Constant Image Width (CIW)

[hootowls]

Choosing a screen (size, aspect, features, gain, etc) was, for me, the most confusing part of the whole front projection acquisition process. I'll cut to the chase; from the title, you can probably figure out the direction I went. I'm simply going to show you what I ended up with - pros and cons can be debated, but they're probably going to be unique for each person.

The screen needed to work with an Epson 8700UB is a light-controlled room that sees multiple uses. Any and all aspect ratios as well: silent era and the latest blockbuster and everything in between. Simple operation of the whole system and cost were factors as well.

Size was the first parameter that I tackled. I used the system for a long time just using the painted wall to try different levels of zoom. Came out with a 9-10-ft width sweet spot.

Aspect ratio took the most thought. Finally just decided to keep it simple and to match the native ratio of the projector and go with masking to handle different content. But, how to mask? A four-way automatic system would be the bee's knees but not in my budget.

The masking answer finally came after a lot more thought as well as a decision to splurge and get a screen system with horizontal, manual masking. That took care of half of the masking; I decided to use side curtains to handle the vertical half.

The 1.78 aspect ratio SmX Cinema Solutions proline screen I chose is a frame 117-in wide with a 110-in screen width.

So here's the basic layout for my native screen (1.78); horizontally masked to widescreen (2.35) and finally, vertically masked to old TV (1.33).







The nice thing about the CIW thing here is that there's no messing with the projector's lens. You set the zoom to fill the 1.78 screen and that's it. Want 2.35? Put in the masking panels (or not and just look at the black bars). Want 1.33? Just pull the side curtains in. The 1.78 and 2.35 images fit the screen width with no adjustment; the 1.78 and 1.33 images fit the screen height with no adjustment. The only action is to do the masking, as needed.

So here's how it looks in real life. I hope this helps anyone else who's having the same thoughts.

1.78


1.78


2.35


2.35


1.33


1.33