This question has been asked on other forums but I don't believe it's been asked in this one.

How do people react when they see your HT in action? I was one of the first on the block with a flat panel (Panasonic Plasma) and guests used to be amazed at the image. Now of course flat panels are everywhere and have reached "just a TV" status.

But most people don't have much experience with what good projected images can look like, so I'd expect some interesting reactions to the images/sound produced by the equipment owned by this group. (Not to mention the HT room decor etc).

I've only borrowed several different projectors (e.g. Panasonic 700AE 720p, some boardroom projectors) to play with projecting on my wall (which is very sub-optimal to say the least: bumpy, ochre-colored with a light black stain effect) and already I'm getting amazed reactions. People are blown away when they see an image that big and, especially playing HD DVDs, that clear. When my sister, who had been impressed by a demo of King Kong on my wall, brought a friend over she insisted I show him something.

It wasn't even dark - just sunset, and I had nothing but light see-through roman curtains on the bay windows so tons of light was still getting into the room. I put on "I Am Legend" on HD DVD and grimaced at how washed out the image looked but nonetheless her friend was wowed. He thought it looked amazingly clear and was very impressed.

Another friend, upon seeing 2001 (HD DVD) at about 124" wide on my wall said "My God, it's like you could fall into the picture...like it's portal."

Most surprising was a visit from my techno-geek Brother-in-Law ("BIL"). He was talking about how he finally bought a nice Sharp Aquos flat screen LCD tv and how much he and his wife were enjoying watching movies on it.

I told him of my project and asked if he wanted to see a demo. He said yes not too enthusiastically. All I had was a low-res (480) business projector that day, it still wasn't dark outside (and hence not fully dark in the room) and I put on the beginning of Transformers. As soon as the wall lit up with the image his head went back and he emitted a "wow." It was only 5 minutes into it when he started talking about how it was such a great way to watch movies and after the projector went off he started asking questions about projection and how he could get a set up like that in his place.

And that's from me, a guy who hasn't even bought a projector yet. :)

How about your stories?

I usually get one of two reactions: A low key "This is nice " or a really appreciative " Wow ! ".

I have many versions of the same story. Most of my friends come with a wife and most of my wife's friends come with a husband. Reactions are usually similar. There is some exchange of looks between the husband and wife followed by some discussion of why the husband can/cannot do something similar. There are also lots of questions, usually about cost.

When the lights go down and the movie starts, most people just get lost in the movie.

With the exception of a few friends that I have that are into this hobby, most people don't point out anything in particular that they enjoy. No comments about black levels or color accuracy or anything like that. I have gotten a few "what a sharp picture comments." I think most people seem to equate a good picture with a "sharp" picture, for some reason. Most people have still never seen a bluray movie yet. A good bluray on a large screen is hard to screw up.

I really don't need the affirming comments about specific things. I just trust that everything that I have done has made it a very enjoyable, seamless experience for my guests. They may not consciously notice the blackness or color or other things, but I know that it is registering on some level. The most comments I get are about my theater chairs. People love to recline!

I usually get one of two reactions: A low key "This is nice " or a really appreciative " Wow ! ".

I get exactly the same response. Nothing in between.

Then they ask me.. "so how much did all this cost?"

" Holy crap that's a big picture " is the usual response, followed by " wow - you can feel the sound " ( especially during action / sci - fi / war movies ) !!

I have quite a few artistic, movie-loving friends so I think I'll see some appreciative responses.

The same room that is to become my HT is the one that I've used for my high-end audio listening for years. I've had a lot of nice stuff through that room (everything from Quad ESL 63s with subwoofers, to Von Schweikert, Audio Physic, Waveform, Thiel, Hales, Meadowlark an others...and yummy tube amps...)...and the reactions I had surprised me. Most of us seem to assume the "average joe" won't know good sound when he hears it, or appreciate it. But over the years I've had tons of people sit down to listen, out of curiosity (and even some, like my mom, who had to be dragged to the sitting sofa) and I can't remember one person, male or female, who did not express amazement at hearing such beautiful sound.

Seems to me it would be even easier for them to appreciate Big Picture and sound done well together.

My experiences are simliar to all yours. The vast majority are duly impressed, not only the picture and sound, but the gear being unobtrusive (the women especially love this), and the comfortable chairs.

Usually after the initial chatter dies down, I bring up a THX trailer loud enough to feel. After that, they're putty on your hands! Sometimes a barrage of requests to see favorite scenes from movies will follow, unless a feature has already been planned.

