TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Real World Review: Da-Lite Deluxe Insta-Theater

Volume Number: 24
Issue Number: 11
Column Tag: Real World Review

Real World Review: Da-Lite Deluxe Insta-Theater

by Dennis Sellers and Neil Ticktin


Many of us watch a movie on our Mac from time to time. Generally, that works out pretty well. But sometimes size does matter, and even if you have a 30-inch Cinema Display, a bigger screen for viewing movies is always a great thing.

One good solution, if it fits your budget, is tricking out your Mac with a projector and a stow-away screen (as well as, optimally, a good sound system). We looked around the market, and found a solid screen choice is the Da-Lite Deluxe Insta-Theater. And then put it to some real world use. First impression? Wow. Simply wow. Not sure how else to put it.

It's available in 60, 80 and 100 inch diagonal sizes in NTSC Video format and 73 and 90 inch diagonal sizes in HDTV format. List prices range from $490 for the 60-incher (video format) to $740 for 90-inch model (HDTV) with Da-Lite's Wide Power screen surface. However, you can find them for much less if you shop around.

What's Wide Power? According to the folks at Da-Lite, it's a screen surface that combines the features of a higher gain screen surface of 2.2 with a wider 45 degree viewing angle. The smooth acrylic surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water.

The big advantage the Da-Lite screen has over many of its competitors is the ease of setting it up, then storing it when it's not being used. The Deluxe Insta-Theater sports a pneumatic scissors mechanism in an aluminum case for raising and lowering the screen surface. To set it up, release and raise the extension arm. Unroll the screen to the height you need. Then, well, that's it.

The Deluxe Insta-Theater is sturdy as it sits directly on the floor using two thin feet that swing out to 11.5 inches in length. The pneumatic scissors mechanism helps stabilize and balance the screen when it's fully extended, as well as helping ensure the screen surface doesn't warp. That said, if you use it outside, a breeze will catch it easily and you may want to tie it down. Furthermore, if someone walks briskly behind it, you would see their air disruption as you would on any screen.

We used it not only in inside settings, but outside settings (both day and night) and found the screen to be bright, ridiculously easy to set up, and a pleasure to use.

When you're done with the screen, press the center of the handle atop the screen and the device smoothly slides back into its case. Said case is only 4.5 inches around with the stabilizer feet retracted.

Da-Lite also makes a series of black nylon cases for the screens to help protect them during transport. The cases range in price from $52 to $90, depending on the model.

The Da-Lite Deluxe Insta-Theater is lightweight (the heaviest model is around 20 pounds), so it's also good for traveling or business presentations (but watching movies on it is a lot more fun). There's also a Theater-Lite version that has no pneumatic scissor mechanism; it sets up by releasing and raising the extension arm, then unrolling the screen to the preferred height.

The Deluxe Insta-Theater is geared more towards traveling professionals, while the Theater Lite is designed with family use and/or gaming rooms in mind. The Lite version comes in 60 and 80 inches with list prices of $350 and $398, respectively. However, note that Da-Lite's Wide Power is only available on the Deluxe Insta-Theater screen line.

