ) via a hub, albeit in 480 resolution. ⏭ When finally executed in GT4, it just _so simply_ worked by providing what it was in situational awareness that the driver needed.👍 No pun intended... Yet, quite a lot of miles out of such a rig.
Your reasons seem 100% valid. I use an ultrawide myself as my PC isn't sim racing only and really triples, switching back and forth, is just annoying. I just want to get in and go.
I'm persnnally using VR, and I couldn't go back to a monitor, I think ever. It's so immersing even though the technology is still rather new. I can't wait until the headset get even better. Field of view is something I would like to see improved, for an even greater sense of speed. Resolution isn't the best in the headset, but you quickly get past that when you're in the heat of the moment. I'm all about immersion so it's a no brainer to me! Thanks for coming to my VR Ted talk, good video otherwise!
Exactly, nicely said, in the heat of the moment brain just forgets about slighlty low res, and you're full on racing inside the car. Just need that FOV still.
Have to say I absolutely love VR but I think a conventional screen will always have a place in my setup . I don't like really long races with a headset on and sometimes it's nice to be racing in a room with friends, chatting have a laugh and drinking a few beers - all better with a screen in front of you rather than a headset on.
I understand the reason to go to a single screen for content creation..since I'm not i stick with triples..and I love my triples when running endurance races and VR for shorter races.
Yeah I agree, I’ve never had triple screens (not yet) but I’ve had an Oculus rift for a while and while it gives you really great spatial awareness, the screen door affect, plus the fact that I need to wear glasses, just ruins it for me. I find myself needing to squint in order to see the next corner if it’s a decent length away, making hard braking zones at the end of long straights hard to get right sometimes. I think I’d prefer triple screens, since I already prefer my 35inch curved monitor.
Speaking of resolution vs frame rate, I do all my PC gaming on the couch hooked up to a 4K Sony TV which is a few years old. It also supports 1080p at 120fps. And guess what? I have it set to 1080/120 all the time. I'm utterly not worried about squeezing 4K out of my RTX 2070 right now. Gimme those frames!
I use 1440p ultra wide.. given my space limitations it is the best compromise however once I get more space I will get another ultra wide . I use a ryzen 3950x a EVG RTX 3090 FTW3 128 gigs of ram and recently got a Fanatec podium DD1 and I will be buried with the thing I love it.
Great video! I started with 34" ultrawide, moved to 3 x 27" and then to VR, for me theres no way back, but i can fully understand your reasons for one single monitor!
My ideal setup will be a single super ultrawide screen with a TrackIR system. No bevels splitting my view, and the ability to see further to either side with a slight turn of the head. I saw a video of someone with that setup and immediately stopped wanting a triple screen setup. To me, it's perfect
I'm very conflicted, I went from a 21:9 to a RiftS and while I have many issues with VR I'm struggling to go back. I think Triples are the answer for me, but I lack the space for a dedicated rig right now. VR has been really impressive but the inconvenience of...well just about everything when you have a tv strapped to your face, not to mention the heat and discomfort after 30/40mins means that Ive just ended up driving less. =(
I had been wanting triples for years, but settled on a 35" ultrawide. It was better than the 27" single monitor I was using, but I still had that itch. So thousands of dollars worth of rig upgrades later, I finally got my triples and I can say this: when they work the experience is awesome but setting them up for different titles is an epically major pain in the ass. I bounce around and play several different games and they all require hours of tweaks and configuration file changes to get them to sometimes work. I have a 3080, so I can run everything at the highest settings for the most part but the heat these things put off is crazy. It can be 10 degrees F outside with my sim room at 60 degrees. I'll fire up the rig and play for an hour and it's over 72F in the room and I'm opening a window. And one thing people don't mention with triples is whether to use NVIDIA surround or not. Try to play RaceRoom or ATS with triple monitors without NVIDIA surround. It's a massive challenge I still can't figure out. I initially used it but it made the resolutions really funky and reduced the 165hz refresh rate of my monitors down to 60hz. Surround will often times just stretch games instead of making them look proper, so I disabled surround and attempted to run each title without it which required all of the config file tweaks. Long story short, I spend far more time trying to set games up to run on triples than I do actually playing and enjoying them. The immersion is great when it works but it's a massive challenge I never anticipated and I think I'll be heading back to the ultrawide soon unfortunately. Mad props to those who get it all working right but I just don't have the time!
This pretty much convinces me that ultrawide is definitely the way to go for me, however I'm looking at the super ultra wides and the only thing is that the market isn't very big or cheap either.
I switched from triple 1080p monitors to a single 1440p once I got my VR setup dialed in. I like the single higher-resolution screen for most games I play and VR for my sims (driving and flight). I have been very happy with this setup so far. However, I did have to temporarily run a second vertical monitor for Microsoft Flight Simulator until they support VR. Otherwise all of my ATC and GPS/map panels were over my flight controls.
I just upgraded to triples a few weeks ago. I am running 32" Viewsonic 1440p and love it. I have an RTX 2070 and I am getting about 55fps to 65fps in AMS2, PC2, AC, Grid 2019, Dirt 4, Dirt Rally 2.0, etc. The only game I struggle with is ACC. I need to really lower settings to try and get 40fps, so it is not worth playing on triples. Sticking to a single monitor for ACC I get almost 90fps with high settings. Looking to upgrade to an RTX 3080 or RTX 3080Ti next summer so then it shouldn't be a problem.
with my 4090, i have moved from triple 1440p 27" to single 48" OLED 138hz, and it's awesome, I can push 138fps at ultra.....I don't need triple anymore for dirt rally or Forza Horizon or F122.....
VR is the best option for immersion...hands down. The good thing about the VR is when you take the googles off ; you are left with a single monitor to do your daily tasks. It doesnt take space which is another + imo.
Personally triple screen definitely made me faster, and mostly because of that corner point you mention. Not only can I keep an eye on my apex, but I'm a lot better at timing when I should start getting into a straight line again and using the entire track. But I get your frustrations with trying to record. I've run into the same issues.
Damn you hit the nail on it's head. For me it's that and be aware of my surroundings when I'm 3 cars wide. Then the sence of speed. Also mirrors can be used as in normal car. You take a glance on it and no need to turn you head like in vr. Also pro drivers always look 2 corners ahead and that's possible in triple without turning your head. In vr that depends on how wide the fov is. If it's bad you can't do it.
One thing I found with triple screens with high refresh rates (144hz+) is the heat they put out. A normal 45-60 minute session would cause the ambient room temps to rise up to 6 degrees fahrenheit, given that you have three monitors + the PC cranking out heat to drive them + the force feedback wheel... all in a rather cramped area with a normal racing rig. I would be completely drenched in sweat after a IMSA session on iRacing.
