Projector screen options

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flynkiwi

152 posts

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#138719 14-Jan-2014 18:00

Hi we are in the process of renovating and the financial controller has given me permission to make our rumpus room dual purpose in that I can install a home theatre. I have a few restrictions to work around which requies that I install a ceiling mounted projector screen as I can not attach a permanent screen. I have been looking around and there seems to be two extremes...the $2000 high end ones and the ones on trademe for a couple hundred.

I would like to get a motorized one but I can't find any where that has any middle of the road ones around the $500 mark.
I wouldn't expect the Trademe screens to be any good, unless someone can prove me wrong? Looking at 100 or 120 inch.

Any recommendations?

Max I can spend is 5000 for projector, speakers, wiring, AVR, screen.

I am considering bringing in a projector and maybe speakers for the US.

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#967037 14-Jan-2014 18:49

The cheap ($250-$400) Trademe ones will be rubbish. They use PVC generally for the screens. Bad surface, smells for ages.

Keep an eye out for a 2nd hand Elite screen or something else branded. They do come up from time to time.

Cheers - N

ps. Source for rubbish statement - I bought one and while it was a 120" tensioned screen, my old 100" good quality screen with small curls at the side was better in all the important areas.

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

flynkiwi

152 posts

Master Geek

#967082 14-Jan-2014 20:40

Thanks for the advice, I imagined that would be the case with the cheap trademe ones.
There seems to be a Tasman screens made screen on TM but not to much info on it. Any pointers in buying a second hand screen. I guess knowing if there is screen curl is one of them.

Jase2985

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#967144 14-Jan-2014 21:26

thought of just using the wall?

Dunnersfella

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#967197 14-Jan-2014 22:55

I have friends with who had walls covered using special paint, and when they went to dedicated screens they described the difference as being the same as moving from a 3000 hour bulb, to a brand new one...

Talkiet

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#967201 14-Jan-2014 22:58

Using the right sort of paint will get the same or better results than a material screen... But the "right" paint could easily be more expensive than a screen!

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Talkiet

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#967204 14-Jan-2014 23:03

Wrong ratio, but decent brand
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/screens/auction-683101720.htm

Fixed screen so hopelessly impractical for most people but great brand ... If you can find a Da-lite, near you and it's moderately clean, just buy it.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/screens/auction-683797391.htm

I wish I was in Akl, I'd buy this in a heartbeat
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/screens/auction-683414336.htm

Anything branded Elite Screens also likely to be good.

Good luck... I wish I had discovered how awesome a good projector was the week before I spent an awful lot on a 50" Plasma TV instead of the week after :-)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

driller2000

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#967254 15-Jan-2014 07:15

i have used a $400 106 inch powered screen purchased off trademe for 5 years now

the bloke selling them at the time seemed to know what he was talking about and i have been happy with it throughout - handy that the harmony remote can also control it as the screen remote is ir based.

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flynkiwi

152 posts

Master Geek

#967760 15-Jan-2014 20:32

thanks all, and TalkieT

Unfortunately the wall where I want the projector screen to go has a whole lot of family pics etc on it and part of the deal with the wife was that I could do it as long as the room was multi-purpose. Hence the need for a screen that I can mount either to the ceiling or better yet inside the ceiling that was not visible when not in use. My father has a dedicated home theatre that has a fully skim coated and painted with special paint wall and that is amazing...alas 'compromise' comes into play lol

Talkie the Tasman screen is the one that I mentioned on TM. Unfortunately the seller does not know too much about it other than its about 5/6 years old. I might go take a look at it to see the condition its in. I see Tasman screen retail Elite screens so I would imagine that it would be of an ok quality even if its 5 or 6 years old?

Talkiet

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#967771 15-Jan-2014 20:49

At a buy now for $300, if the screen is clean, unripped and not wavey, I'd buy it for sure.

A little bit of consistent curl on the sides is ok.

I did a hidden install... Kinda documented here...

http://smu.gs/LbboWV

Since those pics I have set the drop height correctly, hidden the speaker cables in the wall and added trim around the hole I cut in the ceiling. The screen is controlled from a 12v signal from the projector itself so I don't even need to use the remote for the screen at all (But it doe work standing under the hole and point the remote up)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

sen8or

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#967809 15-Jan-2014 21:33

Rapalloav sells screens labelled indigo, pretty sure it's a "house brand".

Here is a review I did on it a few years ago

http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2011/09/indigo-nova-projection-screen/.

2 years on, curl is still minimal, screen mechanism still solid. For the money, I wholeheartedly recommend them over the trademe type ones

isis

49 posts

Geek

#968154 16-Jan-2014 13:45

also on the same boat as you and looking for electric drop down screen rather than the wall as i've got a tv mounted.
Like your install Talkiet!

I've had a look at this from AV World - http://www.avworld.co.nz/product/ambertech-wm-rm92/

Can't quite gulp the price for them, but there seems to be limited available for ceiling mounted units. Does the Rapallo ones recessed into the ceiling?

cheers

Talkiet

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#968187 16-Jan-2014 14:22

Mine wasn't intended to be installed in the ceiling - didn't have the kit... If your beams run the right way it's surprisingly simple. Only took a couple of hours and one trip to the hardware store.

Of course if your ceiling beams run the other way, forget it. Easier to build a false ceiling to conceal the screen.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

sen8or

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#968212 16-Jan-2014 14:49

Its been a long time since I needed to look at the options, but looking at the details in the review, pretty sure it can be. Murray will be able to give you a definitive answer though.

networkn

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#968216 16-Jan-2014 14:54

I bought a Ambertec 106 Motorized and it's excellent and well reviewed and well thought of locally.

Personally I suggest upping your budget if you want decent stuff. 5K for all that isn't going to get you good quality. I do have a second hand very good projector if you are interested.

flynkiwi

152 posts

Master Geek

#968403 16-Jan-2014 18:05

thanks for the pics TalkieT. Good to see an install similar to what I am planning.

Luckily the beams run the right way so its definately doable. Its in a downstairs room so I dont have ceiling access like you do however since I am removing the gib on the ceiling anyway as part of the renovation then it should be easy to do.

i would love to have a budget over 5k, but a budget is a budget for a reason so I am just trying to get the best bang for my buck.

I am looking at importing a Optoma HD25LV from the states

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