FAQ

FAQ of Golf Simulator Projectors

Here are some of the frequently asked questions on how to choose and install projectors about creating your golf simulator room.

Purchase

What is the right throw ratio?

By definition, the throw ratio is the distance from projector to screen divided by the width of the image. The throw ratio spec for any projector assumes you're using the full width of the native resolution, which isn't true for many home golf simulators. The best position for the projector will usually be roughly 4 feet behind the tee location, which makes the distance easy enough to figure out. However, the width of the simulator space is a limiting factor, and thus you can use a 16:9 or 16:10 projector to project a 4:3 image. In this case, you won't be using the projector's full image width, and for easier calculation we suggest you choose the right throw ratio using the modified formula to calculate distance and height. For the detailed formula, please see below.

Why is a short throw projector needed?

If the projector is hanging on the target line, it's the safest place in the room. About 7-8 feet from the screen is sufficiently away from the screen to avoid a ball hitting a projector, and no more than 2 or 3 feet behind the player to avoid shadows. Based on this, you can measure the distance to the impact screen and the height of the screen, and then calculate the throw ratio you need. A projector with throw ratios ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 helps you put the projector where it is needed to fill the screen while being mounted safely outside the hitting area (and without casting a shadow).

How to choose the right resolution?

Resolution is what enables you to see the details on every blade of grass and the subtle contours on the green. Full HD 1080p or WUXGA is OK, but 4K is preferred. For the best widescreen experience, a 4K projector will create an immersive image even on impact screens larger than 14 feet wide. This is especially important if you are using a system such as Foresight, TruGolf, and other simulators that support 4K output.

How to choose the right aspect ratio?

For the impact screen to be tall enough to accommodate the path of the ball and still fit in the typical width for a home golf simulator projection, it usually winds up as a 4:3 aspect ratio or close enough to need a 4:3 image, because that allows you to go taller, giving you more room to swing without needing a bigger room. It’s not difficult to find a projector with a native 4:3 aspect ratio, but many are lower resolution, such as XGA or SVGA. Image quality greatly increases when using a native 16:9 or 16:10 projector, with WUXGA or 4K resolutions. So as a practical matter, we suggest using a projector that has a native 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio, then adjusting the image to give you a 4:3 aspect ratio. To learn how to fill the screen, please see below.

How to choose a projector that's also for home theater usage?

4K short throw projectors should be your first consideration. 4K UHD delivers awe-inspiring clarity and crisply defined details that enable you to see all of the minute nuances on the latest 4K golf simulator courses. It allows your impact screen to double as an amazing home theater for movies or watching the Masters Tournament when you’re not practicing your golfing skills. On the other hand, the percentage difference in price between WUXGA and 4K isn't that significant among higher end models. If you plan to buy a single projector for both a golf simulator and home theater, the extra cost for 4K may well be worth it.

How many lumens are needed for a good golf simulator system?

Golf simulation projectors need to be brighter than a home theater projector, since you need enough light in the room for your camera to see your club and track ball spin as it travels to the impact screen. A 3000 ANSI lumen projector is a good starting point for a smaller impact screen, but for larger screens that are 10 feet or wider, you will want to look for a 4000 lumen or brighter laser projector.

Why are lens shift and keystone functions so important?

If you mount your projector to the side, above, or below the center of your screen, these functions are important. You'll usually need a short throw projector that offers sufficient vertical and horizontal lens shift to align the image relative to the screen, or keystone adjustment to square off the picture when the projector is sufficiently far off to the side.

What is the benefit of 4K projectors?

Resolution is what enables you to see the details on every blade of grass and the subtle contours on the green. You can't beat Tiger when putting unless you can see the break. 4K UHD delivers awe-inspiring clarity and crisply defined details that enable you to see all of the minute nuances on the latest 4K golf simulator courses. This is especially important if you are using a high-end system simulators optimized for use with software such as E6 CONNECT or TGC 2019 that supports 4K outputs.

Why projector offset matters?

Projector offset refers to the distance between the center of the lens to the bottom of the image when placing the projector on a table or the top of the image when mounting the projecting from a ceiling. The offset you need depends on ceiling height and screen size. Golf simulator setups usually go with overhead-mounted projectors installed upside down, and the projection needs to reach the floor to create a realistic experience. For example, a ceiling mount projector with 100% offset displays an image with its top edge in line with the center of the lens. In a small room where the ceiling is lower than 9 feet, a projector with an offset larger than 110% may require you to tilt it up and go with keystone correction to get an image that fits properly on your screen. This may compromise brightness and resolution. For more details, please see below.

What is the benefit of laser projectors?

