Finding a Projector for Both Golf Simulator and Home Theater Use

To fulfill the demands of the golf simulator side of the SimTheater formula three main components are required: a launch monitor, a computer, and golf simulator software.

The hardware needed specifically for the home theater portion of a SimTheater depends on the user's preferences. For cinema lovers who enjoy buying and collecting physical copies of the films they want to watch, a Blu-Ray player will be something that they might need to purchase. For those not interested in collecting and/or are more into watching streaming series, they'll only need to get a device such as Google Chromecast, BenQ QS01, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV that can run their favorite streaming services. Additionally, suppose the SimTheater is going to be used for gaming. In that case, you'll need the gaming console you prefer, which in some instances – for example, with a PlayStation or Xbox – can also double as a Blu-Ray player.

As mentioned earlier in this article, one of the main rationales for building a SimTheater in your home is the ability to overlap the use of some key pieces of hardware between the two activities, which include the sharing of a projection/impact screen, a sound system, and a projector.

Because the nature of a SimTheater is to create an engaging visual experience on a big screen for both the golf enthusiast and movie lover, the resolution of the video needs to match the expanded screen size, meaning, at minimum, a projector with 4K resolution is needed. This will ensure the user can see all the fine details on the greens, as most golf simulation software on the market support 4K video output. Furthermore, users should keep in mind that not all 4K projectors are created equal and to look for native resolution 4K PRO UHD (3840x2160). The projector should also support High Dynamic Range (HDR) so that the action – whether cinematic or gaming – happening in all shades within the frame, from the lightest to the darkest, is as clear as possible.

Another facet to producing truly life-like visuals for golf, movie-viewing, and gaming purposes is the ability to represent all the colors on the spectrum authentically. Therefore, a projector with a color gamut that covers as much of the Rec. 709 industry standard is needed, which means you should look for a projector with at least 92% color coverage of the Rec. 709. Also, some brands provide extra color calibration in custom video modes that adjust the colors to match the viewing scenario. In this case, it's suggested that the buyer compare the colors of each prospective projector and make their selection based on their preferences.

As hinted at earlier when discussing speaker systems, placement of the equipment is a concern for SimTheaters, which is particularly true for projectors. While normal golf simulators can usually accommodate side installation, for a SimTheater built for golf simulation and home theater purposes, the best bet is to adopt a front ceiling projection setup. This means that one should look for a projector with a short-throw lens since it allows the projector to be mounted closer to the screen than a projector with a normal throw ratio. Furthermore, given a ceiling height of at least three meters, an effective short-throw projector should be installed at least one meter away from the golfer to avoid their swing and any shadows/obstructions on the screen.

It's also suggested that the projector includes lens shift, keystone, and corner fit correction features to easily adjust the projected image for any slight distortions due to the installation location, allowing you to adjust the projected image without diminishing the picture quality.

Because the audio equipment used to build the sound system for the SimTheater may have an array of connection methods, the projector should have a diverse selection of audio output options. In this regard, one should make sure that the projector has at least HDMI, HDMI (ARC), and S/PDIF output ports available so that there won't be any compatibility problems with the audio equipment used.

Finding a hybrid projector engineered with SimTheater use in mind is not easy, especially given all the recommendations above. Luckily BenQ has a "Best in Show" projector that suits such criteria: the LK936ST.

With the LK936ST, you have a projector with true 4K resolution – not the upscaled resolution that some brands use to pass off as "4K" – with HDR visuals and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This ensures that you'll be able to catch every little detail in both the golf course and the movie scene on your big projection screen.

To make the images even more true-to-life, the LK936ST offers 92% coverage of the Rec. 709 color gamut, meaning lush and vivid colors to complement the 4K details of each frame. Furthermore, being a true SimTheater projector, LK936ST features built-in Golf and Cinema (sRGB) picture modes so that you can adjust the color to suit your purpose. For example, the golf mode boosts the greens of the golf course's grass and the blues of the sunny sky to mimic the feel of a day on the greens.

Beyond the strictly image-based features, the aspect that makes the LK936ST ideal for installation is a short throw-ratio lens that allows you to mount the projector closer to the screen and away from your swing. Supplemented by crucial lens shift, 3D keystone correction, and corner fit capabilities so that no matter how your projector is installed, you'll be able to have an image with perfect geometry. What also makes the LK936ST much easier to install is that we have taken great effort to engineer a more compact and lighter body for the projector, with a chassis that is 30% lighter and 20% smaller in volume compared to its predecessor.

Finally, to guarantee its ability to produce a cinematic sound that enhances the virtual golfing experience, the LK936ST is designed with HDMI, HDMI (ARC), and S/PDIF ports so that you'll be able to connect all the audio equipment you need to achieve 5.1 surround sound.

With everything listed above, the BenQ LK936ST sets a new standard for a hybrid projector built specifically to satisfy the golf enthusiast and film lover at the same time.