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September 15, 2009
SI's Black Diamond Screens - This changes everything
Traditional home theaters can be a lot of fun. Turn on the system, turn off the lights and start the movie.
Being in a dark room, in my opinion, is part of the movie experience. But I don't like watching sports and other programming in a bat cave.
Now you don't have to. SI recently launched their Black Diamond screens. With these screens you can use a front projector and still have some lights on. With a normal screen, if you turn up the lights, the picture is washed out and unwatchable.
SI's Black Diamond screens, combined with projectors that are both rapidly improving and decreasing in price, is a game changer. You can have a huge, high quality picture in a cave... or in a room with lights, as shown below.
This was, in my opinion, the most impressive product at the CEDIA Expo last week. I'm planning to get my hands on an SI Black Diamond screen and give it a test drive. After I do, I'll report back with more details.
In the meantime, check out the video on SI's website.
Posted by Bob Gatton at September 15, 2009 9:28 AM
Comments
If the product is half as good as advertised it's about time. Bottom line is that most consumers don't have the luxury of a truly "dark" room and as a result end up with a suboptimal viewing experience. Consider this in the context of how many more people are spending more time at home and watching more TV (or wherever they get their content) and it represents a big opportunity.
Posted by: Eric V. Greenman at September 16, 2009 11:03 AM
I haven't had the chance to see this screen demonstrated, but if the claims are valid this is a true winner. I agree with your "bat cave" comments and prefer a lighted room for most programming. This might move me to finally getting a projector.
Posted by: John at September 16, 2009 11:36 AM
I saw the demo at CEDIA last week and couldn't agree more. This screen was not only the most impressive product at CEDIA but could be a major player in the way front projection technology is accepted amongst the average consumer.
Posted by: JohnM at September 16, 2009 3:07 PM
Not all that impressed myself. Saw the demo at CDIA and walked away wondering why.
Sunday/Monday night football in a nice dark theater would be OK - or not? What about twi-night doubleheaders? Will we need additional lighting schemes to keep up. This may help customers with unusual rooms they want to repurpose, but a true theater design usually includes effective light control.
With 80+ LCD TV screens more commonly available, huge screens need not be confined to a cave or tied to a projector.
Posted by: Jethro Bodine at September 16, 2009 4:33 PM
I would like to see it in action
Posted by: Mike at September 16, 2009 6:34 PM
Quite impressive. Even with blackout curtains in my basement I still have ambient light from the back of my room. From the demo I saw, I will no longer have any worries....as soon as I get the okay from my better half ;)
Posted by: Chris at September 16, 2009 8:48 PM
I saw it at CEDIA too and it was quite impressive. Not sure quantitatively how much ambient light you can have and it still be effective but it is better than any others I've seen.
Posted by: JZ at September 16, 2009 8:50 PM
Not sure this one would fit my personal lifestyle but I would like to see it before I decide.
Posted by: km at September 17, 2009 10:31 AM
I was impressed by the demo if for only one reason the amount of reflected light off of the Black Diamond was far less that that of the white screen. I know others have tried this in the past but cant remember the reasons for not following through. Would be interested in hearing you evaluation after testing one.
Posted by: Frank at September 17, 2009 12:44 PM
I saw it at CEDIA and could not agree with the story more! What a great way to have a PJ in a Media Room instead of a dedicated Theater.
Posted by: Gerald at September 22, 2009 5:35 PM