One group of guests, after watching a movie, turned to me and said, "Now I understand why you rarely go to the theater- why would you?!?" That feels good, and is a good antidote to upgradeitis.

I have yet to have anyone not be impressed. But usually subtle hints at how much it costs come into play.

I have yet to have anyone not be impressed. But usually subtle hints at how much it costs come into play.

No one ever asks me. I think because they are already shell shocked after seeing the 1100 bottles of wine in the walk in wine cellar. Which is nearing 1.5X the theater cost anyways.

In 2001, my favorite comment ever was "wow, this is like mtv cribs."

These days, I usually show THX Wow!, and people are blown away. I then explain its a transfer from a laserdisc, and would they like to see bluray. . . .

The best sign is that people forget time, and get lost in the experience.

I think people have had more emotional experiences to one of my 2 channel audio set ups over the years than the theater. There's more magic there.

Kelly

I think people have had more emotional experiences to one of my 2 channel audio set ups over the years than the theater. There's more magic there.

Kelly

I can understand that. I've seen quite a number of emotional responses to listening to music in my 2 channel set up too. There is a certain type of nourishment that music provides, different from the movie viewing experience, that I can't give up. Hence I'm trying to keep my 2 channel set up in the mix.

The most common remark I get when people see my theater for the first time is: " I would lock myself in here and never come out ".

The most common remark I get when people see my theater for the first time is: " I would lock myself in here and never come out ".

Same here. Or "why would you ever leave?"

And the "how much do you have invested" question is always just beneath the surface (or actually asked)

My two channel reaction has been less than overwhelming. On the other hand, the HT response has always been lots of superlatives.

I get many very impressed reactions to my theater. But as many have said they love the chairs and want to know how much something like this costs. I am currently doing a major upgrade that will make the overall cost "scary" to most; however, my past setups have been pretty affordable. When I told them that my projector and screen cost $2500 or less than a 60" plasma people got amazed and the men start thinking how they could do this. But then the wives soon say no way which honestly disgusts me. So many men work hard to make a living and can't even stand up for what they want...amazing.

When I was starting to feel guilty about my current upgrade costing close to $20K when finished I then thought about it in terms of the cost of a kitchen remodel. In fact I was listening to a person tell me they had just spent $50K on a kitchen remodel and not to long before that she told me $15K-$20K on a home theater is simply a waste of money!!!! But even the wives always enjoy my theater...I don't understand.

I get, "Wow... are you in the business??" I love to respond, "nope" and let it hang. My theater is very functional; stadium seating with all the equipment hidden away in a projection room and the speakers hidden behind the 10' wide SMX screen. So it doesn't look like the typical in-home, equipment laden theater.

But like others posting here, I too have had the most reaction from my two channel setup. "Wow... makes you believe in ghosts" is a comment from even the most audio illiterate. I like to say, all you need is a functioning set of ears to appreciate it! Close your eyes and Kitka is in the room with you. It's really magical... breathtaking.. to everyone. It really grabs people's attention.

The thing you have to understand about women is that they are communal. They believe a home is for nurturing and entertaining family and guests. And that means......conversation. Specifically conversation with guests and family where you show interest in their lives, their concerns, etc.

A room set up for the purpose of listening to music or watching movies flies in the face of all of their sensibilities -- especially when there are speakers intruding into the room. A room set up for listening to music or watching movies, to them, is anti-social. When you are sitting in the sweet spot, you are only interested in music -- when you are watching a movie of listening to music, you cannot converse with your guests.

This is why women prefer flat panel TV's and in-wall speakers. They do not intrude into the room and communicate anti-social intention to guests -- in-wall and in-ceiling speakers also communicate "background music" which is fine -- because this is what you play when entertaining guests -- and you play it in the "background" while you converse and show interest in your guests.

When I try to get my wife's friends to sit in the sweet spot in my listening room, you would think the seat was a frying pan. They are visibly uncomfortable and jumpy sitting there while the whole room is set up for their maximum enjoyment in that spot.
If I can get them to sit for a moment before jumping up, it is a small victory.

Also, look what happens when you have a music system or home theater -- the guests arrive, the husbands want to talk about the gear and --egads -- you're talking about gear. Impersonal conversation where your gear is the center of attention rather than the guests and their lives, concerns, etc.

So, equating a kitchen remodel -- the place where family and guests are fed and nurtured, where morning conversations are held to start the day, where meals are eaten as the family converses over dinner -- with a home theater remodel....you can see why many women would think the theater remodel a waste of money.

