Carada Screen buyers- Precision or Criterion

[Kenrosencpa]

The Criterion cost about $100 more. You get a wider frame and a bevel. For me I'm not sure its worth the extra cost. The bevel will make it a little more difficult to mask. Which one are you getting?

[jlmza2350]

I just ordered the Criterion frame today. The reason I went with this frame was for cosmetic reasons only. I like the more massive look. I do not believe either one is superior in performance or installation.

For me the extra $$ was worth it.

Maybe David Giles can comment?

[David Giles]

You pretty much nailed it Jim. It's primarily an aesthetic decision. Someone who wants the ultimate "high-end" look in their theater will choose the Criterion Series, while someone who's a little more cost-conscious will likely choose the Precision Series (which is a nice looking frame in its own right). But aside from cost considerations, Ken's right that the bevel on the Criterion could make home-made masking a little more challenging.

David Giles

[PCARACER]

I am getting the precision frame for three reasons.

1. Cost
2. I have limeted space so to get the 110 inch diag to fit my space I need the thinner frame.
3. Since my screen wall is already black velvet, the room is all red and black GOM, you will not be able to see the frame well anyway. A fancy frame would be waisted.

The masking thing is also a consideration. Anybody know of a way to add snaps to the side of the frame and make some snap on masks for this screen? Would make a nice addition.

FWIW..

[Stew4msu]

Originally posted by PCARACER
I am getting the precision frame for three reasons.

1. Cost
2. I have limeted space so to get the 110 inch diag to fit my space I need the thinner frame.
3. Since my screen wall is already black velvet, the room is all red and black GOM, you will not be able to see the frame well anyway. A fancy frame would be waisted.

The masking thing is also a consideration. Anybody know of a way to add snaps to the side of the frame and make some snap on masks for this screen? Would make a nice addition.

FWIW..


These were my exact same reasons as well, except I went for the 126".



Stew

[MrRob]

The whole reason I went with Precision was cost. the power buy was icing on the cake. The frame on the precision is first rate and very well put together. I also have dark red walls. Great product David, really excellent. I and am not going to add "for the money"...

[Sirquack]

what is "Power Buy" that I see refered to often? I assume Carada has specials from time to time where you can buy their screens real cheap :)

[Stew4msu]

They had a power buy that ended in the middle of October for all forum members. It was promoting the introduction of their Criterion screens, but all of their screens were discounted for about 1 month.




Stew

[kwok lau]

Yap, will not be wrong on either choice.
If you need a screen to cover the whole wall (without much space left behind) and the biggest screen viewing surface..........than go for Precision.

If you want to spend +$100 more, to have a better look of the frame, with small viewing surface......than Criterion.

I have a Precision 120" diag, 16:9 BW...........almost covering the entire wall. About 6" left at left and right. Top of the frame is just 2" below the ceiling. I had added Black cardboard papers surrounding the 2" frame too.
Once the light turned down/off and movie on, you won't see the frame anyhow. Dave might kill me with this remark.

Cheers

Kwok

[Norwestie]

I just received my Carada 126" 16:9 BW with the Precision frame last week (love it!). With the front wall painted matte black, the frame completely disappears. See attached pix. My theater is getting close to completion, but still awaiting the finish electrical, carpet, drapes, chairs, acoustical treatments and electronics. But I can watch the picture!!!

[Deckman37]

I went the the Precision. Of course when I bought that's all there was! I would have still gone with it had there been a choice because of the tight space and I wanted the biggest screen I could fit :)

Great product...

[David Giles]

Dave might kill me with this remark.Oh yeah, you're dead meat! Hit man's on the way.




[SIZE=1]Just kidding...[/SIZE] ;)




But just to make sure nobody gets confused by the part about "with small viewing surface", our screens are identified by their viewing surface dimensions (as are all manufacturers' screens). So for instance, if you're trying to decide between a 110" Precision Series or a 110" Criterion Series, the viewing surface will be the exact same on both screens, but the Criterion Series frame will be 2.5" larger in overall height and width (and half an inch deeper).

So in situations where you want the maximum possible viewing surface area, but are limited on the outside frame dimensions, then the Precision Series frame is the obvious choice.

And there's no doubt that the Precision Series is a good looking screen, is a great value, and will give the same image performance as a Criterion Series screen. But a lot of customers do want the extra elegance of the Criterion Series frame. In fact, the ratio of Criterion Series orders to Precision Series orders is greater than I would have expected, which is a good thing because otherwise I might be starting an aluminum-recycling business real soon! :D


Thanks for the comments guys!