I’ve been using a 50” 4K on XboxOne. I’m looking to move to PC gaming for VR reasons. But my most recent beneficial setup alteration is with telly stand. I’ve used an industrial shelving unit to allow my rig to slide right up underneath the telly. Felt groggy until I’d condition myself. But that feeling of immersion is fantastic being up against the screen. I can position myself in-game so I’m virtually sat in the car.
I think if you want a great middle ground between all setups, I think either VR or a single ultrawide screen will do the job with cost savings in performance as well. But I do get jealous of triple monitor setups though XD. Need space for that lol
I was about to consider a triple 1080p AOC 32' screen setup, after playing on one right now. This video made my decision going on halt for some more time. Might just stick with what I got right now.
The complicated aspect, as well as the need for high end hardware to run triples, is why I’m likely to go with a super ultrawide. It also means that I can very easily use one computer for multiple things as I can just switch the primary monitor between my desk and rig instead of trying to make four monitors work with one PC in a way that maintains its functionality between desk work and sim play. I’d love to go VR but I have kids in the house so I can’t just block off my vision like that.
For me as a VR player it boils down to this. Single or Triple screen, they both offer the same experience of watching a cockpit or car on a screen. The reason for me why VR wins every time, is because it is the only option to put me, Lewis, Inside the car itself. I don't need to think about view positions and FOV's and HUD UI's because I am there in full realised 3D sat in the actual cockpit. And that single point alone wins for me. Being sat at the start of a race in FE, F1 and thinking holy shit I am sat so low or in turning around the mountain at Bathurst in low light as the sun rises to be faced with a GT3 sideways is utterly immersive. With that immersion tricking the brain so well that its not uncommon for my heart to skip a beat and my hands to grip super tight as a mistake from me or someone leads me to think am about to have a hard physical hit. My own rig is VR only (Valve Index HMD) , doesn't face any screens so also as a bonus allows a lot more flexibility in its location and takes up a ton less space because it doesn't have to be a specific place facing a computer. But yer, the immersion of being inside the car itself is just a total win. The con of that inside the car feel,... many mods are trash. As you need the good cockpit modelled when you are physically fake sat within it. Also of course you want to make sure you setup the HMD properly for your own IPD otherwise the effect you get is a headache and dizziness as it's akin to wearing someone else's prescription glasses.
Thank you so much Chris for sharing your ideas and experiences on this matter. Although I love triple monitor setup (not got one yet), I am also a video maker, I never thought about video production problems I might have in future.
i went from a single 24" to a single 55" tv.. and now 27" triples.. and to me, i think ill never go back to singles.. the immersion is way better.. i wish i had the space to have something like 55" triples or even bigger :D.. that would be awesome.. vr is out of question to me for at least another decade probably
I can't really justify getting triple screens but found a head tracker was a really good compromise. I was lucky enough to help some guys with a wireless motion sensor device called an ED Tracker which works great with most driving and flying sims. Only 3 axes but that's all you need to look around the cockpit your supposed to be strapped into. Works great, can look into the corner, check my mirrors and look to the sides no problem. I like it better than TrackIR for the most part because there are no cameras and your head doesn't have to be in a roughly default position so much.
I have an ultrawide monitor for regular gaming and have a TrackiR 5 from playing space games, so I have had a great time using these without needing to fork out for a triple screen setup with less hassle to a VR (as the iR emitter lives on my headphones). It allows you to get the extra FOV when needed and focus on apex's and mirrors/opponents but still great visuals at 3440x1440.
I have 2 x 1920x1080 panels for my side screens, 1 x curved 2640x1080 for the centre. I get close to 180 degrees of vision and two undeniable benefits: seeing round sharp corners so I can tell whether the guys ahead have all crashed and are blocking the track, and being able to hit apexes and accelerate out of corners better. Space is not an issue for me. VR is not an option.
Great analysis. I have had triples for three years and wouldn't go back. It does mean that I am looking for a graphics card update to play ACC at greater than 40fps, though.
I really appreciated the observation that some people react with hostility depending on what display solution you choose. I just don’t get that. Why should an individual’s choice of display technology elicit an emotional response at all? There are pros and cons to all of them and ultimately everyone should simply use what is best for their needs and budget. No need for emotion or hostility. We’ve enough of that as it is.
Never liked the idea of triples due to the frame lines.I have a new 49" Samsung curved monitor.It is perfect for me.Has a curved screen just like most real cars.
I thought it would be an issue for me, but with low bezel monitors it's not too bad - you kinda forget they're there. It's similar with the screen-door effect in VR. That being said, I'd probably plum for one of those Samsung's having used them a fair bit on event rigs - but the same issue arrises with capture cards, which rules them out for me at present.
It's funny how I don't get bothered by them one bit, will obviously depend on bezel size but I really never think about it. The big pro is that the fov gets much wider on triple than on any single screen which for me seals the deal, it's so immersive to be able to look around. But I can see how that 49" monitor is really nice as well.
@@ChrisHaye I wonder why people use capture cards when you could use NVENC or equivalent to send the signal via OBS NDI over lan? Any advantages I am missing?
@@ChrisHaye :) I even get annoyed by the thick F3 antenna in Iracing cockpit view so anything in my vision like a bezel would be a distraction.I was looking at a 32" curved monitor but stretched my finances to go for the 49"ultra wide.It was worth it.Suprised how much more immersive & realistic it is.Some of my non sim racing friends are amazed when they try it out.Also bought a new higher end Chillblast PC.Good company.I live local to them & an employee dropped it off on the way home.
@@ChrisHaye The real solution is 3 of those Samsung Odyssey G9s. I did the calculations a while ago and that would give you a horizontal field of view of well over 270 degrees!
Glad someone brought up Helios. It really can help. Or using methods that don't require enabling surround/eyefinity... but that can be hit and miss from game to game. I agree though desktop usage with Surround enabled is a PITA. When I went to VR recently, I decided to dismantle my triple screen and use a 21:9 monitor for flat screen racing (and other gaming). 21:9 is decent, but if I get the chance I might upgrade to a 32:9 for flat screen racing (unless I decide to upgrade my VR first to something higher resolution like the G2).
Using a single 4K 27 inches monitor for 4K/60Hz simracing with graphics maxed out. I favor image clarity and graphical quality over multiple screens or super high refresh rates. 4K is awesome and it looks so clear in the distance, especially in long straights
We stuck with a single screen in the beginning since we anticipated for VR, but that took longer than we expected so we did experiment with triples for a short while, like you said, it's great but the setup was far more complicated and time-consuming. No longer care for triple now that VR is awesome in sim racing.
