Center Stage XD^™ Our new screen material is fully available for DIY screens!  We tripled the hole density to 1500+ holes per square inch, increased the gain to 1.2, and improved the acoustic transparency by +0.5dB from 2kHz-20kHz.  The finer weave allows you to sit closer to the screen with less visible texture.  When both video AND audio performance are considered, the new Center Stage XD is the best A.T. screen material available anywhere at any price.  Imagine comparing the screen you made for $300 and realizing it outperforms screens costing thousands.

Tilted Cuts and Moiré The Center Stage XD has built in features in the weave to help reduce the chance that the material will moiré when used with a digital projector and having the holes and threads be level, horizontally and vertically.  We use the material in this non-tilted fashion on retractables all the time and have only had a few cases, with smaller images of moiré occurring.

With our fixed frame screens, we angle the cut to all but the largest fixed frame screens and have never had a case of moiré.  The only reason not to use a tilted cut for your DIY material is savings.  Getting a tilted cut does not mean any weird angles for your screen.  See the illustration to show you what we do.  In fact, if we do this for you, the only way you know something is different is if you look closely at the material you'll notice that the holes and threads aren't level, horizontal and vertical, but are instead sloped an an angle.  You just use the material as it arrives and it's guaranteed to be projector proof. Typically, having us do the precision cutting for you only costs $35 to $45. 

Options  We have available a limited set of options that follow our standard production processes and materials that we can add to your DIY screen to reduce the Y a bit.

• Grommets  We can install grommets for you, so that you can build our trampoline-style dynamic tension system and still tell others you made the screen.  We space them average 6" apart, with their centers 5/8" from the edge of the material.  At typical screen uses 45 to 65, depending on size.  Price is $3 each.
• O-Rings  While the grommets allow you to use lacing cord or springs, some people like to get that one step closer to our fixed frame goodness by using our o-rings.  $0.59 each
• Fidelio Velvet  We now sell the highest quality velvet available anywhere, not just for our fixed frame screens and panels, but for staple jockeys everywhere.  It's 48" width easily accommodates four frame pieces and typical masking panel sizes.

Here is a (hopefully) helpful guide on building your own fixed frame screen.  It's not rocket surgery and nearly anyone can get a top-performing fixed frame screen for much, much less than currently available manufactured options.  DIYFixedFrame.pdf (Rev. 5/08, 848k)  If you are interested in a higher-end version, Bob Gallo offers this DIY guide using maple for the frame and the splining method.  DIYFixedFrameGallo.pdf (Rev 2/09, 398k)

Both sides of the Center Stage XD screen material are the same, however we inspect the inside of the roll to ensure that there are no blemishes.

Here is a recommended viewing angle calculator: Viewing Distance Calculator

Here is a recommended source for black velvet: Black Plush Triple Velvet

Retrofit into your current frame  In case you already have a metal frame that you're happy with and just want to upgrade it with the Center Stage XD screen material, check out this thread.

Curved screens  There is no acoustical or brightness benefit to building a curved screen with Center Stage screen material.  The only benefits are elimination of pincushion or bowtie distortion from your anamorphic lens and the general coolness of the screen look.  Here's a good build thread on a curved screen.  The only thing we'd add is that you don't need 50 clamps - you can just use the concave part from the MDF that you cut the convex from and a few clamps.  If you do have 50 clamps, you're a stud.  If you don't have any clamps, try cutting the curved frame sections from a couple 2x6s.

We believe about half of what you're hearing is the room itself, so best practice would dictate that a healthy chunk of your audio budget go to acoustically treating your room.  While vertically aligning your front speakers on the same horizontal plane, spacing them from reflection points, and losing the coffee table are free, an investment in room absorption panels, Green Glue and other sound isolation products pays off generously.  Your exploding robots will sound better, and others nearby will no doubt appreciate hearing less sound leakage.  Go to Sound Isolation Store to buy Green Glue and other supplies.