I just got my epson home cinema 1080. This is my first projector so I don't know too much about it except for what I've been reading here. I was wondering what brands you guys would recommend for a manual screen that is 16:9 and at least 100". I saw horrible reviews on the Elite screens so I was wondering what the other alternatives are. Thanks for the help

Nothing is going to be that good at that price. Just buy whatever is available.

I just got my epson home cinema 1080. This is my first projector so I don't know too much about it except for what I've been reading here. I was wondering what brands you guys would recommend for a manual screen that is 16:9 and at least 100". I saw horrible reviews on the Elite screens so I was wondering what the other alternatives are. Thanks for the help

check out the DIY screen section... depending on where you live, what tools/skills you have, and where you need to put it, you could get out for as little as $15. At $100 for a decent screen, that is your best/only option really.

look for this guy at the bay luv2kruz2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/100-16-9-MOVIE-PROJECTION-SCREEN-MATERIAL-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ270370505332QQihZ017QQcategoryZ48655QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) real material.

Mine is very nice.

DIY or save some money. You just bought a really nice projector and it would be a shame to use it with a bad screen.

DIY or save some money. You just bought a really nice projector and it would be a shame to use it with a bad screen.

I have been using Blockout cloth for 5 years now, Starting to build the new frame for the new projection fabric I just bought ( its the real stuff too).
Really heavy duty stuff.

I have been using Blockout cloth for 5 years now, Starting to build the new frame for the new projection fabric I just bought ( its the real stuff too).
Really heavy duty stuff.


How does the ebay stuff compare to blackout cloth?

Sorry for the somewhat off topic question.

Back on topic.
You might ask at the same question at the screen, or diy screen forum. It would help to include things like viewing distance, room dimensions, projection distance and ambient light control. People can give better answers if they understand the conditions better.

Randy

look for this guy at the bay luv2kruz2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/100-16-9-MOVIE-PROJECTION-SCREEN-MATERIAL-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ270370505332QQihZ017QQcategoryZ48655QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) real material.

Mine is very nice.

Did you make a frame, or just attach the material to the wall?

If you don't mind buying used you can find a deal if your patient. There's a 106" High Power screen FS right now on Videogon for less than c note (cannot link due to forum rules). If it works for your PJ and room setup it's a no brainer. It's the same screen I have and I purchased it the same way about 4 years ago for the price that you are looking for...it has been one of my best purchases (bang for buck).

my .02.

I just got my epson home cinema 1080. This is my first projector so I don't know too much about it except for what I've been reading here. I was wondering what brands you guys would recommend for a manual screen that is 16:9 and at least 100". I saw horrible reviews on the Elite screens so I was wondering what the other alternatives are. Thanks for the help

You just threw down a nice chunk of change for the a really nice new pj... either scrounge a few more bucks together for a real screen and shoot to a white wall or white bed sheet... or be patient and invest time in waiting for a good deal... don't piss on your investment by short changing yourself before you even get to enjoy it...

Yea you are not going to get far for $100 and to see the performance you paid for in that projector you need a decent screen. CK out the DIY section not the best but it is your best option under $800

I got my 106" Da-lite for less than $200 shipped (from a popular auction site). Very nice pull-down screen. I think AVS also has excellent prices on Da-lite.

Dan

There is somebody selling them for Like $60 somewhere on the popular auction site.

I got one for my Bro-in-law and it's decent enough.

I will warn you at that size if it's not tab tensioned? It will develope waves in within the 1st year.

Has anyone tried out these before?


http://cgi.ebay.com/92-Fixed-Projector-Screen-Matte-White-16-9-1080p_W0QQitemZ220391290011QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDoma in_0?hash=item220391290011&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

This 106" Draper 16:9 one says it's washable and ships free:

http://www.amazon.com/Diagonal-Accuscreens-Manual-Ceiling-52X92IN/dp/B000JLL8LU/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239404836&sr=8-12

Good luck! :D

I never can understand why anyone would ever consider any sceen other than the Da-Lite High Power.

I never can understand why anyone would ever consider any sceen other than the Da-Lite High Power.

Well, I can tell you why I didn't choose it. I am extremely picky about black level :) Sure, in most scenes you can't tell that the black level with the High Power Screen isn't that good because it's so dang bright. In very dark scenes though, your eyes adjust to the low light output and you can see the screen too easily. Blacks are not as black (2.8x less black to be precise :) ).

