CRT and LCD screen Advice needed

leeboy2k3 · 03-07-2009, 10:06 PM

Hi I need advice regarding purchasing a 16:9 screen that is fine for both crt and lcd, Ive read on curt palme.com that grey and glass bead screens cannot be used with crt? so can anybody recommend a good screen for both that wont break the bank?
thanks.

Tom.W · 03-07-2009, 11:11 PM

If you can find a nice used Stewart Studiotek 1.3 gain screen pick it up but NOT one that rolls up and down. I have a Stewart 1.5 gain screen also and both are excellent.

I emphasize used as they are expensive new !

JMO....

leeboy2k3 · 03-07-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom.W

If you can find a nice used Stewart Studiotek 1.3 gain screen pick it up but NOT one that rolls up and down. I have a Stewart 1.5 gain screen also and both are excellent.

I emphasize used as they are expensive new !

JMO....

Thanks.. but what is wrong with a retractable screen? are there none that can be used with both crt n lcd or?

draganm · 04-07-2009, 6:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeboy2k3

Thanks.. but what is wrong with a retractable screen? are there none that can be used with both crt n lcd or?

for CRT, the best choice IMO is a Da-lite hi-power 2.8 gain. NOT to be confused with high gain 2.5.
The hi-power is available as a roll-up and it's a very impressive material with very minor drawbacks that are easily outweighed by it's attributes. This is not my product/add but just an example of price, about 1/5th the cost of a stewart

Dalite 52" x 92" Model B Retractable Screen-High Power - eBay (item 5769607161 end time Jul-30-09 16:32:02 PDT)

Tom.W · 04-07-2009, 7:12 PM

What holds the screen flat. Is it self tensioned ? I like the stretched Stewart screen on the fixed frame but JMO. Any hot spotting with the 2.8 gain screen ?

draganm · 04-07-2009, 9:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom.W

What holds the screen flat. Is it self tensioned ?

a friend of mine who showed this screen to me actually just cut it off the roller and hung it from the wall. IT was pretty flat when I saw it. I imagine if you roll it up and down it will get wavy on you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom.W

Any hot spotting with the 2.8 gain screen ?

no, I didn't see anything that grabbed my attention and colors were also very nuetral. There is some shift but it's uniform across the screen. From one side of the room it appears warmer and from the other side cooler, center seating makes the screen appear neutral. None of it was objectionable and the light output was like a calibrated 400-LUM ANSI LCD .

leeboy2k3 · 04-07-2009, 11:59 PM

What about a framed mattewhite beamax or carada? is there much between these in quality? as I'd rather not import.
Are mattewhite screens the right choice for crt and lcd versatility? And lastly should I be strict regarding gain choice for the screen to compliment both technologies?
thanks

Tom.W · 05-07-2009, 5:41 PM

Carada might be a good choice but I suspect brilliant white would be best for CRT. Never seen one but can you buy it locally ?

Projection Screens - Home Theater Projector Screens by Carada - Projector Screen Surface Material

leeboy2k3 · 05-07-2009, 8:03 PM

Thanks but as the lcd I'll be using is a ax-200 and has quite high lumens wouldnt a screen with a gain that high hinder its average black levels?
For example is 1.0 gain to low for both crt n lcd with moderate ambient light?
btw I think the crt pj has a max of 1250 lumens.

Chris Frost · 06-07-2009, 1:26 AM

leeboy2k3,
Just some observations on what's been written so far...

"wont break the bank" - that doesn't say anything meaningful abut your budget. £200 for one person could be a fortune, but £2000 for someone else might be a drop in the ocean.

If you've only got a couple of hundred quid to spend then I'd say you can't afford to be that picky.

You've said that the CRT is 1250 peak lumens and that the LCD "has quite high lumens" - an AX200, rated at 2000 ANSI max. TBH I'd expect both projectors to put out less light that the spec sheets suggest. Once they're set up for a good video image you can expect the brightness gap to shrink a bit too.

Trying to find one screen to do two opposite jobs might, and I suspect it will, be a fruitless task. There could be an alternative answer though.

If the LCD is really that much brighter even after it is set up correctly for video then have a think about using an ND filter to reduce the light power and deepen the blacks. You should also consider running with a fixed iris setting to get better blacks even if you sacrifice some brightness.

leeboy2k3 · 06-07-2009, 1:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

leeboy2k3,
Just some observations on what's been written so far...

