Which Electric screen should I buy?

[Operandi]

Hi

I'm struggling trying to decide which make of electric screen I should buy.

I'm looking for a quality 7' wide electric screen, but can't afford a Stewart, I'm afraid.

I had decided on an Owl screen but the recent thread about problems with these have put me off. I'd be grateful for your thoughts about alternatives.

Thanks

[Godfather]

I was put off by the OWL problems too so I bought a screen from Nexnix which is excellent and cheaper (about 450 quid for 7'). I've posted a picture in another thread.

[Operandi]

bought a screen from Nexnix which is excellent and cheaper

Hi

Thanks for this info. Are you finding that the screen hangs flat and is completely wrinkle free?

[Godfather]

The screen hangs completely flat and there're no wrinkles at all.

[Kramer]

Yep, I too was impressed with Nexnix offering.

Very reasonably priced too :eek:

:smoke:

[Operandi]

Looks like the NexNix is the front runner at the mo :)

BTW what about their tab tensioned screens as they seem good value too - has anybody tried one?

I notice the gain on their tab tensioned screens is 1.5 and I am a bit concerned that this would be too high for LCD or DLP, although I currently have a Barco 708 CRT.

[Kramer]

Haven't seen their tab tensioned screen but it's unnecessary IMO given how good the "normal" electric models are.

As you say, 1.5 is a little too high for LCD/DLP.

:smoke:

[Operandi]

Thanks Kramer :smashin:

I see from another thread that you use an Ellie screen - are these another alternative that I should consider?

[Kramer]

Ellie screens are excellent but not cheap.

Reason I have an electric Ellie is I got a good deal (very good actually) froma member here (forum admin - Spectre!).

It really is an excellent screen but I don't think you'd get anything from Ellie as inexpensively as those from Nexnix.

:smoke:

[petrolhead]

Kramer, have you seen the Nexnix screen?

Actually there is not much in it between the Nexnix and the Ellie (200 x 112), about £65. Ellie also do a tab tensioned screen for £855 which is approx £140 more

[Kramer]

Originally posted by petrolhead
Kramer, have you seen the Nexnix screen?

Yep :)

Haven't looked at prices from Ellie recently (why would I be doing that :grin:) but I assumed they were significantly more expensive than that.

:smoke:

[petrolhead]

Sorry for all the questions Kramer but don't want to make the same mistake agin.

Would you say the Ellie no tab tensioned is good enough? Does you screen suffer and curling or ripples or would I be better spending the extra on the tab tensiones. I know you said not in the case of the Nexnis but their sizes do not suit my application

[Operandi]

Would you say the Ellie no tab tensioned is good enough? Does you screen suffer and curling or ripples or would I be better spending the extra on the tab tensiones. I know you said not in the case of the Nexnis but their sizes do not suit my application

I had a long conversation with Jim at Ellie this evening. I am very impressed with his care and interest in gaining satisfied customers and I'll almost certainly order a screen from them tomorrow.

In short, these are the points that he mentioned:

His screens are manufactured to his spec by the same company that manufactures Owl screens (I imagine the NexNix screens are made by the same company too, but I'm only guessing).

He was aware of the Owl ratio problem a year ago, as he had the same problem with his screen ratios and has since ensured that this is fixed.

His screens have a three year parts & labour warranty and he will swap out a faulty screen within this time.

Apparently over time, the 5cm black edging will curl on the Advantage (standard) screens as this is tacked on to the viewable screen fabric. This curl only affects the edging and not the screen itself. The Finesse (tab tensioned) screens will not have this curling, but they use exactly the same material for the actual screen itself ie the tab tensioning only stops the edges curling and not the screen, which should be perfectly flat anyway.

Gains for Advantage and Finesse: 1:1.2

Prices (16:9 ratios):

200x112 advantage screen: £445 incl VAT & delivery

203cm wide Finesse: £855 incl VAT & delivery
213cm wide Finesse: £875 incl VAT & delivery

I think I'll buy the 200x12 Advantage as I could always replace it in three years for the same total outlay as the tab tensioned screen.

HTH

[petrolhead]

Interesting.

I find the sizing strange though as to why they do a 7' (213) tab tensioned but not a 7' Non tab.

The non tab jumps from 6.5' to 8.2' :confused:

[Operandi]

Yes, I agree about the strange sizes for the Advantage line. However I've now ordered the 200x112 screen from Ellie and will receive it on Saturday :clap:

[MATT JENNER]

Hi

I bought te dual masked screen which is tab tensioned,
it is a lovely screen althought it is nearly 2.4k,

the service from this dealer is top notch,

[WeirdFish]

Nice site Matt. :)

[petrolhead]

I ended up getting the Finesse 213

[AndyGo]

Hi,
Some help please..

Noticed in earlier thread that you say a gain of 1.5 is too high for LCD.
I am looking to get my first projector and am thinking of Hitachi PJ-TX10 & possibly a nexnix tab tensioned screen (seems a good price for tab tensioning).
What would be the effect of 1.5 gain screen on a budget LCD ?

cheers,
Andy

[Kramer]

Originally posted by AndyGo
What would be the effect of 1.5 gain screen on a budget LCD ?

1. Increased black level (i.e. "greyer" blacks)
2. Restricted viewing angle
3. Possible hotspotting

TBH, I don't think Nexnix's tab tensioned screen is 1.5 gain. Although that's the quoted figure, IMO it's slightly lower.

I was quite impressed with their non-tab offering. Sturdy/well built & hung really well. Worth considering & cheaper :eek:

:smoke:

[AndyGo]

Cheers Kramer,

I've also noted a lot of guys on here rate the Ellie screens (yourself included).
I had a look on their site last night & the tab tensioned finesse (183x103 - gain o 1.2) seems quite reasonable at £825. I am leaning toward a tab tensioned screen in an effort to remove any possible wrinkle problems and don't mind paying a little extra for this. As the screen wil be rolling down in front of plasma/av kit, I thought that the tensioning may assist in keeping the screen taut as there will inevitably be some heated air currents flowing behind the screen even though plasma will be off. Any thoughts/recommendations on tab tensioning anyone ?

Also, is it possible to set the exact drop height on these screens other than by using on-off of the rocker switch/remote ?

Cheers,
Andy

[petrolhead]

Hmmm

I would hang fire, as I am in comunication with Ellie re a Finesse 213 screen I have just bought.

PM me for more info

[Operandi]

I would hang fire, as I am in comunication with Ellie re a Finesse 213 screen I have just bought.

It sounds like you have some problems with it :(

I've had no problems with my Ellie screen so far, other than trying to interpret the wiring installation instructions and a quick call to Jim at ScreensUk sorted that out.