Re: Silver screens

[Michael Kaplan <mkaplan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just received my Da-Lite Super Wonderlite screen and set it up next to 
my older Da-Lite Silver Pacer. As most of you know, the SWL has 40 
vertical lines per inch, while the old Pacer has 25.

I projected a stereo image that had a large white area in it, using a TDC 
116 at a distance of 12 feet from the screens, which were set up side by 
side. Viewing the image, split over 2 screens, with glasses, I noted that 
the lines on the SWL became visible at about 7 feet from the screen, 
while the lines on the old Pacer became visible at about 12 feet.

The big difference, though, was in brightness. I would estimate the older 
surface to be about 20% brighter than the SWL. Both screens remained 
bright within a 45 degree viewing angle (22.5 degrees off axis). Further 
off axis, the SWL was slightly, though not significantly, brighter.

A note of caution about ordering through B&H. I did this by telephone. 
When I received the screen, my name had been seriously misspelled, and 
the package was addressed to the wrong department in the university. 
Based on this experience, I would suggest ordering by mail or fax.

Finally, the screen was shipped directly from Da-Lite with two 
manufacturing defects. Right now, the screen is on its way back to 
Indiana. Da-Lite has cheerfully (and thankfully) agreed to replace it.

I also got a brochure on the Da-Curve silver screen (similar to the 
Ektalite). Here's Da-Lite's description:

A front projection screen that is ideal when high ambient light is a 
problem. The Da-Curve has a horizontal dispersion of 120 degrees and a 
vertical dispersion of 60 degrees. The screen comes standard as a wall 
mount unit and an optional floor stand is available. Screen gain 8.0. 84" 
diagonal. (53" high, 70" wide)



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Michael Kaplan
Associate Professor of Architecture
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
mkaplan@xxxxxxx


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