Search history
Clear
Why a 4K Projector Delivers the Most Realistic Experience when Playing on a 4:3 or 16:10 Golf Simulator Setup
- 2024-12-01
Here’s how to figure out how resolution, pixel density, and color accuracy work together to provide an immersive experience on a smaller sized golf simulator.
If you are looking to use a smaller space such as a basement or garage to set up your golf simulator, a 4:3 or 16:10 enclosure can help keep your hitting area tall enough to protect your room from stray shots – without taking up too much wall space. But higher resolution 4K UHD projectors are 16:9 widescreen format – so why should you consider using this resolution instead of a projector that matches the aspect ratio of your impact screen? We’ll answer this question using these key factors:
- Pixel density
- Golf Simulator software textures
- Color Accuracy
- Ability to watch golf & movies
Two popular projectors for golf simulation are the BenQ LK836ST, which has a short throw lens and 4K UHD resolution, and the Panasonic PT-VMZ50, a laser projector with similar brightness and 16:10 WUXGA resolution that is popular in larger classrooms. We’ll look at how both projectors perform when you use them in different 4:3 and 16:10 enclosures designed for smaller spaces.
Pixel Density vs. Resolution
Resolution is how many pixels a display can produce on the screen. But to use all the pixels, the aspect ratio of the screen must be the same as the display. Normally, this isn’t a problem in a home theater- since a 4K UHD projector is matched to a 16:9 screen to play movies. But if you want a narrower encloser for golf sim like a 4:3 aspect ratio, you want to look at pixel density – how many pixels fit in each square inch of the screen so that the image looks realistic regardless of the aspect ratio.
How many pixels are used by each projector?
Let’s start with how many pixels are available on each projector. A true 4K UHD can display about 8.3 million pixels while a WUXGA resolution projector has about 2.4 million. With the BenQ 4K UHD projector, you can reformat the screen to different aspect ratios and still have a lot more pixels on the screen than the Panasonic. When you change the image to a non-native aspect ratio, you lose some pixels on both projectors – and the amount will vary depending on the aspect ratio. For a fair comparison – we’ll look at how many pixels are available on each projector when they are both formatted to a non-native 4:3 aspect ratio. Both projectors lose pixels, but the BenQ LK936ST with its 4K resolution still a lot more pixels in the same screen area than the Panasonic.
Pixel Density - How many pixels per square inch?
At first glance, it seems that a classroom projector like the Panasonic WUXGA would have an advantage because its native resolution is 16:10 – which is narrower than a 16:9 4K UHD projector. But because the WUXGA resolution has fewer pixels, the number of pixels in each square inch on your impact screen is lower – by a lot. We’ll take three different enclosure aspect ratios and different sizes from the Carl’s Place catalog and calculate the relative pixel density between the BenQ LK936ST 4K UHD projector and WUXGA Panasonic PT-VMZ590 using a pixel calculator website. Since each aspect ratio will increase or decrease the amount of pixel loss on each projector, this table might help you compare the pixel density based on the screen size and aspect ratio of the enclosure. The larger the screen, the more important pixel density is to create an immersive feel to your simulator.
Pixel Density by Enclosure Size |
BenQ LK936ST Pixel Density |
Panasonic PT-VMZ50 Pixel Density |
Pixel Density by Enclosure Size 8.5 (H) x 14 (W) – 16:9 | BenQ LK936ST Pixel Density 514 Pixels per Square Inch | Panasonic PT-VMZ50 Pixel Density 129 Pixels per Square Inch |
Pixel Density by Enclosure Size 10 (H) x 13 (W) – 4:3 | BenQ LK936ST Pixel Density 377 Pixels per Square Inch | Panasonic PT-VMZ50 Pixel Density 99 Pixels per Square Inch |
Pixel Density by Enclosure Size 10 (H) x 15.5 (W) – 16:10 | BenQ LK936ST Pixel Density 377 Pixels per Square Inch | Panasonic PT-VMZ50 Pixel Density 99 Pixels per Square Inch |
Since the BenQ 4K projector starts with over 8 million pixels – you can reformat the screen to a non-native aspect ratio and still pack in a lot more pixels into on each square inch on the screen than the Panasonic PT-VMZ50 which starts with only 2.6 million pixels. The bigger the screen, the more pixels are needed for a clean, crisp image – which is why all commercial cinema projectors have over 8 million pixels.
Why Do I need All Those Pixels? Textures.
Golf simulators use gaming graphic engines to recreate a virtual reality environment of grass, trees, water, and flowers. Every year, these mathematical algorithms are improved for more realistic and immersive experiences, and virtual course designers are constantly upgrading their software to mimic the complexity of organic material found on the golf course without slowing down the rendering of the screen. With a higher resolution texture and a 4K UHD projector, the high pixel density now enables you to see the rendering detail of flowers, grass, and leaves that are already in your software. It’s these textures that elevate a true golf simulator experience compared to a fun oriented game like Wii Golf.
Figure 1- Golf simulator designers are now using advanced ray tracing "texture” rendering algorithms like this one to create immersive realism in their courses.
Ability to Render Colors Accurately
Just like in home theaters, color accurate projectors are essential for golf simulation and make each pixel deliver the detail needed to make you feel as if you are playing a real course. The best golf course designers focus on making sure all the colors on their virtual course can be found on a real course. No two strands of Bermuda are the same color, so you need both high pixel density and accurate color to render a fairway in a realistic way when a designer uses an advanced texture in his course design. To ensure a realistic course, look for a projector that specifies Rec. 709 color accuracy. This is the only specification that ensures that organic colors like grass, tree bark, and water effects will look right.
Watching golf and movies on your golf simulator projector
Since 2019, golfers have been able to watch the Masters in 4K UHD resolution using DirectTV. So, if you have a 4K UHD projector, you’ll be able see every single pixel from the broadcast on your simulator setup, essentially turning it into a giant 200” television. You’ll also need a projector that has support for HDR, or High Dynamic Range, which increases the richness of the picture and is now standard on nearly every television sold today. While both projectors can display a live 4K signal, only the BenQ LK936ST 4K UHD projector is designed for being able to replicate the complexity of a 4K live feed with HDR. Here’s how these two projectors compare:
Watching Movies & Golf in 4K |
Panasonic VM580Z |
|
Watching Movies & Golf in 4K Native Resolution | 4K UHD | Panasonic VM580Z WUXGA |
Watching Movies & Golf in 4K Rec. 709 Color Accuracy Specified | Yes | Panasonic VM580Z No |
Watching Movies & Golf in 4K Native Blu-Ray Resolution Support | Yes | Panasonic VM580Z No |
Watching Movies & Golf in 4K HDR Video Support | Yes | Panasonic VM580Z No |
Watching Movies & Golf in 4K Maintenance Free | Yes | Panasonic VM580Z No – requires regular filter washing |
Conclusion
Trying to figure out the resolution and pixel density of golf simulation projectors isn’t very exciting but can make a big difference in the overall enjoyment and flexibility of your golf simulation investment. The BenQ LK936ST has built in modes that enable you to easily switch to different aspect ratios – without losing much pixel density. While 4K projectors are more expensive than legacy WUXGA models, the difference in pixel density, color accuracy, can enable you see every detail when Scottie Scheffler makes that final putt at Augusta or virtually transport you to a chilly and windy tee off at the Old Course without having to tip a grumpy caddy.
Want to Talk to a Golf Simulator Projector Expert?
BenQ has trained staff to help you find the perfect golf simulator projector – within your room size and budget. To help you make the best decision, you can reach out to one of our experts to set up anything from a chat to a complete online demo, to help you find the right projector for your needs.