Space argument is almost not mentioned when triples are discussed but it is absolutely crucial. Considered triples myself but after trying 3x 24" I saw how much space it took, how messy it was when put on desk and I still wasn't satisfied - I saw too little both vertically and horizontally. IMHO 3x 27" are an absolute minimium, which makes for a huge setup when you are tight on space and budget. Decent VR with good resolution (main drawback for me in most headsets) costs similar money to monitors and also needs decent horsepower. Single 34" ultrawide seems to be a sweet spot for me - relatively easy to feed and convenient. All in all, $$$ - 27"+ triples and/ or vr depending on space $$ - single ultrawide $ - single 16:9
Started my rig with VR, but rather quckly went to a 34 inch 1440p ultra wide. Image is way sharper, rig is more easy to use. Just way less fideling arround. Thinking about upgrading to a 49inch ultra wide as i got one of those at my desk and love it
I'm still using 3 - 3D monitors. Tried VR but got tired of the boat anchor hanging on my face and not being able to see my switch box or keyboard. Of course, anyone who has never used 3D has no idea how much more realistic it is than 2D. That track that you 'think' stretches out in front of you really does in 3D. You would swear it extends into the next room. And the toggle switches and rings around the gauges on the dash actually stick out at you. I've been using 3D since before the year 2000 and will until it won't work anymore. (Thanks nVidia!)
I personally went to Ultrawide 49" Samsung G9 with a TrackIR after many years with triples. Now that I have a dedicated sim rig, I realized I wouldn't want to sacrifice 3 DP ports just for triples when I have 3 monitors wall mounted for gaming / work productivity. This issue was even worse when I had the Valve index before happily returning. Just with the monitors I had at the time I was cable swapping on a 1080ti. I have found with a real simrig I can have the screen close enough with enough FOV to make up for probably 60-70% of triples. VR is far more immersive but without actually turning your head, you don't just automatically get an increased FOV. I will say though, the ability to sit up and look over a car using VR is second to none. Not even track IR can simulate that as well.
Sounds like a priority thing to me. I'm not about compromising my own experience just to make things better for spectators. If I'm not having a good time, then there's no point in doing it. I was a triples user since way back in the days when we had to use a Matrox TripleHead2Go box. Since I switched to VR (Valve Index), my triples are just used for productivity on my desktop, and for that, they work great. I don't even have a screen on my cockpit anymore, so it takes up very little space now.
I use a 27" 21:9 ultrawide screen, much better all around view, without the bulk of a triple screen. And a small 3.5" display mounted on the wheelbase as a dashboard.
Great video... from my personal perspective. I have both triple screens and a Valve index as i wasn't sure which way i would prefer, After many hours i have come down on the VR route as my preferred route. Its so much more engaging and visceral. Not ideal for you as a TH-camr... But to race? Damn! Hard to beat - I used to race in RL for several years and one thing NO ONE mentions is how VR triggers muscle memory like no flat representation ( single or triple ) I have ever experienced can...
I already had 3x 1080P screens because I do a lot of coding work, so adapting that for my portable racing rig into my desk was a no-brainer. But unless I win the lottery if I do end up being able to dedicate a small room for sim-racing, I'm breaking out the old 1080P 55" TV we have sitting in storage for it.
Ive been using a single ultra wide screen, couldnt be happier....imo if youre gonna go single screen, you might aswell go ultra wide...you pretty much have some of the benefits of a wider field of view of the triples but without the hassle..
Very informative video as always. I had a 24" single screen before getting triple 27" - the difference in immersion is obviously massive but also came at a price that I'd say you would really need to be into simracing to commit to. But in terms of usability a single screen can still work great, Get it as close to your eyes as possible and get the FOV right, even tough the fov is really small it's still very important. Luckily there are virtual mirrors, helicorsa etc. to help with the visibility/awareness to the sides.
Personally my GPU creates negatives which I develop in my black room and then run through a film projector. I find that the 6 hour input lag makes me more patient, and the fidelity and charm of film is really quite something.
I'm sorry, what?
@@fajaradi1223 as in his fourth can't handle high frame low frames ie projector footage
@@fajaradi1223 its called scarcasm
6 hour input lag fucking sent me bro🤣🤣🤣🤣
Notice high sound quality and lack of wasted words? He is what the business world calls a "pro." Outstanding!
Thanks Hayden, much appreciated dude!
@@ChrisHaye :) The few quick frames of the audio mixer and studio monitors completed the PRO picture for me. Always a pleasure to watch and hear a pro product. Great work indeed!!!
Couldn't agree more @Hayden H
Yeah.. a pro that can't figure out how to capture gameplay from three screens.
@@Stix_Zidinia Imagine what else you can gleem from this master audiohite
I found racing in VR, while better, more of a hassle to get set up and harder for longer races. And being that I can't just jump into a race meant I was playing less often.
This is exactly where I’m at right now. I’m tired of fighting VR.
Racing in VR has been a sweatfest, and I also stopped racing a lot because of that. Now I'm back to single 27" as that is all I have space for. I also had to stop drifting and only focus on racing, as drifting with a single 27" monitor is pure guessing, lol
I'm in a similar boat.. jumped VR straight away in simracing and honestly I love it, but what I love is now outweighed by what I don't love and that's prompting me to go toward a set of triples. the compromises I make from going away from VR will likely be outshined quickly when I get used to running in trips.. it will certainly make my racing and race setup a lot smoother. I expect to still be a sweatfest, although not as horribly on my face.
Chris, highly considered, well thought out, quality content as usual. Your standard for content is just remarkable. There’s just so much care taken in this videos and it shows. I’m just here letting you know it’s appreciated.
I’ve noticed your incredible knack for ingame cinematography and the like. I know it’s your niche so how well it’s done isn’t at all surprising. I’d be COMPLETELY fine with a “showcase” video of just your cool in game shots. A video that truly focuses, no holds barred, on your specific interest. Actually come to think of it, I can’t think of any yt video I’ve seen that does the same.
Thanks Sean. I do get close to that sometimes - but I notice a lot of viewership starts to drop off if I get a bit too arty. Something to keep trying until I find the right balance I think. There's always a tension between what I want to make, and what the audience as a whole can stomach! Haha!
@@ChrisHaye How about a video showing how to recreate TV camera angles and viewpoints from real races? That might allow you to be arty and simmy (new word?) at the same time.
Chris, you are so freakin' wise and mature and polite and professional, i feel like every simracer should watch your videos
Foremost Lewis Hamilton, lol :D
Went from a single 1080p, to a Valve Index.
Not going back is the theme in my case. Obviously my old regular GTX 1080 is getting a decent workout of the newer titles, but this will be solved in due time. Nothings beat the natural feeling of freely looking around while driving, it does require some adaptation at first.
What game are you playing with the valve index?
@@stephanholding As far as racing games are concerned, Race Room Experience, Assetto corsa and project cars 2. The first two required some voice atack binding to make them properly usable in VR (binding wheel controls to mouse and keyboard).
@@djmustang000 Which one would you say is the best/ do you enjoy the most?
