Pull down screen or pop up monitor?

[Sleestack]

I'm renovating my house and buliding a dedicated HT room. I'll have 2 TVs in there, one 50" pioneer Elite plasma and a projector. I use 5 Andra II floorstanders so my plasma and projector screen will occupy the same space. I have 2 options: 1) mount the plasma on a device that will lower it behind a facade that will be behind my speakers and mount the projector screen on the wall, or 2) mount the plasma on the wall and have a projector screen that lowers in front of the plasma. I will primarly be using the plasma. The projector will get used about once a week for movies. My concern is that if I go with option #2, I will compromise the quality of the projector screen that is available to me. Any thoughts on which would be the better option and the qulaity of projector screens that roll up and can automatically be pulled down for veiwing?

 

[bryantm3]

why don't you just go with the plasma? i've never really seen better performance from a projector than from a straight television set, unless it's film like in the movie theatre. but i don't know, i'm not that knowledgable about televisions.

 

[BMXTRIX]

why don't you just go with the plasma? i've never really seen better performance from a projector than from a straight television set, unless it's film like in the movie theatre. but i don't know, i'm not that knowledgable about televisions.

Have you actually seen a decent home theater setup to base that statement on? I mean, in a 100% dark environment, with a calibrated projector, and a decent screen? Plasma easily equals, if not bests, some of the best plasma displays on the market... Oh, and it's four times the size or more!

I would go with a plasma lift... Here's why.

Tab-tensioned projection screens are excellent, but they tend to use a black fabric for the surrounds instead of a black velvet. While this works well, it is nowhere near the same quality level that black velvet is.

On the flip side, when you put up a fixed screen, with a good black velvet border (think Carada, Criterion screen w/brilliant white surface) you get a near perfect film screen, then you can combine that with about any plasma in the world. The plasma just needs the lift, any plasma works with it, and it doesn't suffer in any way from being on the lift.

Add to that if there is any air circulation in the room that hits a drop down screen it may (not likely) cause the screen to sway a bit in the air currents which can cause uneven image appearance throughout a movie.

That's my take on it, and frankly, I've never heard that option before - I like it!

 

[majorloser]

I don't know if this is an option, but if you have empty space above the room, I have seen fixed screens lowered through the ceiling. Quite impressive! A box has to be built in the attic to enclose the screen. It was in a Home Theater Interiors mag a couple of years back.

It sounds like you have a dedicated room. It's quite impressive to have a tab-tensioned screen lower down in front of the plasma. You invite somebody into the room to watch a movie, hit the remote and the projector comes on and the screen drops

It's the WOW factor. They see one thing (the plasma) and BANG you hit them with the big screen.

Since the plasma is going to be the primary method of viewing, why not make it the permanent mount? With custom cabinetry built around it and the screen coming out of a small slot or opening door?

I have a fixed Stewart screen and love it. But, I wish I had a large plasma/LCD for everyday channel surfing. The light bulb "thing" is getting a little old. I have a stage built in the front for the speaker and subs. I looked into exactly what you are talking about. I got turned off when I looked at the price of screw and scissor lifts for the plasma. And that doesn't include custom cabinetry. The electric tab tensioned screen is cheaper when you add it all up.

I'm still thinking about one of those lifts in a custom cabinet at the foot of the master bed.

 

[BMXTRIX]

majorloser - I can tell you that a permanently mounted Stewart screen is far superior in quality to any tab-tensioned screen out there - and a good motorized tab-tensioned screen isn't exactly cheap - especially for a good one that mounts in the ceiling.

I think MSRP on mine is $4K which puts cost right around $2K and it's a Draper, not a Stewart or one of the finer brands.

Yes, scissor lifts and the cabinetry is expensive, but there are companies making furniture pieces with lifts integrated as of right now. All-in-one designs that are pre-fabs, not 'custom' to order builds like used to be the case. Still, I'm not going to say how much they cost, because I sure don't know.

 

[majorloser]

Yes, scissor lifts and the cabinetry is expensive, but there are companies making furniture pieces with lifts integrated as of right now. All-in-one designs that are pre-fabs, not 'custom' to order builds like used to be the case. Still, I'm not going to say how much they cost, because I sure don't know.

They ain't cheap!

I'll need something in red cherry or mahogany to match my bedroom.

If they can only come up with an affordable 100" plasma or LCD wall screen, I'd be set. Granted, it would take a freakin' forklift to hang it on the wall (and the wall would need to be poured concrete).

 

[Sleestack]

BMTRIX, you raise some noteworthy issues related to the drop down screen. I think I'll most likely go with the Plasma on a lift. that seems the best option for not compromising the picture quality of either setup. Thanks.