So the only hesitency I have with making the leap to a FP system is the brightness/fL issue.

I currently have a dedicated HT room, no windows, painted dark. I have a 60" XBR1 SXRD that I love (except for it's too small, of course). I generally watch it with 2 15W wall sconces, which doesn't interfere much with the TV and provides just enough ambient light in the room so we don't trip on things.

I'm looking at the VLP-VW60, likely with a Stewart UM150 110" diagonal 16x9 screen (96x54).

The fL for the FP setup is around 12fL with the 150, and 10fL with the ST130 (which is the other screen I'm considering, due to it's bigger cone).

First, anyone know if there's a way to compare fL of the FP with a RP, specifically my existing set? Will it be significantly dimmer?

Second, should I try to get as much gain as possible on the screen (e.g. HiPower 2.2), or do I just need to change my thinking/viewing to a totally dark room? And will the picture look dim to me even in the dark, compared to what I'm used to viewing?

Thanks in advance... I'm trying to get myself as educated as possible, and it's really hard to find any showrooms around here with good FP setups (I like in MD).

Thanks,
-Mark

HP screen in a much larger size unless the room doesn't allow for it. I can comfortably watch a 159" HP with an RS1 and 600w of mini halogens at 50-70% on dimmer. People will talk about the viewing cone a lot but I just noticed a few weeks ago that my fathers 60" Panasonic DLP has a horridly small viewing cone. It doesn't just drop off a bit like an HP but you can't even see any image unless right inside the cone.

If you can mount your PJ within a few feet of the line of sight of your head HP's can't be beat, for size it allows and light rejection etc. I love mine as you probably figured out.

I forgot to mention my 159" with RS1 and lights on is brighter than my fathers DLP flatscreen.

Kevin

HP screen in a much larger size unless the room doesn't allow for it. I can comfortably watch a 159" HP with an RS1 and 600w of mini halogens at 50-70% on dimmer. People will talk about the viewing cone a lot but I just noticed a few weeks ago that my fathers 60" Panasonic DLP has a horridly small viewing cone. It doesn't just drop off a bit like an HP but you can't even see any image unless right inside the cone.

If you can mount your PJ within a few feet of the line of sight of your head HP's can't be beat, for size it allows and light rejection etc. I love mine as you probably figured out.

I forgot to mention my 159" with RS1 and lights on is brighter than my fathers DLP flatscreen.

Kevin

Forgive my newbie-ness - what is HP? High Performance? Is that the same as high gain?

What kind of screen are you using (brand, type, gain)?

(And for my room, the wall is 11' wide, and the viewing distance is 11-14 feet - I like the 11-foot location as it maximizes the room width/field of vision I think. So 110" diagonal is about as big as I can go, maybe up to 123".)

HP stands for High Power

Gotcha... so that's the Da-Lite HP screen, with like a 2.5 gain.

I read so many people raving about this screen, and yet the Stewart's seem to be the preferred brand from a quality standpoint.

I'm confused!

How far away is the projector (i.e. what is your throw distance)? How are you calculating the ftL ?

I assume you have seen Carlton Bale's calculator (http://www.carltonbale.com/home-theater/home-theater-calculator)?

I am building a 127" W x 54H 2.35:1 on a ST130 screen using a RS1 with no worries about ft L at all in a light controlled room.

I'd forget any assumptions you're making about brand XYZ being the "quality" choice. While I've seen my share of Da-Lite HP screens show up with a dent in the case (3) the company was very good to work with and immediately sent out a new one till I got one that was perfect. I was told to use the dented one till the replacement showed up. Anyway on to the point. From brands like Stewart, DaLite etc. quality will be very similar, they should both be without flaws. What you really need to worry about is which is the best balance of qualities that compliment your room, viewing distance, mounting locations, viewing angle, light control, projector lumens, contrast etc. HP screens are really impressive when your room is set up for it. I'd say to the point of being the best overall choice. Again that's if your situation is set up for it. Having had my 159 HP with an RS1 in a room with lights on I'd never go with another screen unless something new came out.

Kevin


Gotcha... so that's the Da-Lite HP screen, with like a 2.5 gain.

I read so many people raving about this screen, and yet the Stewart's seem to be the preferred brand from a quality standpoint.

I'm confused!

ROFL,

I take it Reio-ta is an employee of Stewart, sells them or bought one himself. BTW I think virtually every projector at the U of M twin cities campus is a Sony, I guess that means Sony projectors must suck then right?

If you're planning to sleep on your screen I guess maybe you need a stewart screen, especially if you're wearing Brillo pads. As far as I can tell the image produced on my "just good enough" DaLite HP screen looks better than the images I see at the newish multiplex nearby so that theater must not be using Stewart screens I guess. I'm sorry but that was such a silly post.

Actually, I own a Da-lite, and would still somewhat agree with reio-ta's assessment. I'd give Da-lite somewhat more credit for the durability of their screens than he does though. Stupid movie-loving moths wipe right off my highpower when they get rolled up in it with no damage at all in 5 years of use.
BB

"I'd give Da-lite somewhat more credit for the durability of their screens than he does though."

What about for image quality?

The PQ on my 100" Hi Power is fantastic; extremely bright near the projector, dropping to a still very watchable image even very far off axis. Zero hot-spotting or grain. The image is still very good even in the daytime or with some lights on (living room, not a dedicated theater). I can't imagine how it would get any better. When I go to a Magnolia or Tweeter and see Stewart screens for three times as much that appear dim, I really wonder why they use them (although who knows how old the bulbs are). Spend the savings on something else.

Kevin

I have no complaints about image quality with the HP. I have zero desire to replace my screen. Well, that's not true, I wish I had the space for a 120" wide 2.4:1 CIH setup.

The only artifact I have ever noticed with it in almost 6 years is the occasional lone micro sparkly if my head is in just the right position. But I've probably only seen this 4 times in all.

BB