Fixed Screen vs Motorized....

[Savage40]

I am twisted at every turn, in every decision I make at putting together my first home theater...,,

My first thought was to buy the Visual Apex 120" tab tension electric screen for $899.00 and mount an LED TV on the wall directly behind where the screen will come down. That way I could use the regular tv for regular tv watching. I think I was considering this with the thought that using the projector for all tv, movies, games etc would burn through bulbs very fast.

However, the more I think about it, the bulb in the 6010 is supposed to last for 4,000 hours and it comes with an extra bulb. The replacement bulbs are only about $300 and by the money I saved by buying fixed screen vs motorized, plus the savings of not buying an LED tv, I would probably be replacing the projector long before I spent that much in bulb replacements.

So, my question is, anyone every used both fixed and motorized screen?

Any pros / cons to using fixed screen for every day tv viewing? Do the tab tension motorized screens sway back in forth at the slightest air movement? Say when the A/C kicks on and a vent is blowing air towards it or near it?

Fixed screen seems to me would be the most perfectly flat picture, but I am not saying that from first hand experience.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am twisted at every turn, in every decision I make at putting together my first home theater...,,

Well, it is not inexpensive to set it up so it is good to plan and think.

My first thought was to buy the Visual Apex 120" tab tension electric screen for $899.00 and mount an LED TV on the wall directly behind where the screen will come down. That way I could use the regular tv for regular tv watching. I think I was considering this with the thought that using the projector for all tv, movies, games etc would burn through bulbs very fast.

However, the more I think about it, the bulb in the 6010 is supposed to last for 4,000 hours and it comes with an extra bulb. The replacement bulbs are only about $300 and by the money I saved by buying fixed screen vs motorized, plus the savings of not buying an LED tv, I would probably be replacing the projector long before I spent that much in bulb replacements.

Well, if the bulbs are not that expensive and you add in the savings, it could be worth it.
However, Lams lose intensity over time, if that is a concern for you. Lamps may or may not last 4000 hours and are not guaranteed to last that long
Front projection works best in a dark room as the on screen lumens is low compared to a TV set.

Do the tab tension motorized screens sway back in forth at the slightest air movement? Say when the A/C kicks on and a vent is blowing air towards it or near it?

Don't know if the screen would move if forced air is blowing on it; I have not seen mine move as I don't have a forced air system in the house. The sub doesn't affect it.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The best possible viewing surface is a fixed frame screen with a nice velvet border around it. The wide framed screens, like the Carada Criterion, are by far the way to go if the room allows for it.

Now, I run a motorized screen with a flat panel behind it and I definitely use both of them, but the flat panel generally gets more of a work out for day-to-day viewing. Still, I wouldn't trade my projector away either.

Now, you've justified the lamp cost, but you have been sold a lie. There is no lamp, outside of LED models, which truly can claim 4,000 hours. Generally speaking, lamps should last at least 1,000 hours, but you should budget for a replacement lamp at 1,000 hours, then be thankful if you get more quality viewing time than that. If you do, then that's great, but if not, then you won't feel ripped off when you have to install a new lamp.

Yes, a STRONG air current can make a hanging screen sway. But, the bar at the bottom of a quality tab-tensioned screen weighs 30 or more pounds. So, it takes more than normal air movement to get that thing moving. I've never tried to see how much air it takes, but my HVAC system has never bothered it, nor has my moving around the room, but it depends on how much air you are talking about and how close it is. They do sell 'vent covers' for HVAC systems which you may want to consider if necessary.

Still, if the room is always light controlled, then you may just be happy with a fixed frame screen. It is a choice and decision entirely up to you, which doesn't help you figure things out really, but it's safe to say that both options will give you high quality results.