@@stephanholding
Project Cars 2 for the integrated controls (easy to navigate menus and such from the wheel with headset on). However it does require a decent computer to reach high frame rate in VR but this goes for pretty much all of them except RaceRoom. Also, some combo of car/track are hit or miss, same for physics. All in all, a very streamlined VR racing experience, which is a great plus;
For the other two, love the solo racing in RaceRoom, the AI is very competant, clean but not easy to beat once you get their difficulty level just right but the game lacks content without investing some money for cars AND ESPECIALLY tracks (Still is a Free to play, so no harm in trying it out);
Assetto Corsa for the racing and physics, while some combos are very hit or miss, love that the AI feels alive to me (make mistakes, push too hard things like that) adding to that a massive list of free mods, many of good qualiy.
In my case, the last two required to setup Voice Attack to translate wheel controls to mouse movements and action.
In the end, depends on what you prefer and which compromises you find acceptable.
Make sure to setup Crew Chief, greatest tool you can have for any of these.
@@djmustang000 Yup, VR in PCars 1 and 2 is fairly the most complete experience and the most easy to setup/use
Dirt Rally 2 is nice too, Rfactor 2 seem to work well also
Asseto corsa do have some issue with the game menu not in VR, and taking off the helmet each time is boring in the long run, and the second did have a big issue (but fixed now) that the centering of helmet didn't work
Didn't test PCars 3, need to do it
Bonus to automobilista 2 who use the engine of Pcars2, so VR work in the same way, and it's magnificient.
I use to use a single 43 in TV as my sim racing set up for a very long time. I do a lot of sim racing car painting. I finally moved up to a triple screen set up several months ago and it was one of my best sim racing decisions. Better for the racing, as what was described. But from the outside racing, productivity side, it did wonders. I'm able to have photoshop on one screen, reference pics on the next, and then youtube/netflix/etc on the last.
Hi Chris, I'm racing on triples and I couldn't agree more with you, all the pro's you discuss are the reasons I play on triples, but the cons you discuss are also the reason I'm looking into ultrawide 1440p. Thanks for the great content as usual, you're just so easy to listen to without losing interest.
I had my first triple screen setup in 2013. By 2015 I was tired of various headaches and the massive amount of space it took up and heat it created. Went back to single monitor until this year. I now have 2 monitors side by side, one high-refresh VA curved for gaming, and one flat-panel IPS for productivity. This is the best setup I've ever had. I will probably never go back to 3 panels.
Glad you mentioned the large amount of space a triple monitor setup needs. I use VR and an old TV for sim racing and a 144hz monitor for regular gaming. Still takes up less space than triple monitors would.
I use 49" Super Ultrawide. It's mazing for literally everything I use my pc for.
Gaming
Music Production
Film watching
General multi-tasking
Random Internet stuff.
All of it. I'll never go back.
Same here. Ive had triple 23 inch, triple 25 inch ultrawides, ultrawide hybrid triple setup, single 29, and 35 inch ultra and now a 49 inch super wide. This single 49 is everything I could have ever dreamed of.
@Zwenk Wiel Most games have UI adjustment nowadays. It's not always perfect, but not as bad as it used to be.
Tried singlescreen and VR, and imho VR blows everything out of the water if you can stomach it, otherwise i believe triples would work the best. That single-seater experience you get is just something else, my friend actually started to watch f1 because of that. What i like is having perception of depth and seeing how far i am from something or how close I am to someone, and all that naturally by turning my head (to be fair, same could be achieve with trackIR, only without depth). Plesae don't kill me for having my opinion :D
VR is 100% the way to play sim racing. Of course there are some compromises but overtime these will be mitigated the same way 4K has become the norm. Motion sickness goes away within a week and if you race for longer than 2 hours, get some Dramamine and you won’t even think about it. My lap times have gone down considerably since going to VR.
I was using VR for almost 2 years, but after purchasing a 49" widescreen and discovered 144 Hz, I ditched VR for that. Now I'm using TrackIR and it hasn't the depth, but the performance of a single screen with probably 160° hFOV like triples, just without borders.
Have the 49" Samsung G9 Odyssey now for 2 weeks. Its awesome. iRacing running with solid 120fps (1080TI GPU & Intel 8086lim CPU) in 5120x1440 resolution. love it. I am coming from a 50" 4K TV.
By far one of the best channels for sim racing. Cool, humble, and well educated. Another well explained video for a beginner such as myself. Thanks so much Chris.
Great video as always, Chris. I actually just transitioned from racing in VR 100% of the time to using triple monitors. I made the switch because I was starting to get severe eye strain from the poor resolution in VR, but was hesitant to switch because the depth perception and spatial awareness that VR provided. I can say that after a week on triples and I SHOCKED by all the details I was missing by racing in VR. The main con is that the 3D environment of VR felt more natural, but the clarity, FOV, and scale of triples took that format over the top for me. I don't see myself going back to VR anytime soon.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who struggled with VR. Beyond the headaches and pronounced eye strain, the loss of detail was the biggest detriment to me. Even with the latest headsets, there is just so much more detail in a proper 4k or 8k monitor.
@@flyingphoenix113 2022 will be the year of high resolution VR glasses. Varjo Aero is already just as good as a monitor. Cheaper solutions will hit the market upcoming yeafs, but untill then triples are really awesome no doubt.
I've come to the exact same conclusion for my own channel actually but it's good to hear a professional say it as well! :p For filmmaking or even running those beautiful modern games graphics triplets can be a pain, and with all the peripherals us simracers already use that's something I'd like to avoid tbh, anyway great video and thanks for the insight!
Yeah - pushing that many pixels is no small ask, there's no two ways about it. If you're primarily on iRacing or Raceroom, then it's not quite as bad, but ACC, AMS2, PC2/3 etc. are a real challenge if you want to go above 1080p. Doable, but a challenge!
i think this is a very important topic, where we could and should go much deeper. i think it's good that youtubers are talking about it. personally, i would never limit myself for my youtube channel. it really hurts me to hear that you miss your triple setup.
Great video, quality content as always! I'm a single monitor kind of guy and absolutely love my 49" Samsung Superwide!
i was thi8nking about a 49 but why the vertical is so low, is that not a issue?
@@MAMAMA341 no man, for racing it's great tbh almost like a windshield lol
the thumbnail of this video is a little bit genius, your attention to detail does not go unnoticed chris
that song with the beep in it every 30 seconds drives me nuts man! PLEASE change it haha. Love the videos otherwise
Yep same here ! Once you hear it you’re screwed !!
After 6 months using triples, i came the same conclusion of yours, and i went back to single monitor about a month ago. My wallet is very angry that this video was not released 6 months ago.
You could use the centre one for gaming, and the 2 others for reading and writing YT comments about why 3 screens suck =)
Nice video Chris, it all boils down to peoples preferences as well as circumstance. For many watching their primary focus is on Sim racing where as for you it looks like your focus is more on creating content and exploring the technology rather then spending countless hours racing. So your current set up suits you perfectly.
