The official SeymourAV center stage screen thread! - Page 68

Thanks Bob. The HD5 is deff not budget, but for the class it's in, it's an outright bargain! From what I would gather, one would need to spend damn close to six figures to improve on its performance...heck, I'vs been told by a few that I'd need to spend upwards of $75k with some of the other well known manufacturers to get the same performance. I am still going to fly out to see one in the next couple of weeks before I buy it, but so far the details I have gathered in my research look outstanding. 6k lumens, great contrast, veriscope, etc. I am still trying to figure out which model proejctiondesign it coincides with but am coming up cold. Hopefully I wil hear back from Jim soon with more details.

If the HD5 performs like they say, the 4k will be a no brainer, I think, as it should have enough claibrated lumens to get me over 20ftl, even on the .85 gain screen. I am a real knit-picker too, so based on the few I have heard that say they can see the texture in the XD from a decent distance, I'd say it's the right choice. The price on either screen is fantastic, so it's not really about that, but moreso the final assessment of the HD5 and it's true light output capabilities will be the deciding factor.

It is definitely a good value for its performance and with Jim involved I am sure it will perform. Jim taught one of my ISF classes many years ago. I think it is smart move to fly out and demo it. It is not about seeing the texture as much as that the pixels are less distorted on it. It might not be noticeable depending on your seating distance. Jim might have some suggestions for you too. Every screen has their trade offs. Also, don't forget to factors in bulb life when calculating ft/l, you want to have good brightness throughout the bulb's life or factor buying bulbs more often. I'm sure if you are going to this extent you are not going to watch this in brighter less accurate modes. I'm not sure if the HD5 offers modes like the less expensive projectors do. Something to consider anyway. Jim will definitely steer you in the right direction.

Yeah, I hope ot hear back from him soon. It will help me out a great deal to pick his brain some more.

I wish the specs were up on the DD website, I just can't remember the exact details.

I certainly want as many hours as I can out of the bulb. I feel like if I can start with mid 20sftl, even right before replacement I should still be in the high teens. I'd say I like it a bit brighter than average. Too bright and my eyes hurt, too dima nd it feels "cheap looking". I have a local shop here that has a Runco unit on there 12 ft screen and it measures about 13ftl. It's a bit dimmer than I would like, but not worlds away.

Usually bulbs lose 50-60% or more throughout their lifespan. They lose 20-25% fairly quickly then gradually decrease over that but this depends on the bulb. It also depends on how manufacturers rate bulbs. I've seen bulbs rated for 1500 hours go 5000 hours but the manufacture rated at 1500 hours to ensure proper brightness and color uniformity. Most manufacturers (probably not Jim) do the opposite and rate their bulbs until they die with no concern about performance. I'm sure he'll go over it with you.

thanks chris.

waiting for the replacement.

i tested the screen, except this conception default, very good screen !
better than my ex lumene movie palace no transonore !

Wow, I hadn't realized it would be that much. I thought I'd be dealing with 30-40%. That's something else to consider. I called Jim Burns last week, but haven't heard back from him on the PJ. Hopefully I will soon.

You know, as much as it was a pain installing (and really only due to the way I built my screen), it has not lost any tension. At all. It is still snug as hell. I would recommend splining it for sure. That way, if down the road you want to upgrade, you just take out the old material and spline in the new. The next latest and greatest Seymour DIY screen material is next in line for my frame.

Hello all. It has been a while since my last visit...really since 2008 when I originally built my theater. I got some good info then and am looking for some more.

Anyway, I am looking to go to 3D and am currently looking into screen options. I will be more than likely purchasing the 6020UB and am interested in the Seymour screens but may have to go somewhere else..

