top end screen, budget screen or paint.

[fordriver1]

Top end screen, budget screen or paint.  Does it really make that much of a difference?

I will be using a 120" screen in the media room in my new build. Gathering ideas and hardware now in readiness.

I had a cheap motorized eBay jobby in my last house as it was in front of a window and was more than happy with it- had a 1.0 gain.

Window shopping this time for a fixed screen and I'm noticing huge differences in costs. some have techy brand names and are thousands, some are only pocket change and are fold up, and some places have specialized screen paints, which are pretty expensive.

YouTube is full of DIY paint tutorials using various paints- matt or satin, and they all seem to rave about the quality of picture/ contrast- some use white if the room isn't very dark, black if it is very dark, and various greys for in between ambient light. Obviously this is a very cost effective option.

I dont necessarily need an acoustically transparent screen as no speakers will be behind. The rest of the room will be painted dark- ceiling too if beneficial. One adjacent wall has a 600hx2400w window high up- this will have floor to ceiling wall to wall curtains of some description.

Opinions please?

 

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by fordriver1

[Quark]

I'm not a fan of paint - it can only be as good as the plasterboard and in modern homes this is usually mediocre when you look closely.

 

How much you spend on the screen should in part depend on the quality/resolution of the projector. Good screens should have darker black velvet that doesn't show any overscan - typically you run a little overscan with a projector.

 

Another consideration is whether you need higher gain - most current projectors will only need 1.0 gain with a 120" screen.

 

Rather than use a grey screen to improve contrast you're better off focussing on light control.

 

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

I have just navigated these waters and I went with a fixed acoustically transparent screen from these guys, this is a 120" non acoustic option: https://www.classaaudio.com.au/169-screen-/3967-visualax-120-fixed-frame-premium-white-projector-screen-169.html

 

I am no projector image aficionado but I am very happy with how the Espon 9400 looks on this screen for very little money and it looks great.

 

I was protecting onto a white wall for a while and theres no comparison to a velvet framed screen to define the image, if you plan to light control the room and have the surrounding colours dark it will look fantastic.

 

FWIW when I spoke to A-class about thier screens (they are the importer) they say they come from the same factory as Elite Screens. Just know that the horizontal aluminium frame will most likely come with a join in the middle, this was a surprise to me when I received it but TBH I dont notice it now.

[fordriver1]

even if I do go the paint route, it will only be after being sure the result is close to a good screen. tint, finish, application all will play a part. I would also buy a black felt tape for the perimeter so i can overscan a few mm, and have that nice border to make the picture pop.

[betty boop]

What is the projector ? 

[fordriver1]

1 hour ago, betty boop said:

What is the projector ? 

undecided. Likely https://www.epson.com.au/products/projector/EH-TW7100.asp

Maybe https://www.epson.com.au/products/projector/EH-TW9400.asp?groupid=127&grouptypeid=32 but not sure the higher cost vs performance is worth it.

[betty boop]

The step up is worth it ! 
 

Same goes with screen … get something decent no need to paint 

 

keep in mind screen will outlast the projector.

 

My screen has seen two Epsons and 3 jvc over the years and gazillion movies sport gaming etc over the time 

[BRS]

3 hours ago, fordriver1 said:

undecided. Likely https://www.epson.com.au/products/projector/EH-TW7100.asp

Maybe https://www.epson.com.au/products/projector/EH-TW9400.asp?groupid=127&grouptypeid=32 but not sure the higher cost vs performance is worth it.

I ended up with TW7100. Would have got the TW9400 but couldn't make it work due to throw ratio. I was after the motorised zoom on the TW9400 to get rid of black bars on 16:9 screen. Limitations with TW7100 below

[dejay]

I wouldn't go with the paint option, especially if you have internal brick and plaster. Its never a clean, consistently flat surface.

 

I went with a stock fixed 16:9 ratio screen that set me back about $1K, paired with a Sony 4K projector (VPL-VW290ES) from the local supplier (West Coast Hifi). Absolutely love it.

 

At the end of the day it'll depend on budget and your level of HT obsession.