I start my story with the decisions to purchase a HP screen after reading Tryg's review thread. I had already called Da-lite to request a sample pack aned it had been about 10 days and still no samples. I figured I needed a Christmas present and my current screen was old and used so why not? The Picture King Tripod comes in High Power and the link goes the the same place as what Tryg is reviewing in the big fixed screens.
I call AVS and ordered, It was drop shipped via UPS in 3 business days. The image was retro-reflective but the surface texture and color did not match the sample which showed up 3 days later. We watch and loved the image it was brighter than the old junker and I was happy. Then one night I hung the sample of the HP fabric on the screen and got really unhappy. The sample was way brighter than the screen!
So I do a little more poking around including looking at the surface with a microscope and taking some photos of the surface. This was sent to Jason at AVS and to a Da-lite customer service reap whom I had contacted prior.
Eventually the rep responded with this statement
"Hi Doug,
This is what I has been explained to me - Da-Lite has two versions of
High Power fabric. We can replace your screen with the sample material
that you have. The new screen will be "just like" that sample you
recieved. I was not given the insights of the fabric issue due to being
company information. I appreciate asking about your screen issues.
Thank You"
-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas Probst
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 8:54 AM
To: Joe Pawlosky
Subject: Re: DA-Lite Pickture King Replacement
The new screen was sent by a freight company not UPS and required me to schedule a delivery time. All in all fairly quick. The new screen was as expected this time and I took a few pics.
I call DA-lite the other day and asked to speak to the CEO but got the manager of Sales, Damien Brunetto
He gave the same story that Tryg said.. better more reliable consistency in the product and yes a lower gain.
I think you will like the new product, it is not bad. The issue I have is the fact they send out samples of one thing and sell you something else that is completely different. I understand "Specifications subject to change without notice" but that is after you buy the product not before you buy it. When it happens before, it is call False Advertising!!
I was also told that some screens may be made with old and some with new depending on the size of the order..
I am keeping the screen with the old fabric it is far brighter and my wife said if I try and send it back she will buy it and we will have both. So the new fabric will be sent back. I will be packing it up tomorrow so if there are photos that someone wants of the new fabric and I can oblige let me know now.
Here is a link to a bunch of photos, there are descriptions under each of photos.
http://misc.airscapesart.com/dalitehp/
Thanks, for looking!
Doug
I start my story with the decisions to purchase a HP screen after reading Tryg's review thread. I had already called Da-lite to request a sample pack aned it had been about 10 days and still no samples. I figured I needed a Christmas present and my current screen was old and used so why not? The Picture King Tripod comes in High Power and the link goes the the same place as what Tryg is reviewing in the big fixed screens.
I call AVS and ordered, It was drop shipped via UPS in 3 business days. The image was retro-reflective but the surface texture and color did not match the sample which showed up 3 days later. We watch and loved the image it was brighter than the old junker and I was happy. Then one night I hung the sample of the HP fabric on the screen and got really unhappy. The sample was way brighter than the screen!
Eventually the rep responded with this statement
"Hi Doug,
This is what I has been explained to me - Da-Lite has two versions of
High Power fabric. We can replace your screen with the sample material
that you have. The new screen will be "just like" that sample you
recieved. I was not given the insights of the fabric issue due to being
company information. I appreciate asking about your screen issues.
Thank You"
-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas Probst
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 8:54 AM
To: Joe Pawlosky
Subject: Re: DA-Lite Pickture King Replacement
The new screen was sent by a freight company not UPS and required me to schedule a delivery time. All in all fairly quick. The new screen was as expected this time and I took a few pics.
I call DA-lite the other day and asked to speak to the CEO but got the manager of Sales, Damien Brunetto
He gave the same story that Tryg said.. better more reliable consistency in the product and yes a lower gain.
I think you will like the new product, it is not bad. The issue I have is the fact they send out samples of one thing and sell you something else that is completely different. I understand "Specifications subject to change without notice" but that is after you buy the product not before you buy it. When it happens before, it is call False Advertising!!
I am keeping the screen with the old fabric it is far brighter and my wife said if I try and send it back she will buy it and we will have both. So the new fabric will be sent back. I will be packing it up tomorrow so if there are photos that someone wants of the new fabric and I can oblige let me know now.
Here is a link to a bunch of photos, there are descriptions under each of photos.
http://misc.airscapesart.com/dalitehp/
Thanks, for looking!
Doug