E

electRON

Audiophyte
Hello all, long time reader, and I apologize if this type of question has already been asked but I wanted some expert advice on two specific screens. I know from the reviews I've read that Carada makes an exceptional screen but I hear mixed on the Elite series. Some love it, some don't. I have an Epson 8100 (so awesome :D) just got it last month and planned on ordering this screen from Carada - 118 Inch Diagonal Criterion Series Projection Screen - 1.78 to 1 in Brilliant White for $916.65. Not too bad I thought considering the excellent things I've read about them and I planned on spending around a thousand on a screen, however I just saw this on amazon - Elite Screens EzFrame Fixed Frame Projection Screen, 16:9 Aspect Ratio - 120in. (Cine White) for $491.61 - and that seems to have great reviews. So not trying to be a cheap skate, but just wondering, is the quality of the Carada worth an extra 425.00? I am already very pleased with the picture on just a white wall as is. Thanks to anyone that can help and sorry if this type of question has already been asked.
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
Do not ever buy Elite in Cinewhite. The material is known for not being accurate and causing a sparkling effect when viewing it. Their cinegrey material is spoken of for being smooth and accurate.

As to the screen itself - we aren't talking material - the screen itself is far better from Carada. Elite is no different. Go to the Elite website and look up the framed screen that matches Carada and the price ends up being about identical.

For grey, I would go with an Elite PrimeVision series in cinegray.
http://www.elitescreens.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34&catid=12&Itemid=20&lang=en

Model (120") - PVR120H1
About $800 shipped.

For white minimal gain, I would go with a Carada Criterion
http://www.carada.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=PROJECTION-SCREEN-H118C
About $950 shipped.

I've never handled a screen built as nice as Caradas screens are except from Stewart at 3 times the cost.
 
E

electRON

Audiophyte
Thanks a lot, had a feeling there was a reason it was so much cheaper, that sparkling effect would drive me crazy. I think I'll stick with the Carada.
 
S

smech

Audiophyte
I have reviewed one Elite screen with Cinewhite material and I have 2 separate 2X2 foot samples of it as well. There is no sparkling effect with Elite's Cinewhite material whatsoever.

Outside of that I agree with everything else BMXTRIX states in his post. Visual Apex has some of them cheaper than Amazon. And they are a forum sponsor.
 
N

NicolasKL

Full Audioholic
How are these generally shipped? Rolled up in a long skinny box? I think shipping to Alaska is going to put a hurtin' on me.

In my basement the walls have a sort of step in them, where the foundation is, so that the wall sticks about 6" further into the room up to a height of about 24". So if I want to go bigger than about a 120" screen, when I mount it, I'll have to mount the bottom to the wall and the top to something that sticks out from the wall. I'm thinking maybe just a horizontal 2x6 that is the length of the top mounting brackets, maybe with some vertical supports also? Think that would be sufficient? Any other ideas?

Also thinking about hiding a motorized screen in the drop ceiling (which I haven't installed yet, it's bare studs now).
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
Shipped in a long skinny box. Typically about 8"x8"x8' or so.

There are tons of ways to do screens, but the individual room will determine it along with your personal tastes/preferences. 120" is a pretty good sized screen for typical 12-15' viewing and will be fine for most viewers.
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
How are these generally shipped? Rolled up in a long skinny box? I think shipping to Alaska is going to put a hurtin' on me.

In my basement the walls have a sort of step in them, where the foundation is, so that the wall sticks about 6" further into the room up to a height of about 24". So if I want to go bigger than about a 120" screen, when I mount it, I'll have to mount the bottom to the wall and the top to something that sticks out from the wall. I'm thinking maybe just a horizontal 2x6 that is the length of the top mounting brackets, maybe with some vertical supports also? Think that would be sufficient? Any other ideas?

Also thinking about hiding a motorized screen in the drop ceiling (which I haven't installed yet, it's bare studs now).
Please consider Seymour CenterStage XD screen material. If you are handy, just order the fabric, and build the frame yourself. There are two different tutorials at the site. This should hopefully save a lot on shipping.

Then you just build out a simple frame where the speakers are all behind the screen. Just don't have the frame block out any of the drivers. You can just have the center speaker behind the screen, and your audio will still be greatly improved, particularly with a larger screen.

You can still have mains hidden of course, even when not behind screen, by using GOM or something around the screen.

Whaddya think? Look up the member systems of rmk, mperfct, and basspig. They all have pretty sweet rigs.
 
E

electRON

Audiophyte
This has been a tougher decision than picking the projector :p still 99% I want to go with the Carada but not sure about what screen material to use now. My room is kind of a nightmare for front projection, my apartment is on the 8th floor and have floor to ceiling windows but the projector as of right now looks fantastic on just a white wall, obviously a little washed out during the day even with the blinds closed but excellent at night. So would high contrast grey be fine? Or should I go for brilliant white since I have no control over ambient light?
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
also I saw this and thought it might be interesting, again I don't want to cheap out on my screen but if I can save five hundred bucks I will, any thoughts on this model?

http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Screens-EzFrame-Projection-Screen/dp/B000GEAD8O/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1283639731&sr=8-10
I rarely if ever hear flattering things about Elite screens in general. I'd rather a Focupix with the little I know so far (and those really are cheap).

