Ultra Good Ultra Fantastic Ultra Cheep Screen

[alan monro]

Gday , 2Years ago I decided I needed a projection screen for the HT that I had built . Fair enough . Studied all I could find on the subject . Found out that I didn't need a gain in the screen .That made it simple .I found out from technicians at Dulux paint company that own British paints , That Dulux own , make a special colour corrected ultra flat white paint especially for a screen . Whacked a couple coats on a bit of plaster sheet with a roller and the result , a perfect screen . Made a very big picture frame , painted it Matt black and screwed it on . Simple isn't it . Save yourself a lot of money and DIY . ALan .

 

[lsiberian]

Gday , 2Years ago I decided I needed a projection screen for the HT that I had built . Fair enough . Studied all I could find on the subject . Found out that I didn't need a gain in the screen .That made it simple .I found out from technicians at Dulux paint company that own British paints , That Dulux own , make a special colour corrected ultra flat white paint especially for a screen . Whacked a couple coats on a bit of plaster sheet with a roller and the result , a perfect screen . Made a very big picture frame , painted it Matt black and screwed it on . Simple isn't it . Save yourself a lot of money and DIY . ALan .

Dunno those Carada screens are very nice. And the Grayhawk is a beauty.

I may Do it myself some day but for now my white wall works fine.

 

[BMXTRIX]

There are tons of DIY options out there, but there are also some potential issues.

1. DIY is often not portable at all. You move - you leave the screen.

2. DIY is often fragile - a mark on the screen and the screen is ruined. Likewise, a bump against the screen, and it is dented or torn.

3. DIY rarely looks as good - but it can look darn good. The biggest issues with drywall & painting are getting a truly smooth and flat surface.

4. Framing is rarely great. A black painted border is nice, but not velvet, and velvet borders aren't really that cheap.

BUT!

It definitely works and I've done a DIY screen and was very happy with the results. I would not do it again though. I think for the money and TIME I spent on the DIY option it is way better to go with a really cheap screen.

Focupix - at www.htdepot.com - delivers for just a few hundred bucks. About half of Carada pricing - a very good screen. Carada delivers (IMO) better than Draper/DaLite quality for far less than their cost - but about twice what htdepot.com gives on the Focupix screens.

Yet, for budget & quality, you can't really beat DIY options, and for those who really DO have free time and need to watch every single penny, there are some time consuming, but great looking things people can do themselves. AVS Forum (not my favorite place) - has the BEST DIY Screen section in the world IMO.

 

[Sherardp]

I'm a Carada owner myself and for what I paid, the quality and looks alone are well worth the coin spent. Focupix are very decent screens for those with tighter budgets, but from reviews seem to perform well.

DIY would be fun, but I'd only do it if I were to go over 140" screen. Congrats on your results though.

 

[Now Slappy]

I've got a question for you BMXTRIX, how do you feel about the Focupix electric screens?

I can't really control light during the day so while I'm waiting for Mitzu to send out their new 82" TV's I started looking back in to the option of putting a plasma (50"+/-)on the wall for daytime viewing and having a FP for movies and sporting events at night.

 

[jostenmeat]

I should really let him speak for himself, but I've read enough of his posts to guess what he would say:

That an electric screen will not do anything for you in terms of performance, nor longevity. He will recommend a fixed frame, or tab tensioned ($$$), so that you may not suffer waving. Electric does not reduce or delay the eventual waving by one bit.

Therefore, he might, and I will, recommend a manual screen so that you might get better performance, for the same cost, at the expense of some convenience (if not willing to drop the coin on tab-tensioning).

Screens can and do make a very big difference.

May I ask what size you would most likely go for? If you want to go big, and you are not going to go with tab-tensioned, and you have flexibility of PJ mounting, I cannot recommend the DaLite HighPower enough. It's extremely affordable. The manual DaLite will in fact be cheaper than the Focupix electric, and there are those who think the DaLite HP is the best screen regardless of price.

 

[Now Slappy]

Thanks for your input jostenmeat!

Here's my dilemma, right now we have a (very) old Mitzu 73" in our living room. The PQ was very good up until say November of last year. That's when I started to notice a nice green(hi-pro) glow around the actors on the screen. Now I bought this TV used back in 2000 and it has served me well, but with all the advances in video it's time for an upgrade.

That being said, I was just going to buy another 73"er and be done with it, but then I found audioholics while searching for reviews on DLP's. To compound the problem Mitzu announces they are going to release an 82" TV. I've always wanted to go Front projector, but since this is not a dedicated HT(my living room) and with my kids being little and wanting to watch their shows during the day I'm kind of at an impasse.

I guess my questions are these...

