Soundproofing the SimRoom

I suspect that the sound level in the SimRoom will be quite high while racing (both from the sounds in the simulator and potentially a motion frame) - I am thinking about ways to reduce the amount of sounds coming OUT of the room (e.g, someone might be watching TV downstairs and don't quite find the loud engines as amusing as I will).

There are plenty of ways to reduce sounds but I won't go overboard here and sound insulate the walls with a layer of concrete, another layer of plaster board, yet another layer of 5" insulation and so forth. The room is quite small (3.7 x 2.2 meters) and it currently has wooden floor and normal wallpapered walls. I'll cover the floor with a new thick (as thick as I can find) carpet (my British wife will be happy about this :) to dampen any sound but also to protect the floor from any motion simulator movements. I suspect I will regret this later when dust settles in the carpet, but never mind, I can rip it out if it gets on my nerves!

For the walls and door, I am looking for some type of absorbing wall paper and paint. I found "Acousti-Coat". The manufacturer claims that mid range sounds can be reduced about 30%, so and how much of a bluff that is I don't know, but I am quite sure it won't crease the sound emitted from the room so it's worth a try.

There is a good article about sound isolation and noise reduction that explains how sound travels and how it's effectively reduced. It is more aimed at the home cinema / recording studio audience, but I'll be digging for useful tips and tricks in there. Only two things stops travelling sound and that is mass and space.

If you have any ideas or experience in how to effectively reduce sound being emitted from a room I'd be happy to see it in the comments =)
Category: SimRoom [cat_sr]

Wife Upgrade Hits Finances

Here I am... trying to finance and build my SimRoom when wife decides to upgrade her assets at a cost of 55'000 SEK (that's 27'500 SEK per asset upgraded :) - by chance - this also set my budget for this SimRoom project at 55'000 SEK - but my build process and spending will be spread across coming months. I hope to have the room finished this autumn!
Category: My SimRoom [cat_sr]

Motion Simulation

No simulator would be complete without trying to introduce some forces on your body. Replicating authentic movements and motions in racing and flight sims is impossible, but you at least you can get somewhat of a feel for it. I have been looking at plenty of solutions both within and beyond my budget and here is a summary of what I've been looking at so far.

FrexGP SimConMOTION
This motion system differs from traditional ones by not affecting the entire body (legs are stationary). According to Frex this is a better way to simulate forcers applied to the body when racing, you can find an explanation about this on their website. If you disregard DIY-projects, Frex is probably the cheapest (yet pricey) way to get some movement into your sims.

In order to use SimConMOTION you'll need SimConMotion, SimConBase, Frex Cockpit and a racing seat and harness of your choice. There is an excellent review of this product that goes into the detail of how the experience is to drive this thing and also what it is like to assemble.

Below is a clip of the SimConMOTION in action in the simulator GPL - it also shows the FrexGP HShift+ and a projector =) I think this setup may be very close to what I'll eventually end up with.



The cost of this motion simulator (SimConMotion, SimConBase, Frex Cockpit) excluding shipping and chair is around 13'500 SEK.

DIY Motion Sim using X-sim software
Another popular way to go about simulation motion is to build your own one. There is a piece of software called X-Simulator that is a "Universal and free software to control pneumatic and hydraulic self-made simulators with up to 4 axis and soft-pneumatic."

The main idea of this software is to "Buy a game, install it, 'hack' the directx effects with Yoda (force feedback scanning software) and play it at the same day in your simulator. Without having to wait for any software/driver updates."

Below is an example video of a DIY frame using the X-sim software. I believe the frame was built using hardware from an ordinary hardware store and the two axis are powered by windscreen wiper motors. The creator of this frame has also posted this forum post about it with more media. There is also a progress of work post (17 pages long) he created about building this (however it is in greek, haha - apparently the images are self descriptive though :)



The frame used in the video above is bases on the Joyrider project. The plans to this frame can be purchased from the site at a cost of $15. The frame construction cost is claimed to be less than $500 and build time is a as little as a few days. You can also buy a similar manufactured version of this frame called "DreamFlyer" at this site.

