Screen Recommendations

[koei]

I am looking for a ceiling installed motorized screen with 12v trigger around 120"-150". It's my first time buying projector and screen so I am a bit clueless on where to start. Any model or brand suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jostenmeat]

IMO, always choose the PJ first. Throw up the pic at the blank wall.

Then you have to consider usages:

- daytime watching with ambient light? vs very controlled light
- how wide of a viewing area you might have (viewing cone)
- how many real world lumens you get from the pj in some sort of calibrated state, and how many FL you want or need.

Some people want the best black level, period. Some people just prefer it brighter and want it to "pop".

Call some vendors like Projector People. Search AVS forums. Check out Projector Central for information.

Stuff like that. Pick the PJ first.

And 120" is a BIG difference from 150" man. Ok, just looked up screen sizes available for my particular model: 16:9 screens

119" = less than 42 sq ft
159" = over 75 sq ft

I know thats 1" less, or 9" over, but you get the idea.

 

[jamie2112]

Well put Josten......

 

[jostenmeat]

Well put Josten......

Hey thanks!

psst, are you following me around?

 

[jamie2112]

Hey thanks!

psst, are you following me around?

Shhhhh don't tell anyone....I am being stealth like......

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Audioholics did a review on the FocuPix HDVio Motorized screen, and they thought it was very good.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/projectors/projector-screens/focupix-hdvio-electric-rf

http://www.htdepot.com/SearchResults.asp?cat=34&RefineBy_Manufacturer=&RefineBy_Price=&RefineBy_93=&RefineBy_87=&RefineBy_36=38&RefineBy_1=9&Search=

Personally, I would get these:

http://www.htdepot.com/SearchResults.asp?cat=59&RefineBy_Manufacturer=&RefineBy_Price=&RefineBy_93=&RefineBy_87=&RefineBy_1=9&RefineBy_36=&Search=

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Did you get your new screen?

Audioholics did a review on the FocuPix HDVio Motorized screen, and they thought it was very good.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/projectors/projector-screens/focupix-hdvio-electric-rf

http://www.htdepot.com/SearchResults.asp?cat=34&RefineBy_Manufacturer=&RefineBy_Price=&RefineBy_93=&RefineBy_87=&RefineBy_36=38&RefineBy_1=9&Search=

Personally, I would get these:

http://www.htdepot.com/SearchResults.asp?cat=59&RefineBy_Manufacturer=&RefineBy_Price=&RefineBy_93=&RefineBy_87=&RefineBy_1=9&RefineBy_36=&Search=

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Did you get your new screen?

The answer is Yes and No.

Per Optoma policy, they had to send me a replacement of the exact same screen (fixed-frame screen). I got it on Monday. Guess what? The same vertical lines all over the screen no matter how much I stretched the heck out of the screen - even worse than the first screen!!!

So last night they shipped me a totally different screen from a different supplier. This time it is a 120" Motorized Electric screen DE-GWII9120E. UPS tracking indicates that I should get it next Monday. Damn, I hate this waiting.

Man, I don't know what to say if this new screen has any other problems - lines and waves, etc.!

 

[Reorx]

I've worked with Stewart, dlite, and draper motorized screens. Pretty much we standardized with Stewart Greyhawk's. I have yet to see a Carada or FocuPix so I don't know how they compare. Stewart also has a bunch of different screen material to choose from that can be used in different situations.

http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/abt.htm

material
http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/FrontProjection.html

I'd also echo jostenmeat. It you have it set in your heart to get a 150" screen, make sure your projector can display a good image that size before buying the screen.

 

[koei]

The projector I am thinking of going for is the Epson Home Cinema 1080UB. Due to the size of the room, a 150" screen would be the best fit but if it's too big for the projector I'll consider a smaller size. Also, the seating will be about 20ft away from the screen so I need something large enough for small projected objects to be visible enough at that distance.

 

[jostenmeat]

The projector I am thinking of going for is the Epson Home Cinema 1080UB. Due to the size of the room, a 150" screen would be the best fit but if it's too big for the projector I'll consider a smaller size. Also, the seating will be about 20ft away from the screen so I need something large enough for small projected objects to be visible enough at that distance.

I would start thinking about High Power screen as made by DaLite. Rated gain of 2.8x. That's what I use. Biggest is 159" and that is only available as a manual. Its very heavy. The biggest challenge will be if you have enough space for speakers, most particularly for the center speaker. How tall is your ceiling? Oh yeah, another significant limiting factor is that the HP really only works well if viewers are within 20 degree viewing cone.

159" at 20ft gets you 32 degree viewing angle. I use this size screen, and my front row is 5 ft closer than your distance. FWIW. Looks jaw-dropping with my RS-1.

 

[koei]

Is it necessary to have such a high gain screen? I read that the 1080UB puts about 500lumen in best viewing mode. Would that be enough to lit a 150" screen with lower gain?

 

[jostenmeat]

Please read up a little at this subforum. Ive already researched this just this week for prospective Epson buyers.

Read "A possible jump into projectorland" and you'll see what I typed.

If you use the search function, keywords will already be highlighted for you.

When you have a screen that is more than 75 sq ft, your lumens are really stretched out.

Please feel free to click the "thanks" button.

 

[Reorx]

Lets make this easier for him.
There is a calculator at the bottom of the webpage listed below. Look at the gains of the different kinds of screen / screen material, and input those numbers, along with the screen size you desire. Also it'll tell you how it'll look in your unspecified lighting conditions. As well as the necessary throw distance.

According to the calculator, with good lighting control in your room, it looks like you may be able to get away with a 1.5-2.0 gain screen.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_1080_UB-projection-calculator-pro.htm

jostenmeat, how much did that screen cost you?

Koei, here is a good link explaining gain.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projector_screens_gain.htm

 

[jostenmeat]

jostenmeat, how much did that screen cost you?

Less than 1k shipped from PP. And that was with unnecessary features. 1) CSR as I never roll it up. 2) custom ordered in black as its now covered by a curtain of sorts. Im guessing save a hundred or so without those two features.

excellent links for the OP btw. Deserving of good "rep".

 

[Reorx]

Thanks
I used to setup Classrooms for a University. Lottsa good experience and constant new toys. Business proj's are much different then HT proj's though.

I wonder what the Op's total budget is.

I am thinking that it might be better to go with a upgraded projector with higher lumen output, vs getting a screen with a really high gain. Maybe one of those beautiful 3 chip DLP projectors. Maybe throw in a Short Throw lens.

 

[koei]

I was able to find the Da-Lite Cosmopolitan Electrol High Power screen with 2.8 gain. However, I wasn't able to find any info on whether it include a 12v trigger or there is an option to after looking on the Da-Lite website for additional detail. All it mentioned is that an option of low-voltage control.

 

[jostenmeat]

IIRC, you will have to do some rigging up of some electric stuff. Its not a plug 'n play AFAI remember.

I would call DaLite directly (and I think they have diagrams at their site, will take some fishing around, or even a vendor of screens will know). As the knowledgable BMXTRIX has just very recently pointed out, are you sure you want to spend on electric? It does nothing for you in performance, and will do nothing for longevity. Waves have nothing to do with manuals, but only age, at least according to our local guru. I mean, by all means, but if that money saved could be put towards a better PJ or sub or treatments . . . FWIW.