Screens

Go to Home Depot and buy a 4'x8' plastic panel used in bathroooms etc. It has a diamond like shiny surface on one side. Cut the panel to what ever size you want up to 97" diagnal. You are going to use the back side which has some shiny mold marks on the panel. Use a scotch brite pad and scuff up the entire surface to a uniform surface. Mount on the wall with adhesive or what ever. Will cost you about $17.00. I just installed a Stewart Grayhawk motorized in it's place and there is not much difference.

Look on videogon! Good quality screen is important. You don't specify format or type, so hard to advise. I have a used stewart 84" diag. fixed frame 4:3 format "grayhawk" screen for sale in your pricerange. (grayhawk is a off white/gray, contrast enhancing surface)

I expect to buy a Sony Pearl and the Stewart SST FireHawk developed with Sony for that projector. It would be my first projection system. Might I be better off trying a DIY screen and something like the Opima HD70, to get a better understanding of FP in my application before spending the money?

db

I would suggest the DIY route first if you have the room for a permanent screen. The link below is to a current AudioGon member that did one and he likes the results. I think you'll be surprised how good the picture will bee on a homemade screen.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1172183216&openmine&zzMitch4t&4&5#Mitch4t

I currently throw a 9ft x 12ft image on a blank wall and I get excellent results. The wall isn't even white, it is butterscotch colored and I'm so surprised at how good it is. I am able to get my room pitch black dark to where you can't even see your hand in front of your face.

I have just ordered a roll-up screen from the Da-Lite company so I won't have to take the pictures down from the wall every time I want to look at a movie. I have looked at movies on a blank wall for three years now and have enjoyed it immensely. My guests that come to watch movies are very impressed with it also.

If you get your projector before you get the screen, I suggest you throw the picture against one of your bare walls just for a test of what the picture will look like. If your walls are white or very light colored, you'll be surprised as to how good it will look. That will help you to see that you don't need really big bucks for a good screen.