I prefer a single "super wide" curved monitor. For me, seeing those bezels in my way doesn't increase immersion, it takes it away.
Thank you so much for making an actual youtube video instead of a glorified advertisement. You got straight into the topic, discussed it thoroughly without wasting any time, had great visuals to keep the eyes busy while the ears were listening, and the video isn't even that long. It almost felt too sudden the way this video ended because I'm so used to another 60 seconds of bullshit at the end of a youtube video.
I think I'm going to check out more of your content if it's all like this. Bloody awesome.
My wallet and I have been through the lot.
Triples, VR, and Projection. After 21 years sim racing here I sit in front of my Asus 27" 2560x1440p single monitor, and I'm going to share a secret...
It's all you need.
Upgrade your wheel and pedals, run a single screen, tell your wife she's beautiful and buy her something nice.
@PELLIKAAN Ultrawide or 32" and up curved, 27" or lower flat. This seems to be the general consensus and my eyes agree.
No way man. I wouldn't miss that sence of speed and curved monitors surrounding me for anything else. Single monitor feels like looking through a pipe for me now. I don't use my rift s anymore as well. I took way too many ginger pills to be able sit 30min with it.
@@TinoushGTR What monitor do you use now then?
@@ryanator109 triple 32" curved 1440p
In my recent return to simracing, I more or less stumbled on using my old 48" Sony FHD TV as a single monitor. Beyond the obvious graphical issues of sitting less than 1m from a large 1080p monitor, the immersion was an enormous step up, from the 27" panel I used briefly. Now, it doesn't hurt that the TV has a low felt input lag, but for the price, (free) and ease of use I couldn't be happier. I will most likely be switching to a 4k screen in the near future but, I really don't think it will give my any real change in the actual driving experience. I have it on a Sim-labs stand, and tucked down right behind the wheel base. Happy camper in single land. Haven't used a tripple though.
Firstly as always great content, Chris. I have raced on a single screen, ultra wide, triples and VR and while VR offers the most immersion and my fastest lap times and consistency, after about an hour my vision and brain start going wonky. If I could handle more VR I would race exclusively in VR. After an hour or so I switch over to my triples. When it comes to triples vs ultra wide, the only advantage my triples have over the ultra wide is the extra FOV and a slight bit more immersion - as Chris said, peripheral view is the race/track and not my physical surrounds. I think at the end of the day it’s all personal preference, and there’s no winner, it’s what works for you and your setup.
My transition in the last year looks kinda like this: Single - Triple - VR - Triple again - Ultrawide
Like you said every setup has his pros and cons and so has everybody to find his best compromise as well.
The background music sounds just like the intro to Dance Yrself Clean... I spent the whole video waiting for a drop that never came.
Haha! Sorry dude!
You're turning YT content creation into an art. Keep doing what you're doing... I will enjoy my triple setup for you ;).
I've recently ditched the triple 22" 1080p monitors for one, 34" curved 21:9 ultrawide (actually I've left one of those 22" as a secondary monitor for productivity, but I race on the ultrawide only). The main 2 reasons were:
1. Throw out the window the annoying need to set up the nvidia surround each time i run a sim, then to rearrange my triple screen desktop when I turn surround off. For some oblivious to me reason nvidia didn't manage to make that transitions a 1-click job with saved presets. No, each time all settings for monitors positions and bezel correction gets all scrambled.
2. Improve the experience for anything but sim racing: other games, videos and even productivity (one big main monitor and a smaller secondary works better for me than 3 identical but rather small screens)
I am sim racing at a regular desk, not a dedicated sim rig, so ditching the triple screen setup meant that I could also ditch the fixed, triple monitor stand that needed to be set up pretty far away from the desks edge. As the new monitor is on its own, regular stand I can move it around my desk and actually move it closer to my face when sim racing. That accompanied with an ultrawide form factor, a generally bigger screen and the fact that it's curved means that I didn't give up almost any horizontal FOV, and actually gained some vertical. I can finally see the dials of the virtual car with a correct fov setting, so I could ditch some of the hud elements and gain more immersive experience.
Glad to hear that I am just getting into SIM racing and was wondering if my 30 inch curved would work
For enjoyment when racing nothing can beat VR for me now. The sense of depth just makes everything come to life.
I did recently pick up a 34" ultrawide and it's still a pretty good experience with the wider field of view on offer, and streaming on a single display is much more straightforward than in VR.
one thing i like about the VR side of it is that you get stereoscopic 3d.
none of the other options offer that.
Great video by the way. thank you :)
Find my reply somewhere on this page. There is a thing as 3D but nVidia killed it. It is so much better than VR that I quit using my Oculus Rift.
I can't go back to a flat screen these days. yeah, I know, I know.
This is the best background kind of music i heared so far in a talk on TH-cam.
*vr has entered the chat*
I've not used my rift for a while - again, not the best for the type of content I make, but man, is racing fun!
I bet haha
FOV far too small, refresh rate too low, resolution absolute crap... handling is obnoxious, uncomfortable... my Vive Pro with aftermarket improved lenses sits unused in a corner for half a year now. No, VR is not yet the solution.
@@iseeq72 I didn't like the Vive, very uncomfortable indeed and the lenses looked terrible. But it also was one of the first ones. There are a lot better options by now, have you tried any of them? I'm currently using Rift S and I'm very happy with it.
@@iseeq72 Are you running potato computer? I'm having great time with the Index and hi end PC, G2 should bring way more sharper image, remains to be seen which one I'll sell. Good VR experience is expensive at the moment, good headset and PC to run it is costly. But so are triple screens :p
Am amazed at the clarity of your vids. The best I have seen, And I have seen alot of sim racing vids .. Cant wait till VR catches up .
Went from 34" ultrawide to triple 32" curved monitors and it's pretty game changing in terms of immersion as well as judging corners / sightlines in races!
Chris, Any chance that we can get a different background song/beat in the next video? This one has been rubbing me since it debuted 3 videos ago tbh. It’s mostly the high note that pierces through everything, goes from background to foreground there.
It's the high note.. the little BEEP.. annoying :P
Good video. I am perhaps an oddball. I got into sim racing with VR. I have since moved to a triples setup with 180 degree FOV, and I cannot imagine going back to VR. Sim racing in VR is far more fatiguing to me, and the limitations when “stuck” in VR can be frustrating. I think overall VR is more immersive, but triples are more enjoyable, and I am definitely faster and have more awareness with the massive FOV.
Chris is definitely right on the downsides though. I’ve spent countless hours getting them calibrated both physically to achieve 180 FOV, as well as in the sims themselves. And I’ve definitely been forced to commit this computer 100% to sim racing. With VR, I was able to keep my computer at my desk and still use it for gaming, and just run the headset to my sim rig. but now all my ports are being used for the monitors affixed to the sim rig.
