 Actually quite good for the price! |
| Review Date: September 29, 2007 |
| Reviewer: AL, PA USA |
NOTE: This model is widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. This is not mentioned in the product description. (Wrong screen is pictured.)
Now, let me just say in response to all who are complaining about not being able to retract the screen... be patient, and read the instructions. These complainers are most likely from those who have never used a projector screen before. It is admittedly tricky at first, but it takes a little practice. It's a bit more complicated than retracting a simple window shade, but it only needs the right technique. Once you got it down you will truly be happy with this screen.
Now on to the quality. It is obviously not the best out there, but comparing it with other screens costing thousands of dollars this particular brand of screens are an absolute bargain. If paired with a nice projector (I personally use the excellent high definition Panasonic AE700) you will get a most pleasant and film-like picture. The mild texture of the screen does add some tiny sparkling hot-spots, but they are so microscopic in comparison to the enormous size of the rest of the screen, and so subtle, you won't ever be distracted by them. Most importantly, the brightness is impressively uniform throughout. The contrast was also quite impressive for a white, non high-contrast screen. For the price, I was expecting a dull, and washed out image, but to my shock, it performed admirably. There is a definite and obvious increase in both light output, detail, and contrast when using this screen in comparison with a plain wall. On drywall the blacks wash out to a very dull gray and much detail is lost. So in that respect, this screen does it's job, and does it well.
The build quality is average, about what you'd expect at this price point. The screen tends to curve at the edges (right where the black border meets the white part of the screen), but at this price, it might not bother most people. And since it only curves at the masked edge, you will not notice any distortion when watching movies. More expensive screens have tension wires connected to the edges to keep the screen perfectly straight by using gravity to keep the screen stretched horizontally. These are commonly found on electric projector screens. Again, at this price point, the judgement call is yours.
Installation takes careful planning, as projector screens can be quite heavy, and this one does have some heft to it. Be sure to buy good strong hardware and appropriate screws and anchors. Keep in mind that when pulling down on the screen, you create more weight load on your wall. I opted to suspend the screen from its end loops, suspended by hooks attached to 'L' brackets on the wall. This is probably the best way to install your screen. I probably wouldn't trust mounting it by the keyholes in the back of the housing. This area does not look very durable to my eyes and it's only made of plastic.
In conclusion I'll be honest and say that when it comes to projector screens, you definitely get what you pay for. But in the case of Elite brand screens, they are much better than most people think and are perfectly adequate for home theater on a budget, and are perfect for those who are just starting on their first front projection home theater. As for the retracting issue, all I can say is be patient. You'll quickly pick up the technique and will be retracting the screen with ease in no time. It's actually quite easy once you get the hang of it. |
Not A Good Screen.
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| Review Date: December 14, 2007 |
| Reviewer: David M. Boston, |
I bought this screen for a number of reasons.
1 - Because it is much cheaper than the electric version which costs about 4 times more.
2 - It got a good review. and
3 - I was projecting onto a greyish wall and thought a screen would give me a cleaner brighter image while still maintaining good contrast.
I experienced number of problems with this screen:
1 - The packaging is poor. Yes it is held in cardboard box with styrofoam at the ends. But the styrofoam protection was clearly insufficient and was only at the two ends. It had less than one inch from the box. Needless to say the screen got a good shaking up in transit to me and this was evident when i opened the box.
2- I know how to pull out and retract screens. Plus i read the manual carefully and followed the instructions for installation and use. I pulled it out about 80% after installation. When I tried retracting it it never retracted. It just came right out. It never once tried to pull back in. So now it is fully rolled out and is not retracting. I was gentle with it and had followed the retract instructions.
3. It is a step up from using a wall. But the whites are horrid. The overall picture is cleaner but the contrast is not improved infact the blacks are slightly more grey than on the wall cause it is a white screen. The whites sparkle and glisten in a big way. Like there are tiny grains of sand that are reflecting white into all the colors of the rainbow like little diamonds. All the colors except black and white are fine.
I am disappointed with my purchase of this screen. Even if I got a faulty screen The blacks and whites are not properly reproduced. In movies with lots of white like snow scenes the sparkling is very very distracting. |
Spring mechanism broken out of the box!
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| Review Date: January 2, 2008 |
| Reviewer: L. sevilla, Mansfield, Texas United States |
| Brought the box in and when I truned it upright to walk through my hallway I could hear loose parts falling inside the screen housing. Openned box, read instructions and cautiously pulled screen out. The screen came out very easily as if it was not even spring loaded. I was not surprised though, because it would not go back in. Removed the end cap to find the end cap retainer block was in pieces (this is what holds the load on the spring). The plastic is of very poor quality. It is not able to withstand the loads that the spring has on it. So, I am stuck with a screen that will not go up. I would highly recommend another manufacturer. As for me, I will not purchase any other product from Elite. |
Broken out of the box
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| Review Date: June 11, 2010 |
| Reviewer: cg123, |
| As with the other reviewer, I opened the box, pulled out the screen, and the spring mechanism was broken. I opened the mechanism and noticed the cheap plastic axle was broken. The whole mechanism is very low quality, and if it doesn't arrive broken, my guess is that it would break really quickly. |
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