The Official Stewart Film Screen thread. - Page 44

Anyone got any info besides what is shown on the Stewart site on the new Reflections Active 3D screen. I'm trying to select (been trying for 6 months now ) around ~110 inch fixed screen for my new full batcave theater. I'm already in 3D age with my DLA-X3 projector so I'm looking for the best 2D/3D combo screen there is so high polarization preservation would be very nice.

This new screen sounds quite interesting (I was torn between Silver 5D and ST130 before this), but atm even the minimum projection distance is not available. The 1.7 gain also sounds nice, would boost JVCs brightness without high lamp mode. I'm quite allergic to visible screen coating/texture, anyone seen this screen in dealer demo or similar? I've been asking for samples for current generation of ST130 and Silver 5D from my local dealer but it seems to take ages to get anything on this side of pond.

The Reflections Active 170 3D would be your best choice for both 2D and 3D imaging. The Silver 5D is for passive 3D and your JVC DLA-X3 is active using shutter glasses.

That follows my thinking too, but details on the characteristics of this new material are still a bit lacking. I mean things like
- what is the minimum throw distance?
- any drawbacks if projector is ceiling mounted eg. around top or a bit above screen?
- is it already available/shipping?

Just trying to figure out if this material is worth waiting/suitable for my environment (throw distance 1.7 x screen width, ceiling mounted projector...)

Reflections Active 170 3D is similar to most elevated gain screens; longer throws really help with minimizing hot spotting and maximizing center to edge uniformity.

The longer the throw, the more collimated the projected light is and the smaller the standard deviation of incident angles. This results in better image uniformity.
Reflections Active represents what Stewart Filmscreen feels is an optimum balance of light recovery for insertion loss, while retaining a functional half gain performance with 'normal' lenses. 1.5:1 throw distance would be a functional minimum, but the display quality will benefit a lot from longer focal lengths when possible.

Reflections Active is a great performer with high mounted projectors. The behavior of the material is to distribute light within it's stated off axis performance, along an angular reflective path. So a high mounted projector will tend to deliver light centered slightly lower than the angle of incidence. Reflections active is not retro-reflective like glass bead screens, which benefit from lower projector mounting options.

It's always good practice to keep the projector within the upper and lower limits of the screen's top and bottom sight lines when possible. Extreme mounting positions, result in the need to use digital anti-keystone utilities that have highly deleterious effects on image fidelity. Many projectors now have highly functional lens shift options, but not all are equal, and some extreme settings may affect brightness uniformity, increase chromatic aberration artifacts, and result in geometry distortions.

Reflections Active is shipping at the end of September 2011, and will be available in all of Stewart's mounting systems, fixed frame, electrically operated drop down, with or without masking. The material can be either Micro-Perforated or Cinema Perforated upon request.

Question. If I were to look at the surface of a studiotek 130 screen how would I be able to tell if its the G3 vs. the earlier version?

Thanks.

without experience it would be hard to tell. I can tell you that the G3 version is much much smoother than the previous generation but without experience of the G2 version, you have nothing to compare it to.

I don't even think you'd be able to get a sample of the older version.

If it feels really rough, it's the old version. If it feels smooth, you're working with the G3.

benito

Talked my local vendor about Reflections Active 170 3D and it seems over here it will take several months, maybe until Q1/2012 before we're gonna see actual screens at this side of Atlantic. I'm a bit tempted to wait and use a cheap screen as a place-holder for some months (as I was super happy with my Greyhawk Electriscreen in my old short throw living room setup), but info about polarization retaining characteristics with screen this seems to be nowhere to be found. I mean if this screen retains significant amount of polarization with 1.7 gain it will be perfect for active 3D with for example my JVC DLA-X3. Even the gain layer in the Grayhawk had a huge effect on the 3D brightness due to polarization retained.

However, if the 1.7 gain is alone supposed to increase 3D brightness enough then I might as well get 1.2-1.3 gain screen with some polarization retention for equal brightness without having to wait near half-a-year.

Anyone any info about this? Any news about sample availability? It would be perfect if a sample would be tested and info added to "Screens for 3D Projection" thread. Getting any samples in Europe seems to be nearly impossible

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1300238

Thanks for the reply. I will check the smoothness or lack there of. I have recentley purchased a pre-owned, but never mounted, ST130 and there is some confusion, from the folks at Stewart as well, as to whether it is G3 or the former version of the 130.

To that end I did my projector calculations using the Stewart website which has data for the ST 130 G3, it seems, through reading completely through this thread, that the minimum throw distance for the ST 130 is 1.4 times width versus 1.3 times the width for the G3 material. I should be ok, if these numbers are accurate, but am just a foot inside the minimum with my short throw Marantz VP4001 projector.

Can anyone here confirm the 1.4 figure I mentioned above? Thanks, I know I can always phone Stewart if need be but thought I'd check here first.

Thanks again.

Get the serial number of the existing screen, i can find out for you with that if it's the G2 or G3 version.

What image size are you going with? How far back are you putting the projector?

Benito

That's kind of you, thanks. I will pm you the serial number but will need to dig it out/up.

The screen size is 110" diagonal with my Marantz showing a max throw distance of 12'7". (this is from the Marantz manual as well as projector calc.)