A laser projector is vastly superior to a simpler lamp projector for simulators. Most last the life of the projector, are essentially maintenance free, and offer instant on and off capability. The laser projector will deliver consistently bright images for well over a decade in a golf simulator and be much brighter than a similarly rated lamp-based projector year over year. A projector lamp with 4000 hours of lamp life loses brightness after each hour of use, which means your projector could only be showing 3000 lumens on the screen after a year or so of use, and less after that. Of course, you can change the lamp, but at a cost.

Why choose a DLP projector?

DLP projectors can produce superior definition and clarity in small-size text and fine details, and are especially good for displaying your distance, name, or score on the screen. With a sealed design that protects the DLP chip from dust-induced image degradation and the industrial-grade durability of DLP projection technology, BenQ DLP projectors are capable of maintaining long-lasting picture quality by eliminating color decay. Also, BenQ DLP projectors are filter-free and every laser projector has certified IP5X-rated (just like an Apple Watch), dustproof, sealed engine that eliminates the need for filters, and is perfect for environments such as garages or basements.

What is a 4K upscaling projector?

Not all golf simulator software supports 4K resolution, and a 4K upscaling projector helps ensure that even non-4K content is shown to its full potential. This means the resolution of a video is increased by an algorithm for better quality and playback on a higher resolution screen. If your projector has a good upscaling engine, you can upscale the original resolution from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. The upscaled 4K content may look sharper and more detailed than 1080p content, as it will have more pixels to work with. But remember, although both native and upscaled offer the same resolution, native 4K is better as the picture contains more detail.

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Install

What to do if Auto Screen Fit fails?

Step 1: Check if your enclosure or impact screen aspect ratio is 16:9, 16:10, 4:3, or 1:1. The enclosure or screen border should be at least 2.4 inches (6 cm). Step 2: Check the environment. Ensure the screen has enough contrast with its surroundings and turn off all room lights. Step 3: Make sure the projection fully covers all four corners and that all 12 circle patterns are within the screen, then click the Auto Screen Fit button again. Step 4: Perform a factory reset and restart the projector if the issue persists, then try Auto Screen Fit again. For detailed guidance, we strongly suggest seeing below.

How to switch aspect ratios with BenQ’s Screen Fill feature?

BenQ Screen Fill feature allows the projector to easily switch directly from its native resolution to other resolutions and aspect ratios to best match your desired display with maximized pixel counts while avoiding image distortion. You don’t need to go into graphics card or Windows display settings, which saves time and bother. 1. Open the Advanced Menu and select the Display sub-menu through the OSD of your BenQ projector. Find Screen Fill and select the resolution you prefer. 2. Right click on your PC desktop. Select Display Settings, then confirm Display resolution is set to Recommended. 3. Select Advanced display settings. Then, change the Refresh Rate to ensure the Desktop mode and the Active signal mode match. For more details, please see below.

How to adjust my image to fit the screen?

Step 1: Choose the highest resolution on your PC that matches your golf screen’s aspect ratio. If no option matches, please see below to create a custom resolution. Step 2: Install your golf sim software. If prompted to set a resolution, use the one chosen in Step 1. Step 3: Position the projector so all four corners go beyond the screen. This buffer is for digital correction. The more off-center the projector, the more buffer you need. Step 4: Mount the projector at the chosen distance, keeping the image as vertical as possible. Use lens shift (varies by model) or adjust ceiling mount length if needed. Step 5: Use 2D keystone to correct vertical tilt first, then horizontal tilt. Step 6: Use the corner fit function to fine-tune each corner until the image is rectangular.

What is the right position for the projector to avoid shadows and ball bounce?

The safest place to mount the projector is on the target line, about 7–8 feet from the screen to prevent balls from bouncing back and hitting it. To avoid shadows, place the projector no more than 3–4 feet behind the player.

Will keystone correction affect image quality?

Keystone correction is needed when a projector is mounted in a position that is not in line with the screen. When a projector is not perfectly in line with the screen, the image appears trapezoid. With keystone correction, the projector will skew the image vertically or horizontally to correct the trapezoid image back to a rectangular image on the projection screen. It is a digital process where the projector uses scaling and compression to alter the image. This will result in compromised image clarity.

How to ensure the right screen resolution?

You can set up a custom resolution through your graphics card control center. This allows the projector to switch from its native resolution to other resolutions and aspect ratios that best match your desired display. Below is the video that shows you how to set it up from the NVIDIA Control Panel. When done, remember to change the Refresh Rate on your PC or laptop to ensure the Desktop mode and Active signal mode match.

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Use

When does the projector lamp require changing?

A projector lamp inevitably loses brightness after each hour of use, which causes image degradation. We suggest you follow the specified lamp life hour rating as a guide to when the lamp may need replacing. For example, a projector with a 4000 hour lamp would require a lamp change once those 4000 hours are up. You can find light usage time stats in the Information page of the On-Screen-Display menu. This doesn't mean the lamp will suddenly fail when it reaches its estimated lamp lifetime. You can continue to use the lamp until complete failure, but doing so impacts image quality.

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