Projection Screen


Hi all!

I am looking to buy a projection screen to create my home theater. Does anyone know what to look for when buying a good quality projection screen with a black frame? There are so many projection screens out there but are they any good? What is a good brand or does it not matter?

Also, when you buy a projection screen, does it usually come with the black frame or where do I go to buy a nice looking black frame to go with the screen material? Does the frame usually come assembled or do you have to out it together yourself? I assume the frame will come with a user manual to show you how to put the frame together.

Thanks!
mantaraydesign
my pull down screen (90') was under $100 and like Samujohn said its really questionable what some cost, new projector with reasonable lumens, controlled lights and you can use anything........even a white wall.
I got upgraditis and eventually settled on a high gain glass bead screen, there is a big difference between screens, paints and materials. If anyone is in NYC (11215) stop by to pick a 3 year old pull down Da-Lite Model C for free

How much light do you need to tolerate, what's the black level like on your projector, how much work are you willing to do, what size do you need, and how much are you willing to spend?

In a darkened room, Stewart's Studiotek 130 with a deluxe (3" border) velux (velour coated) frame is wonderful. The colors are accurate, it has a little more pop than a unity gain screen, less light goes through it and bounces off the wall behind than other vendor's 1.3 gain fabric, and it's well made. Obviously, the screen material comes separately. You pull the frame out of a long crate, install four bolts, unroll the fabric from its protective tube, and snap the fabric on the screen.

That runs about $1500 for an 87x49" (100" 16:9 diagonal).
Get a carada. I just bought a 125" wide 2.35 screen for 800. Look into 2.35 before you get a 16:9. i think you will like the difference.
The "Silver Screen" refers to the high gain screens used back in the beginnings of motion pictures because projectors had limited brightness. Inexpensive home projectors, until a couple of years ago had limited light output, so often needed the the additional contrast of a high gain screen. However, nothing is free. High gain screens cause various distortions, hot spots, color changes, etc. Like tone controls they are fun and have their uses, if understood, but most sales are just marketing to increase profits. At the point of sale the brightest picture, like the loudest speaker, will be the easiest to sell.