Need Screen Help - Dedicated, light-controlled HT

[DougMac]

I have a quick question. I'm considering using Black Widow for my screen. I have the good fortune of having a dedicated HT room with no windows Since I have complete control over light, should I use the standard ratio or even BW? Kilz2 looks awfully good as is, the walls will be very dark matte and the ceiling will be flat black acoustical tile, so reflections will be (hopefully) well controlled. With my Kilz2 test, I think I could stand just a tad more contrast in black.

Doug

[cynical2]

Doug, what kind of pj do you have? And what is the screen size?

[DougMac]

cynical2 wrote:

Doug, what kind of pj do you have? And what is the screen size?

Projector: The ubiquitous Optoma HD70. I bought it at during the $200 rebate sale.

Screen size: Negotiable. I did a preliminary test in the room at the estimated seating position, which is 11-12 feet back in an 18' room. I projected a 120" diagonal, but it looked a little big and I could begin to discern pixels. I found by zooming in just a smidge, to about 108" diagonal, I got a better looking image.


Doug

[tritonman]

DougMac wrote:

Projector: The ubiquitous Optoma HD70. I bought it at during the $200 rebate sale.

Screen size: Negotiable. I did a preliminary test in the room at the estimated seating position, which is 11-12 feet back in an 18' room. I projected a 120" diagonal, but it looked a little big and I could begin to discern pixels. I found by zooming in just a smidge, to about 108" diagonal, I got a better looking image.


Doug

With the Optoma having 1000 ANSI and a 3000:1 Contrast I suggest going with a DW laminate screen, specially in a light controlled room. I dont think the Black Widow would suit your needs in this particular instance. I believe the Black Widow is at its best in a brighter non light controlled room and used with a higher contrast projector.

At your seating distance I would recommend either 96" or 102". This will increase the lumens output of your projector since you would need to adjust your throw range and thus give you a brighter and more vibrant image and enhance your colors. With the DW and a smaller screen with the projector possibly moved closer, this will enhance your Contrast output and ANSI.

Hopefully someone will either negate my advice or provide something better or even agree.

[mechman]

tritonman wrote:

Hopefully someone will either negate my advice or provide something better or even agree.

I take option three and agree!

mech

[DougMac]

It's funny how greedy you get. I was hoping for something a little bigger, but 102" would work out well for a lot of reasons. From what you're saying, a small sacrifice in size will reap big rewards in contrast and ANSI. Since our current TVs are a 15 year old JVC 19" and a 27" Sanyo CRT, I think I can scrape by with 102!

This relieves me of several other concerns regarding trying to come up with a flat painted screen. Overall, construction may be simplified.

I'll be hanging a suspended ceiling tonight in the storage room so that the junk in the HT area can be moved so I can start framing in there. I hope to have photos posted in the gallery soon.

Thanks for your help.
Doug

[tritonman]

DougMac wrote:

It's funny how greedy you get. I was hoping for something a little bigger, but 102" would work out well for a lot of reasons. From what you're saying, a small sacrifice in size will reap big rewards in contrast and ANSI. Since our current TVs are a 15 year old JVC 19" and a 27" Sanyo CRT, I think I can scrape by with 102!

This relieves me of several other concerns regarding trying to come up with a flat painted screen. Overall, construction may be simplified.

I'll be hanging a suspended ceiling tonight in the storage room so that the junk in the HT area can be moved so I can start framing in there. I hope to have photos posted in the gallery soon.

Thanks for your help.
Doug

Im glad your happy with our answers! Its also good you are being realistic about your screen size. I personally went 92" at roughly the same seating distance. (this is going from a 110", different seating though) I find that its a happy medium between possible eye strain from not being able to view the entire screen within your eyes natural field of view and enjoying the large screen.

I would start with a 102" as you have said..watch it at your seating distance and see how it feels, you may need to watch a couple movies to see how your eyes feel at your seating distance and screen size. Its always easier to cut it down to 96 or even 92 should you feel its overkill at your seating distance. You would think a few inches smaller of a screen would not make a difference but it truly does. Sometimes a smaller screen can yield a greater movie experience than being overwhelmed by a larger one for the wow factor.

You will definately gain some brightness and contrast with a smaller screen and your projector close. I would try as hard as you can to place the projector as close to the screen as possible to yield the most out of your particular model with the least amount of work for the pj.

Oh and dont forget those pics!!

[DougMac]

tritonman wrote:

I would try as hard as you can to place the projector as close to the screen as possible to yield the most out of your particular model with the least amount of work for the pj.

Not a problem. Almost everything is negotiable at this point. I've already ordered the ceiling mount. It screws into standard 1 1/2 inch electrical conduit. I can hang it from the joists at any distance I need. I have enough vertical to play with to take care of offset. From my calculations, I'll be able to keep the projector level and won't have to adjust for keystoning.

BTW, I plan to fly all the speakers, excepting the sub and center.

Doug

[cynical2]

mechman wrote:

I take option three and agree!

mech

Uh huh, me too! Great advice by t-man.

[DougMac]

mechman wrote:

I take option three and agree!

mech

Mech,

Since I'm new to all this, perhaps you can educate me. My questions arise from reading other threads here. If I'm correct, you have gone from laminate to BW. It was the BW thread and some of the positive remarks that made me consider it in the first place. I was a little surprised when you responded with a laminate recommendation. I defer to your greater knowledge and experience.

I'm sure your recommendation factored in my screen size, dedicated light controlled room configuration and my projector. Could you give me a little more detail why you feel laminate would be the better solution for me? If there was a paint with similar reflectivity, why would the laminate be preferred?

I fully intend to pursue the laminate solution, I'm just trying to learn more about the differences in options.

Thanks,
Doug

[mechman]

DougMac wrote:

Could you give me a little more detail why you feel laminate would be the better solution for me? If there was a paint with similar reflectivity, why would the laminate be preferred?

Doug,

Mainly because of your room being light controlled, the benefits of a white screen can easily be realized. And... there's no better DIY white screen than Wilsonart Designer White. Number wise anyways. If there is, I have yet to see it!


mech