I think that frames such as these may be great for flight sims, but I am more sceptic about their place in racing simulations. As the makers of the FrexGP motion simulator mention, I have a feeling that it will feel awkward to tilt your entire body to such an extent that it may just feel too unnatural (and maybe not responsive enough?). Another issue will be the screen. In extensive motions the screen would have to rotate with you, a 19" TFT tilting around with you will only give motions, but not the big picture experience that I'm after. I suppose you could mount maybe a 26" or even 32" LCD on the frame, or maybe a number of smaller TFT-screens, but I don't think the screens are meant to move around so much and how long they last in one piece might be an issue :) Also, if going for a stationary screen and if you tilt your body 30 degrees, looking at a static projected screen in front of you might be an odd experience.

Force Dynamics 301
Force Dynamics have an awesome product called "the 301". This beggar packs a 50" screen with a DLP-projector that rotates with the frame. With this large piece of machinery there is also a large price tag retailing at $24'000 which is equivalent to about 160'000 SEK. This is yet again beyond my budget - but it's still well worth a spot in this blog and a sample video of this monster in action:



(You may prefer something prettier behind the wheel in this machine)

Links to other commercial and DIY motion solutions:
InMotion Simulator - They claim selling a low-cost solutions from 3-6 DOF, but at a cost of 150'000 - 500'000 SEK it is way out of my budget anyway =)
DIY Motion Platform - 6 DOF work in progress site
DIY Project Forum Post - 2 DOF work in progress
DIY Classic Motion Base - Home Made Hydraulic Simulator
DIY $0 Budget project - Motion on the cheap

Signing off on this post - you may find less interest but more amusement in this video of "John Deere's Tractor Motion Simulator" :)
Category: Hardware [cat_hw]

Controls for Racing Simulators

Today I am using the red Logitech Momo wheel for racing sims. It's actually not a bad wheel and I really like it for a number of reasons. A nice leather grip and comfortable wheel, 6 buttons on the wheel, metal paddles and two decent pedals. It is a mechanical (cogs) mechanism which eliminates snapping drive belts that I had problems with using wheels prior to this one, but it also has a slight disadvantage of it feeling a bit mechanical when you drive with it. I have driven 57958 Km in LFS using this wheel until today and it's still in one piece - however I had to manually service it twice in this period due to screws unwinding themselves, quite a simple procedure though - if you need help with maintenance of this wheel I have published some maintenance tutorials on our team site.

Anyhow - although being happy with this wheel, I want more of the controls in the SimRoom. Namely a clutch pedal, H-shifter, sequential shifter, Resistance in the brake pedals, a wheel that can turn further (more degrees)!

I have not decided on any controls yet, but here is a list of what I am considering:

Logitech G25 Racing Wheel
This is a upper range consumer market product with a wheel capable of rotating 900 degrees. It comes with three pedals and a separate H-shifter (optionally sequential mode). I've never tried the wheel in a sim, but many of my fellow racers use this wheel and are truly happy with it. My greatest concern with this wheel is the plastic low quality feel of the shifter (I just felt it the shop), and I want more than two buttons on the wheel itself (I am currently using all six on my red Momo-wheel).
Cost: roughly 2100 SEK

FrexGP Steering Wheels
I could use my current Red Momo wheel and purchase a mod adapter from Frex, but it wouldn't give me the 900 degree turning angle. Frex modify the Logitech Driving Force Pro (DFP) wheel. There is a discussion forum bout the FrexGP Wheels on racesimcentral that is quite useful for answering questions about this wheel.
Cost: The DFP custom base + Momo 26 round wheel = 2700 SEK
(someone that understands the Frex-pricing better - please correct me :)

FrexGP Shifters
Frex also make shifters such as the Shift+ (sequential), HShift+ (8 gears). These seem to be of solid quality and very distinct compared to the consumer G25 models. As with the wheel there is a forum post on racesimcentral discussing these shifters.
HShift+ Cost: 2310 SEK
Shift+ Cost: 700 SEK

ECCI Trackstar 6000 Pedals
The ECCI 6000 pedals are beautiful aluminium pedals and are very adjustable. You can purchase the 2-pedal version with the optional clutch pedal as shown on the picture. I haven't been able to find a specific price if all you want is the 3 pedals (with an optional high definition USB-control for the clutch) - as I am not so interested in their steering wheel. The wheel looks very nice and is probably of extremely high build quality, but has no force feedback as I understand it - which is definitely a must-have requirement for me.
Cost: 3562 SEK (3 pedal version, pressure sensitive brake pedal)

