Is Stewart the way to go

[Markj]

I am thinking about getting a new screen is the Stewart really worth the cash. I am planning on getting a manual pull down with masking. The screen size will be 80 x 45 (16:9) 92 diag. The projector will be the new Dwin. I would like to hear good and bad.

Thanks,
Mark

[George Bellefontaine]

I have never owned Stewart because their screens are a little to rich for my budget. I first owned a Draper manual pull down 4:3, then went to a Da-Lite 1.1 gain matte white fixed screen in 4:3 and because I found the Da-Lite very acceptable for both my LCD projector and crt projector, I moved into a Da-Lite 16:9 screen to accomodate the widescreen panels on my lcd projector. The Damat material on my screen is somewhat like vinyl, easy to clean and because of the low gain it helps beef up contrast on my lcd projector. When I priced the Stewart, it was almost twice the price of the Da-Lite for a similar gain and material. If I had the extra doungh I may have gone with the Stewart just to be able to say my screen is a Stewart. Anyhow, I'm pretty happy with my Da-Lite and have no intentions of upgrading.




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[Markj]

Thanks George. On other forms, it seems people think it's not worth the money while other would not have any other screen. I am considering it but the money is an issue. Thanks for your post.

[Pat]

Mark, I am using a Da-Lite 16:9 manual pull down and I like it.
I am a CRT newbie and the price was right (I just got my projector up and running on Dec.1)

When I was talking with John Gannon about working his magic on my CRT he said that if I could swing it, to get a Stewart, he swears by them.

Sorry I don't have any first hand experience but just offering up another opinion.

Good luck with your new setup, I'm sure you will love your Dwin.




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[Markj]

Thanks Pat that does help. This is what I am hearing. When a pj costs the $$ I don't what to cheap out on the screen. But if there is no difference with a less expensive screen I don't what to waste the $$ either.

[JonMarsh]

Without a doubt, Steward quality control and design are first rate. And their prices commisurate. If you want the best, Stewart is the one to go with.

DA-LITE offers very good products; I've seen excellent results with several installations using the Hi-Power series (my personal favorite- even for LCD), but I do know of cases with quality issues, sometimes regarding shipping containers. However, in every case DA-LITE made good on the situation. I personally consider DA-LITE to be the value leader- not a small consideration, since my funds are hardly unlimited.

Best regards,

Jon




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[Markj]

Thanks Jon for your response. I am giving this serious consideration. I have not placed my order yet but I am close.

[Wireless]

You might also want to look at the new Stewart Firehawk for use with DLP/LCDs...1.36 gain and grey to improve black levels. It has been highly recommended by everyone who has seen it.




John
My HT Picts

[Markj]

John thanks, if I do go ahead with a Stewart it will be the firehawk. I just found out today that masking might not be available on a manual pull down.

[George Bellefontaine]

Yeah, Mark. I believe the masked versions are all electrics.




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[Markj]

George I think you are right. I am not sure if I would to drop the
extra $$ for the electric. More thinking is needed. I wonder if any manual pull down has masking? At least vertical masking?

[George Bellefontaine]

I've never heard of any, Mark.




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[Markj]

George I think you are right again. I have looked at different maker's web pages and it seems only electric screens have masking or fix screens.

So this is the next question. Is vertical mask worth getting? I do colect older 4:3 b/w movies.

[George Bellefontaine]

I found the sidebars distracting when I went with a 16:9 screen. Since it's a wall mounted (metal frame) screen I was able to clip a left and right black panel over the frame whenever I wanted to view 4:3 material. The black panels are made of foamcore. I applied two hinges to the top of each panel and the hinges sit on top of the screen frame. So if you can, a fixed screen may be your answer. But not everyone can put a big 8 foot wide screen on their wall. I just happen to haver a dedicated room so it was easy for me. Now if you don't watch a lot of 4:3 material, maybe the side bars won't bother you. I happen to have quite a few of the older classics ( like Casablanca, Citizen Kane, etc.) in my collection and I just don't enjoy them with the side bars staring me in the eye.




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[Markj]

Unfortunately, I cannot use a fixed screen the HT is in the family room. I also have quite a few older films. I am guessing but b/w films would look much better with masking. So maybe I can come up with away to incorporate your idea George. Or pay more for the screen and get an electric one. I will ask my dealer about the difference in price. Nothing is simple.

[George Bellefontaine]

Good luck, Mark.




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[Wireless]

Mark I'm using a manual screen with masking. I used a frame made of 1x2s from Home Depot and some black velvet from a fabric shop. The masking hangs behind the screen when not in use (screen up or 1.85:1 material. It's really a mask for 2.35:1 Movies only. You can see it on my webpage. The Stewert full masking electric screen retails for somewhere over $4000....ouch




John
My HT Picts

[Markj]

Wireless that HT is amazing, very unique room for an HT. I was thinking about making my own masking if I go with the manual pull down which is most likely. Thanks for sharing your HT pictures.