[Community of A/V Enthusiasts]

What is the best projector/screen combination available right now?

I'm curious. For the home theater application; What are the top five projectors one would actually put in the house? How about screens? OK experts and reviewers: How 'bout it!

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Permalink Reply by Chris Eberle on August 15, 2009 at 12:29pm: Speaking strictly of projectors I've worked with:
1. Anthem LTX-500
2. Sony VPL-VW60
3. Epson 6500UB
4. Mitsubishi HC7000
5. Panasonic AE3000U

I had a Panasonic AE2000U but I sold it when the Anthem came along a few months ago.

If you're considering a purchase, what is your viewing environment like? My picks are based on a small to medium theater with total light control. There are many other projectors out there that may be better suited for large theaters or rooms with some ambient light. The features of your theater must be taken into account.

I haven't tried too many screens but I am very happy with my Carada. I've seen some Stewart's that performed extremely well. I was also impressed with the SI Black Diamond II if ambient light is an issue.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by T. Rodney Tatum on August 15, 2009 at 2:53pm: What is the difference between the Anthem and the JVC's?

Chris Eberle said:
Speaking strictly of projectors I've worked with:
1. Anthem LTX-500
2. Sony VPL-VW60
3. Epson 6500UB
4. Mitsubishi HC7000
5. Panasonic AE3000U

I had a Panasonic AE2000U but I sold it when the Anthem came along a few months ago.

If you're considering a purchase, what is your viewing environment like? My picks are based on a small to medium theater with total light control. There are many other projectors out there that may be better suited for large theaters or rooms with some ambient light. The features of your theater must be taken into account.

I haven't tried too many screens but I am very happy with my Carada. I've seen some Stewart's that performed extremely well. I was also impressed with the SI Black Diamond II if ambient light is an issue.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by NekoAudio on August 16, 2009 at 10:33am: I'm currently using an Epson 6500UB and Carada Classic Cinema White screen. I'm very happy with it. The frame interpolation creates some distracting artifacts, if you are sensitive to that, but I leave frame interpolation on because what it does to the perceived video quality is amazing.

I still recommend blackout cloth for a budget screen; it is very good screen material.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 16, 2009 at 4:41pm: The situation now is that most projectors have a pretty good contrast ratio, so there is no need to over-worry about the projection screen. It used to be that you should get a screen with 1.0 gain or slightly lower because the contrast ratio was low, but that is not the case anymore. Nevertheless, I like the Stewart Grayhawk (Gain of about 0.9) because I can sit off axis without any dropoff in brightness.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stephen Hornbrook on January 27, 2010 at 8:58am: If you have the correct setup (shelf mounted projector) I find the Da-Lite hi-power screen to be phenomenal. I just love the pop it gives to the image. it really is like watching a giant TV. works great with the epson 6500UB. its pretty amazing what you can get from a $2k 1080p projector these days.; ▶ Reply to This