What have you guys found is the best gain for your projection screens? I made some rough measurements of the room where I'm going to have the projector and the entire audience should be no more the +- 45 degrees off axis. I think I want to keep the gain between 1.0 and 1.5. I'm not too fond of just painting an area of the wall with a special paint because that may result in an uneven picture. How are those screens on ebay that are typically matte white with 1.0 or 1.1 gain? Also, did anyone ever buy their own projection fabric and stretch it across a frame?
A while ago some one was thinking about using Photo-Paper, has anyone tried it?
I've to an old silver Singer screen that I got for free, but comparing it to my untreated white wall I couldn't decide what looked better, so now I just use the wall, but the other day I was in the Fabric store(looking for some grill cloth for speakers) and I saw the "black-out" drape liner but next to it was something called "artistic canvas" which look like a good canidate to try!
I've to an old silver Singer screen that I got for free, but comparing it to my untreated white wall I couldn't decide what looked better, so now I just use the wall, but the other day I was in the Fabric store(looking for some grill cloth for speakers) and I saw the "black-out" drape liner but next to it was something called "artistic canvas" which look like a good canidate to try!
Don't use photo paper. You will get a nasty bright spot of light reflecting back at you.
Before I bought my Da-Lite screen, I looked at many different options. Bedsheets, paper, painted walls, all of them were terrrible compared to an actual screen. My favorite screen materialsare the glass beaded, silver screens, (of which most are too small) and video spectra.
Out of those, I believe the glass beaded is the brightest, the silver has the best contrast, and the Video Spectra is a great balance of both.
Before I bought my Da-Lite screen, I looked at many different options. Bedsheets, paper, painted walls, all of them were terrrible compared to an actual screen. My favorite screen materialsare the glass beaded, silver screens, (of which most are too small) and video spectra.
Out of those, I believe the glass beaded is the brightest, the silver has the best contrast, and the Video Spectra is a great balance of both.
Hi everyone,
I hope we can keep this particular thread alive. Seeing as this is a DIY thread, I was hoping we could get some more comments about DIY screens. I feel funny posting on that AVS Forum since I only have a DIY projector and not some fancy HDTV projector. But anyways, after basically finishing my LCD/OHP system, I was hoping to get some improvement on my DIY Screen.
I am basically just projecting onto a white painted wall.
Among my own experiments, I was most impressed by the brightness of white Pearlescent paint, except the viewing angle was not very wide.
There were lots of home made formulas on the AVS forum, but I am afraid all of these paint formulas with metallic additives will all be limited in viewing angles.
I am hoping I can see a Goo screen some day, but still that paint is kind of expensive for DIY projects.
So I hope everyone who reads this thread, posts their screen findings.
I hope we can keep this particular thread alive. Seeing as this is a DIY thread, I was hoping we could get some more comments about DIY screens. I feel funny posting on that AVS Forum since I only have a DIY projector and not some fancy HDTV projector. But anyways, after basically finishing my LCD/OHP system, I was hoping to get some improvement on my DIY Screen.
I am basically just projecting onto a white painted wall.
Among my own experiments, I was most impressed by the brightness of white Pearlescent paint, except the viewing angle was not very wide.
There were lots of home made formulas on the AVS forum, but I am afraid all of these paint formulas with metallic additives will all be limited in viewing angles.
I am hoping I can see a Goo screen some day, but still that paint is kind of expensive for DIY projects.
So I hope everyone who reads this thread, posts their screen findings.
I'm using a 7300 lumen Elmo projector with a 15" lcd... now I know the actual lumen output isn't anywhere near 7300 but what would you think it roughly is?
Check out this guide for projection screens... excellent read: http://www.hometheatervillage.com/guides/Screen_Guide-72.pdf.
So the recommendation for a movie theatre is 16 foot-lamberts, but many theatres don't reach that level and many home theatres are between 5-10 foot-lamberts. The equation to find out your foot-lambert output is: foot-lamberts= ((projector lumen output)/(screen size in square feet))*(gain of screen). The article uses a 800 lumen output figure for a "high bright lcd projector" that on a 100 inch 1.0 gain screen gives 24 foot-lamberts. That doesn't sound bad at all, but I have no idea how my setup will compare to that theoretical number.
Check out this guide for projection screens... excellent read: http://www.hometheatervillage.com/guides/Screen_Guide-72.pdf.
So the recommendation for a movie theatre is 16 foot-lamberts, but many theatres don't reach that level and many home theatres are between 5-10 foot-lamberts. The equation to find out your foot-lambert output is: foot-lamberts= ((projector lumen output)/(screen size in square feet))*(gain of screen). The article uses a 800 lumen output figure for a "high bright lcd projector" that on a 100 inch 1.0 gain screen gives 24 foot-lamberts. That doesn't sound bad at all, but I have no idea how my setup will compare to that theoretical number.
