AVS Forum banner
  • Get an exclusive sneak peek into our new project. >>> Click Here
  • Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

How much does a screen cost?

378 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  propeller_beach
I have absolutely no idea what a screen costs. I am planning on a 84" (or thereabouts) 16:9 screen w/1.x gain (for use with a CRT projector) for my home theater. What do these generally cost from the major manufacturers?


Thanks,


Mike.
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
From what I have seen, the price ranges from hundreds to thousands depending on what company, options etc...


The Stewart screens seem to cost a good bit more but everybody loves them and I think that we have gotten great support on this forum from Don Stewart too.


I haven't bought a screen yet, but I will get a microperfed stewart hopefully Greyhawk and it will probably cost a couple of thousand dollars.


If it works how I want it to, it will be worth every penny.


Good luck.


Cameron
See less See more
Mike,


Price depends a lot on the options you get, as Cameron mentioned. Is you screen going to be fixed (doesn't role up)? If it does roll up, will the roller be motorized? Do you want any kind of automatic masking for different aspect ratios? Do you want a perforated screen so you can place your speakers behind the screen?


A fixed screen will be the cheapest (under $1000 CAN possibly), a roll up will cost a bit more. A motorized screen can cost quite a bit. Perforating a screen is always an expensive option and can double the cost. Masking can be pretty affordable on a fixed screen, but pretty expensive on a motorized roll-up.


Good Luck,


Kam Fung
See less See more
I purchased a Draper M1300 that was 80x45 on a cineperm frame through NovaVisual in the Ottawa area. My screen was under $1000, including tax.


No matter where you live, there will be "pro" A/V shops that specialize in setting up boardrooms with LCD projectors. If you don't want to mail order directly they are your best bet.


Working out the numbers shows that I would have saved money if I had ordered from AV Science and done the border hassle.


I would strongly suggest putting a temporary screen together *before* making the purchase decision. It will allow you to check your throw distance, and screen size. It would really suck if you got the screen and then decided that it was too small/big.


Another good option is the DIY route. There are many reasonable screens you can build that give a good image. KBK has an interesting screen paint that he has created, and he's located in Kingston. You may want to check out that route before investing a bundle in a commercial screen.


Depends on what you are trying to accomplish and how much money you want to burn. I think my Draper is great, but I'm certain if I had gone the DIY route I would have been satisfied as well.


Roo
See less See more
Thanks for the info, everybody. I know now what I am up against for the cost of a screen. My needs are simple- fixed and probably not perforated. I was going to buy the screen first, but will wait until I get the projector and try it out.


Mike.
Mike,


I'll be selling my Draper electric 80x45 16:9 1.0 gain screen very soon. I live in Buffalo so whenever you are ready give me a shout and perhaps you can come take a look. I'll sell it cheap as it only cost me somehting like $500 when I bought it.


Tom
Quote:
Originally posted by tommyboy2:
I'll be selling my Draper electric 80x45 16:9 1.0 gain screen very soon. I live in Buffalo so whenever you are ready give me a shout and perhaps you can come take a look. I'll sell it cheap as it only cost me somehting like $500 when I bought it.
I appreciate the offer, Tom, but I probably will not be ready to buy for a few months. I still have design and construction work to do http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Just curious, why are you selling? Upgrading to something larger and/or better quality?


Mike.
Hi Mike,


Alan Gouger sells 16:9 Vu-Tec fixed screens with black aluminum frames in various gains for ~$500 new (maybe less at your screen size).


Mark
Any comments on the quality of these Vu-Tec screens? I am a complete newbie, but do not want to be 'underwhelmed' with the whole experience (ie. if spending a little extra up front will give better performance in the long run, I am fully willing to do so).


Much thanks...


Mike.
Hi Mike,


I believe the Vu-Tec was Mark Foster's preferred screen right about the time of his departure from the forum. Which says a lot about its quality. I would put my money down anytime on any choice of Mark's as related to HT. He was truly a great guy, a Dila luminary and an ispiration to many here.


I am awaiting my Stewart Microperf Greyhawk for my theater since I need to place the speakers behind it due to room (and personal http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif ) constraints. Otherwise, I would go with Mark Hunter (Milori)'s suggestion in a heartbeat if I did not have to get the Microperf.


Be sure to check what the recommended gain would be for your CRT projector. Lower gain screens work best with projectors that emit a higher lumen count. The preferred gain for a Dila proj is 1.0 or 1.3. I do not know much about CRT projs, sorry.


Luca
See less See more
I'm buying a Stewart Grayhawk.


Anyone know what this Draper is worth? $200 or so? Or should I just put it out with the trash? http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Tom
You wouldn't want a Greyhawk for a CRT. In fact a 1.0 gain screen is not that great an idea either.


I'd highly recommend a Stewart StudioTek 130 screen, (1.3 gain). This is THE screen to have and since A.V. Science sells Stewart, you'll likely get a good deal, (definitely under $1000 I should think).


Moreover, Don is a great guy who is obviously active in this forum. He really cares about his customers.


Phil


P.S. I use the StudioTek 130 with my Runco 980, and will hopefully use a Greyhawk for my G11 D-ILA.
See less See more
Quote:
Originally posted by Phil Olson:


P.S. I use the StudioTek 130 with my Runco 980, and will hopefully use a Greyhawk for my G11 D-ILA.
Phil,


Just how many HT rooms do you have at your place? http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif


Luca
Quote:
Originally posted by tommyboy2:


Anyone know what this Draper is worth? $200 or so? Or should I just put it out with the trash? http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Tom
Tom, I just sent you an e-mail. I need a 16x9 1.0 gain screen to go with my DLP projector and new Panamorph arriving soon (I hope). I`m intrested in buying this screen from you. Just as a favor of course, you seem so desparate to get rid of it http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Jim



[This message has been edited by Jim Tittle (edited 01-07-2001).]
See less See more
Luca,


I've had the Runco setup for a number of years now, (5?). Once I saw Dean's G1000, I simply couldn't continue life without a D-ILA. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif


I am currently evaluating the GrayHawk Cinemaperf with my G11 and expect my ISCO-2 in a couple of weeks. The only thing left is a calibration and the Runco/Faroudja goes on e-bay. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


I really love my Runco and have tweaked it to '11'. I've seen a lot of showroom setups and I'd stack my setup against any of them and win hands down. Unfortunately it just won't drive a 12' wide screen!


I once loaded a disc onto the Runco and did a freeze frame with the Faroudja. I then loaded that same disk on the G11 and superimposed the images. The Runco looked like a barely visible ghost compared to the G11. There's just no contest between a D-ILA and a CRT when you want it wide.


Phil


See less See more
Phil,


Thanks. Thought for a moment you had two HT rooms setup, not unlike our local multiplexes, so you just jump from one room into the other at the end of a movie and..presto..you are ready for the next one (remember when we used to do that at the movies when we were kids http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif )


Enjoy your Dila! I know I'm enjoying mine! Hope you get a solution working for your Microperf...I'll be getting mine anyday now...


Luca
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top