[AndyN]

Of the masking systems that stewart offers between the vertical and horizontal masking, which is better or more practical. The 4 way seems overkill so thats out. But I believe with the vertical masking you always get a 16:9 aspect ratio but masking allows for smaller 4:3 material. Whereas horizontal masking starts out as a huge 4:3 and with masking becomes 16:9 thats just as big as a dedicated 16:9 screen. Am I wrong? Which would you choose?


Andy

 

[DMan]

Andy,


Actually the Horizontal or Vertical Electrimask can be built to whatever aspect ratio you desire, as Stewart custom builds every single screen. I just recently purchased a Stewart Horizontal Electrimask that starts out in a 16:9 (1.78:1) ratio and has top and bottom masking for even wider aspect ratios all the way to 3.20:1.


I don't watch any 4:3 material on my FPTV, so I opted for the 16:9 screen with horizontal masking. The Vertical Electrimask has only two roll down panels on the sides of the screen and can only alternate the screen between two aspect ratios. The Horizontal Electrimask is much more versatile as you can order a 4:3 (1.33:1) screen and mask it for virtually any ratio.




------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[AndyN]

Quote:

Originally posted by DMan: Andy, Actually the Horizontal or Vertical Electrimask can be built to whatever aspect ratio you desire, as Stewart custom builds every single screen. I just recently purchased a Stewart Horizontal Electrimask that starts out in a 16:9 (1.78:1) ratio and has top and bottom masking for even wider aspect ratios all the way to 3.20:1. I don't watch any 4:3 material on my FPTV, so I opted for the 16:9 screen with horizontal masking. The Vertical Electrimask has only two roll down panels on the sides of the screen and can only alternate the screen between two aspect ratios. The Horizontal Electrimask is much more versatile as you can order a 4:3 (1.33:1) screen and mask it for virtually any ratio.

Dman, if you don't mind me asking, is it more expensive to get the huge 4:3 and mask? Also, excuse my rudeness, but how much does it cost to get a 16:9 screen w/horizontal masking?


Andy

 

[DMan]

Andy,


The horizontal masking is more expensive than the vertical, but I don't know by how much. You can expect to pay between $3,000.-4,000. for a Stewart Horizontal Electrimask, depending on the options (VeLux borders, controllers, perforated, etc...).





------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[AndyN]

Quote:

Originally posted by DMan: Andy, The horizontal masking is more expensive than the vertical, but I don't know by how much. You can expect to pay between $3,000.-4,000. for a Stewart Horizontal Electrimask, depending on the options (VeLux borders, controllers, perforated, etc...).

Ouch...I bought my projector for less than that. Hmmm...time to look into Da-Lite. Thanks Dman.


andy

 

[DMan]

I looked into the Draper and Da-Lite masking systems and they were rather lackluster when compared to the Stewart. Honestly, you sould probably make your own masking panels that work and look better than the Draper Eclipse or the DaLite Pro Imager masking systems. BTW, the Da-Lite Pro Imager masking screen is around ~$2,500.




------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[fr8flyr]

I am also considering a Stewart horizontal masking screen. My question to those of you that have one is how far from the wall does the masking system extend? I have about 7 inches to play with before running into my curtains and am wondering if I have room to mount this system.

Thanks Earl

 

[DMan]

Earl,


The Stewart Horizontal Electrimask screen measures 5.25" deep from the viewing wall to the front of the screen's frame.




------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[AndyN]

Quote:

Originally posted by DMan: I looked into the Draper and Da-Lite masking systems and they were rather lackluster when compared to the Stewart. Honestly, you sould probably make your own masking panels that work and look better than the Draper Eclipse or the DaLite Pro Imager masking systems. BTW, the Da-Lite Pro Imager masking screen is around ~$2,500.

I'm actually thinking about having the wife help with a DIY masking system. Thanks again Dman. Did you get a wall screen or electric roll up system with tab tensioners?


Oh, would you know how a wall mounted screen mounts to a wall. I have a doorway with no sill that I'd like to (have to) partially cover with the screen. Could I leave one corner of the screen unattached to a wall? Or does it look like the more expensive roll up kind for me?


Andy

 

[fr8flyr]

Thanks DMan.

The way I understand the setup for the horizontal masking is a canister holding the masking material is located at the top and bottom of the screen. Is this correct?

Earl

 

[DMan]

Andy,


I assume you're talking about a Stewart screen? If so, then you should be OK with the edge of the screen slightly hanging over the doorway. Stewart screens have two wood vertical braces with metal "L" brackets that secure to the top and bottom of the frame. On most screen models, these brackets are ~20 inches in from the right and left sides.


Earl,


Yes, the screen's masking material which is the same VeLux material as the frame, is housed on a motorized (Somfy) roller. On the Horizontal Electrimask Screenwall, there are two enclosures (one on top, one on the bottom). The top masking panel works just like a motorized screen only it's obviously lowering masking material instead. The bottom masking panel uses a motorized roller as well, but it also uses a spring loaded pulley system that keeps the lower panel under tension at all times. This insures that the bottom panel will always raise and lower evenly and without problems. The whole screen and masking system is a pure work of art. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif




------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[Steve13]

Dman-

I'm considering the Stewart screenwall with horizontal masking, similiar to what you have. Question, how does this thing ship? Is it shipped in one piece or is it assembled on site.


