Question:
Just about to get my first ever projector and want to get a good quality screen for it.
Have been advised that they are rather simple to make at home in good old DIY fashion but no one can give me tips how.
So can anyone here help ?
I will be keeping my TV for regular TV watching and want the screen to drop down or be positioned rather easily in front of it for when I want to watch a movie.
The screen is to be about 60" wide ( left to right ) and like I say needs to be easily put into position when its needed.
What about black out material - seems rather cheap to buy - but how much would I need and how can I install it so its not always there ?
Some people say a large piece of MDF painted is a good idea but unfortunatly this would not be practable as it would not be a perminant thing and there would be no place to store the screen when not in use.
So can you help ?
The MDF screen is the simplest and cheapest option although it does have to be a permanent setup.... I think you've already realised this!
If you're investing in a projector then you should buy a screen to get the best results - I picked mine up 2nd hand for £175 (80" by 45") so check the classified on www.avforums.com. You might be able to get one from Gordon or one of the other preofessional installers.
If you have a screen like the Da-Lite model B, the edges are black so you won't need blackout material. It depends if the projector you are using spills light (typically a 4:3 panel projecting a 16:9 source).
The only other option is to project onto a wall.
Thanks - projecting onto a wall is also out of the question as the DVD would be in the way :(
My current thought is to build my own screen using a good quality piece of black out material.
This I would attatch to a long roller blind and hang from the ceiling - I would then have a long piece of velcro on my TV stand and the same again at the bottom of the screen to keep it nice and tight.
Like I said thats just my current thought. I realise by keeping the TV I am cutting down somewhat on my options for a screen but as much as I like the thought of a big screen when I get up in the mornings I dont fancy watching the news on a 5ft screen !
I have read somewhere that a rollerblind can be used - I have a blackout rollerblind over the window and the screen pulls down in front of that.
You could try a weighted bar/tube on the bottom of the roller-blind to keep it rigid..... that's essentially what my Da-Lite screen does! As long as there's no air currents, it should be OK.
My setups are different rooms so I use the TV for normal viewing and use the pull-down screen and projector in my "cinema" room.
Hi Duncan, I orderd my 3 mtrs of blackout material from J.L's last week for just under £20, I have gone to a local carpenter and he is building me a 170cm X 98cm frame made out of 5cm timber, this I will cover with matt black material from my local market. The Blackout material will be painted with the grey storm no 5 paint and then tacked to the back of the frame.
I got all the info from a web site, Ill go and look for it Duncan and I'll post it up here for ya!
cheers Steve
Thanks mate - now any idea how to convert it all into a rollerblind type system ?
Mine was simple..a 80" whiteboard for 6 quids. Painted matte grey for added 3-D effect for LCD Projector and the borders I painted black, about 4 inches deep..so its like a huge telly! No reflections or annoying light at the edge.
EDIT: However this is quite impractical so ignore this information, except others browsing this thread who might find it useful. :|
How come people always reply to my posts so fast before I have a chance to edit them? Amazing.
That would be great, but as stated I can not have a fixed screen due to me wanting to keep my TV for normal viewing - also have no place to store such a large screen and do not want to have to keep setting it up each time I want to watch a film
Its definatly going to have to be some kind of roller screen system, just need the know how
hi look here (http://icd.internetphotoservices.co.uk/public/detail.html?c_album=114716)
this guy use a rollerblind painted grey for his screen
Now thats the sort of thing im after
Just concerned about painting something which will be rolled up - will the paint not chip and crack ?
Will I not be better getting material which is already that color ?
I use a rollerblind for my VW10. It's a pale grey, matt, blackout blind which was bought from a local manufacturer. However, mine was custom made at 8 feet wide. For a 5 foot width, you will be able to buy one from stock eg. from John Lewis for (guess) about £50 - £60. At this width, I guess you won't have any problems with it hanging straight - the weight at the bottom will probably tension it sufficiently.
this (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46852) should help dunc
Have been advised that they are rather simple to make at home in good old DIY fashion but no one can give me tips how.
