Recommended screens for 3D projectors

[Suave]

Hey everyone,

This is mostly a question of Mike but if anyone would like to share their opinion on the topic please feel free to chime in

We're looking to upgrade the projection screen in our test lab to one that's suitable for testing 3D projectors. There are now several 3D projector models available on the market from brands such as JVC, LG, Sony, Sharp, Mitsubishi, Optoma, SIM2 and Runco.

The problem is that the 3D projector category is a mess right now - since three different types of 3D projector systems are available: Active Systems, Passive Infitech or SuperAnaglyph, and Passive Polarized Systems.

My understanding is that Active Systems and Passive Infitech or SuperAnaglyph will work on any screen. Passive Polarized Systems however require a special polarized screen.

The question is, will upgrading to a polarized screen allow us to test all variations of 3D and 2D projectors? Will the quality of 2D suffer if we use a polarized screen? Also, Mike do you have any suggestions as to a brand/model of screen that would allow us to test future 2D and 3D projectors?

[Mike Osadciw]

Hi Suave - big questions...but some simple answers.

Screens designed for 3-D will destroy 2-D images.

As you've stated, 3-D is a mess right now. To tell people they need to different screens like some screen companies are saying is rediculous. I personally would not support any 3-D display technology that requires a special polarized screen.

The screen should be high-preformance for 2-D...same as always. The picture quality issues are within the glasses and display device using these glasses. This is the area that needs improvement.

We all know 3-D is a bit of a mess. We can calibrate 3-D, but there will always be compromises made because of those glasses...and there are too many variations between pairs within the same manufacturer's line!

Rule of thumb is keep 2-D correct...industry professionals know it...screen companies may say otherwise because it's something new to sell. Would you watch 2-D on a super bright silver screen? ...let's not make the same mistakes as the past...and let's cross our fingers that 3-D will move forward in the right direction rather than the wrong one.

[Suave]

Thank you for your input Mike - it's much appreciated!

Based the research I've done and your advice, I decided not go with a polarized screen for 3D because it would damage 2D viewing. And besides I believe that only one of the brands which I mention above offers a passive polarized projector - that company being LG. Most of the other manufacturers offer active 3D projectors.

Hence my question is now different...

We currently use an Elite Screens Home2 Series Electric Screen Home90IWH2 (a 90-inch screen that has a gain of 1.1). This screen then, will allow us to test all 2D and 3D projectors, with the exception of 3D passive polarized models.

My question is - would there be any benefit in upgrading this screen to something from the likes of Stewart Filmscreen? If so, what would the picture benefits be and is there any particular product line from Stewart that you would recommend?

[Mike Osadciw]

Hi Suave

White screens can be a bit difficult to judge without measuring against a reference. Some things I like to look for are:

- the texture of the screen surface. Generally, the more bumpy it is, the more artefacts it'll create
- reflective beading - if there is a glitter to the screen with an image on it (as you shift your head side to side, up or down) I tend to be careful of how much...you don't want to notice it from the seating position or else it is considered a video artefact (something that doesn't belong in the image)
- tint of the screen - the darker it is, the less accurate the colour reflected off of it will be. Generally, white screens are the best for colour reproduction, dark screens are good for bright projectors in rooms with modest light (to get some black).

You have a non-tensioned model which I never recommend mainly because there is always uniformity issues. They are GREAT for price but do take a performance hit...lol...and you know how much I care about performance! The distance between the edges of the screen to the center...warping of the screen from moving up and down...age....will make it look like there are dark and bright spots all over the screen. I've seen manual/motorized non-tensioned screens that curl at the edges!

I took a look at the PDF on your screen. I can't comment specifically on ELITE Screens in regards to performance. There have been a wide range of screens that have entered the market over the past several years (especially budget ones) and they all claim a variety of things. Years ago I attended a screen shoot-out in Ontario where manufacturers provided screens and listed observations. It was open to the public...well, members of a forum who signed up to come. It was interesting to see how they all performed. I calibrated a projector to a known reference screen there...and we swapped screens in and out to see how the image changed... you could dramatically see one looked more pink, green, brighter, darker (in relation to gain) with the direct swap. While the projector is calibrated to the screen surface type in a real world environment to compensate for these differences (hence the reason why projection calibration is crucial), we can see what the screen does in relation to a reference. Knowing these differences helps people select a screen right for their application.