Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 2,294
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I'm so jealous of that table setup. Looks incredible.
I just finished my projector setup. You can see the use of 3x screens (DM, Player facing with RW, Projector on table with MapTools). Projector setup with dedicated monitor for showing handouts to players Realm Works - Community Links Realm Work and Hero Lab Videos Ream Works Facebook User Group CC3+ Facebook User Group D&D 5e Community Pack - Contributor General Hero Lab Support & Community Resources D&D 5e Community Pack - Install Instructions / D&D 5e Community Pack - Log Fault / D&D 5e Community Pack - Editor Knowledge Base Obsidian Obsidian TTRPG Tutorials |
#51 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Twin Cities Area, MN, USA
Posts: 1,325
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I'm going to be placing an order from Collabrewate for a portable TV case for tabletop games and digital maps.
Basically, the display is horizontal and connected to a laptop so you can display digital battlemaps using RealmWorks, Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, or just zooming a PDF to the appropriate scale. Most of the time, I plan to display a map using RealmWorks player view and zoom it until it is at 1"=5' scale and use miniatures right on the display. First, size. I decided 40" is the right compromise of large playing space, portability, and price. I came to this conclusion after drawing out on a Chessex battlemap the functional play spaces for (1) the D&D Adventure Grid [green line], (2) a 32" monitor [red line], and (3) a 40" monitor [blue line]. After seeing it physically on the table, it became clear to me that a 32" inch monitor would be inadequate and a 40" would still be plenty portable. But this still isn't based on actual play. For those of you who game using horizontal displays as digital battlemaps, using actual minis on top of the screen, what size monitor(s) do you use? Have you felt hampered by too small a screen? Do you find your screen to be too large and cumbersome? Also, what are some economical monitors with shallow or no bezels. Finally, does it make sense to spring more for 1080p over 720p? The Collabrewate recommend the Vizio brand but they will work with many displays. Any suggestions would be appreciated. RW Project: Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition homebrew world Other Tools: CampaignCartographer, Cityographer, Dungeonographer, Evernote |
#52 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 347
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We have the same battle matt, Chessex, now 15+ years. It will survive even more. Nothing beats this, including digital screen.
The past is a rudder to guide us, not an anchor to hold us back. |
#53 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,690
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That Chessex mat may be indestructible. I got my first one just after college, in the early 90's, and had to retire it because the lines wore off.
my Realm Works videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZU...4DwXXkvmBXQ9Yw |
#54 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 707
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Quote:
Putting the TVs end to end allowed for seating of 8 players with plenty of room. IT also gave me a map surface of 30" x 84". So runningthe VTT scale of 1"=5' (standard for most mini bases) gives you a map area of 150' x 420' for dungeon / Encounter types. So depending on how I orient the map allows for minimal mapping updates. Down sides >Even with the zero bezel of this particular TV choice you still have a break line from one screen to other to account for on your stretch display. >You have a bit of refraction due to glass thickness between base of figures and grid of map on screen. Things to Consider >In the past I used an overhead projector, but you must consider the "throw distance" for sufficient Height to get good map size on table >You get Shadow from projection when people move / lean things over table >Your Lumin value must be quite high unless you play with lights dimmed. >If projector is offset and not in center of table you need to confirm the ability to Keystone the projection. While the TV I selected are 1080, for static display it isn't really a have to have. Another thing I would look into is not only zero bezel but where the TV vents to keep cool. Mine vent out back so having glass on top was not an issue in holding heat in. Our Gaming Table Old Link when Liz was here and asked about same thing>http://forums.wolflair.com/showthrea...t=50112&page=2 DLG D&D> Pre 1e White Box Edition, 1e, 2e, 3.5 Currently, Set in the World of Greyhawk (The first, longest running and Best Campaign Setting) Software>Extensive use of all forms of MS Products, Visual Studio 2012, DAZ 3d, AutoCAD, Adobe Products. Gaming Specific>Campaign Cartographer, D20 Pro Alpha & BattleGrounds Beta Tester, World Builder, Dungeon Crafter, LWD Hero Lab, Realm Works, Inkwell Ideas Citybuilder & Dungeon Builder, Auto-Realm, Dundjinni Contributing Writer for TSR, WOC, & Canonfire Last edited by Dark Lord Galen; December 19th, 2018 at 05:36 AM. Reason: Added Link on table |
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#55 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Twin Cities Area, MN, USA
Posts: 1,325
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Quote:
But yes, my Chessex battlemap will always have a place at my table. RW Project: Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition homebrew world Other Tools: CampaignCartographer, Cityographer, Dungeonographer, Evernote |
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#56 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Twin Cities Area, MN, USA
Posts: 1,325
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Dark Lord Galen, I've long envied your set up. Currently, however, my "game room" is multi use. It is also the craft room, homework room, etc. I have a number of folding tables in different lengths so I can set up different configurations. But a dedicated game table would be an inconvenience for now.
