[Don Stewart]

To the forum members that have volunteered to Beta Test the Grayhawk

screens.


Please be advised that your custom screen units will begin shipping to your homes at the end of next week and the first of the following week. Please keep an eye out for them.


Thank you,

Don Stewart

 

[Dean McManis]

Thanks Don,


I got a similar phone confirmation today.


I'm really looking forward to seeing how well the new Grayhawk screen works, relative to a normal screen with my G15.


-Dean.

 

[Don Stewart]

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Olson: I got a call also. I was hoping to get 12' x 5', (2.40:1), but unfortunately they were not able to go any wider than 100" x 54", (1.85:1). http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif They were also unable to do micro-perf at this time. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif Don, In your testing how much light fall-off does micro-per create? Have YOU tested greyhawk with the micro-perf option? How long will the beta last? Are we restricted from posting on this forum? Even though we havenm't signed a non-disclosure, I'm more than willing to follow your wishes. Thanks for the opportunity, Phil

Dear Phil,


We did test a GreyHawk Micro-Perf screen last week with a Sony VPL HT 10 LCD projector and a Seleco DLP projector. Their was a 10.2 percent light loss, confirming what we anticipated. The images had CRT like contrast, excellent color saturation, or what I would term "High Image Fidelity".

Since your existing screen is Micro-Perfed I think we should replace it with a micro-perf GrayHawk. The down side is it may delay your shipment few more days.


Phil... this is Stewart Films' first experience with Beta testing.

We will be going through a learning curve and perhaps we may even make a few mistakes. As for how long will the Beta program last? I do believe that the tester can evaluate the screen image qualities in a minimum amount of time. We will be asking you both objective and subjective questions.


As for discussing your observations of the GreyHawk screen in this forum.

I did not even think about that until you brought it up.

My instinct tells me that it would be a risky business decision...but...

on the other hand, the respectable members of this forum motivated Stewart Filmscreen for the need of this type of product. I have found this forum as a great exchange for ideas and it helps me keep my thinking in perspective. Phil, I am interested in yours and other forum members opinions on an open book policy.


Regards,

Don Stewart

Stewart Filmscreen

 

[Phil Olson]

Don,


Thanks for the quick response. I would be happy to wait for a micro-perf version.


Also, you've got mail.


Phil

 

[Phil Olson]

Don,


As for posting our impressions of the product on the forum, I think that it would be a positive thing. This would allow non-beta testers to also ask questions of both you and the beta sites. It would probably increase the value of your beta as these questions may be ones that you would never have thought of.


I'm sure that you've tested this as best you can so I wouldn't expect a complete disaster. In this regard I would imagine that most of the responses will be positive. Even if some are negative, that's why you have betas!


By the way, as a veteran of many beta programs where I work, welcome to the club!


Phil

 

[propeller_beach]

Hi Don,


I am in the process of adquiring a Stewart THX approved microperf for my JVC G-11 DILA. In your opinion, would I be better off waiting until the grey version of this screen is available for purchase, or would I do just fine with the current white one you sell? In other words, are the inprovements you get with the grey screen going to blow me away when compared with the quality of the current crop of your microperf material? I would be particularly interested in your opinion with regards to a) black levels, b) high frequency roll-off, and c) light dispersion, among the two prospects.


I value your opinion greatly, and thank you in advance for your suggestion. It is not too frequent that one can ask these sort of questions directly to the owner of the company! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Sorry if I am stepping in anybody's toes of the beta testers.


Thanks,

Luca

 

[Dean McManis]

Don,


If it's possible, I would also like to test a microperf version of the Grayhawk material because my current screen is also perforated. I think that it would be better for comparison, and I would be happy to wait a few more days for the perf Grayhawk screen.


I'm anticipating that the forum discussion would be beneficial to your design efforts because the people asking the questions are in your target market, and most likely the Grayhawk screen will show itself well.


-Dean.

 

[Phil Olson]

I got a call also. I was hoping to get 12' x 5', (2.40:1), but unfortunately they were not able to go any wider than 100" x 54", (1.85:1). http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif They were also unable to do micro-perf at this time. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif


Don,


In your testing how much light fall-off does micro-per create? Have YOU tested greyhawk with the micro-perf option? How long will the beta last? Are we restricted from posting on this forum? Even though we havenm't signed a non-disclosure, I'm more than willing to follow your wishes.