They're funny creatures -- they have their priorities all screwed up. :-)

Having said that, I bet most of us have very understanding wives.

Now that you know what they really think of our hobby and pursuit, you realize how tolerant they really are.

My theater is under construction, so I don't have the answer to that one, but the reaction I get to my listening room, which is sound-proofed and designed for excellent acoustics, is pretty interesting. The first thing people notice is the change in acoustics when entering the room. They say, "oh yeah -- you can tell." And, "yeah, it sounds so much better in here." And that's before I even play music -- just from hearing their voices. As I describe all the hidden acoustic treatments that make the room perform as it does, I can see most think I am a little wacky at first. Then, I put on a music demonstration and the women say, "it sounds great" but as I described in the previous post, you practically need to hog tie them to get them to sit in the sweet spot for even a moment. They always protest, "I can already tell -- it sounds great" and they demure. I describe how I can listen to my music at a pretty loud volume without disturbing the rest of the family -- any time of the day or night. That's when every woman says, "my husband would love a room like this." Guys are happy to sit in the sweet spot and listen to a song or two, take in the demo. Then they say, "I can see why you did this -- this is great -- I'd love to have a room like this."

Not one woman has ever said, "I would love to have a room like this."

Yep there's no doubt it's hardest to get a woman to sit down to listen to music. Especially a mother...they always twitch like they think they shouldn't be sitting down and should be doing something.

But as I said, I haven't had anyone fail to honestly appreciate what they hear.

The most common remark I get when people see my theater for the first time is: " I would lock myself in here and never come out ".

That's what they say about our wine cellar! :D

The thing you have to understand about women is that they are communal. They believe a home is for nurturing and entertaining family and guests. And that means......conversation. Specifically conversation with guests and family where you show interest in their lives, their concerns, etc.

A room set up for the purpose of listening to music or watching movies flies in the face of all of their sensibilities -- especially when there are speakers intruding into the room. A room set up for listening to music or watching movies, to them, is anti-social. When you are sitting in the sweet spot, you are only interested in music -- when you are watching a movie of listening to music, you cannot converse with your guests.

This is why women prefer flat panel TV's and in-wall speakers. They do not intrude into the room and communicate anti-social intention to guests -- in-wall and in-ceiling speakers also communicate "background music" which is fine -- because this is what you play when entertaining guests -- and you play it in the "background" while you converse and show interest in your guests.

I must have the perfect woman then. She loves our home theater, and had no problem with the cost, which was 40K including construction and a 16' wide La Z Boy sofa.

Not one woman has ever said, "I would love to have a room like this."
Funny... all these comments about women's negative or ho-hum reactions... the MAIN instigator of "Movie Night" in our neighborhood is a young, beautiful (married) woman. She LOVES my theater and movies. Potluck dinner and a movie with 6 or 8 neighbors... every week. Right now we're making our way through BBC's Robin Hood series. When the first episode of the evening is done, she's, like, "next?" and everyone's on-board.

Most guests do enjoy the pic quality and size on our humble 720p unit. But I think what most folks find most remarkble - and enjoyable - is the fact that the living room is not centered around a TV. So most come in and go "where's your TV".

That is actually the reason we ended up getting the projector. I wanted the big-screen expereince but the only reason I was able to get the green light from the wife was that she didnt want the TV dominating the room, and the projetor setup made it all dissapear.

IMO pretty much ANY projector has a huge WAF factor built-in. You cant get them to go for a 120" pic in cases where they wouldnt even allow you to put up a 42" plasma - you just have to sell it the right way.... :-)

Women are not negative towards the listening room -- their comments are positive, "it sounds great" and "I can already tell it sounds great." They also appreciate the acoustics. It's just that they always say my HUSBAND would love a room like this, never *I* would love a room like this -- and it is hard to get them to sit in the sweet spot and listen to music.

As for the theater -- it isn't finished yet, so I will be curious to see how that shakes out.

Potluck dinner and a movie with 6 or 8 neighbors... every week.

Pretty cool. She's found a way to include the theater in a communal gathering complete with potluck dinner.

Pretty cool. She's found a way to include the theater in a communal gathering complete with potluck dinner.
True... hadn't thought of that. Good point. And, it's really fun. See? Women have good ideas too!

Absolutely.

so, rich, when are you going to finally get the RS2 and impress your guests with the real thing?! (or are you having second thoughts about this particular projector, perhaps waiting for an RS3?!)

