Ive recently purchased a hd projector which i use for my xbox 360 and my bluray player. It is currently projected onto a wall, but i believe using a screen will improve pic quality. Any advice on screen purchase will be appreciated as im a little confused on which screen to get. Also, if i buy a screen that fits my xbox image, will it fit the bluray image except for bigger margins top and bottom? hope that makes sense.
Projector screen
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I don't have an XBox but I'll assume it outputs 16:9.
I have limited experience on this topic but I'll pipe in with my tuppeny's worth having gone through this process recently.
Most Blu-Rays and DVDs I have are 2.35:1(ish) aspect ratio. I was tempted to buy a 2.35:1 screen to suit. However I opted for a 16:9 sreen instead as it seems to be more versatile option. PS3 output takes up the whole screen area as does Sky. A small number of my films (Bolt for instance) are 16:9 and look fantastic. 2.35 films have black bars top and bottom as you say.
If you opt for a 2.35:1 screen then any 16:9 video will be quite a bit narrower than the screen leaving black bars to the left and right of the screen.
Choice of screen material seems to be dependent on lumen output of PJ, ambient light levels, and whether you prefer better contrast (gain of <1.0 grey screens), jack of all trades (gain = 1.0 white) or brighter image (gain >1.0 white). If your PJ lacks blacks steer towards grey screen.
In the end I popped for a 16:9 aspect screen with a gain of 1.1. I can happily watch films during a sunny day with curtains closed but light leaking round the sides and top to the extent where TV rarely gets used.
Check out Beamax or Sapphire for reasonably priced screens. Hope this helps a little.
I have limited experience on this topic but I'll pipe in with my tuppeny's worth having gone through this process recently.
Most Blu-Rays and DVDs I have are 2.35:1(ish) aspect ratio. I was tempted to buy a 2.35:1 screen to suit. However I opted for a 16:9 sreen instead as it seems to be more versatile option. PS3 output takes up the whole screen area as does Sky. A small number of my films (Bolt for instance) are 16:9 and look fantastic. 2.35 films have black bars top and bottom as you say.
If you opt for a 2.35:1 screen then any 16:9 video will be quite a bit narrower than the screen leaving black bars to the left and right of the screen.
Choice of screen material seems to be dependent on lumen output of PJ, ambient light levels, and whether you prefer better contrast (gain of <1.0 grey screens), jack of all trades (gain = 1.0 white) or brighter image (gain >1.0 white). If your PJ lacks blacks steer towards grey screen.
In the end I popped for a 16:9 aspect screen with a gain of 1.1. I can happily watch films during a sunny day with curtains closed but light leaking round the sides and top to the extent where TV rarely gets used.
Check out Beamax or Sapphire for reasonably priced screens. Hope this helps a little.
matengawhat
Well-known member
as above really - movies will be fine but with bigger borders top and bottom depending on ratios - its def worth investing in a screen - I just went for a 16:9 for ease of setup
the best value for money screens I have come across are Grandview Cyberscreens - very easy to install as the brackets slide the full length on the case making ceiling mounting so easy if your beams run the wrong way like mine do. A lot have fixed mountings meaning if they don't line up your beams you will be using wire or screwing in battons to mount to as they are quite heavy.
http://www.cyberscreens.co.uk/cyberpulldownscreens.htm
excellent quality for the money - also I found the optoma screen good value but they do have fixed mountings - easy for wall mounting harder for ceiling mounting but they both look good in gloss white cases
the best value for money screens I have come across are Grandview Cyberscreens - very easy to install as the brackets slide the full length on the case making ceiling mounting so easy if your beams run the wrong way like mine do. A lot have fixed mountings meaning if they don't line up your beams you will be using wire or screwing in battons to mount to as they are quite heavy.
http://www.cyberscreens.co.uk/cyberpulldownscreens.htm
excellent quality for the money - also I found the optoma screen good value but they do have fixed mountings - easy for wall mounting harder for ceiling mounting but they both look good in gloss white cases
Why doesn't What Hi-Fi review projector screens?
