So I've been looking around for some good screens for this projector, and would like some input on what might be the best (and economical) choice.
The ones I've been looking at are (with price ranges since sites I've seen don't list price models with sizes):
* xyscreen PET Crystal ALR ($200 - $800)
* Azure PET Crystal (Doesn't specify ALR or CLR but guess ALR?) ($750)
* OHYES Pet Crystal ALR CLR ($550 - $900)
* Promax UST ALR ($120 - $250)
* Elite Screens Aeon CineGrey ALR CLR ($750 - $1000)
* Elite Screens Aeon Series Fixed CineWhite ($750)
Questions I have are:
* Are the ones which are CLR always leticulated, for UST?
* Are ALR and CLR set terms? Can some be called ALR but also be CLR?
* How can I somehow gauge which of all these is the better one for UST with ambient light? Just as a first filter, without samples.
* Should I try to find something with a gain of 1 or below 1? (more than 1 is not so good with UST, right?)
I'm kinda new to all this, so don't really know where to look, or how to handle haggling... and just want to find a screen that is preferably around $700-$800 in max price.
As far as I can tell, the original, actual maker of the PET Crystal ALR screens
specifically for USTs is XY Screens, and it's very possible and even likely that every other site selling them is just selling the xy screen. Azure for sure is. xyscreens are pretty much only available through direct inquiry on alibaba to the manufacturer (many people have spoken to a lady named Wendy there, including myself) though the quotes seem to vary. For all intents and purposes, I would consider XYscreen to be the only ALR screen made for USTs, so I would just deal with them directly.
Elite screens specifcially does NOT make ALR for USTs, ad the Aeon Cinegrey line is not recommended for UST. The only material that EliteScreens says is compatible with USTs is their Cinewhite material, which you can get on a fixed or motorized tab tensioned screen. I know this from direct correspondence with multiple sales people at EliteScreens.
Every CLR/ALR screen is made for regular front projectors unless otherwise noted. Like I said, im pretty sure XYscreen PET crystal is the only ALR/CLR screen made for USTs on the market.
XYscreens are .8 gain, cinewhite from elitescreens (which again, has no ambient light rejection) is 1.1 i believe. You shouldn't stray from either of those ends, as far as I can tell.
For what its worth, I have yet to invest in a screen and am projecting on a big piece of Komatex plastic board (lots written about using this material for projection, just google it or search this forum). Besides not being perfectly straight (slight waviness ect, to be expected with a UST), it looks pretty good. With LOTS of ambient light, it looks pretty washed out, but as the sun sets and less light comes into the room, the thing looks pretty damn good. If you want a temporary solution while waiting to invest in a real screen, its not a bad idea. Look for a local plastic/sign dealer in your area and they should have some.
Take a look at the picture, taken in the middle of the day with light coming in from multiple windows. You can see the unevenness of the screen, partially due to it just not being a perfect surface (waviness at the top) but also because i messed up slightly in my mounting and its pressed a little on the right (thus the big scoop on the right side, the screen is kinda popping out at that end due to mounting the brackets just a bit smaller than the actual size of the screen.
That's an 8ft by 4ft piece by the way, 100" diagonal 16:9 picture on display.