Fantastic closing statement about how it's always a compromise
I ditched my triple screen set up about a year ago. I replaced it with a curved 144hz 49inch ultra-wide. Initially, I did it because the triple setup was taking up too much space in my man cave. When I mounted the Ultra-wide, it became clear that once the race starts, the immersion level is just the same for me. The ultra-wide was also easier to move and orientate differently in the room. I use VR now and then, but still prefer the comfort of a screen system. As you mentioned in the video, there are all the cons of a triple, which I can agree on. The ultra-wide proved a perfect compromise for me personally.
I was gonna buy triples but because of lack of space and my wife being a hater I had to "settle" for VR. When I tried racing on a monitor again after a while of using VR exclusively I realized I can't go back anymore. The ability to look ahead into a corner and the fact you get proper depth perception just completely sold me. Not to mention immersion.
Those are valid points although I would still put a triple screen setup above any other monitor based setup out there.
Personally, I took the VR road about 5 years ago and it was the best decision I have ever made (Sim-wise).
It was Not a smooth transition, it was difficult at first and took some adapting but boy am I glad I stuck with it.
Combined with a reasonable priced motion platform (Next Level) it gives you the best gaming experience you could get.
I’ve tried going back to single a couple of times over the years but I just can’t get immersed like I do in triples. I enjoy VR sometimes but that can be a hassle getting in and out of all of the time. When high fidelity wireless VR becomes the standard then I’ll make that switch. Until then it’s triples for me.
🤷♂️ Yep. Stick to what's proven is a good idea. It's worked a long time- - as far back as 1080i GT4 wrapping around on some PS2s on up to 3 or 5 screens wide.👍
🤔 Heck, GT3 even had 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock views over firewire ( *s400* ) via a hub, albeit in 480 resolution.
⏭ When finally executed in GT4, it just _so simply_ worked by providing what it was in situational awareness that the driver needed.👍 No pun intended... Yet, quite a lot of miles out of such a rig.
Your reasons seem 100% valid. I use an ultrawide myself as my PC isn't sim racing only and really triples, switching back and forth, is just annoying. I just want to get in and go.
Thats exactly why i ditched mine a few years back.
I'm persnnally using VR, and I couldn't go back to a monitor, I think ever. It's so immersing even though the technology is still rather new. I can't wait until the headset get even better. Field of view is something I would like to see improved, for an even greater sense of speed. Resolution isn't the best in the headset, but you quickly get past that when you're in the heat of the moment. I'm all about immersion so it's a no brainer to me!
Thanks for coming to my VR Ted talk, good video otherwise!
Exactly, nicely said, in the heat of the moment brain just forgets about slighlty low res, and you're full on racing inside the car. Just need that FOV still.
Have to say I absolutely love VR but I think a conventional screen will always have a place in my setup . I don't like really long races with a headset on and sometimes it's nice to be racing in a room with friends, chatting have a laugh and drinking a few beers - all better with a screen in front of you rather than a headset on.
I understand the reason to go to a single screen for content creation..since I'm not i stick with triples..and I love my triples when running endurance races and VR for shorter races.
Yeah I agree, I’ve never had triple screens (not yet) but I’ve had an Oculus rift for a while and while it gives you really great spatial awareness, the screen door affect, plus the fact that I need to wear glasses, just ruins it for me. I find myself needing to squint in order to see the next corner if it’s a decent length away, making hard braking zones at the end of long straights hard to get right sometimes. I think I’d prefer triple screens, since I already prefer my 35inch curved monitor.
Speaking of resolution vs frame rate, I do all my PC gaming on the couch hooked up to a 4K Sony TV which is a few years old. It also supports 1080p at 120fps.
And guess what? I have it set to 1080/120 all the time. I'm utterly not worried about squeezing 4K out of my RTX 2070 right now. Gimme those frames!
I use 1440p ultra wide.. given my space limitations it is the best compromise however once I get more space I will get another ultra wide . I use a ryzen 3950x a EVG RTX 3090 FTW3 128 gigs of ram and recently got a Fanatec podium DD1 and I will be buried with the thing I love it.
Great video! I started with 34" ultrawide, moved to 3 x 27" and then to VR, for me theres no way back, but i can fully understand your reasons for one single monitor!
My ideal setup will be a single super ultrawide screen with a TrackIR system. No bevels splitting my view, and the ability to see further to either side with a slight turn of the head. I saw a video of someone with that setup and immediately stopped wanting a triple screen setup. To me, it's perfect
I'm very conflicted, I went from a 21:9 to a RiftS and while I have many issues with VR I'm struggling to go back. I think Triples are the answer for me, but I lack the space for a dedicated rig right now. VR has been really impressive but the inconvenience of...well just about everything when you have a tv strapped to your face, not to mention the heat and discomfort after 30/40mins means that Ive just ended up driving less. =(
I had been wanting triples for years, but settled on a 35" ultrawide. It was better than the 27" single monitor I was using, but I still had that itch. So thousands of dollars worth of rig upgrades later, I finally got my triples and I can say this: when they work the experience is awesome but setting them up for different titles is an epically major pain in the ass. I bounce around and play several different games and they all require hours of tweaks and configuration file changes to get them to sometimes work. I have a 3080, so I can run everything at the highest settings for the most part but the heat these things put off is crazy. It can be 10 degrees F outside with my sim room at 60 degrees. I'll fire up the rig and play for an hour and it's over 72F in the room and I'm opening a window. And one thing people don't mention with triples is whether to use NVIDIA surround or not. Try to play RaceRoom or ATS with triple monitors without NVIDIA surround. It's a massive challenge I still can't figure out. I initially used it but it made the resolutions really funky and reduced the 165hz refresh rate of my monitors down to 60hz. Surround will often times just stretch games instead of making them look proper, so I disabled surround and attempted to run each title without it which required all of the config file tweaks. Long story short, I spend far more time trying to set games up to run on triples than I do actually playing and enjoying them. The immersion is great when it works but it's a massive challenge I never anticipated and I think I'll be heading back to the ultrawide soon unfortunately. Mad props to those who get it all working right but I just don't have the time!
This pretty much convinces me that ultrawide is definitely the way to go for me, however I'm looking at the super ultra wides and the only thing is that the market isn't very big or cheap either.
I switched from triple 1080p monitors to a single 1440p once I got my VR setup dialed in. I like the single higher-resolution screen for most games I play and VR for my sims (driving and flight). I have been very happy with this setup so far. However, I did have to temporarily run a second vertical monitor for Microsoft Flight Simulator until they support VR. Otherwise all of my ATC and GPS/map panels were over my flight controls.