I get, "Wow... are you in the business??" I love to respond, "nope" and let it hang. My theater is very functional; stadium seating with all the equipment hidden away in a projection room and the speakers hidden behind the 10' wide SMX screen. So it doesn't look like the typical in-home, equipment laden theater.

But like others posting here, I too have had the most reaction from my two channel setup. "Wow... makes you believe in ghosts" is a comment from even the most audio illiterate. I like to say, all you need is a functioning set of ears to appreciate it! Close your eyes and Kitka is in the room with you. It's really magical... breathtaking.. to everyone. It really grabs people's attention.

Agreed... most people who have visited my theater are most impressed by the sound... especially music... I love to demo with "Legends of Jazz" bluray... it usually blows most people away even those who are not Jazz fans (and this is in a 5.1 setup... not a dedicated 2 channel system).

I think this stems from the dumbing down of audio that has taken place... overly compressed mp3, whimpy HD radio, satellite radio, cable/satellite audio etc... all through crappy car audio, tv speakers or crap earphones.

When people here a good uncompressed source through even a modest 2 channel or theater setup (not HTIB) they will be impressed.

Most say nothing....they just stand jaws agape.

so, rich, when are you going to finally get the RS2 and impress your guests with the real thing?! (or are you having second thoughts about this particular projector, perhaps waiting for an RS3?!)

The reno of my 2 channel room into a projection-based HT room has been very complex and time-consuming, hence the long delay. Of course, just as I'm about ready to buy the RS2 it's almost CEDIA and a mysterious new JVC projector is to be announced. I doubt I can wait though.

I think this stems from the dumbing down of audio that has taken place... overly compressed mp3, whimpy HD radio, satellite radio, cable/satellite audio etc... all through crappy car audio, tv speakers or crap earphones.

When people here a good uncompressed source through even a modest 2 channel or theater setup (not HTIB) they will be impressed.
I completely agree about compressed audio files. One thing that seems to be missing from these files is phase information. The frequency content is there for the most part, but it's the phase that localizes the sound that's necessary for the "ghost" illusion... the whole "voices hanging in the air" effect.

It's funny, we regular frequent AVS'ers take for granted dedicated front projection home theaters.We are reminded of the wow factor when friend's experience our theaters for the first time.My setup is quite humble,but always shock's my guest's when seen the first time!Most people in my neck of the woods haven't experienced front projection and quality 5.1 or 7.1 sound.;)

My home theater is quite modest... I have two projectors; a Mitsubishi HC3000 which I purchased from AVS nearly two years ago (I used it as a TV as it's hooked up to a Comcast set top box) and a Marantz VP15S1 which I won at a sweepstakes contest from AV Revolution back in March (I use it to watch high definition movies). I have a 92" DIY Wilsonart Designer White screen and a two channel sound system. As I said, my home theater is modest because my living room doubles as a home theater and to be honest the Marantz is like stuffing a Ferrari engine into a Honda Civic chassis. For the future I want to upgrade to a 5.1 sound system but, nonetheless, my guests have been overwhelmed by the experience when they see a movie on my LG BH200 dual format high definition player. :D

a Marantz VP15S1 which I won at a sweepstakes contest from AV Revolution back in March

you WON a VP15S1... wow... you're one lucky guy!

For some odd reasons most of guests have been ladies and they don't give a shoot but acted like it is a nice room.
A few guys sais something like nice theater but it is not for me. I'd rather invest my money. One even told me I am crazy.

Don't get me wrong I know a number of women that love my theater, but they don't want it in their house. One of my wife's friends asks all the time about when I will finish the new theater. My wife also likes and enjoys the theater but she also think that I go a little overboard.

My house is only 2000 sqft and my theater is about 340 sqft of that. The theater believe it or not was originally a formal dining room and a formal living room. To me both of those rooms are almost useless. I have asked everyone I know that have these rooms how often they use them and they say once or twice a year. I use my theater almost daily.

When I first purchased my very first projector, a Panasonic AE-2000, I invited a few of my employees, all of them females who don't know much about electronics, to come over and watch a blu-ray movie of Enchanted on my 100 inch screen. They were very impressed with the seats, the screen size, and the clarity and sound of the presentation. I guess they all told their husband about their experience because I got calls from them the next day asking me if they can come and check out my brand new 100 inch plasma TV, and how I can afford to spend like $70,000 on it.

I've had one friend-of-a-friend comment on the sound; he enjoyed the 5.1 ambiance. (I demoed the first five minutes of Revenge of the Sith.)