Theater Makeup
Considerations

****With all of this in mind, should I go gray or white and at what gain?****



Thanks in advance for your input,
Wayne

You're looking at about 18 FL not accounting for bulb wear. If you want 3D, you're going to want a bright screen. I think the general consensus is for a completely light controlled room, white is the way to go (someone correct me if I'm wrong). But, I'm lazy and don't feel like doing the math - I'm going to assume you're also pretty close to the ceiling with your screen if you want something that size. Your white ceilings are going to be a bit of an issue if you want to keep them that way. If you do, a grey screen will help keep that contrast, but what will be made up in blacks will be lost in brightness, especially in 3D.

Also, I'm assuming that since you're posting in this thread you need acoustical transparency? With a screen that size are you planning on putting your speakers behind the screen? You will have room with your left and rights, but your screen will be only 17" from the floor and you want your sound to be hitting you at ear height, so...

FWIW, I have the Centerstage material and I love it. It is nice and bright. If you need AT and your projector has good contrast levels, I'd go with the XD. If you don't watch much 3D and you like a dimmer, more reference picture with deeper blacks, go with the 4K material. Just my 0.02.

Thanks for the reply blastermaster...

My screen is surrounded by my black proscenium on the left, right and top, so my speakers are in front of the screen (no need for AT). I do get bounce from the screen to the ceiling but some of it is negated by the upper proscenium, which comes out about 31" from the screen, and reaches to the ceiling (about 9").

Sounds like the XD is AT, so what do you think about the Glacier White (non-AT)?


Wayne

What is the diameter of the screen spline that you are using with the XD material?

Are you using the screen cap after you install the spline?

The thinner stuff (0.160" diameter) and no, I didn't install the screen cap. I wasn't sure if it would fit and I'm too cheap and lazy to find out. Seems to work just fine without it. If it ever became a problem, though, I'd obviously ante up and buy the stuff.

I don't have time to read through the whole thread so I hope someone can answer. Time is important as my friend is starting to get frustrated and starting to lose interest in projectors....we can't allow this to happen!

I sold my Epson 8500Ub to a buddy and after having a terrible experience with elunevision he is now considering A seymour electric.(I can answer any PM if anyone is ever considering the Elunevision Audioweave and is wondering what a crappy experience he had).

The issue or question is with moire. I understand Chris says they don't tilt the H105 but does anyone with an Epson setup and a screen of this size ever experience moire? (non-tilted)

What size do they start to tilt for the electric screens? Can a custom screen, H105, be made to tilt?

I feel bad for his experience and hope to have some answers for him. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Does anyone have any pictures of this screen being used in dim lighting? I have a Black Diamond screen and we often turn on dim lighting when we are eating dinner while watching a movie for example.

Also how does it compare to Screen Innovations Gamma Maestro 4K 1.1 screen material? If the price of both screens was the same which would you buy? One of the things that attracts me to the Seymour is the removable masking panels. Not sure if those could work with a SI screen.

Let me word it this way.

Anyone with the seymour electric and an Epson projector? anyone get any moire issues with it?

For what it's worth I have an Epson 6020 and a fixed 120" wide Seymour screen - absolutely no issues here. I haven't heard of any moire issues with the retractable screens but I would either call or email Chris and get his thoughts on this. I'm sure he knows.
Edited by rx-8 - 3/21/13 at 8:24am

The XD measures +13% brighter than the Gamma Maestro 4K, with more accurate color and a finer texture resulting in about a +2ft seating distance advantage.

The Gamma Maestro's gain measures the same as our S-SE Enlightor-4K material but without as accurate a color and the primary advantage of the Enlightor-4K: that it has no visible features indicating that it's acoustically transparent and therefore has no minimum seating distance.

While I recommend their Black Diamonds all day long for the rooms that need it, I don't see any purpose to their Maestro. At least their white is better than the dreadful white/gray checkerboard "gray" material they try to use.

Cheers,
Chris

We haven't had a moire issue with the retractables for a long time, but that being said, in a non-tilted orientation we'd like to keep that record. It would be fairly simple to prove that your projected image and size are ok via a sample.

Or, we could discuss a retractable with the Enlightor-4K which is impossible to moire at any size due to it not having any pattern at all. You have the lumen budget for it.