Can you use a projector for daily TV viewing? (The TV tends to be on a lot during the day. Not all the time, but a lot.) I guess what I'm asking here is if I just went with a fixed screen and FP(no secondary plasma)is this a feasible option for daily TV viewing?

Or since this is really a duel purpose room, should I just suck it up and go with the 82" DLP?

Oh, and to answer your question, I can't go much bigger than 80-90" because of space limitations. And since I bent your ear this long, in the interest of full disclosure I will be using Matin Logan Summits, and Cinema for my front sound stage and I have read that because of the reflective nature of the panels that ML's don't play well with FP's.

Thanks to all who have waded through this post, and thanks in advance for any input on my plight. And my apologies to the OP is I have completely derailed this thread.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks for your input jostenmeat!

Always my pleasure.

Now I bought this TV used back in 2000 and it has served me well, but with all the advances in video it's time for an upgrade.

No argument from me.

Can you use a projector for daily TV viewing? (The TV tends to be on a lot during the day. Not all the time, but a lot.) I guess what I'm asking here is if I just went with a fixed screen and FP(no secondary plasma)is this a feasible option for daily TV viewing?

I don't recommend it. Rising bulb costs. Calibrating for video every couple hundred hours could mean every month for you. The pic will look washed out during the day. Now, even if washed out, BIG does impress the kids, but with the factors combined, perhaps the stars are not yet aligned.

Or since this is really a duel purpose room, should I just suck it up and go with the 82" DLP?

One thing that I really love about FP is not only the size. It's the fantastic PQ. IMO, and I stress IMO, what I have is simply incomparable with any RPTV I have ever seen, period. So, I looked into plasma for you, with some comparative research. A 65" 850u is going for $3.5k, and that's only looking at one place so far. How much do you give up in real estate? if I plugged the #s in correctly:

82" gives you 26% more screen than 73"

73" also gives you 26% more screen than a 65"

82" is a 59% increase over the 65"

feel free to double check:
http://tvcalculator.com/index.html?b21e374bfa0343d005082c40928d357f

You are talking to a guy that pretty much has the biggest display at this forum. IOW, you are talking to a guy who believes bigger is better. YET, I would strongly consider giving up size in order to go plasma. Some folks here have both types, and think the PQ is rather similar. I, however, do not. It's not even close, IMO.

If viewing is daytime golf tournaments, where everything is bright, fine. If you throw on a bluray with lots of shadow detail, it will be apples and oranges. Not even close.

Other bonuses of the plasma is that you won't need to spend on bulbs. No moving parts probably means better reliability. Will need to calibrate for the display less frequently, maybe even only a couple times during its lifetime.

Oh, and to answer your question, I can't go much bigger than 80-90" because of space limitations. And since I bent your ear this long, in the interest of full disclosure I will be using Matin Logan Summits, and Cinema for my front sound stage and I have read that because of the reflective nature of the panels that ML's don't play well with FP's.

I hear you. Ah, ya know, by going with flat panel perhaps pushed back or wall mounted (and consequently further reducing the viewing angle, unfortunately) you'd have less space being taken up between your speakers for hopefully better imaging.

just my present thoughts... I might flip a 180 tomorrow

 

[Now Slappy]

Thanks you very much for taking the time to explain everything to me. As I've said somewhere else on these forums I've really been out of the upgrade game for about a decade so I really appreciate you having patience to give me the pros and cons of the different displays.

Here's what I'm going to have a hard time with, I don't know if I can really go back to only 65". We've had the 73" since '99 or '00 (I can't remember which) so with all the new technology, anyway I go will be a HUGE upgrade in PQ. We also have a four year old 42" Panny plasma in the bedroom and yes, there is a huge difference between the plasma and the RP 73"er. In a perfect world there would be an affordable 73" or larger plasma display...but I digress. LOL

I guess I'll wait on the FP for now, because as you said, the stars just aren't aligned. Maybe the next upgrade should be the house so I can have a dedicated HT like some of you lucky SOB's.

 

[jostenmeat]

In My Opinion, plasma is a huge upgrade in of itself from a DLP RPTV. Just my opinion, but I'm used to actually having good shadow detail now. There are many terms, scientific ones included, that I don't quite understand yet, but there are just so many cinematic scenes that have such varying levels of light within any given moment. IMO, it's just a different experience altogether.

So. Coming from a guy with a 75 sq ft display, I honestly honestly honestly would take the 65" Pana 850u over any current RPTV, even if 82".

My parents have a DLP. My brother has both a large DLP and entry level Pana plasma.

As for the stars not being aligned, I have to say that I had in mind that the FP would be the only display.