So can anyone here help ?
I will be keeping my TV for regular TV watching and want the screen to drop down or be positioned rather easily in front of it for when I want to watch a movie.
The screen is to be about 60" wide ( left to right ) and like I say needs to be easily put into position when its needed.
What about black out material - seems rather cheap to buy - but how much would I need and how can I install it so its not always there ?
Some people say a large piece of MDF painted is a good idea but unfortunatly this would not be practable as it would not be a perminant thing and there would be no place to store the screen when not in use.
So can you help ?
Answers:
The MDF screen is the simplest and cheapest option although it does have to be a permanent setup.... I think you've already realised this!
If you're investing in a projector then you should buy a screen to get the best results - I picked mine up 2nd hand for £175 (80" by 45") so check the classified on www.avforums.com. You might be able to get one from Gordon or one of the other preofessional installers.
If you have a screen like the Da-Lite model B, the edges are black so you won't need blackout material. It depends if the projector you are using spills light (typically a 4:3 panel projecting a 16:9 source).
The only other option is to project onto a wall.
Answers:
Thanks - projecting onto a wall is also out of the question as the DVD would be in the way :(
My current thought is to build my own screen using a good quality piece of black out material.
This I would attatch to a long roller blind and hang from the ceiling - I would then have a long piece of velcro on my TV stand and the same again at the bottom of the screen to keep it nice and tight.
Like I said thats just my current thought. I realise by keeping the TV I am cutting down somewhat on my options for a screen but as much as I like the thought of a big screen when I get up in the mornings I dont fancy watching the news on a 5ft screen !
Answers:
I have read somewhere that a rollerblind can be used - I have a blackout rollerblind over the window and the screen pulls down in front of that.
You could try a weighted bar/tube on the bottom of the roller-blind to keep it rigid..... that's essentially what my Da-Lite screen does! As long as there's no air currents, it should be OK.
My setups are different rooms so I use the TV for normal viewing and use the pull-down screen and projector in my "cinema" room.
Answers:
Hi Duncan, I orderd my 3 mtrs of blackout material from J.L's last week for just under £20, I have gone to a local carpenter and he is building me a 170cm X 98cm frame made out of 5cm timber, this I will cover with matt black material from my local market. The Blackout material will be painted with the grey storm no 5 paint and then tacked to the back of the frame.
I got all the info from a web site, Ill go and look for it Duncan and I'll post it up here for ya!
cheers Steve
Answers:
Thanks mate - now any idea how to convert it all into a rollerblind type system ?
Answers:
Mine was simple..a 80" whiteboard for 6 quids. Painted matte grey for added 3-D effect for LCD Projector and the borders I painted black, about 4 inches deep..so its like a huge telly! No reflections or annoying light at the edge.
EDIT: However this is quite impractical so ignore this information, except others browsing this thread who might find it useful. :|
How come people always reply to my posts so fast before I have a chance to edit them? Amazing.
Answers:
That would be great, but as stated I can not have a fixed screen due to me wanting to keep my TV for normal viewing - also have no place to store such a large screen and do not want to have to keep setting it up each time I want to watch a film
Its definatly going to have to be some kind of roller screen system, just need the know how
Answers:
hi look here (http://icd.internetphotoservices.co.uk/public/detail.html?c_album=114716)
this guy use a rollerblind painted grey for his screen
Answers:
Now thats the sort of thing im after
Just concerned about painting something which will be rolled up - will the paint not chip and crack ?
Will I not be better getting material which is already that color ?
Answers:
I use a rollerblind for my VW10. It's a pale grey, matt, blackout blind which was bought from a local manufacturer. However, mine was custom made at 8 feet wide. For a 5 foot width, you will be able to buy one from stock eg. from John Lewis for (guess) about £50 - £60. At this width, I guess you won't have any problems with it hanging straight - the weight at the bottom will probably tension it sufficiently.
Answers:
this (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46852) should help dunc
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