I just upgraded to triples a few weeks ago. I am running 32" Viewsonic 1440p and love it. I have an RTX 2070 and I am getting about 55fps to 65fps in AMS2, PC2, AC, Grid 2019, Dirt 4, Dirt Rally 2.0, etc. The only game I struggle with is ACC. I need to really lower settings to try and get 40fps, so it is not worth playing on triples. Sticking to a single monitor for ACC I get almost 90fps with high settings. Looking to upgrade to an RTX 3080 or RTX 3080Ti next summer so then it shouldn't be a problem.
with my 4090, i have moved from triple 1440p 27" to single 48" OLED 138hz, and it's awesome, I can push 138fps at ultra.....I don't need triple anymore for dirt rally or Forza Horizon or F122.....
VR is the best option for immersion...hands down. The good thing about the VR is when you take the googles off ; you are left with a single monitor to do your daily tasks. It doesnt take space which is another + imo.
Personally triple screen definitely made me faster, and mostly because of that corner point you mention. Not only can I keep an eye on my apex, but I'm a lot better at timing when I should start getting into a straight line again and using the entire track. But I get your frustrations with trying to record. I've run into the same issues.
Damn you hit the nail on it's head. For me it's that and be aware of my surroundings when I'm 3 cars wide. Then the sence of speed. Also mirrors can be used as in normal car. You take a glance on it and no need to turn you head like in vr. Also pro drivers always look 2 corners ahead and that's possible in triple without turning your head. In vr that depends on how wide the fov is. If it's bad you can't do it.
One thing I found with triple screens with high refresh rates (144hz+) is the heat they put out. A normal 45-60 minute session would cause the ambient room temps to rise up to 6 degrees fahrenheit, given that you have three monitors + the PC cranking out heat to drive them + the force feedback wheel... all in a rather cramped area with a normal racing rig. I would be completely drenched in sweat after a IMSA session on iRacing.
I’ve been using a 50” 4K on XboxOne. I’m looking to move to PC gaming for VR reasons.
But my most recent beneficial setup alteration is with telly stand. I’ve used an industrial shelving unit to allow my rig to slide right up underneath the telly. Felt groggy until I’d condition myself. But that feeling of immersion is fantastic being up against the screen. I can position myself in-game so I’m virtually sat in the car.
I think if you want a great middle ground between all setups, I think either VR or a single ultrawide screen will do the job with cost savings in performance as well. But I do get jealous of triple monitor setups though XD. Need space for that lol
I use a single 34" 1440p ultra wide for my sim rig. It is the perfect compromise for me.
When i saw the title, i thought you already had explained this
Yeah, I've touched on it before, but people ask literally every video :D
Absolutely love my tripple screens - wouldn't give them up for anything. Running 1440p. Monitors + computer cost much less than my first cheap car ;)
I was about to consider a triple 1080p AOC 32' screen setup, after playing on one right now. This video made my decision going on halt for some more time. Might just stick with what I got right now.
Simple is just absolutely beautiful. Your rig and your Vr helmet🏁
I replaced my triple monitors with a 35" Monoprice Zero-G curved ultra-wide gaming monitor. I'm very pleased with it. I don't miss my triples.
The complicated aspect, as well as the need for high end hardware to run triples, is why I’m likely to go with a super ultrawide. It also means that I can very easily use one computer for multiple things as I can just switch the primary monitor between my desk and rig instead of trying to make four monitors work with one PC in a way that maintains its functionality between desk work and sim play.
I’d love to go VR but I have kids in the house so I can’t just block off my vision like that.
For me as a VR player it boils down to this. Single or Triple screen, they both offer the same experience of watching a cockpit or car on a screen. The reason for me why VR wins every time, is because it is the only option to put me, Lewis, Inside the car itself. I don't need to think about view positions and FOV's and HUD UI's because I am there in full realised 3D sat in the actual cockpit. And that single point alone wins for me. Being sat at the start of a race in FE, F1 and thinking holy shit I am sat so low or in turning around the mountain at Bathurst in low light as the sun rises to be faced with a GT3 sideways is utterly immersive. With that immersion tricking the brain so well that its not uncommon for my heart to skip a beat and my hands to grip super tight as a mistake from me or someone leads me to think am about to have a hard physical hit.
My own rig is VR only (Valve Index HMD) , doesn't face any screens so also as a bonus allows a lot more flexibility in its location and takes up a ton less space because it doesn't have to be a specific place facing a computer. But yer, the immersion of being inside the car itself is just a total win.
The con of that inside the car feel,... many mods are trash. As you need the good cockpit modelled when you are physically fake sat within it.
Also of course you want to make sure you setup the HMD properly for your own IPD otherwise the effect you get is a headache and dizziness as it's akin to wearing someone else's prescription glasses.
i myself race both on a TV, A curved monitor & VR, VR is the most immersive, but have to say that i really do like my new Curved monitor :)
Which one did you go for if you don't mind me asking? I've been considering a curved ultrawide for a while and not sure which one to go for!
I'm a single player, kinda scared of ruining other's games, and I find single ultra wide screen the sweet spot between the two.
I went from 3x24" to a single 34" ultrawide exactly because the setup ruined all the other games.
Thank you so much Chris for sharing your ideas and experiences on this matter. Although I love triple monitor setup (not got one yet), I am also a video maker, I never thought about video production problems I might have in future.
I was about to swap my VR for triples and now I am not so decided anymore. Thanks for your feedback Chris, will help me to take the right action.
i went from a single 24" to a single 55" tv.. and now 27" triples.. and to me, i think ill never go back to singles.. the immersion is way better.. i wish i had the space to have something like 55" triples or even bigger :D.. that would be awesome.. vr is out of question to me for at least another decade probably
I can't really justify getting triple screens but found a head tracker was a really good compromise. I was lucky enough to help some guys with a wireless motion sensor device called an ED Tracker which works great with most driving and flying sims. Only 3 axes but that's all you need to look around the cockpit your supposed to be strapped into. Works great, can look into the corner, check my mirrors and look to the sides no problem.
I like it better than TrackIR for the most part because there are no cameras and your head doesn't have to be in a roughly default position so much.
I have an ultrawide monitor for regular gaming and have a TrackiR 5 from playing space games, so I have had a great time using these without needing to fork out for a triple screen setup with less hassle to a VR (as the iR emitter lives on my headphones). It allows you to get the extra FOV when needed and focus on apex's and mirrors/opponents but still great visuals at 3440x1440.
I have 2 x 1920x1080 panels for my side screens, 1 x curved 2640x1080 for the centre. I get close to 180 degrees of vision and two undeniable benefits: seeing round sharp corners so I can tell whether the guys ahead have all crashed and are blocking the track, and being able to hit apexes and accelerate out of corners better.
Space is not an issue for me. VR is not an option.
