[James_T]

In the next few weeks, I'll be purchasing an Infocus LP340... and so I need a screen for it, of course. My budget on the screen is $1000, give or take a few hundred.


Here are my requirements for the screen:


*Size: 62.5" diagonal (50" wide, 37.5" tall) (small room)


*Must be ceiling or table-top mounted (I have an air conditioner on the wall behind it, so it must be a few inches away from the wall)


*Must have a black border to lessen the halo effect


*Want a low-gain GRAY screen like the Da-Lite one I mention below, as I've heard these go well with this projector.


I called Da-lite today, and the only thing they had to suit my needs was a ceiling-mounted tension electric screen for $1388 (a Da-Lite High Contrast Da-Mat .8 gain screen). Now, I don't need a tension electic, but if I have to I'll do it.


What else is good at this price point? Thanks.


[This message has been edited by James_T (edited 06-29-2001).]

 

[James_T]

Just wanted to add a quick note before I head out for the day... I called 1stavprojectors, and inquired about a Stewart Grayhawk manual pulldown screen. I've heard good things about these on this forum, so I would imagine it's quite a good screen. I got a quote well within my price range as well.


My only concern is that since it will be ceiling mounted, it will be quite high (ceiling is 88" high in my room)... what do people normally do in these situations? Get a longer screen?

 

[KFung]

What about a fixed screen? They're much cheaper than even a manual pull-down. BTW, Da-Lite also has a manual pull-down (for educational markets), although I don't know if you can get the HC material on it. In any case, do yourself a favour, don't get a manual pull-down. The price is better than an electric, but by the nature of the device (spring-loaded, etc.) the reliability is not as good. You might also end up stretching out the screen fabric over time when pulling it up and down. OTOH, Stewart has great customer service. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


Anyways, a fixed screen might work, you can direct the air from the air conditioner up, the screen can be attached to the wall and spaced quiet a few inches off the wall. Unless you really need to retract the screen, a fixed screen would be really economical, actually at ~60" you could probably take it down when you weren't using it! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Regards,


Kam Fung

 

[James_T]

KFung:


Thanks for the reply.


Da-Lite does not offer manual pulldown screens in high contrast, and from what I've read of comparisons between the Da-Lite and Stewart Grayhawk, the Grayhawk sounds like a better screen. The manual pulldown Grayhawk screen is a few hundred dollars less than the electric Da-Lite, which is also a factor. But I do need to be able to retract when not in use, as there is an air conditioner as well as a small window behind it.


I guess what it comes down to is which screen should function better with the LP340. Either way I think I should be able to take good care of it even if it is a manual pulldown, but you've given me something to think about. Thanks again.


So I'll ask all you folks who have compared these two screens or at least have one of them with an LP340 or comparable projector... which produces the better image and by how much?