Jump to content
The simFlight Network Forums

4 computer cockpit: wideview or widefs?


Recommended Posts

Hi Pete,

I want to build a cockpit with 4 computers. Computer #1 is the best I can afford, with a large monitor for the main view. It is the master-computer running FS, and which has the flight yoke connected to. Computers #2 and #3 are cheap, with smaller monitors for the left and right windows. Computer #4 will display the instruments only.

What would you suggest when it comes to software: widefs or wideview? I read in the widefs documentation that wideview is for multiple views and widefs for additional instrumentation. Does that mean that computers #2 and #3 should have wideview, and computer #4 widefs?

Thanks,

Ray

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What would you suggest when it comes to software: widefs or wideview? I read in the widefs documentation that wideview is for multiple views and widefs for additional instrumentation. Does that mean that computers #2 and #3 should have wideview, and computer #4 widefs?

WidevieW links multiple FS installations. If you are displaying scenery you really need the full FS installation on each such PC, and ideally they all need to have the same power -- otherwise the slower ones will be pretty jerky. I use a Parhelia card with three monitors on one PC. With most current video cards you can have two monitors.

I don't think WidevieW is out yet for FS2004, but it is on its way.

As far as the instruments are concerned, if you mean FS cockpits then, again, that's another full FS installation. Otherwise you are looking at external instrumentation systems like Project Magenta, or possibly FreeFD. Those will operate through WideFS with no addition FS installation.

Regards,

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rgr on all counts - 3 times wideview is what I need (external instrumentation may be a next step).

I wonder about your Parhelia card. I assume you use that for front-view, left-window-view and right-window-view. Doesn't your computer slow down because of this? Or does the Parhelia card take care of all? I just checked with Dutch resellers, it's an expensive sucker, but one computer taking care of two "side-window" monitors and one "instruments" monitor sounds great for what I am planning.... and of course it cuts the costs of having one instead of three computers.

Appreciated,

Raymond

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder about your Parhelia card. I assume you use that for front-view, left-window-view and right-window-view.

No, I run full-screen as one display. The resolution I currently use is 2400 x 600 but it will go up to whatever you like. My displays will allow 3840 x 1024. But since I have no panel display on it, the difference for an outside scenery view isn't so noticeable so I reduce the resolution and enjoy a better frame rate.

The display is running a 0.50x Zoom, which suits me. some Parhelia users prefer 0.31x but I find that rather unrealistically wide. I prefer the view to be a genuine looking wide front view, not a wraparound cockpit, but you could use it at 0.31x which wuold give what you suggest.

Doesn't your computer slow down because of this? Or does the Parhelia card take care of all?

The Parhelia certainly is not a fast card compared with the current crop of ATI and nVidia cards, so even driving one screen it isn't a screamer. But at present it's the only card which does what I want. I actually use two of them -- one is in a second PC runs my Project Magenta instrumentations -- Captain's ND/PFD, EICAS, First Officer PFD/ND on the three screens.

I have everything in FS turned up to max, plus Ultimate Traffic running at 100% and with detailed airports like UK2000 Manchester. My FS Frame Rate Limiter is set at 20 fps, and most of the time the Frame Rate is hitting 19.9 -- never dropping below 10. That's fine for me. If it ever dropped below 10 I'd reduce some of the settings. This is on a 3.2GHz P4, mind.

I just checked with Dutch resellers, it's an expensive sucker, but one computer taking care of two "side-window" monitors and one "instruments" monitor sounds great for what I am planning

I don't run any instruments on the FS PC. I'm not sure what sort of performance you'd get then. I suspect you'd need to reduce a few settings. And since you'd need to run at a higher resolution (for the sake of the instruments) it doesn't sound so attractive. I would really only recommend it for the widescreen "wraparound" views, not for supporting three independent screens.

To do what you now suggest I would rather recommend a fast ATI or nVidia AGP card for the two views and a possibly slower PCI card for the instruments.

Regards,

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh man - that looks like a fun setup!!!!

Well, it was -- till I visited some real home-made cockpits in California earlier this year. Now this one feels like what it looks like, a bunch of computer bits on a desk. I'm saving up now for a PFC Jet Cockpit (http://www.flypfc.com). I need one 'ready-made' as my only 'practical' skill is programming.

Ahanother "real" cockpit builder! At least when you've finished it will feel like a cockpit, not a collection of computer bits! :)

Happy New Year!

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey, just a quick note:

Adding a PCI videocard (older Matrox Millenium or such works generally well for this) for instrument panels (2D gauges, not Magenta) does not give you a performance hit. So you can run it all on one computer. Saves you the third machine.

df-pa28.jpeg

^^^ This works with one computer just great. Put that inside a console, and you get my current setup:

aab.sized.jpg

IMHO that's the best way to go with one computer. If you want jet stuff, get the Reality XP Jetline gauges, those are nice and smooth and they will release a FMC too. I'm not personally much into those things though, so the GA stuff suits me great. Dreamfleet's Archer is awesome :)

Tuomas

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Following on from Pete's description of how he runs his kit, I tried running my 2 17" TFTs as one screen using the nVidia drivers......

Funnily enough the VC view worked a treat and looked GREAT, but the other views looked a bit duff, esp. the stretched 2D view!!!

I LOVED flying the CaptainSim 727 in VC at 0.31 magnification - absolutely stunning.....it even led to the wife asking me to hurry up and go out shopping today!!!

:lol: :D :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Toumas,

Is that PM on your left hand monitor ?

chris.

No, just regular FS gauges - I did a 1024x768 pixel panel with FS Panel Studio.

Magenta GA IFR is using openGL so you cannot realistically run that and the FS scenery view from one computer.

Tuomas

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Funnily enough the VC view worked a treat and looked GREAT, but the other views looked a bit duff, esp. the stretched 2D view!!!

Yes, even worse is 2D stretched over 3 screens on a Parhelia. If you wanted to use a 2D panel you'd need to reconfigure the sizes of the bitmaps and the gauge proportions and positions.

The only thing I don't like about 2 screen views is that straight ahead is right where the join of screens is. I suppose there's a way to move scenery view to left or right without changing the angle of view, but I didn't find it.

Regards,

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Forgive me - I mistyped what I meant!!!!

I actually line up the view so that the screen split forms the windshield frame!!! - this doesnt look too bad!!!! only if you dont pan the view though!

LOL - there is no middle ground with this one is there?!!!!

Check your email!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can shift the point of view even to the outside of the airplane.. that way, the centerline of a runway can be on the left or right monitor.

Thanks! Your solution should do the trick, I think, although your objective isn't exactly the same thing. The centreline needs to be though the centre of the aircraft, but I am sitting to the left (being Captain) and I want to see straight ahead, to the point on the horizon which is otherwise on the join between two monitors. This does, of course, represent a minute angle towards that centerline. But with a real obstruction so close as the windshield it wouldn't matter. The trouble is you can't look around the join of the two monitors.

Reading that back it looks a bit confused. Sorry. It does make a sort of sense I hope :)

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Guidelines Privacy Policy We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.