DIY projector screen help

organ

So I finally decided that I need to buy a projector. Before I get it, I would like to complete a DIY screen so I can enjoy it right away. In the future, when funds allow, I will be getting a real screen.

So I'm reading around the net on diy designs and there are so many things out there and some even tell you to go hunt for some sort of special fabric in specialty shops, etc, etc.

Now, I just want to walk into a fabric store and get it without having to go through adventures around the city looking for a particular type. Can anybody tell me what kind of fabric I should be looking for that MOST fabric shops should have?

Thanks

Sherardp

By the time you build a screen it would equal to the amount of buying a quality screen. Hit Amazon and search for Elite EZ Frame screen or check out www.htdepot.com and pick up one of the Focupix screens in the 200 price range.

tryrrthg

it's called blackout cloth. it's used in curtains to blackout sunlight. I bought some many years ago at Joann fabric. make sure you find yourself a 50% off coupon that they have in flyers weekly. some wood from home depot or lowes and you've got a nice (enough) screen for pretty cheap.

madmax

Don't sweat it, projecting on a white wall works in a pinch. The trouble I had was finding material that is wide enough for the size picture I wanted.

PSOVLSK

tryrrthg wrote: »

it's called blackout cloth. it's used in curtains to blackout sunlight. I bought some many years ago at Joann fabric. make sure you find yourself a 50% off coupon that they have in flyers weekly. some wood from home depot or lowes and you've got a nice (enough) screen for pretty cheap.

+1.

I was out about $35 total. As madmax mentioned, you will limited to the width of the cloth for your screen size, but it's still plenty wide. I made mine too long, so double check your dimensions before building. I'll try to find the instructions that I used. It was very easy and the screen really wasn't bad at all.

organ

Aaaah that's it. I read about the blackout cloths a few times but didn't know they're easy to obtain. I don't think there's a Joann Fabric here, I"m in Canada but there are quite a few big fabric stores not too far from me.

THanks!

Madmax,
The wall is white, but there are textures on it so I don't think it will work out. I'm gonna have to use fabric for now. No biggie though, I'm just gonna staple it into the wall or use a nail gun. This will be a ghetto projector screen. When I take it down to upgrade, it's very easy to fix the small holes on the wall from the nails.
Along with the bigger picture, one thing I"m really looking forward to is the improvement of my audio reproduction. There is a 46" LCD and a tv stand between my Maggies right now. I moved the display and stand right up against the front wall and the speaks are about 4ft out.

polkfarmboy

What size of screen are we talking aboot building ?

You never told us what projector your using aye

organ

Sorry, not sure yet. I went into the store yesterday and placed my order.
My selection is very limited because it's a small store. These guys sell a lot of refurbished displays. I got my current LCD display from them and it looks like new.
So the projector will be a refurb unit. All I know is that the projector will be 720p (I will most likely use the 1080i setting) with HDMI input and it's a Samsung.

I'm looking to get around 100". The projector will be around 11ft away from the front wall. My speakers are almost 4ft from the front wall, and there is about 6ft of open space between them for the light to pass before hitting the wall. So I hope they don't get in the way of the projector light.

Sherardp

You can get the 1080p Optoma HD20 for 800-900 bucks if you like around, and that's new in the box. Not sure what your paying for a refurb unit, just thought I would throw that out there.

tryrrthg

My guess is nailing the fabric to the wall isn't going to work. you need to build a rigid frame so that you can stretch the fabric as tight as you can around the frame, kind of like a canvas for an oil painting. the fabric needs to be as tight as possible otherwise you'll get a wavy screen or wrinkles.

It's a two person job stretching the cloth. you want it as tight as a drum.

organ

Sherrardp,
I was just told $500-$600cdn. That's less than half of what they go for brand new around here. Not bad. I really can't spend anymore because my budget is really tight right now. I have a cd player mod to pay very soon. I'm gonna be broke for a while lol.

tryrrthg,
aaaa crap! I didn't think of that. Thanks for bringing it up. I think I'll have to build a frame now. Can you leave the outside edges white or do you have to use black cloth like what I see on all screens?

PSOVLSK

organ wrote: »

Sherrardp,
Can you leave the outside edges white or do you have to use black cloth like what I see on all screens?

Some type of black cloth around the edges would be a nice touch, but it isn't necessary. I used 1x4's and wrapped the blackout cloth around the edges and stapled it. I think the blackout cloth is about 45" wide, so after wrapping it around the edges you get about a 42" wide screen (I think I'm remembering this correctly. You have to be careful not to pull it too hard when stretching it out or you'll rip it.

Sorry, but I can't seem to find the link with instructions that I used. Basically you just need 1x4's, plywood cut in a triangle to brace the corners, blackout cloth, staples, and some screws to attach the plywood to the 1x4's.

The plywood is cut in a triangle with 10-12" sides.

polkfarmboy

Was it this link psov http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/29/how-to-make-a-custom-projector-screen/

organ

PSOVLSK,
Thanks for the tip. I think I'll give that a shot.

polkfarmboy,
Thanks for sharing the link. That explains it so much better than the others I've been reading. I really have no wood working skills.

Sherardp

If you don't have the time nor skill here's a few cheaper routes.

http://www.jamestownhometheaterscreen.com/100_screenDiagonal.html

http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Widescreen_Fixed_Frame_Screen_105_White_p/ff169lt-100mw.htm

These are the cheapest I know of besides DIY, in which case by the time you factor in labor and material cost may add up to the same. At the time I was clueless and didn't know much about screens, other than I wanted the best so I chose between Stewart and Carada.

madmax

On a wall you have no gain but you may not need any gain or even want any.
madmax