If the older 130 material is 1.4 times width that would call for a minimum throw distance of a hair under 11'. If my calculations are corect..(110" diagonal screen having a width of 94".

Thanks again for your help.

Jamie

I have received differing recs on which stewart screen gain to choose.
The choice is between studiotek 130 and ultramatte 150 or the new reflections screen( gain is 1.7)
The room is totally light controlled with dark walls. The new 2D and 3D projector will be the sony 95es with rated 1000 lumens---at least on day one! The screen size will be 114 inches diagonal--56 x 99 inches in 16:9 AR . The throw distance is 13.5 feet and I will watch 2D movies 80 percent and 3D 20 percent--with definite light fall-off in 3D----sooooo which gain to choose: 1.3 or 1.5---or 1.7 thanx

Me personally, i would do the 1.3 or 1.5 gain tops. I know that Sony used a 1.5 gain when working with their projectors.

Benito

Hi

I have a Optoma HD87 projector and would like a FireHawk 110 inch 2.35:1 screen.
My viewing distance would be about 8 feet from the screen.
I understand the FireHawk requires a lens to screen throw of 1.6 x image width but is this the 16:9 image or the 2.35:1 image size?
If it is the 2.35:1 image size then my throw would be below 1.6 x image width because the projector would be 12.32 feet from the screen which is the ideal distance for my 16:9 image then i would be using a anamorphic lens for the 2.35:1 image.

Thanks

it's for the 16:9 image.
One thing to note, i wouldn't say that it requires the throw of 1.6 x image width. Yes it's true, to get the best out of the Firehawk material, it's definitely recommended, but not absolutely necessary. Also, if you get worried about hotspotting, you can consider the Firehawk SST material.

We are an authorized Stewart dealer so if you or anyone else is in need of pricing, feel free to contact us.


Benito

Well looks like I will be a proud owner of a new Stewart screen. Just ordered the luxus model A electric screen with the new reflections 170 3D material at 110". It will be paired with a Sony HW30. Probably take a few weeks for it to be manufactured and delivered but can't wait to see it. Will post pics and impressions when it's installed.

Very nice!! Definitely post pics when you get everything up and running.

Benito

Benito,

I was trying to send you a PM but doesn't let me.

Thanks,
Chris

I have to say as a Studiotek 130 owner....

I second guess myself as much as anyone. So I'm always wondering "is there anything I could have done, or could to for an even better image?"

Naturally when people rave about other types of screen materials is piques my interest.
Especially those that preserve contrast, like specialty screens (e.g. Black Diamond/DNP..or high gain High Power screens and the like).

Every time I am able to check out another screen material it re-affirms I've made the best decision on the ST-130. I simply can not put up with the obviousness of the screen artifacts of the specialty screens - all that obvious hot-spotting, off-axis dimming, speckly screen coating...yuck! (I can certainly see the appeal to many people of such products to be sure. They just don't do it for me).

The ST-130 yielded an amazing image for me from day one, in terms of brightness, image clarity and color balance. I have found that this is a screen that certainly rewards you the more room reflections you can control. It certainly looked great in my "controlled room reflections but nowhere near bat-cave" beginning. But my current image looks even more spectacular in terms of a life-like dynamic contrast, with room reflections even more controlled (almost bat-cave like).

Yes, I'd love it if a screen could look just as good without going to the effort of controlling room reflections. But...ye canna break the laws of physics, and I am willing to go with the more pure image and work on my room, vs a gray screen with gain.

The main screen that tugs my curiosity is the ST-100. I'd LOVE to see how that works in my room. It would be a bit dimmer, and it would also spread more light around so I don't know if ultimately I would like the trade offs. But..still curious.

Does anyone know how far from the wall a Stewart CineW frame sticks out from the wall 2-3".
Also with say a 40 degree curve at 120" width+5" for frame(all around),
how much would the outside curve stick out from the wall.
trying to see if I can go bigger as I have gik tritraps in my front corners and would like to keep them there.
If the curved end stick out past the tri's,then I should be good.
my wall is 12'W,I can just make it with a 120"W+10"around for the frame,
Thanks.

Man i forgot all about this company,,,,

Little bigger but this one will give you an idea. Drawing attached. A dealer can run the dimensions for you.

 

TecHHT_DemoScreen12-29-10a.pdf 47.1728515625k . file

Thanks alot Scott,that helps tremendously.
So I have 8" roughly at both ends,I'll play around with 4-6"(just in case to see where she'll be).Screens,lenses,takes a awhile.Scott has Isco raised their prices yet,thanks.

Not yet. shhhhh.

Good news about the 110" reflections 170 3d screen I ordered 3 weeks ago, should be delivered on Wednesday or Thursday and will be installed this Saturday. Will post some pics and thoughts when it's all up.

I'm using the Sony HW30 which I purchased from you it will be 11'5" from the screen so I'm hoping there won't be any hot spotting or sparklies but since this is new material and just out and not seeing it action makes me a bit nervous. Nice thing is I can put the Sony into low mode for 2D and hopefully that will help but will really just have to wait and see on Saturday.

I'm very interested in your impressions as I am considering that screen with a VW95