Thanks for the opportunity,

Phil

 

[Tom Blake]

Don,


I would LOVE to hear open comments from the Beta testers on the GreyHawk screen. I recently purchased a Sony 10HT projector and have decided to delay my screen purchase until the GreyHawk is released. I had been planning to get a Studiotek 130. For an interim solution I bought a cheap, manual pull-down screen. This will do as a stop-gap measure; but what I really want is a motorized, tensioned, drop-down Stewart screen. If the GreyHawk works well with the 10HT I will certainly be looking at buying one next year, when they're released! In your previous post you mentioned you had tested the Sony 10HT with the GreyHawk screen. Does it have enough light output to be a good match? Does it require the Cinema Black mode to be set to "OFF", in order to increase light output? Looking forward to hearing some real-world feedback on the GreyHawk screen!


Tom

 

[Don Stewart]

Quote:

Originally posted by propeller_beach: Hi Don, I am in the process of adquiring a Stewart THX approved microperf for my JVC G-11 DILA. In your opinion, would I be better off waiting until the grey version of this screen is available for purchase, or would I do just fine with the current white one you sell? In other words, are the inprovements you get with the grey screen going to blow me away when compared with the quality of the current crop of your microperf material? I would be particularly interested in your opinion with regards to a) black levels, b) high frequency roll-off, and c) light dispersion, among the two prospects. I value your opinion greatly, and thank you in advance for your suggestion. It is not too frequent that one can ask these sort of questions directly to the owner of the company! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif Sorry if I am stepping in anybody's toes of the beta testers. Thanks, Luca

Dear Propeller Beach, (Cool Name)


Thanks for your interest.

I don't believe that this forum should be used for selling products so I will make it short. "Its worth the wait".


Regards,

Don

 

[Ron H]

Tom,


I will be doing my Beta test with a Sony 10HT. I will keep you posted and should be able to answer your questions.


Ron Hastings


------------------

Lex/MC1, Cinepro, SL3, Logo, Tripoles, Sony 10HT

 

[Don Stewart]

Quote:

Originally posted by sbeall: How does the Grayhawk differ from Dalite's HC screen - if at all?

The GrayHawk has multiple optical coatings applied to it.

I can't speak for the Da-lite material as I have yet to see it.

Regards,

Don

 

[Don Stewart]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Blake: Don, I would LOVE to hear open comments from the Beta testers on the GreyHawk screen. I recently purchased a Sony 10HT projector and have decided to delay my screen purchase until the GreyHawk is released. I had been planning to get a Studiotek 130. For an interim solution I bought a cheap, manual pull-down screen. This will do as a stop-gap measure; but what I really want is a motorized, tensioned, drop-down Stewart screen. If the GreyHawk works well with the 10HT I will certainly be looking at buying one next year, when they're released! In your previous post you mentioned you had tested the Sony 10HT with the GreyHawk screen. Does it have enough light output to be a good match? Does it require the Cinema Black mode to be set to "OFF", in order to increase light output? Looking forward to hearing some real-world feedback on the GreyHawk screen! Tom

Dear Mr. Blake.


We have a Sony VPL HT 10 Beta Tester, Mr. Ron Hastings in the beta program.

He will be able to report his findings on this forum.

To answer your question about projector power required. Our testing

as indicated that we would like to see 18 ANSI lumens per square foot of screen surface. If the screen is perforated we would like to see 20 lumens per square foot. With Sony Ht 10 we have the Cinema Black level setting "ON" which as you already know reduces the light output from 1000 lumens to 750 lumens. This will still allow you to get a stunning image off a 110 inch (54"by 96") 16 by 9 screen.

Peak light output will be a respectable 17 foot lamberts with deep rich blacks.


Regards,

Don

 

[Tom Blake]

Don,


Thanks for the info and that sounds great! I don't require a perforated screen, so it appears I'd be in good shape even with Cinema Black set to "ON". I'm glad I decided to wait on the GreyHawk screen! I will be using a 16:9 screen in the exact dimensions you quoted.


Ron,


Thanks and I look forward to your reports on how the GreyHawk performs with the 10HT.