"wont break the bank" - that doesn't say anything meaningful abut your budget. £200 for one person could be a fortune, but £2000 for someone else might be a drop in the ocean.

If you've only got a couple of hundred quid to spend then I'd say you can't afford to be that picky.

You've said that the CRT is 1250 peak lumens and that the LCD "has quite high lumens" - an AX200, rated at 2000 ANSI max. TBH I'd expect both projectors to put out less light that the spec sheets suggest. Once they're set up for a good video image you can expect the brightness gap to shrink a bit too.

Trying to find one screen to do two opposite jobs might, and I suspect it will, be a fruitless task. There could be an alternative answer though.

If the LCD is really that much brighter even after it is set up correctly for video then have a think about using an ND filter to reduce the light power and deepen the blacks. You should also consider running with a fixed iris setting to get better blacks even if you sacrifice some brightness.

Yes good point I should have mentioned my screen budget.. ideally I'd like to stay under the £500 mark,
btw thanks for your help regarding the filter suggestion.

lastly all I'd really like is a rough answer on a rough opinion at the best crt/lcd screen for that budget with suggested material and gain thanks again.

Tom.W · 06-07-2009, 3:17 AM

Might be a good idea to move this thread to the digital projector forum or should I say the Grey side...

Chris Frost · 06-07-2009, 11:12 AM

Well, as a rough answer then I'd make the following observations...

1) The pendulum has swung away from grey screens for digitals. Black levels have got better on digitals in the last couple of years so grey screens are no longer an essential accessory.

2) Higher gain is useful with CRT. But although they should all be measured on the same scale I have yet to find two different manufacturers 1.5 gain screens that look the same. Take manufacturers gain figures with a pinch of salt.

3) Money spent on motors is money taken away from the screen surface quality. If you want the best bang for your buck then a frame screen is the correct solution.

As a recommendation I'd go with a 1.3 - 1.5 gain screen frame screen. Carrada and Beamax will both be OK. Neither look as bright as a Stewart StudioTek 130 (1.3 gain) despite the makers claims (and yes, I have used all three). The Stewart surface is just stunning for CRT.

When using the digital i would run on manual iris adjusted for best black. An ND filter is a useful way of enhancing black level. You should also consider having the digital calibrated - it makes a massive difference with the Panasonics.

Pulse1 · 06-07-2009, 12:34 PM

Just to echo what Chris has said that i totally agree with him about a Stewart Studiotek 130 1.3 gain screen for Crt Projection as that is what i currently use with my Sim2 SVD800 Millennium Crt projector

Although i will be going down the JVC D-ILA HD750 route later this year for Blu ray exclusively and will be replacing my old material with the newer Stewart Studiotek 130 1.3 gain G3 and Microperf X2 material on my 80 inch wide Luxus Deluxe frame

But if you go for the Studiotek 130 1.3 gain screen you are better to have a completely ambient light free room as in a Batcave to get the best out of it. And also would defo get your LCD Projector fully ISF calibrated for maximum image quality

Brian

leeboy2k3 · 06-07-2009, 1:41 PM

Unfortunately a stewart1.3 is out of my £500 screen budget so Ive settled for a beamax A-series as I'll be using both crt n lcd should I go matte1.0 or 1.2?

Barcoing Mad · 06-07-2009, 1:56 PM

It's worth keeping an eye on the for sale forum here for a bargain - you may well find something for your budget.

Mad Mr H · 06-07-2009, 5:32 PM

As others have said, StewartFilm is the best available. You would think by now othercould match it but they just dont come close......

Your option of 1 or 1.2 - I would go with 1.2

I think I am alone with my 1.0 unity gain screen for CRT

.

Chris Frost · 07-07-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Mr H

I think I am alone with my 1.0 unity gain screen for CRT

.

LOL. I suspect you aren't using a budget screen Andy

draganm · 07-07-2009, 2:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeboy2k3

Thanks but as the lcd I'll be using is a ax-200 and has quite high lumens wouldnt a screen with a gain that high hinder its average black levels?

you can't "help" an LCD turn the lamp off by picking this or that screen. Gray screens were the only attempt to do this and it was marginally successful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeboy2k3

For example is 1.0 gain to low for both crt n lcd with moderate ambient light?btw I think the crt pj has a max of 1250 lumens.

that's peak white. The very best CRT, like a 9 inch LC, produces less than 250 ANSI.