Projector n00b - what should I look for in a screen?

[cinemaphile]

Finally getting my projector - Epson 3010 - and now have to figure out what screen to get.

Let's pretend for a minute that I don't have the slightest clue about things like gain or fabric types or anything... okay, we don't have to pretend. I don't know anything...

I'm looking at around 100", maybe up to 110. I was mainly thinking of a pull down screen, so I could keep a regular TV on the wall behind it for watching things like tv shows that dont need the big screen (and save bulb life). But I am not completely opposed to a fixed frame one if it has advantages I don't know about. I'm hoping to keep it under $200.
I've also seen threads on DIY screens, and might consider that, but I would have no clue what material to use for the screen.

I've read the 3010 is bright - almost too bright - and so it's wise to use a screen that won't make that even worse. Is this what gain is about?

Anyway, I guess what I'm asking is - what should I look for? Specifications? What material? White vs. Grey? What companies are the best or ones to avoid? Or even better, do you have specific recommendations?

[EMAGDNIM]

Alright where to start?

Do you want the space to be dedicated or not? Fixed screen would make it more of a dedicated space, where I pull down or electric will open the space up for use with a normal TV.

Fixed frames will hold the fabric flat and immobile so it would develop lines or creases over time. They do cost more then a regular pull down.

A pull down in in expensive and this is your first projector so it's a good start.

Gain in a nutshell is a measure of reflectivity of light. The higher the gain, the brighter the image. The trade off is that you can get a bright "hot spot" in the screen and that you have to mount the projector dead center (again for real high HP screens).

If it's a light controlled room I'd go with a 1.0-1.2 gain screen.

[cinemaphile]

Thanks for the input. I was kind of leaning that way anyway - a pull down screen so I can use a smaller regular tv at times. (and cheaper is good, too!)

Any suggestions for best brands (within my budget) to buy? Or where to buy from?

[sonic_debauchery]

I am leaning towards the same projector as you are and this is the screen i am 90% going to purchase.....

http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Flexi...169a-92-bk.htm

I think it will work just fine.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

Thanks for the input. I was kind of leaning that way anyway - a pull down screen so I can use a smaller regular tv at times. (and cheaper is good, too!)

Any suggestions for best brands (within my budget) to buy? Or where to buy from?

if going for a fixed screen and don't mind doing a bit of work use a "Do'able" board from Home Depot. grab some velvet for trim and a few mirror brackets and you're good to go. less than $60 you can have a great screen with a 1.1 gain to it.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by wormraper

if going for a fixed screen and don't mind doing a bit of work use a "Do'able" board from Home Depot. grab some velvet for trim and a few mirror brackets and you're good to go. less than $60 you can have a great screen with a 1.1 gain to it.

Wow, thanks! that's awesome. I may use that as at least a temporary solution, if not permanent. How big of sheets does that come in? And what dimensions would I want for say a 100"-110" screen?

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

Wow, thanks! that's awesome. I may use that as at least a temporary solution, if not permanent. How big of sheets does that come in? And what dimensions would I want for say a 100"-110" screen?

comes in 4x8 sheets (49x97 inches to be exact) so you can ONLY do max of 100 inches. when getting the board make sure that it is this EXACT board, not some of the other vinyl coated boards since they will give WAY too much glare. this board just randomly happens to be perfect for projection

the exact title of the board is Boise-Cascade and it's SKU# (174-278) and model#(1707208)

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1&ddkey=Search

use that link and see if your local stores have any in-stock (not all stores carry it). It's going for about $20 right now.

for a pic of what my screen looks like follow the link to my home theater under my username (ignore the speakers and wall coloring I need to upload new pics.

[wormraper]

another good option is building a frame using 2x2's (dirty cheap to build) and stretching blackout cloth over it and that should do just as well (blackout cloth can be bought from most cloth stores like Jo-ann's or Michaels pretty easily) Then trimming it with velvet like normal. (that way you can make just about any size screen

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by wormraper

the exact title of the board is Boise-Cascade and it's SKU# (174-278) and model#(1707208)

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1&ddkey=Search

use that link and see if your local stores have any in-stock (not all stores carry it). It's going for about $20 right now.

Not sold at any store within 50 miles of me!

Does anyplace else carry it?

[PurpleJesus74]

Originally Posted by sonic_debauchery

I am leaning towards the same projector as you are and this is the screen i am 90% going to purchase.....

http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Flexi...169a-92-bk.htm

I think it will work just fine.

Just wanted to say i have a Focupix screen and i've been really pleased with it.Its not a company you hear people rave about,but they work good while reasonably priced.Good luck with you guys projectors you'll be most pleased !

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

Not sold at any store within 50 miles of me!

Does anyplace else carry it?

unfortunately home depot is the only place it's been found at as of now. My next suggestion would be the Blackout cloth stretched over a frame suggestion that I posted as well. really simple and lightweight. I'm going to replace my do-able board setup with a 120 inch frame soon

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by wormraper

unfortunately home depot is the only place it's been found at as of now. My next suggestion would be the Blackout cloth stretched over a frame suggestion that I posted as well. really simple and lightweight. I'm going to replace my do-able board setup with a 120 inch frame soon

I used a WilsonArt Designer White board for my screen. You can get up to 110" with it, and I believe there is a slight gain with the designer white. I special ordered the large size to get the bigger screen from HomeDepot. It was just over $100 for frame, hardware and the screen material.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Taipan

I used a WilsonArt Designer White board for my screen. You can get up to 110" with it, and I believe there is a slight gain with the designer white. I special ordered the large size to get the bigger screen from HomeDepot. It was just over $100 for frame, hardware and the screen material.

Wilsonart is pretty solid too. not as good in terms of gain but still quite good (and cheap)

[cinemaphile]

So I ended up building a DIY screen with blackout fabric, and already had the wood on hand leftover from a previous project - so total cost: about $20

Thanks everyone for your help... and for tolerating all my questions. I've just been so excited to finally get my projector! Picked it up today and I could not be more thrilled with it. Total nerdgasm!

[jawsfan1975]

Post some pics, let's see it in action!

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by jawsfan1975

Post some pics, let's see it in action!

soon.... very soon.

I just wanted to wait until I had it properly aligned and calibrated and such. Until last night, I had it on top of a tall stack of storage tubs to be in proper position until my ceiling mount arrived LOL. It showed up yesterday, and it's now mounted and aligned. I'm popping in my WOW calibration disc today. Then I'll get some pics up, trust me!