Here is one consumer's review of 5 screens, including 3 Elite materials, one of which is this Cine Grey. It's not flattering, be warned.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1067231

OTOH, what he did end up getting is the same one I currently use, Dalite HP. It is the first screen I think of for someone with ambient light. It is the best at shedding offaxis ambient light, but unfortunately for you, you have a window right behind you too, so nevermind, ignore this paragraph please.

Lastly, I think it's just a matter of time before gray screens will be rendered archaic. The one use I can see is if one has a business class PJ with tons of lumens and pitiful contrast, but even then I think the consumer should just upgrade the PJ instead of the screen (since then the screen can be used for PJ upgrades in the future; the gray would become useless/unwanted).
 
S

smech

Audiophyte
Both Carada and Elite make a great product that is very affordable. I currently use an Elite EZFrame Cinegrey screen and it's a great screen. And I've done measurements and observations on just about all of the Da-Lite materials, Stewart materials, Carada materials, Elite materials. Beamax materials, the dnp Supernova, Screen Innovations Black Diamond materials, and many more that I've forgotten. The main thing that folks forget to do when they are comparing materials is to adjust their white and black levels properly. And the cardinal sin of comparing screen products is to never compare a white screen to a gray screen. The result is predictable. If you need a gray screen (personally I believe you need either a gray screen or the High Power looking at the light you're gonna have to deal with), compare it to other grays. You won't be sitting in your theater watching movies with a white reference in the middle. So don't worry about your whites, they will look white.

The High Power is a nice material. But it requires a specific setup and proper seating to achieve it's best. If you cannot do that, you're much better off with just about anything else. And between the Carada and Elite, Elite's gray is much better product. That being said, I think Carada's Brilliant White is a better white.

Is your projector ceiling mounted? Then go with the Cinegrey. Is it on a table or shelf mounted? Then you'd get a better experience out of the High Power.

As for Focupix, I never recommend a screen from a company that won't send me a sample. I'm finicky that way.
 
jinjuku

jinjuku

Moderator
Why not look at the Black Widow DIY paint application? Check it out at Hometheatershack.com.

I actually have a quart or so left over and can be had for the shipping.

Measured spot on 6500.
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
Why not look at the Black Widow DIY paint application? Check it out at Hometheatershack.com.

I actually have a quart or so left over and can be had for the shipping.

Measured spot on 6500.
Painted applications can be very good, but have some very serious ramifications.

1. The wall needs to be totally flat. This is easier said than done as any drywall seams or issues with the wall will need to be dealt with ahead of painting. So, a really good drywall job could take 5-10 hours to complete to perfection.

2. Once you have the paint up, what about the trim? A good frame on a screen, like the Carada Criterion, uses beveled edges with a proper velvet material which sucks light up. It maintains the perfect edge and adds a lot of luxury to the setup.

3. Cleaning. No matter how you look at it, cleaning paint is risky. Rub to hard, with the wrong stuff, and it messes up the paint. That's a lot of work wasted over some fingerprints in the wrong spot. Fingerprints tend not to cling to the vinyl substrate most screens use and clean up easily with soap and water.

4. Portability... I just don't think that wall is coming with you when you move. ;)

Yes, there are some excellent DIY solutions, and painting can produce stunning results, but I would not advocate for it OVER a professional screen solution unless someone is also aware of the ramifications associated with the DIY solutions.
 
jinjuku

jinjuku

Moderator
Painted applications can be very good, but have some very serious ramifications.

1. The wall needs to be totally flat. This is easier said than done as any drywall seams or issues with the wall will need to be dealt with ahead of painting. So, a really good drywall job could take 5-10 hours to complete to perfection.
Or you can use sintra board/gator foam. For me the wall I used was almost perfect. YMMV

2. Once you have the paint up, what about the trim? A good frame on a screen, like the Carada Criterion, uses beveled edges with a proper velvet material which sucks light up. It maintains the perfect edge and adds a lot of luxury to the setup.
I used painters tape and then painted with a flat black. Removed tape and had a border.

3. Cleaning. No matter how you look at it, cleaning paint is risky. Rub to hard, with the wrong stuff, and it messes up the paint. That's a lot of work wasted over some fingerprints in the wrong spot. Fingerprints tend not to cling to the vinyl substrate most screens use and clean up easily with soap and water.
Both can get dirty and damaged. To a point I *think* it would be easier to repair the painted application vs a tear in a screen.


4. Portability... I just don't think that wall is coming with you when you move. ;)

Yes, there are some excellent DIY solutions, and painting can produce stunning results, but I would not advocate for it OVER a professional screen solution unless someone is also aware of the ramifications associated with the DIY solutions.
For the ~$100 that I have in my screen I will deal with it. From the BW thread at HTShack that particular paint application does indeed perform.

To each their own. Just thought another option would be a good thing for the OP. All your points are well taken.
 
jeffsg4mac

jeffsg4mac

Republican Poster Boy
I have a Carada Precision 106" in the Brilliant white. No complaints here. It is a very nice screen of very high quality.
 
S

Sherardp

Audioholic
I have good friend using an Elite screen with a JVC HD1 and the image quality is very good. If your own a budget I would recommend it or Focupix. Both are pretty decent screens. Caradas on the other hand, do both. They look good and offer excellent PQ.
 
smurphy522

smurphy522

Full Audioholic
I have no issues (of sparkling or other) with my 115" Elite 2.35:1 CW screen. It was very easy to assemble and hang. Must use 2 people but other than that it is easy!
 

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