Folks,

I'm in a dilemma right now and I would appreciate the advice of anyone that knows more about FPs and projection screens than I do.

I'm in the market to get my first projector to replace an aging 57" Toshiba RPTV. The problem is that I don't have an unlimited budget so I'm faced with two options:



Get a better PJ and make my own screen (I do photography so I have a large roll of white photo background paper I could use and build a cheap wooden frame around it).




For example the Epson 8500UB or Panasonic PT-AE4000 (I can get them from the USA via my parents)

Get a entry model PJ and a decent screen.

For example, the Optoma HD20 with a Carada or equivalent screen


So... which combination do you think will get me the best result? I can always upgrade the PJ or screen later. I'm thinking of getting a 16:9 format screen that is around 110" or so (I sit 16' from the wall).

Thanks!

I've read about people having excellent results with a variety of DIY screens, so I'd put the money on the FP and upgrade the screen later on.

I'd have to say go with the projector.

If you DIY the screen it is much less incremental cost to upgrade the screen later on whereas the projector should last for a very long time, bulb replacements not withstanding.

Definately put the money in the projector first. My first $100 screen provided a picture that was well beyond acceptable.

I'm in the market to get my first projector to replace an aging 57" Toshiba RPTV. The problem is that I don't have an unlimited budget so I'm faced with two options:


I'm in the same boat. I would put the money toward the projector as others have said as the DIY screens can be pretty incredible for under $200 using black out cloth and some wood.

Yeah Brian I'm starting to lean towards getting the better PJ. I think I'll order the Panny and get it shipped to my parents in Florida (they are coming back in April). It's funny you and I have the same old TV, had mine for 6 or 7 years I think... Used to be state of the art, I used to wow people with my fancy HDMI port... LOL!

Put it in the projector. I have always projected on a painted wall. ($30 a gallon for paint) in a blue grey color.

If you buy a good projector and make a DIY screen out of $30 or $40 worth of Blackout material from Fabricland, you'll be fine.

Thanks, I'm leaning towards either a DIY screen and either the Panny 4000 or Epson 8500. I'm also considering getting a package from a store in the US that offers nice projector and screen packages. The screens are their own internal brand (VAPEX) and seem quite good for the money, especially when packaged with a projector.

For the money, especially if you pick up in the US, I think the Panasonic PT-AE4000 is better value than the Epson 8500UB as it has remote controllable zoom lens and auto zoom capabilities among a few things I've noticed. Also, 2 trigger inputs/outputs on the Panny, etc

I guess I'm the only one who thinks "painting" a screen on the wall is a lousy idea! Having a nice Panny projector beaming an image onto a white bed sheet is like having a 7-series BMW you can only roll up & down the driveway!!

You don't have to go bananas, but start with a decent screen to go with the proj. A few hundred bucks maybe?

As others have said, you can upgrade to a great screen later on (like a Stewart if you want supremo!)

My 2C.

Before pooping on the wall paint jobs, have you seen one or tried one? I myself have the Goo paint on my wall. Compared to normal paint, the Goo paint has tiny glass beads in it to make the paint "reflective".

We had a friend of ours that is a video freak and when he say my screen, he couldn't believe how clear the picture looked. Is it better than a "real" screen? I have no idea. I never tried one before.

The reason I went with paint was because I couldn't find a 144 inch screen that didn't cost as much as a compact car.

Just my 2 cents on top of yours. ;)

Thanks for the feedback folks... With the packages I'm looking at the fixed screen ends up being about $300USD which I think is reasonable. My debate now is which size I should get... They have 120" and 106" models that are of interest to me...

My ceiling is 7.5' and I sit about 16' away. I thought 120" was OK until I read the sticky in this forum... If I leave 6" from the ceiling (and I mean the screen, not the border which is 3.5") it would leave the bottom 25" from the floor. the 106" screen would give me an extra 7" to play with... any insights? I don't want to get 106" and regret it later, the price difference is like only $40...

My ceiling is 7.5' and I sit about 16' away. I thought 120" was OK until I read the sticky in this forum... If I leave 6" from the ceiling (and I mean the screen, not the border which is 3.5") it would leave the bottom 25" from the floor.25" from the floor is fine - that will give you enough room for a center channel speaker on a stand - and 6" from the ceiling is fine, too...as long as your projector of choice will work with these dimensions.

Thanks... counting the borders the border would be 2.5" from the ceiling and the screen 6". The bottom border would be 21.5" from the floor (which I think is still fine for my center speaker) and the screen 25". According to the calculator on Priojector Central both projectors I am considering accomodate the screen sizes I am considering.

The bottom border would be 21.5" from the floor (which I think is still fine for my center speaker) and the screen 25".True, but your speaker can overlap most of the lower border without blocking the screen, so effective height from the floor can actually be closer to 25".

Re. distance from the screen: I sit ~14'-15' from my 100" screen. For BD, I would go bigger; for upconverted SD, I wouldn't. 16' from a 120" should be fine for BD, but you might find upconverted SD to be less than pleasing and, if you do, it might matter to you.

Before pooping on the wall paint jobs, have you seen one or tried one? I myself have the Goo paint on my wall. Compared to normal paint, the Goo paint has tiny glass beads in it to make the paint "reflective".

We had a friend of ours that is a video freak and when he say my screen, he couldn't believe how clear the picture looked. Is it better than a "real" screen? I have no idea. I never tried one before.

The reason I went with paint was because I couldn't find a 144 inch screen that didn't cost as much as a compact car.

Just my 2 cents on top of yours. ;)

Compared to el-cheapo screens, yes the Screen Goo is far better. However, compared to other reflective screens (that also have glass beads), a screen is night and day better than the Screen Goo. But of course, the price on a reflective screen with glass beads are also night and day more expensive than Screen Goo. :D

Behr's Ceiling White is my screen of choice.

There is another advantage to painting your wall - once your projector is aligned and set up to your liking you can mask off your screen to fit the image exactly. Paint the rest of your room dark and you'll be blown away by the image quality (make sure your wall is straight) and the savings.

Right now I'm holding off the next screen depending on what 3D projectors will need. If we have passive and need silver screens, then off the wall, the paint will go.

I have never found Goo or paint to measure better or look better. I keep screen samples in my kit. I've calibrated "walls" before. I've put the screen samples over the wall to demonstrate the loss. My friends, you can convince yourself all you want about the "savings" of paint over a screen. If saving some money tells you what a good picture is then I guess you really have no idea what you are missing.

A screen is by no means a luxury item. It's part of the video projection system and should not be substituted. There are important rules to follow when selecting screen surface type and screen size in relation to the projector one plans on using. Break the rules and you'll still get a picture. Follow the rules and you'll get a wonderfully dynamic and image true to the signal.