Don Stewart: Screen Size Recommendations  

Don:

I have been using one of your competitors' fixed high-gain screens (approximately 2.3, I believe) which is 106" diagonal in a 16:9 configuration. I have a Sony 1272Q with 7" CRT's. I have complete control over light in the room. I am using a line doubler (the occasionally maligned IEV Turboscan T-1500, which I happen to like).

In most cases I am happy with my screen, but occasionally it has some mildly annoying qualities--streaks on the screen and some graininess. I am considering switching to one of your screens, but I don't want to reduce the screen size in any significant way. At the risk of asking a rhetorical question, I would like to know whether, in your view, would I still get an excellent and bright picture out of one of your 1.3 or 1.8 gain screens with 100" diagonal, or whether I would have to reduce my screen size. Are there other options? What do you normally recommend for people with 7" CRT front projectors like mine?

Any information you can give would be appreciated.

Thanks, Bill Leete

Bryan:

I don't think your post adds a lot. Yes, of course I am interested in my projector but please keep in mind the fact that the question of what screen size is appropriate for a certain size CRT is a subject that is frequently asked in this forum, and draws some strong opinions. Mr. Stewart is certainly in a position to provide a well-founded opinion on the subject.

In particular, I think that a lot of people in this forum have been using some frequently discussed high-gain screens that have some drawbacks. It follows then, that there may be some interest in finding out whether Mr. Stewart thinks that similar brightness and picture quality can be obtained from some of his screens that have a lower gain rating. There may also be some interest in learning whether he thinks that 7" CRTs can support a 100" screen.

The bottom line is that he is free to answer or not. So far he hasn't, and he may not, but that does not mean the post was inappropriate.

Bill Leete




[This message has been edited by BL (edited 09-24-2000).]

Don:

Thanks for answering my post! I assume that the figures you supply are based on the manufacturer's recommended distance for the particular screen size.

I have a couple of follow-up questions: First, I assume that brighter is better, but is there a particular target foot-lambert level that you like to see or shoot for using 7" CRTs? Second, do your figures assume at least line doubling, or do the measurements not indicate a significant difference in brightness between a doubled and non-doubled image?

Any information you can give would be appreciated.

Bill Leete

Forrest:

You are correct in your conclusions, it would be nice to have life without streaks, but I hate to give up the brightness. I will be interested to see how you like the new screen. I have not seen the Vutec--unfortunately, one of the drawbacks to living in Maine is virtually no one has a front projector and I know of only one store with one on display (it is a Vidikron). I am thinking about scheduling a trip to Boston to see some other screens, but that won't be for a while.

Steve:

You are absolutely right!

Bill






[This message has been edited by BL (edited 09-25-2000).]