Choosing screen for Panasonic AE900-U

[Craig234]

Hi, newbie question:

What is an optimal screen for this projector?

Factors include fitting the screen type to the projector, as well as price/performance (spending for significant improvement good, for trivial bad).

It's for a suburban living room (read, no idea how much ambient light reduction will be needed), small, about 15'x15' with an 4'x8' cutout in the rear.

Viewing distance will be an issue; I sort of like the 'big effect' while not wanting to have to look around to see the whole image; the Panasonic, I understand, alllows for a bit closer viewing with its 'slightly softer' image and a lack of screen door (woo hoo). I'm not sure how far the distance will be - closest is about 6' from the couch currently, diagonally, and I may need to put a seat directly in front of the screen 10-12' back - too new to this to know for sure.

Screens come in various price ranges, with many getting good reviews. I have little info for picking the 'right one'.

I want to spend enough not to regret the choice, but not spend 50-100% more to get a benefit you can notice on a certain movie at a certain angle.

 

[df4801]

If you have ambient light issues and a 6ft seating distance, then you may want to consider a plasma, say 50-55" or so. Can get a nice one for around $3K.

If dead set on a projector, I would keep the screen to 92" max.
Stewart firehawk is one of the better ones for light rejection, but pricey at around $1300-1400.
Check out Carada and Da-Light as well.

 

[BMXTRIX]

92" wide is about perfect IMO for a 12 foot viewing distance. But, you have to understand the ambient light DESTROYS the image on screen. A good screen can improve this issue and grey screens and positive gain, light rejecting, grey screens do an even better job - at a premium cost.

So, what screen is best?

Well, it has to be matched to your environment perfectly and your seating distance truly needs to be known. I often sit about 7 feet and off to the side with my 106" screen - it isn't ideal. I prefer the money seat - centered about 12 feet from the screen. Much better... when my wife gives it up.

But, I don't ever turn the projector on while the sun is up. My family room theater has way to many windows and the projector simply can't overpower the ambient light that exists prior to sunset. So, the plasma stays on until after dark.

In the end - if you aren't set on your furniture positioning, you aren't set on how much light is in the room, you aren't sure of the screen size you want...

Why worry about a screen?

Get in there and then figure things out. Set up the projector and (hopefully) project onto the white wall for a week or two before rushing out and buying the wrong screen. Figure out if you want a 92" diagonal - or smaller - or larger. Figure out if you need to spend the money on a positive gain grey screen like the Firehawk from Stewart. Or, if your money is better spent on really good curtains and a lesser expensive top notch screen like the Carada Brilliant White screen.

IMO... I would setup a couch at 12 feet. Get really good curtains and blinds (both are likely necessary) and go with the Carada screen. The price would be similar but the full movie theater effect would be awesome.

 

[Craig234]

Thanks

Thanks for the responses.

This is to go in a living room. I live alone, so no issues of others limiting what's done.

Priority 1: quality video experience. In other words, don't get a half-rate picture with compromises. On the other hand, the steps taken should result in reasonably significant improvements, not the sort that leave you saying 'let me watch that again and see if I can tell the difference'.

As I understand, #1 points me towards really darkening the room and a white screen.

Priority 2: If possible with being able to do #1 when I want, it'd be nice to be able to use the projector for the only television, including during daytime hours with as much ambient light as possible while still having an enjoyable picture.

As I understand, ambient light calls for a gray screen.

Is it possible to get both of these, or do I need to stick to #1 and get a second television for #2 (yuck, so much for getting one good system).

On some of the questions I'm encouraged to get answers for before picking a screen, it's tail wagging the dog - I can decide some of the issues depending on the need for the video. For example I have some flexibility in how far to sit from the screen, how much ambient light, etc. So they're driven by the video priorities rather than determing the video setup within fixed room parameters.

One other question I'm deciding, motorized screen or not - I don't recall Carada selling a motorized.

The screen could usually be down, but it seems like a fixed screen could be a bit dominating for the (small) room with company over etc.

On the size, I'd rather err on the side of being a little pleasantly overwhelmed with the size than disappointed with it being too small. Of course, I don't want to be missing what's happening on part of the screen, looking from side to side I've seen some awfully big screen sizes mentioned in the forums here.