Available from www.dalite.com

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Top Mobile Game Discounts
Every day, we pick out a curated list of the best mobile discounts on the App Store and post them here. This list won't be comprehensive, but it every game on it is recommended. Feel free to check out the coverage we did on them in the links... | Read more »
Price of Glory unleashes its 1.4 Alpha u...
As much as we all probably dislike Maths as a subject, we do have to hand it to geometry for giving us the good old Hexgrid, home of some of the best strategy games. One such example, Price of Glory, has dropped its 1.4 Alpha update, stocked full... | Read more »
The SLC 2025 kicks off this month to cro...
Ever since the Solo Leveling: Arise Championship 2025 was announced, I have been looking forward to it. The promotional clip they released a month or two back showed crowds going absolutely nuts for the previous competitions, so imagine the... | Read more »
Dive into some early Magicpunk fun as Cr...
Excellent news for fans of steampunk and magic; the Precursor Test for Magicpunk MMORPG Crystal of Atlan opens today. This rather fancy way of saying beta test will remain open until March 5th and is available for PC - boo - and Android devices -... | Read more »
Prepare to get your mind melted as Evang...
If you are a fan of sci-fi shooters and incredibly weird, mind-bending anime series, then you are in for a treat, as Goddess of Victory: Nikke is gearing up for its second collaboration with Evangelion. We were also treated to an upcoming... | Read more »
Square Enix gives with one hand and slap...
We have something of a mixed bag coming over from Square Enix HQ today. Two of their mobile games are revelling in life with new events keeping them alive, whilst another has been thrown onto the ever-growing discard pile Square is building. I... | Read more »
Let the world burn as you have some fest...
It is time to leave the world burning once again as you take a much-needed break from that whole “hero” lark and enjoy some celebrations in Genshin Impact. Version 5.4, Moonlight Amidst Dreams, will see you in Inazuma to attend the Mikawa Flower... | Read more »
Full Moon Over the Abyssal Sea lands on...
Aether Gazer has announced its latest major update, and it is one of the loveliest event names I have ever heard. Full Moon Over the Abyssal Sea is an amazing name, and it comes loaded with two side stories, a new S-grade Modifier, and some fancy... | Read more »
Open your own eatery for all the forest...
Very important question; when you read the title Zoo Restaurant, do you also immediately think of running a restaurant in which you cook Zoo animals as the course? I will just assume yes. Anyway, come June 23rd we will all be able to start up our... | Read more »
Crystal of Atlan opens registration for...
Nuverse was prominently featured in the last month for all the wrong reasons with the USA TikTok debacle, but now it is putting all that behind it and preparing for the Crystal of Atlan beta test. Taking place between February 18th and March 5th,... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

AT&T is offering a 65% discount on the ne...
AT&T is offering the new iPhone 16e for up to 65% off their monthly finance fee with 36-months of service. No trade-in is required. Discount is applied via monthly bill credits over the 36 month... Read more
Use this code to get a free iPhone 13 at Visi...
For a limited time, use code SWEETDEAL to get a free 128GB iPhone 13 Visible, Verizon’s low-cost wireless cell service, Visible. Deal is valid when you purchase the Visible+ annual plan. Free... Read more
M4 Mac minis on sale for $50-$80 off MSRP at...
B&H Photo has M4 Mac minis in stock and on sale right now for $50 to $80 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – M4 Mac mini (16GB/256GB): $549, $50 off... Read more
Buy an iPhone 16 at Boost Mobile and get one...
Boost Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering one year of free Unlimited service with the purchase of any iPhone 16. Purchase the iPhone at standard MSRP, and then choose... Read more
Get an iPhone 15 for only $299 at Boost Mobil...
Boost Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering the 128GB iPhone 15 for $299.99 including service with their Unlimited Premium plan (50GB of premium data, $60/month), or $20... Read more
Unreal Mobile is offering $100 off any new iP...
Unreal Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering a $100 discount on any new iPhone with service. This includes new iPhone 16 models as well as iPhone 15, 14, 13, and SE... Read more
Apple drops prices on clearance iPhone 14 mod...
With today’s introduction of the new iPhone 16e, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and SE. In response, Apple has dropped prices on unlocked, Certified Refurbished, iPhone 14 models to a... Read more
B&H has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros on sa...
B&H Photo is offering a $360-$410 discount on new 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Max CPUs right now. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – 16″ M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB/... Read more
Amazon is offering a $100 discount on the M4...
Amazon has the M4 Pro Mac mini discounted $100 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Their price is the lowest currently available for this popular mini: – Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB/512GB): $1299, $100... Read more
B&H continues to offer $150-$220 discount...
B&H Photo has 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros on sale for $150-$220 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – 14″ M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB): $1449, $150 off MSRP – 14″ M4... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.