How to choose HT screen (1 Viewer)

[rademacher1939]

Hi all,

I'm still trying to feel my way around my HT build and trying to determine
what kind of screen to get.
I'm interested in a electric with an inferred remote.
HDTV 106" (52"x92") screen size.
This will be mounted into an open rafter in my basement.

Which screen manufacture gives the most for your buck?
I also know there are variations in screen textures and how does
this affect the over all picture quality.

All comments and suggestions welcome.

 

[SethH]

I won't claim to know much about screens, but I do know that many people around these forums would tell you that the best bang-for-the-buck by far is making your own screen. However, I guess this is a little more difficult if you require it to be motorized.

 

[Liquid Kaos]

I'll let you know how my 120" $200 Ebay screen works out

At the office, we have a 120" Elite Screen that is more like $350, and looks pretty decent for the price with our Sharp XR-10X. It actually looks just as good as the owners $5,000 screen in his home theater (although his is 4 years old). Not only that, this $350 is SILENT and his is noisey as hell when it comes down - LOL!

ADDED: It's actually quite unbelievable what you can do for so cheap now. $350 screen and $800 Sharp XR-10X projector actually looks better at our office then the bosses $5k projector and $4k screen he had installed 4 years ago.

 

[king]

I was in the same dilemma. After doing a lot of research, I found the only way to really judge a screen is to read the reviews and of course see the picture quality in person.

I wanted a fixed 106" screen that is to be mounted in the basement and narrowed it down to the Da-Lite and the Stewart Firehawk. The Da-Lite had excellent reviews especially with the projector I am looking to buy and it was less expensive than it's competitor.

I went to a local high end home theater store and they played a movie for me. I was instantly sold on it. The colors and brightness was amazing even with a cheap projector.

It cost me about $850-$900 custom ordered with the velvet covered metal frame. Can't wait to get it ...

Check da-lite.com for all the different screens they make. I highly recommend it! They may cost a little more but the difference is worth it...

 

[rademacher1939]

Thanks all for your input, it will help a lot.
Arvin, since you've look and compared a few of the screens, wat qualities
were you looking for and what screen fabric type did you choose?
Thanks, John

 

[king]

Choosing the right screen really depends on the room. Mine is going in a fairly dark room in the basement without any windows or ambient light...so my concern was primarily brightness, contrast, black level, picture clarity and viewing angle. I finally decided on the Da-Lite Cinema Vision 106" with the Pro-trim fabric covered 45 degree frame. Of course the projector has an important role in finding a right match for the two.

The next step up offers another 5 degrees of viewing angle and is actually a gray vinyl screen with higher gain. Finally you can also get perforated screens if you are placing speakers behind it. I thought what I selected was more than adequate for my situation...

Here is a good description/review of the da-lite screen...

http://www.epinions.com/content_163531230852