[DAVE2]

I give business to a high end audio video store next door to my showroom. I got most my HT equipment from them, since they are giving me everything at cost.


They have a 100" high power da-lite masking screen in stock that they want to unload to me for $2000. I was planning on ordering a 100" electrol high power for about $1000 and change.


Is the dual masking worth the extra cost? Or is this really just a neet gadget for the people who have alot of disposable income, me not falling in to this bracket.


I have ordered a ht-1000 and am looking forward to receiving it this week, but have held off on my screen purchase because of this dilema.


thanks

dave

 

[allenhsu]

Quote:

Originally posted by DAVE2 Is the dual masking worth the extra cost? Or is this really just a neet gadget for the people who have alot of disposable income, me not falling in to this bracket.

Dave:


I won' claim to be an expert, but I will claim to be poor ;-). I suppose there are two questions to ask yourself:


1) What is your primary source material and how much of the overall viewing percentage does it account for?


2) Does that $1000 make a real difference and could you spend it better on something else, like a good, solid screen and say a better projector or a scaler (if you don't already have one...)?


Masking screens allow you to flip between 16x9 and 4x3 in not just a cool way, but also a very useful way. Rather than have white/grey/whatever bands at the edges (or top and bottom), you get the perfect screen for the source material being show. Now, if you primarily show only 16x9 material, then the masking feature won't be used very often.

Many folks here (including myself) intend to construct some sort of masking system. Since I do not plan to use the feature much (I'll be playing mostly 16x9 material), I would rather save the money, get a basic (read: curtain based) masking system and spend the money elsewhere. On the other hand, if you do plan to change aspect ratios quite a bit, this will be a very useful feature to you. Oh..and it is cool ;-)

As for the extra money, well, I don't know what else you purchased, but again, if you had to skimp anywhere, I would say that electric masking is one place you can skimp without having any real impact on the overall quality of your setup.


...Just my $0.02 worth


Allen

 

[DAVE2]

1. as far as aspect rations I would say 75% 4x3 and 25% hd/cinemascop/letterbox. The 25% could increase to 50% soon as more 16X9 hd content comes out. The U.S. tennis open would be killer in HD. I am crossing my fingers on that one. I want to see the sweat on Agassi's bald head.HEHE


2. as far as the money I could use it twords that HD tivo comming out soon, or a new set of rear speakers better matched to my fronts. Oh and a new harmony remote or pronto. Wait a minute I can put it twords the twins college fund, they are certainly gonna need it.


thanks

dave

 

[Jim Mc]

Well I can tell you the masking system I build was a major improvement.


To get a masking system pre built that's your decision based on your handyman factor but it seems a good price.

 

[thebland]

Ditto the major improvement in contrast and overall presentation.


It is a product that despite changes in screen technology, different PJs down the road, that wil be a long term asset.



At cost...go for it!

 

[ddog]

I couldn't live without my masking!!


Ddog!!