The viewing angle is also limited, so when the theater is packed, and kids or folks need to lay on the floor, they are out of luck for a bright picture.

I will say this though, it is a AWESOME screen for the money, and should always be seriously considered.

Also, to make the HP work optimally, the projector needs to be close to eye level.

Dan

Also, to make the HP work optimally, the projector needs to be close to eye level.

Dan

Bingo. This is what stopped me from going with the HP. I got the impression that you should not use this screen with a ceiling mounted PJ. Is this accurate?

Bingo. This is what stopped me from going with the HP. I got the impression that you should not use this screen with a ceiling mounted PJ. Is this accurate?

If you are needing a lot of gain then that is correct. If you can drop your projector down to about the top of the screen then the HP is still a good option, unless you need more gain since the gain will be down to around 1-1.4 area. That is assuming that the size screen in question would yield the 2.8 gain for a proper HP set-up.

How does the ebay stuff compare to blackout cloth?

Sorry for the somewhat off topic question.

Back on topic.
You might ask at the same question at the screen, or diy screen forum. It would help to include things like viewing distance, room dimensions, projection distance and ambient light control. People can give better answers if they understand the conditions better.

Randy
How does the eBay stuff compare to something like Parkland Plastic Pollywall?

Here is my DIY solution. I need to get my pics up on a thread here.

Tobinator - My s/u is almost identical. Throw is about 14' 4". My screen is ~106 diag (92 x 52 ). I made the frame 99" x 59" to accommodate a border of 3.25" base moulding (velvet wrapped). Consider a DIY screen, which I just did this past w/e.

1) Get 1X4 primed finger jointed pine at Home Depot or Lowe's. It is straight as an arrow and stocked in 16 ft lengths. Have it cut to rough length at the store. I first tried the mdf base board but that frame broke when stretching the fabric over it. Use the f-j pine.

Use vertical members at each end and one in the middle (buy enough wood to do this). I used the Kreg pockethole jig to join the wood AND 8" metal "L" brackets in the corners. If you don't want to buy the pocket hole jig, just use the metal L-brackets in the corners and T-brackets for the center vertical brace. Fasten w/ #14 screws, 3/4 in. length (predrill holes in frame members).

2) Order the screen fabric off Dweebay (Dazianfabrics or Dazianlite - cant remember the name). 110"x72" was about $56 with shipping.

3) Stretch the fabric over the frame - here are good directions:
http://www.rexart.com/stretching.html
Put a sheet or other clean fabric on the ground or whatever flat surface you are working on to keep the screen surface pristine during assembly.

I spent less than $100 for the screen matls. The screen is up and images look great - haven't tuned/calibrated anything yet, either.

I splurged another $50 for 3 yds of black velvet cloth for the screen border - still to be done.

This 106" Draper 16:9 one says it's washable and ships free:

http://www.amazon.com/Diagonal-Accuscreens-Manual-Ceiling-52X92IN/dp/B000JLL8LU/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239404836&sr=8-12

Good luck! :D

Anybody have any experience with these? I was going to go the DIY route and make up a black widow screen to deepen up the blacks on the soon-to-be-mine HD65 but this would honestly be so much easier that if it's a good screen I'll be all over it.

http://www.provantage.com/da-lite-93166~7DALI008.htm

106" hcmw for cheap!

edit: after rereading the ad, they have some inconsistencies. The model number is correct for the 106 model b hcmw, but part of the description and picture look like a different screen. Newegg has the 106 hcmw for 149 though.

Anybody have any experience with these? I was going to go the DIY route and make up a black widow screen to deepen up the blacks on the soon-to-be-mine HD65 but this would honestly be so much easier that if it's a good screen I'll be all over it.

A friend of mine has a similar one. Not bad at all http://www.entertainment-place.info/smile/img/2464/*************************

I also have a Dalite model B manual pull down screen and have been pretty happy with it. It took a little time to get used to retracting the screen but it's been great at such a cheap price. I was contemplating between a matte white and a high contrast one and Dalite technical service person recommended I get a matte white since I'll be using it in a basement. He said whenever ambient light can be controlled one should be using a Matte white because that will give you the right balance of contract and accurate color reproduction (grey will make colors dull..) Anyway quite happy so far.