Need advice on purchase

[jecook]

Need some help buying a screen. I am not a media type person, but if any gets done around the two churches I pastor, I get to do it. We are setting up a projection presentation for the Motorcycle expo in Indianapolis (for Riders of Faith Church), using a del 1210 s projector. We need a screen. The matte white are cheaper, but one sit said I need a high contrast gray screen for full ambient light. Not wanting to waste what little money we have, I am looking for advice. What do I need?

[Brad Weber]

If you are looking for a specific suggestion then we need to know a bit more about the situation. What size screen or how large an audience area? Is the audience area narrow and deep or wide and shallow? What is the content being displayed? What might the ambient light levels be like? What kind of screen (tripod, permanent fixed, electric, portable, etc.) is required?

Is this for just this single use? If so then you might consider renting a screen rather than purchasing one.

[jecook]

We are setting up at a trade show setting. Our both will be 10 x 10 foot, so the projector will be about 8 foot from the screen. We will projecting a PowerPoint show with both text and pictures. We will not be using video at this time, but may at a later date. The ambient light will be whatever is in the room, probably full lighting. We are looking at the draper diplomat, 60 x 60. The question is, do we need the gray or will white be ok. There is about a $50 difference in price. I have read that in full light, the gray works better, but some things I have read confuses me and want to make the best choice. Thanks for your help.

[robertwh]

I would not waste my money on a square format screen. Why not consider a 4:3 or 16:9 format? Nothing is done in square format anymore. You should be fine with a white screen if you are doing only text and photos. The grey screens are high contrast and better for video which your projector will not do well anyway since it is SXGA resolution.

[Stever]

Agree with Robert 4:3 is the way to go with an SVGA (800x600) projector.
As long as the lamp is not to old your 2500 lumens should be ok.
Keep in mind that in a 10x10 booth your throw distance will likely be 9' or less. With your projector's lens you will likely max out @ 54" wide screen.
http://www.projectorpeople.com/proje...me=Dell 1210S#
Check the image calculator and you can play with the throw distance and see what size screens you get with different throw distance.

[Don C.]

Another option to consider is a product called Screen Goo.
It's a special screen paint really, I used it with excellent
results, works great!!
http://www.goosystems.com/

It has a couple of questions that you answer to determine
the correct color (gray or white) that works best for your
specific projector and determines the amount of product
to do the job so you end up with a custom made screen
especialy for your projector and environment.
http://www.goosystems.com/calculator/

[Brad Weber]

Screen Goo may not be the best solution for a trade show application, that would typically entail something that is easy to setup and transport.

It might also be worth noting that the original posts were in December of last year and I believe the event occurred in February, so all the responses now might be a bit too late to help Dr. Cook. If that is true it would be nice to know how things worked out.