David Giles

[funlvr1965]

David I purchased the criterion 103" bright white, theater still under construction so I just hung the frame, first thing I can tell you is that its true what everyone says about the excellent build quality of the frame, and your personal attention to your customers is second to none, I wont attach the screen material till the carpet is laid and the 4 motorized berklines have arrived which will be in a couple of weeks, thanks for a great product and we look forward to more great things from Carada in the future

[kwok lau]

Dave : Excellent explanation. That's why you run the Carada, not Kwok.
Good job.

Cheers.

Kwok

[Bruno1453]

Are you guys saying the power buy is done? I am looking for screens right now and Carada is right up there in the list, but so many people are saying to go Silverstar. BTW, I am thinking about the new Panasonic PT-AE700U.

[kwok lau]

Bruno1453:
Yap, you missed the boat already. But I would say ....Carada is still a good buy for the price. IMO, no need to get a Silverstar for PT-AE700u, unless you have the money to spend now and will upgrade your projector soon. Safe your money for some other things else.......i.e. DVDs, speakers, preamp, amp etc.

Kwok

[Bruno1453]

How good was the deal with Carada?

[jlmza2350]

10% off.

[Bruno1453]

That was a good deal. As always my timing sucks.

[kwok lau]

Hay, take it easy.
Make a quick decision and enjoy the movies.

[funlvr1965]

well I made my decision for the brightwhite criterion 106" and am very happy with the quality of the frame and screen, my projector is the digital projection Ivision Hd hd2+ with 1000 lumens, pic of the screen as it sits in our nearly completed theater....Thanks to David Giles for a great product

[Bruno1453]

Very nice looking. Any close-up shots?

[kwok lau]

Bruno1453 : Take a look of "Carada Brilliant White" below if you haven't. It should give you some insight about that screen.

Kwok

[Bruno1453]

kwok lau - I have been looking, but I also want to make sure I don't lose too much black.

[kwok lau]

I hear you. But AE700 has +2000:1 constrast ratio, but my PTL-300U has 800:1 only. It is a big constrast improvement.

[John Raymond]

Those of you guys that have bought the Carada, did you get the BW or which screen material? I've read the review on the BW and have the urge to either get a carada or da-lite HCCV to use with my Sanyo 60 HT LCD. I currently have a draper pull down HC gray.

[kwok lau]

John :
I have a Brillian White Carada - 120" diag, matching Panasonic PTL-300u (which only has 800:1 contrast ratio). It is a perfect match, NO. But for the money, I think both worth to the last penny.
I have a momitu DVD player that up scale video scanning to "Wide 600" resolution. When playing a Superbit DVD............color and black looks solid. I even got a Korean movie on DVD that looks like High Definition.
Would the picture quality be better, using more expensive screen, YES. But I do not require to use high octane racing car gasoline to an ordinary car. This is my opinion.

[kwok lau]

Reference is made to my former reply.
Pls do NOT base on my former reply and think that Carada BW is NOT a good screen. Former reply was my own opinion on the matching of it with Pan PTL-300U with low contrast ratio. That's why I said the match is not perfect. A grey screen would be better, but my screen size is too big (120") and would be too dim using a grey screen. I traded off the black for brightness and colour. That's why I said earlier that the match of BW with 300U is not a perfect match. If I go for those $2000+ grey screens (don't want to mention the brands here), yes ......picture quality would be better.

I still say the money spent on my BW is well spent at this point.

Kwok

[jasplat88]

Originally posted by Bruno1453
That was a good deal. As always my timing sucks.

Ditto on the timing thing....any chance another Power buy on Carada screens in the next month or two.....Tis the season :)

David...please let us know if you foresee one in the future. Thanks!

-Jason

[DaveInBerlinNJ]

I would not let something like a powerbuy hold me back. It was 10%... waiting a month or two is not worth saving ~$75. (assuming there is ever another powerbuy)

Honest.

Look at it another way: you couldn't pay me $75 to NOT use my Carada screen for a month or two!

[Bruno1453]

For those of us on a budget, $75 here and there makes a big difference!

[Kenrosencpa]

Originally posted by Bruno1453
For those of us on a budget, $75 here and there makes a big difference!

