Carada Projection Screens Criterion Series 1.78:1 Projector Screen
Posted in: Hardware Reviews by Jeremy Frost on May 10th, 2006
Carada Screens is a rather new entrant into the Home Theater projection screen market – a market that is pretty much dominated by the two industry leaders – Da-Lite and Stewart Firehawk. Carada may not have the same industry clout and brand recognition as these two powerhouses, but they add one key differentiation point – value. Not to say people will not find Da-Lite and Stewart Firehawk to be of good value, but the cost associated with getting a on of these products will be felt in the pocketbook.
Ca…ada is able to provide great products at a far more reasonable price due to their direct marketing business plan. You will not find these screens in your local Home Theater store – Carada has chosen to cut out middle man, sell direct over the internet, putting the savings in your hand. This internet-sales model does have its drawbacks, mainly the fact that you cannot see (in person) the product before purchase… but that is where reviews like this come in handy.
Features and Build Quality
The “Criterion Series” screen we received was 114 inches in a 1.78:1 widescreen format. On arrival, the screen was packaged very well – ensuring that it would be in perfect condition when assembled. In total, the package contained the frame (which came in four separate pieces), the screen, mounting brackets, and minor hardware (screws, etc.).
After unpacking the individual pieces that make up the screen, I started the assembly. The instructions were very clear, walking me through every step of the process. The frame assembly was very simple – but attaching the screen to the frame is another story. The screen must be pulled tight so that there are not ripples in the screen when attached to the frame. Once pulled tight, the screen snaps to the back side of the frame. The stretching of the screen and snapping to the frame I found to be quite a chore. This process took me near 45 minutes, and caused me quite a struggle – but is a necessary evil to make sure you have a perfectly flat surface.
Thankfully, once the assembly was completed, I was very impressed with the final product. The finishing was beautiful. The frame is finished with in “Black Hole™” velvet trim, making it look great, and helping to prevent image bleeding from the screen. But be warned – if you have a pet that sheds, this frame fabric will pick up every bit of hair in the air.
The screen attaches to the wall with two simple brackets, making the positioning and mounting extremely user friendly. The steel corner braces add some rigidity to the structure – making the screen feel very secure once mounted. The end product is a beautiful looking, reasonably easy to assemble projection screen. But how does it perform…
Performance
Our front projector is a Panasonic PT-AE900U-EC , and due to its (and most current HD Home Theater projectors) improved contrast levels, we requested a “Classic Cinema” white screen rather then a grey screen. If you are running a projector that has a lower contrast level (say 2000:1) and/or do not have full control over lighting in your room, you may wish to use a grey screen rather then the white.
The screen did a great job in broadcasting the image from our projector. The image size of 1.78:1 is perfect for HD broadcasts, as well as for many of today’s DVD releases. The image quality has much to do with the projector being used, but the screen could handle everything the projector could throw its way – reflecting just the right amount of light. The screen was pulled so tight that it eliminated any possible surface imperfections you might find in some screens, and any image bleed was eliminated by the “Black Hole™” velvet trim.
Final Thoughts
After viewing a number of movies on this screen, I must say that I was very impressed. Not only did it perform as well as expected, it also looked beautiful in the process. With so many options in the marketplace – from simple painted wall applications to high end (uber expensive) screens – Carada has hit the mark with their internet-direct strategy. Not only do you get the best bang for your buck, your level of quality does not have to be compromised in any way. If you are looking for a great projector screen – look no further than Carada Screens.
Screenshots