But, with the roughly 4k you're looking to spend... you could still get the following:

42" Pana 720p television $600
used JVC RS1 (that's what I have) for $2.2k
use the remainder of budget on a tab tensioned OR
a DaLite high power manual for $300 and keep nearly $1000 in the pocket

or something like that

I use RS1 with HP, and it's impossible to describe.

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?projmisc&1248894979

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?projmisc&1249011880

or just spend a few hundred more for a new product like Epson 6500 or Pana 3000.

So, yeah, ok, if I had 4k, and I was you, Id still go FP + small display.

If I can only choose between smaller plasma and bigger DLP, I go with smaller plasma.

 

[alan monro]

Gday , 2Years ago I decided I needed a projection screen for the HT that I had built . Fair enough . Studied all I could find on the subject . Found out that I didn't need a gain in the screen .That made it simple .I found out from technicians at Dulux paint company that own British paints , That Dulux own , make a special colour corrected ultra flat white paint especially for a screen . Whacked a couple coats on a bit of plaster sheet with a roller and the result , a perfect screen . Made a very big picture frame , painted it Matt black and screwed it on . Simple isn't it . Save yourself a lot of money and DIY . Alan .

I am a little bit disappointed that nobody can see the massive advantages of painting . One can paint the wall 'as rough as guts' and when the projector is on it is impossible to see the difference. And it is cheap .Alan .

 

[BMXTRIX]

I am a little bit disappointed that nobody can see the massive advantages of painting . One can paint the wall 'as rough as guts' and when the projector is on it is impossible to see the difference. And it is cheap .Alan .

Not everyone is going to agree with your opinion on this.

You see, a rough wall will reflect light differently that is projected onto it, so open white scenes will allow the wall to appear rough instead of the perfect white scenes which are expected. Likewise, with panning shots, you won't get smooth motion.

One of the biggest complaints people have with painted walls is that they rarely are flat and that in panning scenes you get variances in the brightness due to the wall reflecting differently.

I think anyone who puts the time and effort in, really can have great results, but I have a friend who did put in the time and effort to do it all perfectly, and after living in his home for a year, the drywall CRACKED right in the middle of his screen. He was out over a dozen hours of labor, plus the price of paint.

I think that for those who really do want a very consistent result that delivers the best from their projector, then a good screen is the way to go.

I've seen it both ways though and I do agree that with a decent wall, you can get very good results. But, with a bad wall? It is just not the case.

 

[lsiberian]

In My Opinion, plasma is a huge upgrade in of itself from a DLP RPTV. Just my opinion, but I'm used to actually having good shadow detail now. There are many terms, scientific ones included, that I don't quite understand yet, but there are just so many cinematic scenes that have such varying levels of light within any given moment. IMO, it's just a different experience altogether.

So. Coming from a guy with a 75 sq ft display, I honestly honestly honestly would take the 65" Pana 850u over any current RPTV, even if 82".

My parents have a DLP. My brother has both a large DLP and entry level Pana plasma.

As for the stars not being aligned, I have to say that I had in mind that the FP would be the only display.

But, with the roughly 4k you're looking to spend... you could still get the following:

42" Pana 720p television $600
used JVC RS1 (that's what I have) for $2.2k
use the remainder of budget on a tab tensioned OR
a DaLite high power manual for $300 and keep nearly $1000 in the pocket

or something like that

I use RS1 with HP, and it's impossible to describe.

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?projmisc&1248894979

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?projmisc&1249011880

or just spend a few hundred more for a new product like Epson 6500 or Pana 3000.

So, yeah, ok, if I had 4k, and I was you, Id still go FP + small display.

If I can only choose between smaller plasma and bigger DLP, I go with smaller plasma.

Plasma vs DLP is an interesting argument. I think DLP is better for sporting events. It's brightness capabilities are just wonderful. However Plasma is very nice too. Either way I won't buy a TV. I just have a hard time watching a tv anymore. Call me ruined, but I prefer my FP. Even if it wears out faster or needs bulb swaps more often. I'm under the illusion that wants my PJ goes out I get to upgrade though.

 

[jostenmeat]

Plasma vs DLP is an interesting argument. I think DLP is better for sporting events.

I sure don't. I think plasma beats DLP RPTV at everything except maybe price at the largest sizes.

It's brightness capabilities are just wonderful.

You can calibrate to personal preference. There's also the dynamic torch mode.

However Plasma is very nice too. Either way I won't buy a TV. I just have a hard time watching a tv anymore. Call me ruined, but I prefer my FP. Even if it wears out faster or needs bulb swaps more often. I'm under the illusion that wants my PJ goes out I get to upgrade though.

You're preaching to the choir. My FP is my only display.