That is one of the reasons I bought the less expensive Precision screen, saved about $100. The power buy saved me about $55, not chicken feed but I would'nt wait for it again as it might not happen again. Also prices seem to drift up over time.
Ken

[kwok lau]

Would share a photo of my carada screen layout , but don't know how to attach it to a message. Can anybody tell me how?

[jasplat88]

Originally posted by Bruno1453
For those of us on a budget, $75 here and there makes a big difference!

I couldn't agree more with this statement. Heck if money weren't an issue I would be buying a Stewart. I would probably agree with Dave *IF* I had a projector already, but since I don't I have the luxury to wait.

[docphi]

Anyone have a phone number to contact Carada? I have an installation question. Thanks!

ps. I just got my 110" Criterion BW. It's awesome! It took longer to unpack it than to put it together. Great quality and construction.

[ay221]

This is link to their website stating on how to contact them
http://www.carada.com/contact.aspx

Here is the quote from that web page:

"Carada, Inc. is a web-based manufacturer/retailer, and one of the ways we are able to bring you such high quality projection screens at incredibly low prices, is by not having a staff of live operators standing by on the phones. But that DOESN’T mean you have to give up great service. Just email us and give us a chance to prove it!"

[suffolk112000]

What I want to know is when is Carada going to develop a masking system for there screens?
I am going to purchasing a screen soon and I wish this was an option.

Craig:)

[ay221]

If I feel I need masking I will do the el-cheapo way. I read someone made a homemade masking by using styrofoam, black velvet, glue and velcro strips.

[Bruno1453]

ay221, I have heard something similar. That is why I am going with the Precision screen since you have more height to deal with. The only problem is all the different aspect ratios to contend with.

[David Giles]

Since this thread is about choosing between the Precision Series and Criterion Series, I thought I'd mention that we have some nice photos, drawings, and the installation instructions for each model, all together on one page now on our website. Check out the "Products" tab at the top of our home page.

Thanks!

David Giles

[kwok lau]

Dave : There shall be a lot of Carada screen owners want to know if you will have Masking accessories for different screen size soon.

I have another question too. Will "BLACK" looks blackier, if change the white (or light coloured) wall to black behind the BW Screen? We all understood that projector's light passes through the screen onto the wall behind. I wonder if the light relection from wall will affect the "BLACK". I can try, but to lazy to do experiment. Do you have any advice?

Kwok

[David Giles]

Hi Kwok,

No masking options in the immediate plans. But you never know what we might come up with in the future! ;)

I can try, but to lazy to do experiment.We've done the experiment ourselves, and the color of the back wall didn't have any visible effect on the image whatsoever. By the way, many tensionable PVC surface materials allow some light to pass through the surface (including Stewart's Studiotek 130).

David Giles

[kwok lau]

David,

I am not concerning the colour, but only the black.

In my thinking, if light (that passed through the screen) bound back from the white wall behind to the screen, the reflected light would change the Black area to be grey in a certain degree. Do you agree? Did you notice this assumption from your experiment?

Kwok

[David Giles]

Good morning Kwok,

Sorry for the confusion, but when I said "color of the back wall", I meant to include black as well as white, yellow, blue, etc. (true, technically black isn't a color, but you have to ask for "black" at the paint counter. :D)

Do you agree?Your logic is sound, but in reality there is no visible impact on black level. Don Stewart himself explained it pretty well here:

Archived thread (http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=133320&highlight=opaque#post133320)

In case that link doesn't work, here's what he said:

Let me do the math. Let say that 3 percent of the light hits the back wall. The wall is dark and at best less than 50 percent will be reflected back towards the back of the screen. Now only 3 percent of that light will get back to the viewing side. That means in the worst case your contrast will be diminished by .045 percent."Of course he mentioned a "dark" wall, so then someone asked if they should put black velvet behind Studiotek material and Don said:

Dear Set.

I think putting Black Velvet behind the screen would pretty much be a waste. You would get a much better return on your investment by placing the same velvet on the wall around the screen in the viewers sight lines.

The perceived contrast would be better and in some cases it will help dampen "indirect" ambient light.And based on our experiments I have to agree with him - it's not worth the effort (especially if one is lazy ;) ).

David Giles

[kwok lau]

Morning Dave:
Good explanation. Tks a lot. I should have used the word "DARK" instead of "Black". I should have rephrased my sentence, by asking if the reflected light from the wall behind the screen will affect the Dark area of the video on the screen. Hee heeeeeeee

Your answer save my time and money to do my own experiment. Why not asked? Have a nice day.

Kwok