[demowolf]

I'm building a HT that is 17' long and 13' wide. I already have a Panny AE3000U projector which will be ceiling mounted 16' back. I've pretty much decided I want a 106" fixed 16:9 screen. I have full control over the lighting... no windows in this dedicated HT room.


I'll be watching sporting events and lots of movies.


What screen do you recommend for my situation?


I don't have a lot of money left over for a screen... I've considered using Goo Systems and painting a screen on a wall... I've also considered the Accuscreens 800025 106" High Contrast Grey as that seems reasonably priced through TigerDirect.ca (and I've read that grey might be better since I have no ambient light problems... I'll get better black levels... is that right?). Then there's the EluneVision 106" Cinema Grey through EastPorters.com...


I'm just getting confused. Why the huge difference in pricing? Where is a reliable place to buy screens (for shipping to Canada) and what screen do you recommend for my situation?


Thanks!

Rob.

 

[Jason Turk]

First off you have to determine the type...fixed, motorized, etc... Then you have to determine the fabric type (gray, white, silver, low or high gain, etc...).


What colors are your room?

 

[demowolf]

I am painting the ceiling black, and will likely have red on the side walls and back wall. The screen wall will be black, except of course for the screen.


I want a fixed screen.


I "think" a grey screen is what I need... The AE3000U is fairly bright and the room can be pitch black if I want it to be... so the extra gain of a white screen is probably not necessary... whereas I'll probably get better black levels from a grey screen. Is this right/logical?

 

[Jason Turk]

I would disagree (unless black levels are your biggest desire). The Panny has good black levels to begin with, so the added vibrancy and punch from a white is probably more beneficial. From Carada I'd recommend the Brilliant White fabric.

 

[demowolf]

Thanks Jason... good to know! I thought it was the brightness of the room that mainly dictated what color screen I should get... but alas I'm no expert... a complete newcomer to HT.


Would it be breaking forum rules to ask "where" a good place to purchase this type of screen would be? What are the popular sources for screens? I assume people don't normally go to Carada direct to get the best price... but I could be wrong...

 

[Jason Turk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by demowolf /forum/post/16834944


Thanks Jason... good to know! I thought it was the brightness of the room that mainly dictated what color screen I should get... but alas I'm no expert... a complete newcomer to HT.


Would it be breaking forum rules to ask "where" a good place to purchase this type of screen would be? What are the popular sources for screens? I assume people don't normally go to Carada direct to get the best price... but I could be wrong...

Here are the general reasons to get 1 vs the other:


Gray: Poor contrast projector, projector with poor black levels, ambient light in the room, light color walls/ceilings, etc...


White: Desire for a bit more "pop" to the image, less "dingy" look, need for higher gain, etc...


Since your projector is a current model with great performance, and your room is really considered a dedicated room, the gray screen wouldn't do much (unless as I said earlier, black levels are the most important thing to you as the gray will give you that).


A/V Science (who owns the AVSForum and who I work for) sells all major screens, short of Carada who is direct to end user. So it just depends on what you want.


If you opt for Carada, talk to David Giles...he owns it and is very helpful as well.

 

[psgcdn]

Other suggestions for Canada?

monoprice do not ship screens to Canada...

 

[demowolf]

I think I've narrowed it down to one of these:


Accuscreen 106" from tigerdirect.ca for $337.99 CAD

EluneVision 106" from eastporters.com for $424.99 CAD


Both of these are Canadian companies and sell in Canadian dollars. Seems to be the best deal I can find.

 

[FLBoy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by demowolf /forum/post/16831301


I've read that grey might be better since I have no ambient light problems.

I don't know where you read that, but it's dead-nuts wrong! The ONLY reason you might need a gray screen is if you DO have ambient light problems. More specifically, if your HT has light colored walls and/or ceiling, then a gray screen may make a small improvement in contrast. Otherwise, the only effect of a gray screen will be to dim the picture, which can be done more efficiently at the projector, if needed. Using a gray screen when you do not need one may require you to run the PJ lamp at high power instead of low power, generating higher fan noise and shortening lamp life. Jason is right (as he almost always is, BTW). Don't make a bad choice here.

 

[demowolf]



Quote:
Originally Posted by FLBoy /forum/post/16838032


I don't know where you read that, but it's dead-nuts wrong! The ONLY reason you might need a gray screen is if you DO have ambient light problems. More specifically, if your HT has light colored walls and/or ceiling, then a gray screen may make a small improvement in contrast. Otherwise, the only effect of a gray screen will be to dim the picture, which can be done more efficiently at the projector, if needed. Using a gray screen when you do not need one may require you to run the PJ lamp at high power instead of low power, generating higher fan noise and shortening lamp life. Jason is right (as he almost always is, BTW). Don't make a bad choice here.

I don't know where I read it either. In fact, I may not have read it at all and I might have just subconsciously made it up after the seemingly thousands of posts I've read, and confusing myself.


In any event, I stand corrected and will look at getting a white screen. Thanks!

 

[Pradesian]

Another Canada-based vendor you might want to consider is Grandview . I've heard positive reviews from HT enthusiasts at a Canadian forum. I myself purchased from Carada, primarily because of their awesome Masquerade and have nothing but praise for their build quality and customer service.

 

[Jason Turk]



Quote:
Jason is right (as he almost always is, BTW).

You were almost always right...take out the almost in your statement.

 

[FLBoy]

Hay, I just didn't want you to go gittin no big head, man.

 

[Jason Turk]

Me? Never!

 

[psgcdn]



Quote:
Originally Posted by demowolf /forum/post/16837078


I think I've narrowed it down to one of these:


Accuscreen 106" from tigerdirect.ca for $337.99 CAD

EluneVision 106" from eastporters.com for $424.99 CAD


Both of these are Canadian companies and sell in Canadian dollars. Seems to be the best deal I can find.

Thanks! I didn't know about eastporters.com.


What about gain? What is recommended?

I can't use a fixed screen. Is there an advantage to motorized over manual pull-down? I figure motorized might lessen the strain on it and the development of waves and such?