Just about every home entertainment component, from AV amps, to speakers, to interconnects are all reviewed here... even mains leads!... yet something as fundamental as a projector screen, a must for a complete projector viewing experience, is non-existent on What Hi-Fi online reviews.
At the time of writing, there's 34 projector reviews on What Hi-Fi online alone and you'd think What Hi-Fi will also review several screens to compliment the system, particularly when there are several screen types with significant price ranges.
Just about every home entertainment component, from AV amps, to speakers, to interconnects are all reviewed here... even mains leads!... yet something as fundamental as a projector screen, a must for a complete projector viewing experience, is non-existent on What Hi-Fi online reviews.
At the time of writing, there's 34 projector reviews on What Hi-Fi online alone and you'd think What Hi-Fi will also review several screens to compliment the system, particularly when there are several screen types with significant price ranges.
N_Taro:Why doesn't What Hi-Fi review projector screens?
Just about every home entertainment component, from AV amps, to speakers, to interconnects are all reviewed here... even mains leads!... yet something as fundamental as a projector screen, a must for a complete projector viewing experience, is non-existent on What Hi-Fi online reviews.
At the time of writing, there's 34 projector reviews on What Hi-Fi online alone and you'd think What Hi-Fi will also review several screens to compliment the system, particularly when there are several screen types with significant price ranges.
Fair point. Also with the number of variables in screen materials for different applications it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a section of an Ultimate Guide with the ins ands outs of putting together a projector setup.
Just about every home entertainment component, from AV amps, to speakers, to interconnects are all reviewed here... even mains leads!... yet something as fundamental as a projector screen, a must for a complete projector viewing experience, is non-existent on What Hi-Fi online reviews.
At the time of writing, there's 34 projector reviews on What Hi-Fi online alone and you'd think What Hi-Fi will also review several screens to compliment the system, particularly when there are several screen types with significant price ranges.
Fair point. Also with the number of variables in screen materials for different applications it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a section of an Ultimate Guide with the ins ands outs of putting together a projector setup.
I tend to agree.
It is the only part of my home cinema I have not bought as I am too wary of paying for something that may not be much better than my off white wall.
A review of sensibly priced screens would be really valued.
It is the only part of my home cinema I have not bought as I am too wary of paying for something that may not be much better than my off white wall.
A review of sensibly priced screens would be really valued.
The_Lhc
Well-known member
I don't think it would be unreasonable to suggest that ANY projector screen (designed for a home cinema projector) will be better than your off-white wall.
Is anyone from WHAT HI-FI here willing to take my above suggestion forward and review some projector screens for your readers? A few people here are in agreement that this would very much be valued. A response would be much appreciated.
A projector screen Group Test is something we've wanted to do for a long time. Logistically it's a little tricky - simply, we can't be installing a series of projector screens in our listening rooms for a one-off test. We have looked at the odd portable projector screen in recent memory but wall-mounted solutions are a trickier prospect. It's something that remains on our 'to do' list however and we'll consider this a reminder.
I found myself in a similar situation but I didn't want to shell out an enormous amount (Richer Sounds were quoting over £1k for a screen).
I did the normal digging about on the net and found one on Amazon. It's basically Amazon just being used for a seller - Allcam.biz
I purchased their Motoroized 120" glass beaded screen for just £149. Does the trick using an RF remote (so my Harmony One doesn't work with it and Richer Sounds said it would?!?) but be wary with these - the casing is 3 metres across and only just fit!! lol
My personal opinion of it is that it's decent enough for the price.. I have another room with a painted wall as a screen and the difference is notable but not essential as far as I'm concerned. Probably depends on the quality of the projector too!
Phil
I did the normal digging about on the net and found one on Amazon. It's basically Amazon just being used for a seller - Allcam.biz
I purchased their Motoroized 120" glass beaded screen for just £149. Does the trick using an RF remote (so my Harmony One doesn't work with it and Richer Sounds said it would?!?) but be wary with these - the casing is 3 metres across and only just fit!! lol
My personal opinion of it is that it's decent enough for the price.. I have another room with a painted wall as a screen and the difference is notable but not essential as far as I'm concerned. Probably depends on the quality of the projector too!
Phil
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