That's why I'm going with a custom built case that will allow me to easily store the display when not in use and also conveniently grab-and-go, taking it to a friend's home, a FLGS, or a convention. Vents and fans will be built into the case. It does mean that the display will be higher than the table. But, unless the table it tall, it shouldn't matter and having it elevated a bit will keep dice, snakes, and books from spreading onto it and also give more protection against spills. My main concern is that the bezel and the case's glass will create too much space between the minis and the battlemap image. My other concern is whether I'm just throwing away money by buying a 1080p display. But if I buy a 720p, I worry it is not future proof. I mean the case is built to fit the TV. If it turns out that I don't like the TV, then I've wasted money on the display. RW Project: Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition homebrew world Other Tools: CampaignCartographer, Cityographer, Dungeonographer, Evernote |
#57 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 2,294
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Just sold my games room... my heart is aching!
Realm Works - Community Links Realm Work and Hero Lab Videos Ream Works Facebook User Group CC3+ Facebook User Group D&D 5e Community Pack - Contributor General Hero Lab Support & Community Resources D&D 5e Community Pack - Install Instructions / D&D 5e Community Pack - Log Fault / D&D 5e Community Pack - Editor Knowledge Base Obsidian Obsidian TTRPG Tutorials |
#58 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 707
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when you say it will add height to your table surface, be sure to look at it from a seated position. The viewing angle can vary and for your "height challenged" players that could be an issue. Also in the good ole days when the majority of furniture we owned as young people was, shall we say disposable, a character sheet was not a veteran hero until baptised in whatever prefered soda was at the table.. haha I too had the spill concern, so we implemented mugs with tops like this> https://www.walmart.com/ip/IGNITE-US...-Vary/51636951 and for $6 its cheap insurance to protect your investment. I bought a dozen and they have lasted about 7 years now. Quote:
For the refraction from base to grid, I run my maps at about 101% making them just slightly bigger than the mini base. I think I'm the only one at the table that notices the offset but I'm a left brained engineer that tends to be a bit anal on the details and my configuration puts me at the far end of the screen as well. I'll try to take a few photos to give you a visual tomorrow and post them. Quote:
DLG D&D> Pre 1e White Box Edition, 1e, 2e, 3.5 Currently, Set in the World of Greyhawk (The first, longest running and Best Campaign Setting) Software>Extensive use of all forms of MS Products, Visual Studio 2012, DAZ 3d, AutoCAD, Adobe Products. Gaming Specific>Campaign Cartographer, D20 Pro Alpha & BattleGrounds Beta Tester, World Builder, Dungeon Crafter, LWD Hero Lab, Realm Works, Inkwell Ideas Citybuilder & Dungeon Builder, Auto-Realm, Dundjinni Contributing Writer for TSR, WOC, & Canonfire |
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#59 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Twin Cities Area, MN, USA
Posts: 1,325
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Ouch! Well, look into getting a portable digital battlemap display case like those from the company I linked to. Then any table can be your game table.
I don't know that I'll ever have a dedicated game room. My wife and I have spoken about moving or putting an addition on our home, but the "game room would be more of a general purpose game/activity room. Basically bookshelves on all wall space and a large open area where I could fit a number of folding tables in various configurations. I note from your earlier picture that you also used folding tables. They seem to make nice surfaces for projecting onto, something I haven't considered. RW Project: Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition homebrew world Other Tools: CampaignCartographer, Cityographer, Dungeonographer, Evernote |
#60 |
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