Home Theater Screens

[XtRmn8]

Hey guys, I am just wondering if any of you have built your own home theatre screen for your projector??

I want to make a custom size fixed screen and was after any useful feedback that I can get. It’s going to be a 4:3 screen because my projector is 4:3 native. Size of the screen is going to be 250cm wide and 188cm tall. Yes it’s a big sucker and that’s why I want a custom screen because anything close to that size would cost an arm and a leg to buy!!

I was going to build the frame out of pine and use "blackout" fabric that can be bought from Spotlight as the screen material and then also make a border and cover it in some black material.

Anyone got any tips??

Cheers

[Flukey]

I havent done this but am interested to hear for the new house we will be building shortly.

Is it possible to just paint a wall vivid white or similiar???

[bugster70]

Another interested fella subscribing to the thread!

Often wondered why 'proper' screens are so pricey, what's so bloody special about them?! I like your idea of using blackout material I must say, sounds like it'd work well to me, but I know nuffin'!

[RAPHOON]

I'm in the process of getting this done.

You can buy a special "silver screen" paint.

Jetute knows more about this which is good as he will be the one applying the paint to mine.

[bugster70]

Jetute knows more about this which is good as he will be the one applying the paint to mine.

So where is the lad when you need him?!

[jetute]

I'm in the process of getting this done.

You can buy a special "silver screen" paint. 

Jetute knows more about this which is good as he will be the one applying the paint to mine.

SIXRT has ordered gyprock (made for home theatres) which we will assemble to an appropriate frame (sixrt has dimensions etc)... this will then get plastered as per normal...

here is where you need a product called "prep coat"...... after we have the screen built and plastered we will spray 8 coats of prep coat (one after the other, no need to wait till each coat dries) onto the our plastered screen to be. Prep coat is a spray on plaster based product which gives you a level 5 uniform, even, surface and you will not be able to see anything through this (such as joints and stuff). After the 8 coats are applied we will sand this which makes the surface feel like glass (is unbelievable actually). prep coat is available from some plaster mobs (pro plaster in brisbane)

after this we will spray on screen paint which will give us our home theatre screen. Looks and feels awesome.

simple... the only thing is that prep coat chews through your spary tips (which arent cheap). tip needs to be size 619-621 for your airless to be able to pump it through, otherwise the nozzle will clog every second or so.

[RAPHOON]

On ya Jet.

You're a bloody legend.

What dot he products cost? I bet it's a lot cheaper than paying for a custom screen.

[XtRmn8]

Cool we got some interest! :-)

Here are some good links for DIY screens;

http://www.brucearmstrong.net/hometheater/

http://members.shaw.ca/danhanson/Theater/s...reenproject.htm

http://www.eldamar.net/house/ht/screenHowTo.html

http://klyckproductions.homestead.com/proj...creenbuild.html

Also if any of you guys are looking at purchasing a good cheap projector for your home theatre, I know the place you need to go!

I got this little Acer from BigW for $994, RRP is $1599 and to be honest it is bloody good for the money!! They (BigW) can also get a flush mount ceiling brackets for $168 and replacement lamps from Acer for $280, which is very cheap. I am picking up my ceiling bracket this weekend!

Also I am getting a 2.5m x 1.9m picture from about 4.5m away from the screen

[sykes]

I have a fixed screen (bought one) and a friend of friend has one that he made from that blockout material. Now from what I havw been told it works fine and is very cheap, but you do get better colour out of the propper bought one. As it has a certain amount of reflectivity in it to help the colour bightness. APPARENTLY!

Now as for the paint on wall situation....I did find a new paint just recently from one of the home theatre mobs web sites here in australia that sold it but I can't find it at the moment. And it give you that extra reflectivity that you need for the better colour representation. Also one other thing that I was told is that the wall must be purrfect or else you will distortion in the oicture and you will see it. And as everone knows subbies these days don't give two hoots about putting stuff up in construction and the chances ure that it will be wavey.One way combat this is to line the wall in the 13mm platerboard rather than the usual 10mm to take out any impurfections but they still need to be good to set the joins as not to see it when you project light onto it.

If you dont believe me tonight when you turn on your lights at home have a look along your ceiling and you will see all the lumps and bumps. So if you are like me and want the best result go with the fixed screen as this will give th best result. Also stay away from pull down screens as these too tend to get waves in them especially when you have an open window, air-con, or as you create a draft when walking pact them.

I hope this has been of some help to you guys

Mick.

[jetute]

On ya Jet.

You're a bloody legend.

What dot he products cost?  I bet it's a lot cheaper than paying for a custom screen.

prep coat is $80 for 18 litres

paint about $50 for 4 litres

you can apply these straight onto your existing wall and get your self a top quality screen.