Regards,


Tom

 

[Dan Henderson]

Don,


Hmm... I emailed a couple of times but no answer. Maybe the email address in your profile is not right?


I hope I didn't miss out on this beta test - but it seems too late.


Dan Henderson


------------------
Dan Henderson
[email protected]

 

[Carey P]

Don,


Wow! Now I'm really excited to test this screen! I was having Beta remorse about possibly not having enough light output for the GrayHawk from my 1000 lumen projector. I will be testing on a 54"x96" with the Sharp XV-DW100U. But from what you said to Mr. Blake about the stunning image and rich blacks even at 750 lumens, I am feeling much better. This sounds very promising, indeed!

Regards,


Carey Portnoy

 

[Dave T]

Don (anyone?):


Like many others here, I'm holding off buying a screen until the Greyhawk comes out. Do you have a ~rough~ idea when it will start shipping? A reseller told my installer that it wouldn't be for 6-9 months, but my installer thought he might have been confused with the blackhawk. (I hope he was!).


So, any idea? 1 month? 3 months? 6 months?


(Sorry if this question has been asked before (but if it has, I couldn't find it!), or if this is the wrong place - but this looked like the active thread on the Greyhawk.)


- Dave

 

[David Wallis]

Don

Just a quick question or two. How did you arrive at 17ft ft lamberts ?

At 750 on a .8 gain screen should this not be 11.05 ft Lamberts ?


Quote:

"Cinema Black level setting "ON" which as you already know

reduces the light output from 1000 lumens to 750 lumens. This

will still allow you to get a stunning image off a 110 inch (54"by

96") 16 by 9 screen.

Peak light output will be a respectable 17 foot lamberts with deep

rich blacks."


What is your best electric motorized screen for the Blackhawk fabric that will not curl and wrinkle after years of up and down operation ?

Nearly every motorized screen I have seen has drama at keeping the material straight.

I am looking at a 100" 1.85.1 screen for a 1000 Ansi DLP.

I guess cost will become a factor but quality is important.


DavidW

 

[Don Stewart]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave T: Don (anyone?): Like many others here, I'm holding off buying a screen until the Greyhawk comes out. Do you have a ~rough~ idea when it will start shipping? A reseller told my installer that it wouldn't be for 6-9 months, but my installer thought he might have been confused with the blackhawk. (I hope he was!). So, any idea? 1 month? 3 months? 6 months? (Sorry if this question has been asked before (but if it has, I couldn't find it!), or if this is the wrong place - but this looked like the active thread on the Greyhawk.) - Dave

Dear Dave.


I think our retail dealer got the GrayHawk front screen and the BlackHawk

rear projection screen confused. The GrayHawk should be avaiable in late January 2001. The BlackHawk Rear screen will follow in early spring 2001.


Regards,

Don

 

[Don Stewart]

Quote:

Originally posted by David Wallis: Don Just a quick question or two. How did you arrive at 17ft ft lamberts ? At 750 on a .8 gain screen should this not be 11.05 ft Lamberts ? Quote: "Cinema Black level setting "ON" which as you already know reduces the light output from 1000 lumens to 750 lumens. This will still allow you to get a stunning image off a 110 inch (54"by 96") 16 by 9 screen. Peak light output will be a respectable 17 foot lamberts with deep rich blacks." What is your best electric motorized screen for the Blackhawk fabric that will not curl and wrinkle after years of up and down operation ? Nearly every motorized screen I have seen has drama at keeping the material straight. I am looking at a 100" 1.85.1 screen for a 1000 Ansi DLP. I guess cost will become a factor but quality is important. DavidW

Dear Dave.


You scared me. So I went back and recalculated and confirmed the 17 plus foot lamberts is correct. Here is the formula for peak foot lambert brightness so you can recheck your figures.

Projector Lumens divided by screen square footage multiplied by screen gain equals peak foot lamberts.

750 lumens divided by 36 sq.ft of screen surface area X .85 gain equals 17.68 foot lamberts.

By the way..We checked the Sony Ht 10 last night with the Cinema Black level

"on" and measured 752 lumens of light. The lamp has 17 hours logged. Its nice to see a product conform with the published spec.


Regards,

Don