THANK YOU!!!
PlasmaSMP!! Finally after all this time I have had one of my long lost questions answered. I got a free Da-Lite screen ages ago and could never figure out what type it was because no one could tell me the different colors of the different coatings. I have a silver, Glass Beaded screen, yeaaa!!! Thanks for the info....
PlasmaSMP!! Finally after all this time I have had one of my long lost questions answered. I got a free Da-Lite screen ages ago and could never figure out what type it was because no one could tell me the different colors of the different coatings. I have a silver, Glass Beaded screen, yeaaa!!! Thanks for the info....
Glad I could help.
As for "DIY"
The only reason I mention a Da-lite screen is due to the fact they are cheap. Colleges and universities throw them out all the time, and a new 96x96 inch glass beaded screen from B&H is only $129.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh6.sph..._DAMB9696GB___REG___CatID=0___SID=F3F21830640
As for "DIY"
The only reason I mention a Da-lite screen is due to the fact they are cheap. Colleges and universities throw them out all the time, and a new 96x96 inch glass beaded screen from B&H is only $129.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh6.sph..._DAMB9696GB___REG___CatID=0___SID=F3F21830640
I had the idea of using photo paper a while back (search the forum)
Photo paper works, but you have to get the stuff with a matte finish, not a gloss finish. The stuff with the gloss finish will be far too reflective.
In the thread I mentioned this above, I suggested using plotter paper (3' x 100')
If you can find a roll of plotter paper with a matte finish on ebay or elsewhere, go for it.
Another thing you can do is buy a few of those da-lite silver glass beaded screens. They go fairly cheaply on ebay. But better yet, ask the seller to remove the screen material from the casing and just ship the screen material, to save big shipping costs. Then when you have bought 4 screens (or whatever you want), stitch them together. If you are careful, you wont be able to notice from a distance back
Hope it helps
Psionic
Photo paper works, but you have to get the stuff with a matte finish, not a gloss finish. The stuff with the gloss finish will be far too reflective.
In the thread I mentioned this above, I suggested using plotter paper (3' x 100')
If you can find a roll of plotter paper with a matte finish on ebay or elsewhere, go for it.
Another thing you can do is buy a few of those da-lite silver glass beaded screens. They go fairly cheaply on ebay. But better yet, ask the seller to remove the screen material from the casing and just ship the screen material, to save big shipping costs. Then when you have bought 4 screens (or whatever you want), stitch them together. If you are careful, you wont be able to notice from a distance back
Hope it helps
Psionic
I've tried a small screen for dia projection, the screen seems to be silver/glass. The pattern stamped in it (small dents) make it unusable for any LCD projection (it produces heavy interference rings).
I'm currently using two pieces of Epson matte photo paper (44" wide * 2) and I am happy with the result. (no rings, good brightness/colors)
I'm currently using two pieces of Epson matte photo paper (44" wide * 2) and I am happy with the result. (no rings, good brightness/colors)
What do you guys think of the Da-Lite High Contrast Matte White surface? It has a 1.1 gain and a 45 degree viewing angle.
Here is what they say about it: "With a gray colored base material and a specially designed reflective coating, the High Contrast Matte White fabric is designed to enhance the black level of projected images without sacrificing the white level output. High Contrast Matte White is designed for use in applications where a tensioned screen is not needed. "
I'm worried about a glass beaded surface due to the 30 degree viewing angle, but maybe I'm just being paranoid... I'll have to do a geometrical analysis of my theatre room. Also keep in mind that glass beaded surfaces can't be easily cleaned like a regular matte white surface - important if you potentially have kids around sometime.
Here is what they say about it: "With a gray colored base material and a specially designed reflective coating, the High Contrast Matte White fabric is designed to enhance the black level of projected images without sacrificing the white level output. High Contrast Matte White is designed for use in applications where a tensioned screen is not needed. "
I'm worried about a glass beaded surface due to the 30 degree viewing angle, but maybe I'm just being paranoid... I'll have to do a geometrical analysis of my theatre room. Also keep in mind that glass beaded surfaces can't be easily cleaned like a regular matte white surface - important if you potentially have kids around sometime.
Also, are tensioned screens really necessary or is it ok to have just a regular free hanging screen?
HI,
I had received a sample of the Dazian Celtic cloth, but it is too small to do any tests on. Initially I am unimpressed with it. I just don't see how it could be that great. I wish I could see it in action. Do you have any pictures of your screen that you can share?
