Looking for PJ Screen advice - should I worry about 1.2 gain vs 1.1 gain? (1 Viewer)

[adamSL]

I currently have a homemade PJ screen that has a 113" 1.3 gain Ultra white screen from Carl's Place. I love it, but I have a problem. I have a homemade screen in which I stapled the screen to a frame. Over the course of time the screen starts to wrinkle - I suspect that part of the reason is the change in temperature in my basement theater room (the wrinkling seems to happen in the winter when I use the heater. Anyway, I am not sure that I would be able to staple it again and it is a bit of a pain to do so as I have to take off the wooden frame.

Anyway, I am thinking about buying a screen so that I can be done with this nonsense. If I buy a thin border I can upgrade to 120" screen. I currently have a mid-level 4k benq with about 2000 lumens. The room is in the basement and thus ambient light is not a problem. The viewing position is straight on. There is an elite screen for about $400 that is 1.1 gain. At $600 there is another model with 1.2 gain. Should I be concerned about the difference in gain? I've read a bunch on the topic and there seems to be a lot of "it depends" opinions on the matter. The vast majority of my viewing is movies at 1080p or 4k quality.

 

[John Dirk]

You may be looking in the wrong place as I have this 1.3 gain Elite screens model and got it for a better price. Either way, with a dedicated room I wouldn't be too concerned about 1.2 vs 1.3.

 

[adamSL]

You may be looking in the wrong place as I have this 1.3 gain Elite screens model and got it for a better price. Either way, with a dedicated room I wouldn't be too concerned about 1.2 vs 1.3.

Thanks so much for the response. The question is 1.1 vs 1.2. That link is for a screen that is also 1.1 gain, although I did see a reference in the comments that says that is not accurate and that it is a higher gain.

 

[Gregg Loewen]

low end screen companies and their gain #s are meaningless.

 

[adamSL]

low end screen companies and their gain #s are meaningless.

Thank you for the response Gregg. So which company is low end in your opinion? More importantly, do you think given my viewing conditions I should worry about the difference between (reported) 1.1 and 1.2 gain?

 

[Gregg Loewen]

DaLite, Stewart, Screen Research, Screen Innovations, are the big / reputable players. There are a few others. If your shopping on amazon and ebay you are not generally looking at quality products, and are totally going to a crap shoot.

 

[adamSL]

DaLite, Stewart, Screen Research, Screen Innovations, are the big / reputable players. There are a few others. If your shopping on amazon and ebay you are not generally looking at quality products, and are totally going to a crap shoot.

If money were no object I would absolutely be shopping in these spaces. Unfortunately it is so I am just trying to make the best decision that I can given the budget.

 

[Gregg Loewen]

I totally understand that. Budget companies are "budget" companies because they do not measure products (or even have the knowledge of how to measure, or the tools to measure), most simply cut vinyl up in various sizes or just repackage other manufacturers vinyl that is already pre cut.

 

[adamSL]

Ok, now I feel like a bit of a tool. I was about to put my homemade screen up for sale and I wanted to include a link to the cloth that I used on it. It turns out that it is 1.1 gain. I have no idea why I thought it was more.

 

[John Dirk]

@Gregg Loewen - Those companies prices are many times more than what I paid but I know you are imminently more knowledgeable when it comes to all things video than I will ever be, so I'm intrigued. I'm not necessarily in the market for a new screen at the moment but do you believe the actual viewing experience would merit these prices? What I mean is, I would not be looking for a support experience or relationship, only the actual product. My projector is an Epson 6050 UB.

@adamSL - I found this web site, which offers a wealth of information on all of the companies Gregg listed. Interesting reading for sure.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

I'm now considering one of those Elite Aeon screens (135") as well.

Elite seems to claim ISF certification (for color accuracy) at least for the CineGrey 3D version of this Aeon series. Curious why the same claim isn't clearly made for the other options like CineWhite...

Seems hard to justify spending much more for a $3K PJ like Epson 5050UB, especially if I can't be sure I won't need another screen upgrade if/when I upgrade the PJ in a few years or so (perhaps to a future laser one that potentially does much better justice to HDR10+)...

Anyone w/ other better recommendations in the $500-800 ballpark (for 16x9, 135" diagonal)?

_Man_

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

@adamSL, what did you end up choosing?

I just ordered this Silver Ticket 135" screen instead after doing a bit more digging. I also contacted Silver Ticket's own customer service to ask whether I can later switch to their acoustically transparent material and/or add some kind of stand (instead of hanging on wall for AT setup), and they were very responsive in affirming both although the new stand option isn't expected for a couple more months -- I'm thinking I may end up wanting to put my center speaker (and maybe some of the electronics like amps) behind the screen though not sure at all right now...

_Man_

 

[John Sparks]

DaLite, Stewart, Screen Research, Screen Innovations, are the big / reputable players. There are a few others. If your shopping on amazon and ebay you are not generally looking at quality products, and are totally going to a crap shoot.

read it wrong