Great analysis. I have had triples for three years and wouldn't go back. It does mean that I am looking for a graphics card update to play ACC at greater than 40fps, though.
very informative Chris.
I really appreciated the observation that some people react with hostility depending on what display solution you choose. I just don’t get that. Why should an individual’s choice of display technology elicit an emotional response at all? There are pros and cons to all of them and ultimately everyone should simply use what is best for their needs and budget. No need for emotion or hostility. We’ve enough of that as it is.
Never liked the idea of triples due to the frame lines.I have a new 49" Samsung curved monitor.It is perfect for me.Has a curved screen just like most real cars.
I thought it would be an issue for me, but with low bezel monitors it's not too bad - you kinda forget they're there. It's similar with the screen-door effect in VR. That being said, I'd probably plum for one of those Samsung's having used them a fair bit on event rigs - but the same issue arrises with capture cards, which rules them out for me at present.
It's funny how I don't get bothered by them one bit, will obviously depend on bezel size but I really never think about it. The big pro is that the fov gets much wider on triple than on any single screen which for me seals the deal, it's so immersive to be able to look around. But I can see how that 49" monitor is really nice as well.
@@ChrisHaye I wonder why people use capture cards when you could use NVENC or equivalent to send the signal via OBS NDI over lan? Any advantages I am missing?
@@ChrisHaye :) I even get annoyed by the thick F3 antenna in Iracing cockpit view so anything in my vision like a bezel would be a distraction.I was looking at a 32" curved monitor but stretched my finances to go for the 49"ultra wide.It was worth it.Suprised how much more immersive & realistic it is.Some of my non sim racing friends are amazed when they try it out.Also bought a new higher end Chillblast PC.Good company.I live local to them & an employee dropped it off on the way home.
@@ChrisHaye The real solution is 3 of those Samsung Odyssey G9s. I did the calculations a while ago and that would give you a horizontal field of view of well over 270 degrees!
Glad someone brought up Helios. It really can help. Or using methods that don't require enabling surround/eyefinity... but that can be hit and miss from game to game. I agree though desktop usage with Surround enabled is a PITA. When I went to VR recently, I decided to dismantle my triple screen and use a 21:9 monitor for flat screen racing (and other gaming). 21:9 is decent, but if I get the chance I might upgrade to a 32:9 for flat screen racing (unless I decide to upgrade my VR first to something higher resolution like the G2).
Using a single 4K 27 inches monitor for 4K/60Hz simracing with graphics maxed out. I favor image clarity and graphical quality over multiple screens or super high refresh rates. 4K is awesome and it looks so clear in the distance, especially in long straights
We stuck with a single screen in the beginning since we anticipated for VR, but that took longer than we expected so we did experiment with triples for a short while, like you said, it's great but the setup was far more complicated and time-consuming. No longer care for triple now that VR is awesome in sim racing.
Space argument is almost not mentioned when triples are discussed but it is absolutely crucial. Considered triples myself but after trying 3x 24" I saw how much space it took, how messy it was when put on desk and I still wasn't satisfied - I saw too little both vertically and horizontally. IMHO 3x 27" are an absolute minimium, which makes for a huge setup when you are tight on space and budget. Decent VR with good resolution (main drawback for me in most headsets) costs similar money to monitors and also needs decent horsepower. Single 34" ultrawide seems to be a sweet spot for me - relatively easy to feed and convenient.
All in all,
$$$ - 27"+ triples and/ or vr depending on space
$$ - single ultrawide
$ - single 16:9
Started my rig with VR, but rather quckly went to a 34 inch 1440p ultra wide. Image is way sharper, rig is more easy to use. Just way less fideling arround. Thinking about upgrading to a 49inch ultra wide as i got one of those at my desk and love it
I'm still using 3 - 3D monitors. Tried VR but got tired of the boat anchor hanging on my face and not being able to see my switch box or keyboard. Of course, anyone who has never used 3D has no idea how much more realistic it is than 2D. That track that you 'think' stretches out in front of you really does in 3D. You would swear it extends into the next
room. And the toggle switches and rings around the gauges on the dash actually stick out at you. I've been using 3D since before the year 2000 and will until it won't work anymore. (Thanks nVidia!)
Warthog sim guy as a great surround screen solution.
you are so right about everything you said, triples is an exercise in compromise
I personally went to Ultrawide 49" Samsung G9 with a TrackIR after many years with triples. Now that I have a dedicated sim rig, I realized I wouldn't want to sacrifice 3 DP ports just for triples when I have 3 monitors wall mounted for gaming / work productivity. This issue was even worse when I had the Valve index before happily returning. Just with the monitors I had at the time I was cable swapping on a 1080ti.
I have found with a real simrig I can have the screen close enough with enough FOV to make up for probably 60-70% of triples.
VR is far more immersive but without actually turning your head, you don't just automatically get an increased FOV. I will say though, the ability to sit up and look over a car using VR is second to none. Not even track IR can simulate that as well.
Sounds like a priority thing to me. I'm not about compromising my own experience just to make things better for spectators. If I'm not having a good time, then there's no point in doing it.
I was a triples user since way back in the days when we had to use a Matrox TripleHead2Go box. Since I switched to VR (Valve Index), my triples are just used for productivity on my desktop, and for that, they work great. I don't even have a screen on my cockpit anymore, so it takes up very little space now.
I use a 27" 21:9 ultrawide screen, much better all around view, without the bulk of a triple screen. And a small 3.5" display mounted on the wheelbase as a dashboard.
Great video...
from my personal perspective. I have both triple screens and a Valve index as i wasn't sure which way i would prefer, After many hours i have come down on the VR route as my preferred route. Its so much more engaging and visceral. Not ideal for you as a TH-camr...
But to race? Damn!
Hard to beat - I used to race in RL for several years and one thing NO ONE mentions is how VR triggers muscle memory like no flat representation ( single or triple ) I have ever experienced can...
I already had 3x 1080P screens because I do a lot of coding work, so adapting that for my portable racing rig into my desk was a no-brainer.
But unless I win the lottery if I do end up being able to dedicate a small room for sim-racing, I'm breaking out the old 1080P 55" TV we have sitting in storage for it.
Input lag and framerate is key. Beyond that, we now have ultrawide monitors as well, so triples are a very inelegant solution.
Ive been using a single ultra wide screen, couldnt be happier....imo if youre gonna go single screen, you might aswell go ultra wide...you pretty much have some of the benefits of a wider field of view of the triples but without the hassle..
Very informative video as always. I had a 24" single screen before getting triple 27" - the difference in immersion is obviously massive but also came at a price that I'd say you would really need to be into simracing to commit to. But in terms of usability a single screen can still work great, Get it as close to your eyes as possible and get the FOV right, even tough the fov is really small it's still very important. Luckily there are virtual mirrors, helicorsa etc. to help with the visibility/awareness to the sides.