At this point, I am somewhat satisfied with my system and I don't want to invest anymore money into it until I can see the results I will be getting before I spend all the money.
Is there any thing else you can share with me (and everyone else) about the Dazian?
Thanks
I had received a sample of the Dazian Celtic cloth, but it is too small to do any tests on. Initially I am unimpressed with it. I just don't see how it could be that great. I wish I could see it in action. Do you have any pictures of your screen that you can share?
At this point, I am somewhat satisfied with my system and I don't want to invest anymore money into it until I can see the results I will be getting before I spend all the money.
Is there any thing else you can share with me (and everyone else) about the Dazian?
Thanks
reply to screen shot, I am still seeking screen
Just wanted to reply to your question, and I haven't bought the screen material yet, but UVOODEE said they wouldn't sell small amounts of it, so I sent them a request and they will sell by the linear yard, the grey color material interests me because I found another site where the guy had 11 different samples from deelite, and of all the samples the ultra-grey was the best it looked awesome even with whites and with lights on, so first I will find out the actual price of a 70x70 of thier material and if it's 30-40 bucks I will be building soon!!
by the way anyone interested in a sears 40x40 foldup tripod screen?(nice image but too small, I want 55-70)
I paid 30 and will sell for 20+ actual shipping from MN(U.S. as I have had problems with shipping out of US)
have fun at the movies!!! and stop kickin my chair you lil brat!!!
J/K greg in mn
Just wanted to reply to your question, and I haven't bought the screen material yet, but UVOODEE said they wouldn't sell small amounts of it, so I sent them a request and they will sell by the linear yard, the grey color material interests me because I found another site where the guy had 11 different samples from deelite, and of all the samples the ultra-grey was the best it looked awesome even with whites and with lights on, so first I will find out the actual price of a 70x70 of thier material and if it's 30-40 bucks I will be building soon!!
by the way anyone interested in a sears 40x40 foldup tripod screen?(nice image but too small, I want 55-70)
I paid 30 and will sell for 20+ actual shipping from MN(U.S. as I have had problems with shipping out of US)
have fun at the movies!!! and stop kickin my chair you lil brat!!!
J/K greg in mn
I ordered a piece of Parkland Plastics Pastex yesterday. This is supposed to be one of the best, sure-fire solutions to a DIY screen that gives great results. It was only $50 shipped for a 96"x60" piece and I will mount it to a frame. The good part is that if I'm not totally satisfied with it (I'm sure I will be), then I can always paint it with one of the special paint formulations for screens that people have figured out. I'm confident that this is the best wide angle matte DIY solution out there right now.
Has anyone else taken the "ghetto" approach like me, and just went out to Home Depot and bought a pull-down window shade? I got a 55" wide shade with a light gray coloration on it for $10. I mounted it to the ceiling and it hangs down about a foot. When I want to watch a movie I just pull it down, sit back, and enjoy. The only thing I can compare it to is when I had it projected onto a very light creme-colored wall, and this looks 100 times better!
Yes I do have a 70" (20$)shade also
Nothing ghetto about using a shade, I wish I had seen how much better grey is before buying mine, my shade is better than using my wall, but I had problems with curves and the shade not being perfectly flat this could be because I hung it upside down, the brackets I bought were inverted for a window, by the way the Danzian guy replied to my request and he said I could get 2 linear yards of ultra grey for 40$, maybe I can paint the shade grey??!
Nothing ghetto about using a shade, I wish I had seen how much better grey is before buying mine, my shade is better than using my wall, but I had problems with curves and the shade not being perfectly flat this could be because I hung it upside down, the brackets I bought were inverted for a window, by the way the Danzian guy replied to my request and he said I could get 2 linear yards of ultra grey for 40$, maybe I can paint the shade grey??!
Greg, where did you purhcase your shade from? I'm looking to get a 73" wide shade so that I don't have to slide my projector 3 feet in from the wall every time I want to watch a movie so that the image will fit on my 55" shade. I know Wal-mart sells them for $21.xx but they're never in stock in my area.
Bought it at Home Depot
Bought the shade at home depot, again I wasn't thrilled either, I wonder if the shade you bought is better, first it's grey, and might also be a little thicker vinyl(mine is very thin, and I haven't figured out how to get it super flat either
Bought the shade at home depot, again I wasn't thrilled either, I wonder if the shade you bought is better, first it's grey, and might also be a little thicker vinyl(mine is very thin, and I haven't figured out how to get it super flat either
I just finished setting up my new "screen" picked up 3 yards or blackout cloth -20 bucks from the local fabric store and it looks much better than the wall. blacks and whites are much cleaner and colors are richer. Im happy with it 😎
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