FrexGP Pedals
This pedal conversion kit modifies existing pedals with a pressure sensitive brake pedal. Instead of the conversion kit you can purchase the "Pedal Outright" option they have which is the Driving Force Pro/MOMO Racing Black pedals with Frex making the modifications. As with the wheel, I find the Frex options a bit confusing and would prefer to just buy packaged solutions for wheels and pedals, maybe they will tidy up their web site one day and make it more clear. Link to racesimcentral forum discussing these pedals.
FrexGP Pedals (Outright version with Clutch+) Cost: 3450 SEK

BRD (Ball Racing Development) Speed7 Pedals
Pedals made out of aluminium that may be mounted on floor or overhead. I haven't read up much about these pedals yet but will do and add information to the post. There is a quite detailed description of these pedals in the title link for more interesting reading.
Cost (3-pedal version): 3710 SEK

Products in development...
There are some interesting products in development worth keeping an eye out for. In particular when it comes to steering wheels:

FrexGP (in development)
Frex are developing their own Force Feedback wheel that seems to be promising! There are some videos of this wheel available Here and Here and shown in LFS action (same video as the one demonstrating 3-screens in a previous post).

BRD Speed7 Wheel (in development)
BRD are developing their own FF wheel capable of 1080 degrees rotation with up to 16 button functions and other interesting features. The news on their site however is from 2003 so I won't hold my breath for this wheel.

Conclusion???
I haven't made a decision yet - will investigate further :)
Category: Hardware [cat_hw]

Projector Domes

Due to costs and the need for software adaptation and special lenses I personally won't be going for a dome solution even though it seems to be a very promising idea. A dome is a projector screen shaped to a bowl allowing a projector fitted with an appropriate lens to project the picture with a larger field of view, more depth and peripheral visuals.

For those of you interested in such a solution, there are a few products available on the market... Howerver, they are not cheap!

ImmersiveDisplay have different version of domes called ImmersaPod and ImmersaDome. These cost over $20'000 but the price also includes the projector, projector-lens and software. Below is a sample video of Live For Speed being played on the ImmersdaDome. Note that it is very difficult to show how it actually looks in real life by filming a solution such as this.



Also worth mentioning is that a single camera in a simulator such as the one used in Live For Speed in the clip above is not enough to get enough visual information to project onto the dome. You need the software to support 4 independent camera angles that are then stitched together by the software to be projected onto the dome. If you simply increase the FOV from one camera you get distortion and lose too much detail.

Another dome product is the VisionStation by Elumens very similar in design and pricing.
Category: Hardware [cat_hw]

9X Media Multiscreens

I came across 9X Media that manufacture multiscreen solutions with nice mounting frames that could accommodate for anything from two to 30 TFT-monitors! For a number of reasons (in particular personal finance & performance), the most suitable one for racing sims would probably be the triple monitor version.

...I cant resist adding some pictures from the other models as well - maybe someone is really in the mood for overkill when it comes to multiscreens :) Below are pictures of their 5-screen and 30-screen models.



Despite these beautiful creations I am probably on the track for a projector as it reduces the resolution, removes monitor frames cutting up the picture and increases the performance of the sims.
Category: Hardware [cat_hw]

The Choice of Screen

During the past months I have been playing with the ideas of what setup I would like in terms of producing a large picture. I am using a single 21" TFT monitor (slow 16ms with a native resolution of 1600x1200) so I think any of the options below will be a step up - it will just be a matter of choosing the best one =)

(1 SEK = US $7)

Option 1 --- Projector
I've been looking at the Sanyo PLV-Z5 projector that seems to be a great projector that costs around 10295 SEK. It has plenty of inputs and a 16x9 resolution of 1280x720 capable of providing me with a BIG 88" screen (2395 SEK).