Unfortunately, the wall I'm planning to use now has some (tacky old 1970's style) faux-dark-wood panelling, not suitable for 'test viewing'. Hm.

I'd like to do something a little more sophisticated than say 'that looks about right' by just looking at the wall imagining watching movies.

 

[westcott]

BMX has given great advice. Set it up first and then decide before investing in a screen. I used a white sheet for a while after the walls were painted to make sure I had the right size screen for my viewing area. I have even seen DIY screens that provide 95% of the performance of a retail screen.

If image quality is your priority, then light control will have to become a priority.

I find that having two displays really does cover your bases well. It reduces lamp hours on your projector and a quality CRT, plasma, or lcd can provide the brightness necessary for daytime viewing without the concern of lamp replacement.

Most standard definition programming does not look very good blown up to 90+ inches anyway. I strongly suggest two displays, as well. A small 27" or 32" for SD programming is a good compromise will still providing a good picture.

I second the vote for the Carada BW Criterion or Precision unit. Outstanding value that will provide more funds for light control which can be very expensive. I spent more than 3X on light control than I did for the projector and screen. It is that important for good video quality.

 

[ned]

If you can shelf/table mount your projector, I'll go with high power to counter ambient light condition.

 

[birdcage]

I JUST INSTALLED A 100 INCH WALL MOUNTED HI-DEF DA-LITE SCREEN WITH MY NEW PANASONIC, AND AM HAPPY WITH IT.... BUT... I USED A 4X8 SHEET OF SHEETROCK PLACED ON A PANELED WALL FOR A WEEK PRIOR TO MY SCREEN ARRIVING...
i AM SITTIG 12 FEET BACK AND LIKE THE WAY IMAGES FILL THIS 53 INCH HIGH SCREEN....
I DO NOTICE THAT THE CONTRAST ON THE GRAYISH WALLBOARD SHEETROCK DID SEEM BETTER THAN THIS WHITE WHITE SCREEN... AND I AM IN A COMPLETELY DARKENED ROOM...WHICH IS A MUST...FOR THIS PROJECTOR...
BUY SOME SHEETROCK...PUT IT UP..AND PLAY WITH THAT PROJECTOR...

 

[ned]

I JUST INSTALLED A 100 INCH WALL MOUNTED HI-DEF DA-LITE SCREEN WITH MY NEW PANASONIC, AND AM HAPPY WITH IT.... BUT... I USED A 4X8 SHEET OF SHEETROCK PLACED ON A PANELED WALL FOR A WEEK PRIOR TO MY SCREEN ARRIVING...
i AM SITTIG 12 FEET BACK AND LIKE THE WAY IMAGES FILL THIS 53 INCH HIGH SCREEN....
I DO NOTICE THAT THE CONTRAST ON THE GRAYISH WALLBOARD SHEETROCK DID SEEM BETTER THAN THIS WHITE WHITE SCREEN... AND I AM IN A COMPLETELY DARKENED ROOM...WHICH IS A MUST...FOR THIS PROJECTOR...
BUY SOME SHEETROCK...PUT IT UP..AND PLAY WITH THAT PROJECTOR...

What white sccreen are you referring to?

 

[WorldLeader]

I am also looking for a setup that will allow me to view my projector in ambient light. I really don't want to have to keep my CRT around, but it looks like that is the best option for watching SD cable during the day :\

Also, please don't type in all caps birdcage.

 

[birdcage]

what screen?

Ned, its called a Da-lite Permwall.. I did no research, just ordered it from the local costco as I ordered my projector....
sorry for no more info... I guess it might be cosidered a matt surface..

 

[ned]

Ned, its called a Da-lite Permwall.. I did no research, just ordered it from the local costco as I ordered my projector....
sorry for no more info... I guess it might be cosidered a matt surface..

Well that explains it all then.

 

[birdcage]

thats explains what all?


my purchase comes with a no-hassle six month return policy.....
I guess that is a form or research into screens...
speaking of which...
how high is your screen mounted?
and do you have to pull your projector out of the cabinet in order to use it...?