[MovieMan]

Does anyone have any info on the Pearlescent screen? I see it has a gain of 1.5, little more gain than the CinemaVsion, and less than the High Power.


Also, What is the Video Spectra screen? If I read correctly, that has a gain of 2.0, but Im not sure if that can be done on a perm wall snap screen.


Any Info would be great!


Thanks


MovieMan

 

[Blake Brubaker - Da-Lite]

Movieman,


If I may, I would like to answer your questions.


The Pearlescent fabric as you stated is indeed a 1.5 gain fabric that is designed for applications where a lower out projector is used or where ambient lighting is a problem. You are correct in the fact that it is very much like the Cinema Vision fabric except is has a higher concentration of the reflective material to increase the gain to 1.5 as the spec states.


The Pearlsecent fabric is however, very different from the High Power screen because it is what we call a "reflective" material and the High Power is what we call "retro-reflective" . Basically what that means is the light incident to the Pearlescent surface will bounce off at an angle equal and opposite of the angle is strikes the surfaces. Light incident to a retro-reflective fabric, such as High Power, will bounce off at an angle equal to it's angle of incidence and hence the best spot to see the images is equal to the placement of the projector.


Therefore, for most ceiling applications the best choice would be a reflective screen choice. For applications where the projector is table mounted and there is a need for added gain, a retro-reflective material such as High Power is a great choice.


Now, on to Video Spectra 1.5. As its name suggests the gain of this material is 1.5. It is very much like the Pearlsecent fabric except in its physical make up. You see the Pearlescent fabric is a flexible vinyl that is meant to be stretched onto a frame or have side-tab tensioning. The Video Spectra 1.5 has a fiberglass base to the material which means that it can be use on non-tensioned electric and pull-down screens. The optical characteristics of the two are very similar.


Since the Perm-Wall is one of the screens where the fabric is stretched onto the frame with snaps, the Pearlsecent fabric would be the choice.


If you need more information, please let us.


You might also take a look at our website at: www.da-lite.com and check out the specification section. There you will find a comprehensive look at all of our fabrics.


Thank you,


Blake

 

[MovieMan]

Thanks Blake for the reply. Actually I spoke to you over the phone a while back about a HC Da Mat Screen. You were helpful then as well as you are today. Thanks!


Would you say there is a drastic difference in brightness with the Cinemavison and the Pearlescent? Being its only .2 difference in gain

Also, I have seen some sites list the pearlescent as 2.0 gain. Are there two different versions?



Thanks again


MovieMan

 

[unzar jones]

Blake,

I have soon to be delivered a Video Spectra screen for use with an AE100. I was thinking I will have to cover my white wall with a dark fabric before I mount the screen frame over it. Does the fiberglass base block enough light so that this wouldn't be needed? Thanks,

Unzar

 

[Blake Brubaker - Da-Lite]

Movieman,


As for the websites that list the Pearlescent at at 2.0 gain, well they just have not done a good job of updating their information. We made a change to the Pearl material almost two years ago. All of our published materials since then have stated the gain at 1.5 and that is where it is today. We saw the need to reduce the gain on that material once the projectors started becoming brighter and brighter.


To answer your other question with regard to the gain of the CV vs. Pearl. yes believe it or not there is a fairly noticeable difference in the two fabrics. Especially for the trained eye. Now don't get me wrong it is not as significant as the difference between say a 1.0 gain and the 1.5, but there is a difference. For the same reason that we changed the Pearl fabric from 2.0 to 1.5, I try to recommend that people stay away from higher gain fabrics unless it is absolutely necessary due to ambient light etc. Instead, I try to recommend the 1.0 fabrics and the gray materials. The provided more film like images and do not accentuate hot spots like a higher gain fabric can sometimes do.



Unzar,


The Video Spectra 1.5 fabric has a black backing on it which means that it is not necessary for you to paint the wall. With the combination of the reflective materials on the front of the fabric and the black backing, the material is pretty much opaque.



Thanks for the questions,


Blake

 

[Huey]

I bought a video spectra Model B 1.5 gain for my NEC LT150 and I love it. Besides the minimal waves it gives a nice balance of gain and contrast for my LT150. It also allows ceiling mounting the PJ if so desired where as High Power really need Table-Mounted PJ for maximal gain. Higher gain means less contrast so 1.5 gain seems like a reasonable choice.


As Blake said the screen is completely opaque with its black backing and very strong due to the fiberglass backing. I think Dalite has been poorly labeled as lesser quality. It's high quality but just more cost-effective. I think some manufacture inflate their prices and claim better quality, but this is not necessarily so. Dalite support is very fast and top notch too. Any reasonable problems and they'll replace it without fuss.

 

[unzar jones]

Thanks guys. I ordered the Video Spectra in no small part due to Huey's recommendation in earlier posts since he seems straightforward and knowledgeable. Hey Huey do you get a commission on Dalite sales?

Unzar

 

[Huey]

Nope, just a happy customer especially for $152 shipped from www.francisav.com for 96"X72" Model B Video Spectra. Try to get a Stewart screen for less than $1K.