Most people like the LOOK of the theater, but few comment on PQ/AQ. When asked they say it's pretty cool. Nobody has ever asked how much it was, or how to duplicate it. I think for most of my guests, a 40-something inch TV using the internal speakers is good enough.

My two nieces LOVE it. They bring a stack of movies with them every time they visit.

If a popular movie comes out my kids (8 & 10) like to have "movie nights" with their friends. Can't tell you how many times I've seen "Alvin & The Chipmunks".

.

My house is only 2000 sqft and my theater is about 340 sqft of that. The theater believe it or not was originally a formal dining room and a formal living room. To me both of those rooms are almost useless. I have asked everyone I know that have these rooms how often they use them and they say once or twice a year. I use my theater almost daily.

That's how I sold my HT idea to my wife. We have a "living room" at the front of the house in which we initially installed the nice, more formal furniture. Of course no one ever went in there and all the house activity (kids/parents) takes place in the back family room, kitchen, finished basement, study etc.

I'd therefore used the front living room as my 2 channel listening room. I explained to my wife that I'm the only one who ever goes in that room and by installing a projection system and big comfy sectional sofa, it would become a room were we can all go and watch movies together, getting much more use out of the room beyond just something you give a glance when you enter the house on your way to the back rooms.

She bought it, happily, hence my HT project.

The reactions and comments have been quite mixed and wildly extreme from one end to the other.

I've had hundreds of people in my theater the most common response is nothing unless I ask what they think, then, it's cool or I like it seems to be about it usually. The most negative was one guy walked in looked around and said "what ridiculous extravagance".



Art

I find that children are usually a good gauge for evaluating a situation. They don't care about the cost so it's really a visceral reaction. I have just a Hitachi PJ-TX200 with a 7.1 Yamaha receivers and Focal Sib and cube speakers in the basement playing room. You know it's impressive when your 10years old son's friends often bring their DVDs to watch at your house!! Since my speakers are small and hooked to the ceilling it's really a non-invasive setting which my wife loves. I often get the remark that it must cost a lot of money but when I tell them it's about the same thing as a 50" plasma they're really surprised (around 3500$ plus a 50$ DIY screen).

I usually get a very shocked reaction from my guests. They can't believe my basement is done this way! :eek: I mean with a theater and a nice bar set up. Of course some ask how much my room is worth while others will just hint. The last guests we had over the wife yelled at her husband, "Why don't you do something like this?" I was impressed because usually it is the husband wanting to do it... People are always shocked when I tell them they can get a very good 1080p PJ for less than $3,000 and then a good screen for under $1,000. Most people still think 65" tvs are 3 to 4gs... :eek:

1) What did all this cost ??

2) I would never leave this room.

3) {Said to my wife} My husband cannot play with your husband any more.

4) Will you adopt me??

5) Can you watch TV on this thing ??

Most recent comments -- about the projector is it 720 or 1080

Perfectly put Cain! :) I have heard all of those! My favorite is the question- will you adopt me?! :D

I've had hundreds of people in my theater the most common response is nothing unless I ask what they think,


Art

That is bacause they are speechless. :)

The most negative was one guy walked in looked around and said "what ridiculous extravagance".

Well, now... with YOUR theater, I agree. :D

The reactions and comments have been quite mixed and wildly extreme from one end to the other.

The most negative was one guy walked in looked around and said "what ridiculous extravagance".



Art

The guy is simply jealous... or he's a tightwad... :p

Ridiculous, but in a good way. Extravagant, as opposed to just adequate.

If you think about it, it's really the best compliment.

You really don't want to stop until you get that exact reaction from that exact guy.

That's when you know you've nailed it.

Ridiculous, but in a good way. Extravagant, as opposed to just adequate.

If you think about it, it's really the best compliment.

You really don't want to stop until you get that exact reaction from that exact guy.

That's when you know you've nailed it.

One way to look at it .:D


Art

The best reaction I ever had was.... "Motherf*cker, who do I got to felate to get me one of these bitches".

2 days later he ordered an HT5000 and 12ft Vistascope.

CM you must have a great setup to get someone to start off with the best equipment out there.:D The HT5000 as a starter projector.:eek:

CM you must have a great setup to get someone to start off with the best equipment out there.:D The HT5000 as a starter projector.:eek:

Thank you, it was. I've moved home recently, everything stayed where it was, so Im at the planning stage for the new place.

coldmachine,

Where did you get those Jekyll/Hyde quotes in your tag-line? I googled them but can't find any source. Thanks.

