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The Best Value 4 Fixed Height/ Variable Width -4x3 or 16x9?

331 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by ckolchak, Jul 27, 2001

ckolchak

Discussion Starter · Jul 22, 2001

another Dell customer here(raises his hand)

and this may(or may not) be my first FP.

it looks like i'll probably be getting the Da-lite Hi Power as per so many recommendations.

What i'm really interested in, though, is constant height/variable width, but if a 4x3 screen is going to be cheaper, or close to the same price as a similar width 16x9, is there a good reason NOT to go with the 4x3? i have to plan on masking a good deal off for light spill anyway, it does kind of seem like a big waste for all that unused material.

right now i think i'd like to go with about an 86" inch wide screen-having that fixed masked to a 2:35 ratio, and then using draw curtains to mask down to 1:85, 1:66, 1:33, etc.

sorry if this has been asked already

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Andrew Low

· #2 · Jul 23, 2001

I don't understand the Dell reference, however..

The best value is going to be a DIY screen. Since you're not intending a very "tall" screen, you can easily buy the blackout material and paint it.

In general, I would recommend first getting your projector -- and then later buying the screen once you're sure of placement and the like. Use a bedsheet for the first few weeks, its cheap and you'll know exactly how big you want the screen to be.

Roo

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smchan

· #3 · Jul 23, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Low:
I don't understand the Dell reference, however..

Just check out the digital projector threads and it'll become clear. Basically, it appears that Dell is selling the NEC LT150 XGA DLP projector for $1,700 which is an incredibly great deal. (Alan says it's less than dealer cost.)

Sam

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ckolchak

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 24, 2001

thanks, Roo

i was sure i'd have to get by with a sheet of something for a while, but i'm concerned that

1) i may harshly judge the projector due to using a poor/improper screen material to view it with.

or conversly

2) think that since it looks fair-ok with a DIY, i'll expect a pro screen to deliver a significantly superior image only to be dissapointed later if that isn't the case.

i have 30 days to view, experiment and judge.

i was at a fabric store, and i may try to find different surfaces of material to help with this there seems to be a ton of choices, but i don't know if they'll do much good.

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Andrew Low

· #5 · Jul 24, 2001

I own a commercial screen. I had temporarily put up a very poor DIY screen (bedsheet). The commercial screen was much better.

I have since seen two carefully constructed DIY screens. One appeared as good (or better) than my commercial screen, the other needed a little more work.

In my opinion, DIY screens are the best bang for buck. My screen was 8x the cost of a good DIY screen. The improvement wasn't 8x. The improvement over a really good DIY screen is probably 5%.

Roo

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luvmytivo

· #6 · Jul 26, 2001

Something to think about - with your projector's native 4:3 resolution, and complete lack of zooming ability, the only way to go CHVW is with an ISCO II or similar lens. Of course, you may already know this and just didn't mention that you'd be using one...

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Darren Rogers

Please stop reading my signature....

I really mean it, you're starting to get on my nerves!

Listen, I'm not kidding here, if you keep reading, you're gonna regret it!

Look into my eyes, and do not doubt my reslove - if you persist, you will be taught a lesson you will not forget!

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ckolchak

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 27, 2001

Darren:

i thought that if i physically move the projector, i can accommodate CWVH.

i won't be picking up any lenses for quite awhile, unless this is a better bang for the buck than adding a scaler or going HTPC.

i realize the pc would most likely be cheaper, but i'm leary of the frustration factor and the learning curve to get the process streamlined. i'd like to keep everything as plug and play as possible.

i just bought a huge helping of blackout material which, if nothing else, show me if my plan is going to work or not.

ideally i'd like to build a contraption that folds up and out for easy placement of the projector for each ratio.

1:33 may not be used much, but i'll probably be cycling thru 1:75-2:35 quite a bit.

Roo: interesting to hear your thoughts on the cost/benefit of DIY vs Commercial. there may be a greater advantage for me since this blackout fabric doesn't seem anywhere near as reflective as the Hi-Power should be. i'll be getting samples so anyway so we'll see.

thanks for everybodys input so far. can't wait to return the favor down the road

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