Help me decide which Beamax fixed screen to buy.

[RICKYJ]

I have a quite interesting problem that I am deciding on. I am currently considering changing my screen for a commercially available fixed screen, and have been offered two screens at very good prices.

They particulars are that;

My current screen is a goo 92" (230cm Dia) screen, although I have felt that this is too big at times, especially for standard DVD.

A Beamax A-Velvet High Contrast screen (189cm Dia). Gain 0.8.

A Beamax A-Series High Contrast screen (212cm Dia). Gain 1

Please note that I have decided that I want one of the above screens. I am not interested in price comparison, but instead wondered what peoples views (preferably who have seen both) are.

Is the velvet border worth the extra screen loss.

I am using this screen with a Panasonic AX100E and the first row of seats viewing the screen is 3m away, and the second rows about 4.5m away. The room is also light controlled very well.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Ricky

[inzaman]

Ricky

What are the widths of these screens, my screen is just over six foot wide and i sit about 9.5 foot away and for me it is perfect for 1.78. I would however like a 2.35 constant height screen and i would go up to about 7.5 foot wide with that.

I think the other issue is the gain of 0.8 v 1.0 especially as you have a light controlled room. I dont know how much this will effect the image, e.g. how many lumens you would lose or what benefits or otherwise to the image each would have.

I would like the velvet border as the paint does not always absorb the light spill but my PJ display matches pretty much perfect to the screen so dont really notice any significant light spill.


HTH Stephen

[RICKYJ]

Thanks Stephen,

That does help.

The width of the screens (viewing width) is 171cm (just under 6ft), and 185cm (just over 6ft) respectively, which means your screen is probably nearer the larger screen.

I did notice that the gain is slightly different on each of the screens, but I do not think that I will have too many issues as the proj is rated at upto 2000 lumens.

The velvet border does interest me somewhat, as I have one now, which does help to reduce any light spill. I am considering adding some aftermarket Velvet to the screen border, but that defeats the object of buying a commercial screen

It is interesting that you say you would increase the width to 7.5ft if you went for a 2.35:1 screen, as much of the material I watch is of this format (apart from sky-hd). I was thinking about creating some sort of masking for the 2.35:1 films. I thought you lowered the size of the screen due to the issues with the tennis effect.

Why does everything need to be so confusing....

Ricky

[inzaman]

Originally Posted by RICKYJ

I thought you lowered the size of the screen due to the issues with the tennis effect.

I did and the size of my screen, to me is perfect, but you know what its like when you want to try things out i suppose i was thinking out loud, so to speak. I personally would be tempted to go for the larger size at your viewing distance.

[RICKYJ]

Thanks,

I am coming around to that idea myself, as if I go for the smaller size, I suspect there is always going to be a case of 'should I have'.

It is a shame, as the Velvet screen does look very nice, but I have a feeling I am going to regret dropping the size 'that much'.

Ricky

p.s. If you decide you want a 8.5ft, 2:35:1 screen I know where you can get one at a very good price at the moment