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Projector Coming Next Week: Best short-term screen solution?

351 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by btmoore, Apr 13, 2001

bluhorizan

Discussion Starter · Apr 6, 2001

After weeks of diligent research, auditioning and reading many of your insightful postings, I have made the plunge and purchased a JVC Dila G11 which should be delivered early next week. I have seen the Stewart Grayhawk and know it is the gold standard for performance and am seriously considering ordering it. My first question is this: What would you choose to use as an screen for the short term until a high quality screen ordered and delivered?

I was thinking of a 16X9 screen somewhere in the 96 inch to 108 inch width range. For the short term, most bang for the buck, I have heard that the matte white foam backed poster board works well as a fixed screen. Da-lite screens with standard matte white are only about $200. I don't have a white wall to use in the room that I will be using the projector.

My second question is which screen you would choose if you were planning to use a Dila projector and also a CRT with the flexibility of going back and forth between the two projectors?

Finally, has anyone had any experience with Da-lites "high contrast" 0.8 gain gray vinyl screen which is designed for high lumen digital projectors?

Joe Andresen

Palo Alto, CA

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pcdoctor

· #2 · Apr 6, 2001

Just curious, where can I get a matte white foam backed poster board?

How much does this cost and what are the dimensions?

Currently, I'm using curtain blackout fabric, but my friend hasn't created the frame for me yet.

Here's some stuff:

http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000498.html $4.99 per yard / $2.99 per yard at 50% off www.joann.com

(Curtain blackout fabric)

http://www.geocities.com/sstieferman/ $20 Home Depot

(9'x12' Butyl/Rubber Coated Drop Cloth - UPC code is 047034803115)

http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000502.html

http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000491.html

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My HT

[This message has been edited by pcdoctor (edited 04-06-2001).]

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Bulldogger

· #3 · Apr 8, 2001

Joe, my da-light high contrast tensioned electrol will be delivered tomorrow. I have not seen the Grayhawk but the high contrast does work well. I do not think it would work well with a crt because of the low gain. You need to know the lumens of the crt and the size of the screen you will be using in order to calculate which screen would serve both purposes. I suggest you e-mail Jason Turk at avscience for recommendations. Kerry Haught at Cousin's video was very helpful. I provided him with the size of the screen that I would be using and the lumens of the projectors I am considering and he made recommendations. Jason will do the same thing. I think avscience has the best deals on Stewart screens.

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Never become so involved with something that it blinds you.

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kelliot

· #4 · Apr 8, 2001

I have seen some big pieces of foam posterboard at art supply houses. Look in the yellow pages and call around. They may have to special order it but its going to be one of the cheapest alternatives.

I've also seen gray posterboard which could make a decent gray screen. I've been meaning to call around to see if I can special order a big piece.

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Ken Elliott

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btmoore

· #5 · Apr 9, 2001

I did the same thing, bought a 10ht and a week later ordered a grayhawk screen. I looked a foam backed posterboard but I could not find it in a 96X54 size. After wasting lots of time looking at options I just went to a fabric store and bought curtain blackout/blockout material. It is ~56 wide and I had them cut 3yrds from the bolt, purchased some thumbtacks and just tacked the material to the wall. It works well, doesn't look too cheesy, is easy to work with and doesn't cost much, I think I was out ~$20 all said and done. Tomorrow I will be taking it down as my Luxus Delux screen wall is on a fedex truck somewhere between LA and Oakland. BTW you may want to know for your own logistics sake it took ~ a month for shipment of the screen after the order was placed.

Regards,

Brian

[This message has been edited by btmoore (edited 04-09-2001).]

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Martin P

· #6 · Apr 10, 2001

Very very simple to make a good screen. Just get 3 meters of blackout material from any fabric store,under $20. 5 pieces of 1"x2" strapping from lumber store,under$5. While there get 4 corner attachments for the corners and 2 straight connectors for the centre piece. Cut to length,just need hand saw, 52"x92" and screw it together. I did this yesterday and it was easy. It took less than an hour for everything and cost less than$30. Once you have the frame made just give the blackout material a little ironing at low heat because of the rubberised surface and stretch it over the frame and staple. Easy and the quality is almost as good as the da-lite 1.3 gain that I use in my HT.

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btmoore

· #7 · Apr 10, 2001

Well as I stated in my previous post, my grayhawk was due to arrive Monday. Well it did I installed it and WOW, what a difference compared to the blackout material. I take back what I said about the blackout "working well", lets just say you could project on it. Now I know what working well is. If you have the cash, don't waste time order your screen, the grayhawk is well worth the investment.

Regards,

Brian

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arrow

· #8 · Apr 12, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by btmoore:
If you have the cash, don't waste time order your screen, the grayhawk is well worth the investment.

As a fellow blackout fabric user (no california electricity pun intended) waiting for a grayhawk to arrive, I am encouraged by your comments.

How long did it take for the shipment to arrive after your ship date from Stewart?

--Les

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btmoore

· #9 · Apr 12, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by arrow:
As a fellow blackout fabric user (no california electricity pun intended) waiting for a grayhawk to arrive, I am encouraged by your comments.

How long did it take for the shipment to arrive after your ship date from Stewart?

--Les

3 long business days via fedex 3day. I was told it was going to ship on a Wednesday but it ended up shipped on a Thursday afternoon and so I had to wait over the weekend for my new toy. Very frustrating looking at the fedex tracking screen knowing it is so near but there is nothing you can do.

On a interesting side note I had to move my seating back about a foot or so because the grayhawk started to make the screendoor effect visible to me. Moving the seating eliminated the issue.

Regards,

Brian

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CCLAY

· #10 · Apr 13, 2001

What color is blackout material?

Chris

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btmoore

· #11 · Apr 13, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by CCLAY:
What color is blackout material?

Chris

The Blackout I had was white, it is cotton blend I think and it has a white rubberized side. I used the rubberized side to project on.

Regards,

Brian

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