I'm building a new home and I have to make sure I have a way to get the thing in the house!! I don't want to repeat what we had to do at my office for our 100" stewart venticular screen. It came in one piece and we had to remove a 5 x 10 foot second story plate glass window and crane the screen in. It was truly a production. Especially when the glass guys cracked the first glass panel they tried to remove!!


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

Steve

Visit our dedicated home theater, The City Cinema.

 

[DMan]

Steve,


Stewart ships the screen unassembled through a freight company (FedEx or UPS are too unreliable). It comes in a long box approx. 18"x18"xyour screen's width. The internal bracing and padding inside this box is unreal. The screen material is rolled on a core and wrapped in plastic and sealed, then placed inside another larger core for safety.


The screen takes about 15 minutes to assemble. Their are four main sections, the two sides and then the top and bottom which house the motorized masking panels. It is very well built, both the quality and craftsmanship of this screen are second to none! Highly recommended! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


Here's two pics of the screen. They are rather dark but my front wall has black velour drapes around the entire screen making the front wall a black hole.

http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/at.../178screen.jpg
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio

http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/at.../235screen.jpg
2.35:1 Aspect Ratio (Using motorized masking panels)




------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[indygreg]

After watching my system for several months i have decided that vertical masking is the way to go. here is my logic. i used to figure that the driver was the resolution of the source. basically that the max resolution you are comfortable watching can be measured in pixels per square inch. if the source is dvd and it is 720 x 480 you can figure that across your screen and that is the resolution per square inch. the lowest quality source material you can get is 4:3 so it should be the smallest not the largest image you display. 16 x 9 is either dvd or hdtv. cinemascope stuff is typically the highest quality films. additionally, the theatres mask vertically therefore the print was shot and edited with this in mind. to me, a 2.35:1 shown on a 16 x 9 screen is too small.


i used to think that i would want 4 way masking assuming that the resolution per square inch was the same for 16 x 9 and cinemascope but since i have been watching hdtv i have realised that this is not the most important factor. with hd th resolution is so good that my limit on screen size is not the resolution available but rather the front row effect where the screen becomes hard to watch because it is simply too large before i start noticing the lack of resolution. this means that i can afford to make a scope film display wider than a 16:9 film and basically keep a constant height for everything like a theatre.


i guess it comes down to matching the original display at the movie theatre since this is what film was targeted to. flat films have more rapid camera movement because the frame is smaller and they expect the screen to be smaller. scope stuff and hdtv is typically shot with less movement since they assume you will be watching it on a larger screen. i now think this is a more important consideration than resolution in most cases. the exception is 4:3 where the quality of the (NTSC) source is a big factor making me want a small screen.


greg


greg


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

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

Why does he shake hands with that guy right after he sexed the alligator

 

[DMan]

Greg,


I actually thought about doing a constant height 2.35 screen, but making the 2.35 DVDs wide enough in room would have almost stretched it from wall to wall to allow the 1.85 movies to not be too small. Also, since anamorphic 1.85 DVDs have a resolution of 720x480 and anamorphic 2.35 DVDs have a resolution of 720x360, I wanted the larger screen for the highest resolution DVD movies.




------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[indygreg]

good point. i have a temporary theater in my rec room and an unfinished 20 x 20 room for a real theater later. i am always thinking in the 1-2 year from now time frame. my thought is that the high def movies i have seen in cinemascope have enough resolution to go wall to wall. i am designing for my next theater which will run from 2002 - 2012 or so. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


greg


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

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

Why does he shake hands with that guy right after he sexed the alligator

 

[jamie t]

Just a question about pricing over your way.


I rang the company who distribute Stewart in Australia today and was told for a 100" screen with side masking I was looking at $10,500A ($5,250 US), for one with top and bottom masking $12,500A ($6,250 US) and for the Ultimate 4 way $22,500A ($11,250 US).


Is that about what you guys pay??? Seems way overpriced to me?


The guy couldn't answer my question as to why the price for the 4-way is the same price as 2 screens either.

 

[DMan]

Jamie,


Something is defintely wrong with those prices. I was quoted here in the US more like this...


Stewart Horizontal Screenwall Electrimask= $3,600.-$4,500.USD

Stewart Vertical Screenwall Electrimask= $3,000.-$4,000.USD

Stewart Ultimate 4-way masking= $5,500.-$6,500.USD


The price varies so much based upon the different options you request. Also, these quotes are for the Studiotek 130 material without perforations which can add upwards of $1,000. or more to that price.




------------------
DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[jamie t]

Thanks DMan.


Now I know why the HT specialists here shy away from recommending Stewart. In fact, almost all of them tell you it's a rip off.


I'll be looking into locally manufactured and European screen manufacturers. They don't seem to rip us off as much as the importers of US made products do http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif