DNP vs. SKYLINE vs. SPYEGLASS

11157 Views 47 Replies 5 Participants Last post by mechman, Mar 18, 2013

Elix

Discussion Starter · Feb 18, 2013 (Edited)

4

DNP requires no introduction. It was tested and commented on by many owners.
I wanted to bring some more light on its competitors: Skyline and SPYEGLASS (3M ISIS).

Skyline

Judging by description on official site it works much like DNP: http://www.skylinescreens.com/tecnologia/
You may see close-up shot of the screen structure.

There are two versions: 1.8 gain and 2.5 gain.
There are almost no user reviews. This comb-like structure bothers me a little...

SPYEGLASS (3M ISIS)

http://www.spyeglass.com/isis.html

Now this one I assume works different.

I am deciding between these three companies. The goal is to have a uniform screen with invisible structure during watching + high gain and ambient lighting resistance. :dumbcrazy:

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1 - 20 of 48 Posts

mechman

· #2 · Feb 18, 2013

I've never heard of Skyline and I'm very skeptical of them. The Supernova is a fairly thick material while that Skyline material seems pretty thin. And anytime a screen manufacturer throws out gain values of 1.8 and 2.5 for a gray screen, that makes it even more questionable. I'll have to see if I can get a sample in a few weeks when I'm done coaching hockey.

As for the 3M product, I haven't heard of that one either and I live in 3M's home territory. :scratch: It's good to hear that they are back in the screen material business though as they are a very reputable company. That's another one I may have to look into. :nerd:

mechman

· #3 · Feb 18, 2013

I sent both companies an email for samples.

Elix

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 18, 2013

I'm glad I sparkled an interest in someone. And not just someone but a great guy who does the best screen reviews out there. :T I wrote them too but I haven't received an answer from Skyline yet. Here's a user review of this screen: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1359032/new-high-contrast-skyline-screens
But the user (caliv7) has only 20 posts, all related to this screen. Seems like he's affilated. Photos and videos are impressive, but aren't very telling (can't tell much about viewing angles, projector setup, screen structure and defects etc.).

ISIS is a complete mystery. But nanotechnologies are implemented in this screen, and the company's very reputable, so it intrigues me the most right now.

mechman

· #5 · Feb 18, 2013

3M has already gotten back to me. :T Unfortunately I won't be getting the Demo Kit as they want $700 for it or I could rent it for $100 a week.

However, I will be going up to their showroom this week to take a peek and maybe score some 9X11" samples. :T

mechman

· #6 · Feb 18, 2013

Some SpyGlass videos

!

mechman

· #7 · Feb 18, 2013

This would be an incredibly cool way to set up a 'mirror image' theater room! You could have seats on either side of the screen.

Elix

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 18, 2013

mechman said:
3M has already gotten back to me. :T Unfortunately I won't be getting the Demo Kit as they want $700 for it

:coocoo:
Maybe they knew who you are?) Otherwise I can't explain why they're willing to send me a sample for free (100$ international shipping) and not you.
Here's cool 3M Vikuiti video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV8kU5wHPMk&feature=youtu.be

But this and the ones you posted are all rear projection screens, we're talking about FP here

Elix

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 18, 2013

Here's ISIS

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Elix

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 18, 2013

2

Here's Skyline 2.5 gain

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Harpmaker

· #11 · Feb 19, 2013

The link for ISIS isn't working, but I did find one for 3M Eris which is also a FP film.

http://www.spyeglass.com/eris.html

Eris: Available in 1.4 (38° 1/2 angle) or 2.0 gain (28° 1/2 angle).

Silver in color, Eris is an optical front projection film with an adhesive backer that allows for easy application to almost any surface. Eris’ optical qualities provide high contrast imaging in challenging lighting conditions. Eris is sold by the linear inch off a 60” wide roll.

The Difference:
Eris 2.0 offers a higher gain, making it the brighter of the two and the best at dealing
with the effects of ambient light.
Eris 1.4 offers a wider viewing angle, allowing for more consistent brightness when
viewed from any location.

Applications:
-corporate lobbies and board rooms
-hotel lobbies and meeting rooms
-houses of worship
-museums and exhibits
-learning institutes
-tradeshows
-home entertainment
-retail and in-store displays

Care and Cleaning:
For best results, gently remove marks from screen surface with a microfiber cloth and mild soapy water. Allow surface to dry completely. Do not use any cleaners with ammonia, alcohols, or any industrial cleaning fluids!!
http://www.spyeglass.com/downloads/Front-Projection/ErisSpec12.pdf

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Elix

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 19, 2013

Harpmaker said:
The link for ISIS isn't working

Which one?

mechman

· #13 · Feb 19, 2013

Elix said:
:coocoo:
Maybe they knew who you are?) Otherwise I can't explain why they're willing to send me a sample for free (100$ international shipping) and not you.
Here's cool 3M Vikuiti video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV8kU5wHPMk&feature=youtu.be

But this and the ones you posted are all rear projection screens, we're talking about FP here

They've offered me samples, they just wouldn't let me have the demo kit. I'm going there on Thursday. :T

A couple of the samples in the videos are both rear projection and front projection. They didn't have any videos on either the Isis or the Eris materials otherwise I would have posted that. :huh:

Elix

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 19, 2013

mechman said:
I'm going there on Thursday. :T

Woohoo! When I decided to open a topic I didn't think there were such passionate guys here. :T I'll be eagerly awaiting your report! My screen choice is basically depending on it.

Harpmaker

· #15 · Feb 19, 2013

Elix said:
Which one?

This link is not working, it gives me a 404 error: http://www.spyeglass.com/isis.html

Woohoo! When I decided to open a topic I didn't think there were such passionate guys here. :T I'll be eagerly awaiting your report! My screen choice is basically depending on it.

What can I tell ya... we take screens seriously here. :nerd: :bigsmile:

Elix

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 19, 2013

Harpmaker said:
This link is not working, it gives me a 404 error: http://www.spyeglass.com/isis.html

Fixed first post. :nerd:

Harpmaker

· #17 · Feb 19, 2013

Elix said:
Fixed first post. :nerd:

Still getting the 404 error with the ISIS link. :huh:

I enlarged the ISIS graphic in the first post so I could finally read it and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed at 3M. Unless there was some text that went along with the graphic explaining it in further detail that was not posted with the graphic they are presenting false data. The graph seems to say that the ISIS screen will allow ambient light to pass through all the screen layers (up to 800) and be absorbed by the black rear layer while at the same time reflecting the light from the projector back to the viewer. This is physically impossible for a passive screen to do unless the ambient light and the projector light strike the screen at very different angles. I hope Mech can get a sample of ISIS material so we can test it,

NBPk402

· #18 · Feb 19, 2013

mechman said:
This would be an incredibly cool way to set up a 'mirror image' theater room! You could have seats on either side of the screen.

Only problem would be you would have to reverse the channels for your sound.

Elix

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 20, 2013

Harpmaker said:
Still getting the 404 error with the ISIS link. :huh:

You are right. :sneeky: They've removed ISIS from their website. I asked the representative and she said the ISIS's discontinued. :gulp: Here you may still find a brochure. http://www.spyeglass.com/downloads/Front-Projection/ISIS-2012.pdf

Mech, be sure to test Eris too

http://www.spyeglass.com/eris.html

Harpmaker

· #20 · Feb 20, 2013

Elix said:
You are right. :sneeky: They've removed ISIS from their website. I asked the representative and she said the ISIS's discontinued. :gulp: Here you may still find a brochure. http://www.spyeglass.com/downloads/Front-Projection/ISIS-2012.pdf

Mech, be sure to test Eris too http://www.spyeglass.com/eris.html

Thanks for the link to the Isis PDF. However, what I have read from it raises red flags for me.

"Introducing the Isis front projection screen from Spyeglass. The Isis screen incorporates patented layers from 3M optical nanotechnologies boosting the brightness by a substantial gain (up to 3X) while enhancing contrast (up to 10X) by selectively absorbing 80% of ambient light."

I think I know why they discontinued the product... it's too good to be true. :rubeyes: No FP screen can truly enhance image contrast over what the PJ is producing and the "selective ambient light absorption" sounds like someone from the ad department got a bit carried away. Hopefully we'll get to the truth of the matter with a sample of Eris.

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