Big flat screen or projector + screen?

Q. Me & my BF have decided to set up a nice home theater. Lots of our friends are into movies and sometimes we all get together to watch a show every week (like a Survivor party). My BF says we should get a projector and a screen and have a really gigantic picture. I say we should get a 52" lcd or something like that. What factors should we consider each way?

Answer
Is this in a dedicated HT room with good light control? If so, projector+screen is the only way to go. If not, then you need to consider the amount of ambient light in the room. If you're able to darken the room nicely (and don't mind doing so), you and your guests will enjoy the larger screen. If you can get the room reasonably dark, you could still do well with a bright projector (shoot for 2000 lumens or more) and/or a high gain screen.

An LCD can be watched in full daylight, almost without worrying about how bright the room is, and that's nice, but THX recommends a screen that's diagonal measurement is .84 times the viewing distance. So, for example, if you'll be sitting 10 feet away, THX recommends a 100" screen, so a 52" screen is really way too small. Especially for watching movies.

When picking out a projector, a couple of outstanding resources are http://www.projectorcentral.com which has detailed specs and an awesome projection calculator. (Here's an example: http://www.projectorcentral.com/CalculatorLoader.swf?MET=0&VERSION=2.14&PART_ID=3884) The other is http://projectorreviews.com - the most in-depth, thorough and helpful projector reviews on the web, in my opinion (lots of screen shots and comparisons, too!)

One last recommendation- don't skimp on or underestimate the importance of the screen. Many people spend a couple thousand dollars on a nice projector, then buy a $300 or $500 screen. It makes a much bigger difference than you might think. The best (commercial) screen I've seen is the Vutec Silver Star. (http://www.vutec.com/Products/Vutec_Fixed_Frame_Screens/SilverStar) it's a high gain screen, so it can help offset ambient light issues, too. It only comes as a fixed (doesn't roll up) screen, though, so it's best suited to a dedicated theater room. If you need something that rolls up (or something that's acoustically transparent- allowing you to place the center channel speaker behind the screen for excellent dialog localization), go with something from Stewart, (http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/FrontProjection.html). Another option (if you or your boyfriend are handy) is a DIY screen. These are usually fixed, rather than retractable, but you can get very close to the performance of a Vutec SilverStar at a fraction of the cost. Get a good education and learn how on AVS Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=110).

Good luck and have fun!

Can I purchase transparent projector screens?

Robbie

Is there a company that sells transparent projector screens that i can purchase online
Transparent screens allow for images to be projected onto it but still remain transparent, like visionnet.ba, but that company does not sell online to North America

Answer
This is a broad assortment of transparent projection screens and screen materials currently available though the majority of products will be in the form of rear projection screens and digital signage screens. The prices for some of the more specialized screens can often be fairly expensive when one gets into the larger screen sizes.

I have provided a list of manufacturer resources below that you can use to help find distributors and/or dealers in the United States that carry that manufacturerâs products.

######################## RESOURCES ########################

ProScreen
â HoloProScreen using Hitachi AirSho⢠Technology
http://www.proscreeninc.com
â [PDF] Hitachi AirShoâ¢
http://www.proscreeninc.com/ftproot/AIRSHO.pdf

Woehburk - CristalLine
http://woehburk.de/en/index.php

Da-Lite Rear Projection Screens
http://www.da-lite.com/products/index.php?cID=10

Draper
â Draper Projection Screens
http://www.draperinc.com/ProjectionScreens/ScreensMain.asp
â Cinescreen® Rear Screens
http://www.draperinc.com/ProjectionScreens/ScreensProducts.asp?detail=430

Stewart Filmscreen
â Commercial > Site Map
http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/corporate/site_map/site_map_commercial.html
â Commercial > Special Projects
http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/commercial/special_projects/overview/overview_special_projects.html
â [FLV] High Resolution Video Wall in IAC Building using StarGlas 100
http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/commercial/special_projects/overview/iac_video.flv
â Residential > Site Map
http://www.stewartfilmscreen.com/corporate/site_map/site_map.html

Quantum Glass (by Saint-Gobain): PRIVA-LITE
http://www.quantumglass.com/solutions3.php?technologie=privalite

3M
â Graphic Solutions
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Graphics/Scotchprint/
â Digital Signage and 3M⢠Vikuiti⢠Rear Projection Film
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Graphics/Scotchprint/Solutions/Applications/UniqueApplications/DigitalSignage/
â Architectural Markets: Light Management Products
http://solutions.3mindia.co.in/wps/portal/3M/en_IN/Architectural_Markets/Home/Products/six/
 

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