Cheers,
Chris

Not a Seymour screen owner yet but I want to give a shout out to Chris for graciously letting me come to his factory for a little tour and answering a ton of questions (helps that I happen to live in the same town). I am still a couple of months off from a purchase and expressed that to him. He answered all the questions I had, gave me a sample of their screen material, and did not talk over my head. Very helpful to a newb like me. All I can say is I don't need to look at any other screens, the service alone has sold me. Thanks again Chris.

Just got my 135 inch Seymour AV screen with Center Stage XD material in 2.35:1 format. I ended up purchasing the Premier frame and have to say, I am very very pleased with the product in pretty much every respect!

The build quality is outstanding and I found the assembly to be a breeze (and I am not the handiest guy on this type of stuff). Aligning the frame, laying out the screen, and installing the grommet and o-rings is cupcake city. Took me less than an hour to build it and get it up on my screen wall.

I'm using a Sony 50ES projector and the picture quality on the XD fabric is exceptional and I haven't even calibrated my image. I'm sitting about 16 feet from the screen and you can't see the fabric whatsoever. Brightness is great as well which is something I was mildly concerned about given I prefer a brighter punchier image in general. Gonna try to run some 3d testing this weekend.

Have to say that Chris and Mike (from AVS) were a pleasure to work with as well. I drilled them with questions and they patiently answered them all, including providing the specific dimensions of the custom size screen that I ordered so I could build out my screen wall while the screen was in production. I got impatient on the shipping and they were responsive even on that front, great customer service all around.

Highly, highly recommend anyone on the fence go with this screen. Can't say enough how impressed I am with the product.

Autreym,

grats on the new screen. I echo your sentiments - this material is fantastic. You won't be disappointed with 3D. I just finished watching "The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" and it's a ridiculous movie with moving subtitles all over the place but the 3D is amazing and the XD ensures it's nice and bright!

Good to hear! Thanks, is your screen material tilted?




Yea from what I remember, It's been a while since my XD DIY build, when I was researching screens the moire issues were affecting the smaller (100" or less) screens. Was this the case or was it more to do with the original screen material?

Chris what's the best way with the sample to test for moire?

To test for moire, place the sample over something black. If we sent you a no-tilt sample (usually for retractable evaluation) or a tilted one, simply confirm that you have the material oriented correctly for the screen type. (As a side note, testing for moire on a tilted sample isn't necessary. Those are usually just used for texture and brightness evaluation.)

Then focus the projector sharply and project a white field. If you don't see wavy bands of color, zoom to different sizes to see if it can occur and at what sizes.

While it's possible for the XD to moire in a nontilted retractable, it's rare and limited to the smaller sizes. We replace a lot of Elites as a result.

Cheers,
Chris

Thanks for the info Chris, much appreciated.

BTW, I'm still loving my Seymour XD screen I made a few years back (153").

No tilt and no moire.

Anyone have any reference photos on how to mount an AT screen without building a false wall around it? Is it better to mount with a bracket from the ceiling or are there stable brackets available that can attach to the vertical sides of the screen? I plan on utilizing Axiom speakers on the wall and they protrude approx. 4" from the wall, so the screen should have a couple of inches clearance from the speakers, correct?

Thank you

I built mine based on this thread MINIMALIST APPROACH TO SCREEN WALL

I told my friend to bring his 8500Ub over to my place and we tested it on my xd screen. We just tilted the projector to match the tilt of my screen. While we didn't see any colour banding, moire, we did notice some gray banding through the white field??? The gray banding was more pronounced went zooming in but was still faintly noticeable when zoomed out to his wanted screen size (126"). The banding appeared to be restricted to the center of the screen.

We didn't notice it when watching a film only during the white field test. Is this still moire even though it had no colour but just gray banding?

Any thoughts Chris?

Epson 6020 and a 139" curved Seymour Av AT Screen
Just another Happy Customer!!

I finally got around to watching a movie or two on the XD screen!

Grabbed a few pics with my mobile...