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What's screen should I buy?

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5K views 23 replies 6 participants last post by  ewardjr69 
#1 ·
New construction home with a 26'x66' basement. Half is a rec room 15'x66', the far end 15'x25' is my HT. The is a 12'x9'x12' riser starting 11' from the front wall. 3-chair in front of the riser, 3-chair first 6.5' of riser. counter built behind 2nd row on riser for 4-swivwl chairs. 9.2 system, Sony VPLHW55ES projector at 18', 16' center seat 2nd row. HT has open back due to rec room, controlled ambient light from patio doors middle of basement, off to the side. HT painted dark gray, front wall painted black. Hopefully I've given most of the important info.

Question; what 120" fixed screen 16:9? Budget $1500-$2000. It's a rec room with pool table, shuffleboard, air hockey and a small gym. I watch 75% sports and 20% moves, some photos. The is a 60" plasma, wall mounted in the middle of the rec room section to take the load off the projector bulb. So when watching movie it's a black pit, when watch sports or playing pool it has some control ambient light.
 
#2 ·
I highly recommend Carada screens. They are pretty much one of the best for the money. Well buildt' High quailty' killer customer service. Check out their site, Yes their cheaper but they are not buildt as good. Plus they are real easy to put togeather. Some of the cheapers one can be a nightmare. The Carada Criterian series looks great even with the light on. A 120in should be around $1k
 
#3 ·
Carada does make very good screens. If you need a white screen they are highly recommended. If you have to go with a gray screen though, I wouldn't recommend them. Elite's Cinegrey is a much better option or even a Da-Lite Cinema Contour with the HD Progressive material.
 
#4 ·
I went with a SeymourAV AT screen, and I highly recommend it. :T
 
#6 ·
What is the correlation between the projector and screen? I'm told and read that I'm a 16:9 viewer based on 75% DirecTV sports! My projector choice is based on recommendation; great movie projector and ok sports projector (response time). How do you determine the screen if it's a great room and light is almost a black pit for movies, but light from recess cans from playing pool are on while watching sports?
 
#8 ·
If sports are your thing you want a white screen' DO NOT GET A GRAY SCREEN. I am a painter' use flat paints and dark colors of your choice. Their are many good projectors out their. I prefer Epson 8350 for a good sports projector and good movie projector. Has great placement flexability. Epson has the best customer service also.
 
#9 ·
The OP stated that he has a Sony pj already and "DO NOT GET A GRAY SCREEN" is a terribly misinformed statement.

To the OP:

With an Elite Cinegrey screen you would have 13fL according to PJCentral. That is more than enough light for a gray screen to combat any ambient light issues. More and more people are using gray screens over white simply because projectors, especially the cheaper variety, have more than enough lumens to use them. And those same lower priced projectors generally do not excel at blacks.
 
#10 ·
Whatever ' He says his used will be 70% sports then I would want the brightnest of a white screen and the pop. Gray screens do help blacks but for me just have a dim look for sports. Just my opion. I also know many who get gray screen and then want a white screen. Carada and other have samples to try so I would try some samples.
 
#13 ·
Those two projectors have pretty decent black levels from what I've read. But remember, black levels are only as good as the room is dark. If you start introducing ambient light, a gray screen will help with blacks a little bit.
 
#12 ·
I would also look at falcon screens. I bought one and could not be happier.
Price point is good, quality is excellent. I'm just disappointed I had to take it down so I could build my room.
I picked a AT 120" scope screen so I could have the best of both worlds. I have a Panasonic 8000 which auto zooms, absolutely no buyers remorse.
 
#15 ·
I would get some samples of a white and a gray and test them out with each set of variables. We watch movies at our house in the dark but we watch anything else with a little bit of ambient light. A tiny amount of ambient light has a fairly large effect on my Epson 3010. So that and the fact that I'm an inky black junkie is the reason I have a gray screen.
 
#16 ·
Can you really tell much from small sample? Also, using an A/V sub on new construction limits me. Another factor that determine screen choice is in 3 years I want to build a stage and put in my 11.2 system (prewired) and a AT screen. So my choice not is spend $1500 for a good screen that does well in all conditions.
 
#20 ·
I have no experience with Dragonfly. I may have contacted them in the past but I don't recall them sending me anything.

What does a 120" Carada go for? If I were going with white I'd go with that. For gray, I'd go with what I have now - Elite EzFrame with Cinegrey material. Both can be bought for much less than $1500.
 
#22 ·
I am assuming you mean 1.4 and not 14, correct?
 
#24 ·
I have the UTB Contour Da-Lite 119 inch 1.3 gain. I have the sony hw55es and I think they make a great combination. I watch movies but I also watch sports and don't want to sit in the dark al the time watching my Chicago Bears, Bulls or White Sox. Just my two cents.
 
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