Flat vs. arced (bent) projector screen -
I have already tried a projector with a bent screen setting the FOV (field of view) in Live for Speed appropriately and the result was quite promising. It definitely increased the sensation of speed and improved the ability to spot cars coming up next to you, however the HUD and text is also bent out of proportion and focus is lost somewhat on the sides.

Pro's
- Only one graphics card needed
- Good gaming resolution 1280x720 (faster FPS)
- Very large screen for a relatively low price
Con's
- Probably won't produce a larger FOV with bent screen without extra lenses and software correction

Sample video of a projector solution


Total cost for large picture: 12690 SEK

Option 2 --- 3 x 19" 2ms TFT monitors
Using three monitors you can achieve a wider FOV and you can set the side monitors on a slight angle providing you with a somewhat arced display. TFT-monitors have come down in price lately and they produce really cheap and responsive models nowdays.

I have looked at the Benq FP93GX+ monitors that cost 2094 SEK each. These have a resolution of 1280x1024 with a response time of only 2ms which should be excellent for gaming... sorry... I mean simulation :)

In order to display the game across three monitors you'll need either a hardware or software "triple head" solution. There are only a few hardware ones available, one of them is produced by Matrox called "Matrox Triple Head 2 GO" (see a review here). There is a software solution called "SoftTH".

The greatest disadvantage that (I think) I've found with this solution is that it puts a lot of stress on the multiple graphics cards you need to have installed in your system. If each monitor has a native resolution of 1280x1024, it means that your computer has to render the simulator scene at a whopping 3840x1024 pixels which probably would give you a virtually useless FPS.

Pro's
- Capable of a very close and wide FOV
- Cheaper than a projector
Con's
- Very high resolution = slow FPS
- Need for additional graphics card and possibly extra triple head hardware
- Monitor frames "cutting" the picture*

Sample of a 3-monitor solution


*You could remove the cutting effect that the 1-2cm edges of monitors cause by using fresnel lenses - here is a sample video of how this would look. These lenses are available from for example FREX - however, I believe that the image quality is reduced a fair amount so I will personally not pursuit this option.

Total cost for large picture: 6282 SEK + Extra Graphics card (3-4000 SEK?)

Option 3 --- 1 x 32" LCD TV
You can get these for 5995 SEK now. It would produce a decent sized image for a fairly low cost and and I'd only need one graphics card rendering the game graphics in 1366 x 768 which should increase game performance a lot (in comparison to using 3 monitors). Unfortunately the screen is now totally flat and it won't be possible to tilt the side monitors to simulate an arced field of view. The response time would be 8 ms instead which is sufficient for racing games.

A friend of mine is building "race frames" and he constructs these with a 32" LCD TV - have a look at this site for more information (along with pictures and videos).

Total cost for large picture: 5995 SEK

Option 4 --- 1 x 42" Plasma TV
This option would cost roughtly 10000 SEK for a cheaper plasma. Resolution is 1024 x 768 and it should speed up performance of game even more. I haven't verified if the different aspect ratio of 16x9 in a 1024x768 resolution for games would cause any issues yet.

Total cost for large picture: 10000 SEK

Conclusion ---

At the moment I am leaning towards a projector solution. It's the most expensive option but it will provide me with a huge screen and potentially the option of arcing the display screen for a better FOV and sense of speed. It enables the simulators to run at a fast FPS only requiring a resolution of 1280 x 720.
Category: Hardware [cat_hw]

SimRoom

Hello,

I am just launching this blog now to keep track of my SimRoom and hopefully give inspiration and ideas for others that may be interested in this project. SimRoom is not a room simulator, but rather a room dedicated for race and flight simulations such as Live for Speed (LFS), GTR2, rFactor, Flight Simulator X etc.

I currently spend quite a fair bit of my time racing Live For Speed using my normal PC with a 21" TFT monitor and the red Logitech Momo-wheel. Despite already having a great time playing the game with my current set up, I am about to try enhancing this experience even more by introducing a larger screen (preferably with wider field of view) along with better equipment such as race wheel, 3 pedals, H-shifter and hopefully also a motion simulator.

I will be posting my ideas and thoughts with links and references. Please feel free to comment my posts with your own knowledge and experience in this field :)

I might as well mention the link to my LFS teams web site, www.nordicracing.net.
Category: My SimRoom [cat_sr]