Best TV for a local VTT?

[Odeatho]

Hello FG community! I’m a new DM (D&D 5e) who is looking to make the move from paper maps to a VTT, using FG. I’m hoping some of you with FG and VTT experience can give me some advice of the setup, particularly the TV. I want to run a local game. I envision the tv laying flat on the table with a sheet of plexiglass over top, and then using miniatures on the screen/map.

1. What size TV would be best?

Size? I’m thinking 40’ to 55’. I wonder if 55 is overkill. Some D&D maps are pretty big though. They wouldn’t fit on a 40 if you had the map grid scaled to be 1 inch squares. So can you scale a large map’s grid to 1 inch squares, and just scroll on it to move it if it doesn’t fit in a 40 inch tv screen? I understand this would involve having to pick up the minis and move them, but that’s fine. On the flip side, if I do have a 55 inch tv, would a smaller map scale to the 1 inch grid and leave a border around it to fill the space on the screen?

Type of tv? LCD or LED? HD or 4K? I’m not a tv expert by any means. Overheating is a concern, as is screen glare. Would LCD or LED function any differently when it comes to heat output or screen glare? Is one or the other usually preferred for VTT? What about 4K or HD? Should I avoid 4K for some reason? I thought I came across something that said you shouldn’t project your PC monitor on to a 4K tv. Can’t remember why though. Anyone heard of this?

Plexiglass? My understanding is that I should put a sheet of plexiglass over the tv screen to protect it. Is there a certain thickness I should use? I’m assuming you’d probably want to go as thin as possible to avoid an illusion of your miniatures floating above the map. I’m not sure what products are out there or if there is a preferred product that most use. I’m in Canada. Anyone?

I probably only use FG for the maps and fog of war effects. Not sure if that would make any difference in what I should buy.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks very much.

[Xemit]

Search the forums, there are many threads where people are sharing their set ups (including pictures). For the TV, it depends on the space you have and your budget. Bigger is nicer for showing more map at the 1" scale. 4K isn't 'needed' and will keep costs down. If the TV gets multitasked and 4K isn't too much more strain on your budget, then go ahead. Also consider a ceiling mounted projector. You don't really need a custom purpose built table other than something white on the table (table cloth or white board).

LED will generate less heat than LCD. Depending on your climate the heat can be an issue. A TV laying flat in a box won't breath very well, so some additional fan ventilation is a good idea.

Placing the Plexiglas over the screen protects the TV screen from physical damage and spills. That means any anti reflection on the TV doesn't matter really. There are different types of plastic, some that are much more scratch resistant than others and some that are more transparent than others. Price varies dramatically on this. Larger sizes are also much more expensive. I believe some TVs have the equivalence of Gorilla Glass on their front, if so then the plastic sheet isn't really needed (assuming you use plastic minis and refrain from dropping things on the display).

Don't forget that the TV does have a lifespan, so design the table to allow replacing the TV at some point and that the replacement may not be the same dimensions as the previous one. The projector solution gets around this issue. Others build a box for the TV that sits on a conventional table so that a new unit isn't too much to replace if it is needed.

Many of these tables are built around an older TV when they upgrade their regular viewing TV. So you get whatever your old set was. Others buy and build specifically for this purpose.

There is also a community extension specifically to use on a client that is in table map mode. Check it out.

[notrealdan]

I went with a 43" TV. It offers plenty of grid space for just about any encounter, and didn't cost much. It's got 4k resolution and HDR and only cost me about $230 on sale at Target last year. You should be able to do well with anything between 40-50 inches. I didn't want to go much bigger than 43" so it would not dominate the table I built this TV into. I wanted plenty of room for people's books, sheets, laptops, tablets, etc. while still letting everyone easily reach their minis on the TV.

Here's my table! (humble-brag... :) )
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?48934-My-Gaming-Table

[Nylanfs]

This one (https://www.samsung.com/us/business/products/displays/direct-view-led/the-wall/)

[Xemit]

@Nylanfs - Nice! But reaching your minis could be a bit of a challenge... :)

[Lexfire]

Free one :) - kidding aside let us know where you landed

[Nylanfs]

@Nylanfs - Nice! But reaching your minis could be a bit of a challenge... :)

Nope (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/The_Operations_Room_at_RAF_Fighter_Command%27s_No. _10_Group_Headquarters%2C_Rudloe_Manor_%28RAF_Box% 29%2C_Wiltshire%2C_showing_WAAF_plotters_and_duty_ officers_at_work%2C_1943._CH11887.jpg)

[Trenloe]

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?44385-Recommendations-for-TV-monitors-in-a-face-to-face-game&p=394421&viewfull=1#post394421

Go 1/8" (3mm) plexiglass. Search on Amazon for some ideas of what's out there: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=plexiglass&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 If you can't get it the exact size of the viewing aperture in your TV (unlikely), get it a little bit bigger than your TV screen and then trim it down to size with something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/Red-Devil-1170-Plexiglass-Cutting/dp/B000BZZ1D0/

[Odeatho]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Trenloe]

And also see this thread for more info and a very handy extension to help with map sizing: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?33834-Map-resize-to-TV-resolution-for-Face-To-Face-games

[Three of Swords]

Nope (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/The_Operations_Room_at_RAF_Fighter_Command%27s_No. _10_Group_Headquarters%2C_Rudloe_Manor_%28RAF_Box% 29%2C_Wiltshire%2C_showing_WAAF_plotters_and_duty_ officers_at_work%2C_1943._CH11887.jpg)

I actually laughed at this one. :)

[Xemit]

I know the wall sized TV was in jest, but just think how awesome that could be! I might need to adjust my plans for the size of my game room... :)

I had thought of the sticks too, but was concerned with them scratching the TV's surface. Also the miniatures we use are not always bottom heavy, so moving by stick is likely to just tip them over. Could maybe add some weight to their bases and cover it with felt so they won't scratch.

What we need are some drones with sky hooks that can fly them around the board. The hooks would be needed to prevent the prop backwash from blowing everything away...

Or a long robot arm on an overhead gantry...

[Beerbelly]

Holographic minis that project from the screen and move with Fantasy Grounds commands. I believe this is a Unity feature.

[Xemit]

Right, forgot about that new 'feature'. They're also supposed to be fully animated holograms. ;)

And with installation of a camera above the table, real die rolls are incorporated into the game UI automatically! Or maybe the dice can be holographic as well!

[WESeib]

I find my 40" a great size. A critical part is make sure you get something with a very wide viewing angle. You also don't want something with a huge bevel that sticks out really far from the screen itself.

[Seya]

I used to use minis for everything but my players like just using the tokens for the most part. One thing I have ok my table is the DM had a leaf you remove. This let's me have my laptop setup lower than the table top so I can see over it. I don't use any protector either. I don't have any scratches on it from using minis

[Seya]

27256

27257

I'm using a 43 1080 LED TV. I leave enough remove around the table for character sheets and books. Anything larger would be tougher to reach the tv

[Nylanfs]

The Sceptre brand from Walmart and Costco are decent for the price.

[notrealdan]

Mine's a TCL Roku TV. It was pretty inexpensive and has 4k resolution. I just wish it had a wider viewing angle, but it was worth the price.