Gray projector screen?

[AndrewLyles]

I'm putting a projector in my living room (white walls and ceiling) and have reconciled I probably need a gray screen. My fear of gray screens is that the screen surface won't disappear when watching a movie. I've read horror stories about sheen, hotspotting, sparklies, too much texture, etc.

The Facts:

Size: 92" diagonal (Should be retractable and preferably tensioned and motorized)
Projector: JVC RS20
Distance to screen: 15 feet

Is there a good gray screen out there that will "disappear" during a movie and might work well in my installation? Like everyone, the price of the Stewart Firehawk scares me off a little bit.

Thank y'all very much!!
Andrew

 

[ivseenbetter]

I'm not 100% sure you have to go with a gray screen with that projector. The gray screen is supposed to help provide better blacks when a person has a projector that is known to be weaker in that area...this was particularly important when LCD projectors first started showing up. However, your projector isn't weak in that regard. I think you could do just fine with a white screen.

But, if you have your heart set on a grey screen...I bought an Elite Cinetension 2 and the screen absolutely disappears with my projector. No issues at all.

 

[jostenmeat]

RS20 buyers - what screen are you planning to use with it?


The following user does not have JVC, but Epson. Blackout, Cinegray, Cinewhite, Powergain, Dalite HP. He ended up with the last.

After testing five different screen materials...

Hope this helps.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I have a .8 gain Draper grey screen, and while I am very happy with it, I would rather have the punch of a 1.4 gain screen than a grey screen hands down. The NON-positive gain characteristic of this grey screen keeps viewing angle wide and completely eliminates any hot-spotting at all as far as I have seen.

It is typically the positive gain - especially high power screens, which cause hot spotting and often have very narrow viewing angles.

At the end of the day, I would not put a strong recommendation on a negative gain grey screen, but I think you would have best results with a positive gain grey screen from a good manufacturer, including Dalite, Draper, or Stewart.

Yet, at the end of the day, I typically recommend a Carada brilliant white screen unless the conditions just don't allow for it.

 

[AndrewLyles]

Thank y'all very much. I ended up ordering the Da-Lite HCCV, which is a 1.1 gain gray screen. Once everything is delivered, up, and installed in a few weeks I'll try and post a few photos so people can get a feel for the installation.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

 

[EJ1]

Let us know how it turns out. The blacks should be incredible. Nice projector choice, btw.

 

[1tribeca]

Grey screens are generally for rooms that suffer from higher ambient light levels ie. sports bars. Ever see how lousy a football game looks in sports bar using a white screen? Absolutely silly!

Hope the Da-Lite works out well. If you end up unsatisfied, Stewart makes the best screens without question. They cost more, but oddly enough have 76% market share in the consumer realm (even higher in the commercial/professional arena)

 

[abjonesiii]

Let us know how it turns out. The blacks should be incredible. Nice projector choice, btw.

x2 post a pic too.

 

[Sherardp]

excellent projector. i too am soon to either purchase the HD750/350 to replace my current JVC HD1. I'll be using my current 126" Carada BW screen.

Jostenmeat, I have to report my demo to you. I've seen the 750 in action and the results are unreal. PQ is sharp and the black levels are incredible. As long as you dont see, you're good with the RS1.

 

[jostenmeat]

You are insane, and I hate you, and thanks because I'll try to stay away now! lol