[simonjanda]

I have my PJ ready to go and I projected an image onto my wall so I could take a measurement of the picture to work out the size of the screen I required.
The image was from Quantum Of Solace played through my PS3.

Anyhow the image size projected was 2390mm (94") x 1420mm (56") give or take a fraction.

So I looked for screens to suit. But most 16.9 screens, whilst they are good for the width actually fall short on the height. eg.

Draper Luma 207105 is 2340 x 1320, ok its 50mm less width but 100mm less height.
Sapphire which I prefered as its a GREY screen is 2338 x 1315.

Then I was asked what I was mainly waching on it and to be truthfull it will be films, LOTR, XMen etc, and it was suggested to get a 2.35.1 screen.

But the Beamax R Series although 2340mm wide is only 1000mm high, wont my picture be up the wall ??

Is there a way the projected image can be altered to suit?

So some advice on this please as I am ready to purchase the screen but cant afford to cock it up.

Thanks
Simon

[Pecker]

Where shall we begin? Lots of pros and cons on both sides.

One question, how wide is your room? The idea of a 2.35:1 film is that 2.35:1 films are wider than 16:9 films, but if you have a narrow room you may only be making your 16:9 films smaller.

Don't forget the option of a CIA 2.1:1 screen for a 'best of both worlds' approach.

For me, the ratio of a film is just that - a ratio, a shape. As long as all ratios can be seen at a decent size, the shape of the screen doesn't bother me.

It's about the films.

Steve W

[Gary Lightfoot]

Taking onto account some of Steves info, I'd add that if you go for a 2.35 screen and Constant Image Height, you'll have to be sitting close enough for 16:9 to not look too small (2.4 to 3 screen heights back). Too far back and you'll feel that 16:9 needs to be made larger, and that's where CIA becomes more appealing. For either to work properly you'll have to zoom the projector to make 2.35 fit the screen completely, and zoom smaller so that 16:9 fits top and bottom with black bars either side. There are other ways to do it but try zooming on your wall and see if it works for you. Hope that makes sense.

Most screen manufacturers will make a custom screen size if you ask them, with the cost being something like the equivalent of the next size up IIRC. Ever tried building your own screen? You can use wood and blackout cloth to get you started and see what works for you, and if your happy you can later use proper screen material instead (plenty pf screen builds in the diy forum). DIY costs a lot less than a bought screen, plus you get to make it exactly the size and shape/ratio you like. If you have a light coloured room or have some ambient light around, a grey screen usually works best. The high gain greay screens can suffer from 'sparklies' so research the screen thoroughly, or better still, get a demo.

I personally prefer a scope shaped screen and how much more immersive 2.35 movies can look compared to a 16:9 screen with 2.35 movies shown within that, but it can depend on how far back you sit.

As Steve said, as long as you enjoy your movies, it doesn't matter what you do.

Gary

[simonjanda]

CIA isnt that the secret police ? 2.1.1 ??err help lol

OK, the room is light so a low gain grey screen.
Although I need a deep to border due to the light, I am having a hard time finding one but visualtronic do one with a 550mm drop and its got a 0.89.1 gain factor so i think that will do.
The screen also has to be a pull down one, trust me if it was a fixed one I did consider a curved one but the WIFE said NO. After all it is in the living room. You should have seen her face when she walked in and found I'd bought a SVS cylinder sub .
I am sitting about 12 foot away from the screen and the room is a weird shape but the 16.9 screen at 2.4 x 1.3 is a good size - i couldnt go wider so if i had a 2.35 screen i would be loosing height.
Thanks for the info I appreciate it.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by simonjanda

CIA isnt that the secret police ? 2.1.1 ??err help lol

OK, the room is light so a low gain grey screen.
Although I need a deep to border due to the light, I am having a hard time finding one but visualtronic do one with a 550mm drop and its got a 0.89.1 gain factor so i think that will do.
The screen also has to be a pull down one, trust me if it was a fixed one I did consider a curved one but the WIFE said NO. After all it is in the living room. You should have seen her face when she walked in and found I'd bought a SVS cylinder sub .
I am sitting about 12 foot away from the screen and the room is a weird shape but the 16.9 screen at 2.4 x 1.3 is a good size - i couldnt go wider so if i had a 2.35 screen i would be loosing height.
Thanks for the info I appreciate it.

There's a good 'lively' thread on CIA (Constant Image Area) here:

Constant area projection

A 'scope screen is 2.25:1, a 16:9 screen is 1.77:1, a CIA screen is inbetween at 2.1:1 (or 2.05:1). See the pics in post #7 for details.

Hope that helps.

Steve W

[simonjanda]

I have a friend that has a 2.1.1 screen but his is fixed and self built. I need a pull down one. Where would I be able to find one with that aspect ration ?