I found it very amusing when one of my guests hinted that he thought my theater was a little over the top. This guy and his wife just got new vehicles (that they don't really "need") at $50K plus each. It is interesting how people have different priorities on disposable income, but often can't understand why other people choose differently. To each his own.

I found it very amusing when one of my guests hinted that he thought my theater was a little over the top.

I deal with this lack of understanding by summing up with, "it's a hobby." That puts it in perspective as the guy thinks about what he spends on golf, skiing, boating (gulp), flying (yes.. a few recreational pilots, one with a $400k airplane), auto restoration... pick your poison.

It helps that I've just explained the design of everything, including the speakers, and detailed how I built it and the decisions I made. It shows that it really is a hands-on hobby.

I deal with this lack of understanding by summing up with, "it's a hobby." That puts it in perspective as the guy thinks about what he spends on golf, skiing, boating (gulp), flying (yes.. a few recreational pilots, one with a $400k airplane), auto restoration... pick your poison.

It helps that I've just explained the design of everything, including the speakers, and detailed how I built it and the decisions I made. It shows that it really is a hands-on hobby.Agreed. When all is said and done, HT doesn't have to be that expensive to get a system that will blow your socks off. If you have space for a screen and projector (and don't care about a custom designed/decorated HT room) you can get a very good audio/video system for under $3K (including a few gallons of paint) if you shop carefully. That won't get you a world class system, but no one in your family and very few, if any, of your friends will be able to distinguish it from a system costing 4x or 5x as much.

In a world where "entry level" cars are $15K (and any car you really want starts at $35K), $3K is nothing. For the relative enjoyment you get out of it, it seems a bargain to me. But as you said, to each his own.

My theater is in my living room so when people enter the house for the first time all the guests are looking at the screen which is adjacent from the main entrance so they don't see it first. Say hello to every one and usually comment on the color of the room then slowly turn around and see the screen which usually reply with a "holyshit that's your tv?" lol The reaction never gets old :)

My theater is in my living room so when people enter the house for the first time all the guests are looking at the screen which is adjacent from the main entrance so they don't see it first. Say hello to every one and usually comment on the color of the room then slowly turn around and see the screen which usually reply with a "holyshit that's your tv?" lol The reaction never gets old :)

I have a feeling I'll be dealing with that too. My projector/screen will be in the living room which is situated right next to the front hallway of the house, so it's the first room gruests see. I tried forever to figure out a good way to hide the screen (a curtain covering the whole screen wall seemed to "hiding something" in the end). So the screen will be exposed:

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7673/darkshagdarksofa4hc3.th.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=darkshagdarksofa4hc3.jpg)

I guess I'll have to put up with the reactions. :)

Rich, you could go with a pull down screen instead (manual or electric). Plenty of choices.

Rich, you could go with a pull down screen instead (manual or electric). Plenty of choices.

He is wanting masking and all sorts of stuff with his screen. I doubt that any roll downs would do. If one would work, I bet it would make his life a lot simpler.

Stewart Filmscreen actually has an electric retractable 2:35:1 screen with electric masking for 16:9, 2:35:1.

I'm afraid to ask what it costs. (But then, my set up will cost a fair penny too). Anyway, the problem is I'm too much of a perfectionist for video images...sigh...(and I'm trying to do a kind of constant area image).

Stewart Filmscreen actually has an electric retractable 2:35:1 screen with electric masking for 16:9, 2:35:1.

I'm afraid to ask what it costs. (But then, my set up will cost a fair penny too). Anyway, the problem is I'm too much of a perfectionist for video images...sigh...(and I'm trying to do a kind of constant area image).

That's why I went with 2 electric screens. And let me tell you, when the movie is finished and the 2.35:1 screen goes up while the 1.85:1 screen comes down for music videos, the guests can't believe it..............:)

That's why I went with 2 electric screens. And let me tell you, when the movie is finished and the 2.35:1 screen goes up while the 1.85:1 screen comes down for music videos, the guests can't believe it..............:)

Don't you have to re-focus every time you switch screens?

Don't you have to re-focus every time you switch screens?

No. The two electric screen cases are mounted right next to one another, so the screens are only 5" apart. My projector has power zoom and focus though, so I could. This is the second 2 screen theater I've built.

The most negative was one guy walked in looked around and said "what ridiculous extravagance".

Art

Though I appreciate honesty, that was extremely rude for someone to say that you had invited into your home.

Your theatre would be what most of us would aspire to if circumstances allowed. :)

Art