Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Projector shortlisted but Canadian dealer issues

Murph, my advice regarding screens is to pay a little extra to get what you want. No matter how good a projector you have is, a poor screen will make your image look like garbage. I've found most of the cheaper screens have surfaces that add sparkles to your image. Some people like that, but most do not. And with any pull-down screen, manual or electric, there seems to be issues with keeping the image flat and not having the screen warp due to tension issues. Only the most expensive screens have fancy ways of dealing with this. If you have the space, go with a fixed screen. After a couple tries, I chose a Carada screen. It's great and the only part of my home theatre that won't need to be replaced unless it's damaged.

Thanks, that pretty much reinforces what I have been reading. However, I don't make any decisions anymore without consulting Axiomites. There is a lot more lack of bias in this group than any other I read or participate in.

I'm not sure I disagree because I don't have my screen yet, but I'm going to at least try the $10 laminate solution before I blow another grand on a screen...

I'm pretty sure I'll end up there too, but for $10, I see very little downside, especially considering it is returnable.

Murph, I purchased some good screen material on ebay (i did lots of research) and built a frame out of 1x4 wood. Covered it with black material from Fabricland. Then stapled the material to the back of the frame. The whole thing cost me under 100 bucks and it looks great. Everyone who comes in and sees it are very impressed.

I have never compared it to a brand name screen costing much more. but I don't feel its lacking at all.

If you are handy, it's a cheap way to go.

Just some food for thought.

paul

I did pretty much the same thing, looks good and was cheap!

Can you remember what you used for screen material. A few screen manufacturers have separate pricing for just material but it is not a whole lot cheaper by the time you factor in wood, corner braces, black frame wrap, etc. Some more DIY style materials are much cheaper of course.

I'm handy enough to easily build one but I'm getting too caught up in choosing the screen material. I am reading a lot more good things about Wilsonart, Designer White, Laminate. I wish I could re-find the AVS or Projector Central post where somebody measured reflected light and color results with a meter and found it be as good or better than many screens, but here is one link with some screen shot comparisons to Klitz2, a common painting material.

Wilsonart Designer White No local pricing yet but I figure 50$ to $80 for the laminate and requires nothing more than Windex to keep clean.

Canadian prices for a white 106" 'fixed' screen from various makes/models from 7 different sources so far, basically start at $600.

Below are some examples of lowest cost found per a particular screen manufacturer. I didn't add the resellers name as I'm unsure about forum rules re. posting comparative shopping data and I'm too lazy to look for it. I didn't do a lot of looking for US prices.

If this is helpful, especially for other Canadians, feel free to PM me for the vendor info.

Carada = 616
Grandview = 599
Draper = 639
Da-Lite = 689
Elite = 487 (Grey only, now word back if they even carry white)
Local, Mustang = 385 (some possible bad reviews & is Electric Drop)

US Pricing
- Found a sale on an Elite for 423 (read some bad Elite reviews.)
- Tribal, Direct from Tribal= 581 (I will mention these guys because they have been very helpful in discussing my required screen color, reflection ratios and such for my room, projector and distance.)

I ordered some fabric from the ebay store of Dazian Fabrics. I think Randy used the same kind of fabric.

I can't remember how much I paid for it, but I know it was definitely less than $100

Elite does make white screens in most of their lines. I think you're looking for fixed screen, and if so, they carry white. Check this link here for an example:

Projector People Elite Fixed Screens

Thanks I will look into Dazian Fabrics.

I was actually aware Elite made white screens. I just meant that this particular Canadian reseller did not have a price listing for the white version of the product. I included it anyways just to show the price discrepency compared to the other products.

Thanks for the link though. I checked it out. $395 but I'd have to adjust to Canadian, Shipping and duty. Still a competitive option.

You ought to give Jason Turk a call at AVS. I paid about half of MSRP on my Stewart screen. I know AVS sells many other brands as well. Day Light's high power is supposed to one heck of a screen.