DIY Projector screen

object13
object13 Posts: 4
edited April 2014 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Hi fellow Polkers

Due to crazy prices on large (150+ inch) projector screens (minimum of 800 bones + shipping and import tax to Canada) I've decided to build my own.

Ordered a 126X168 inch high contrast gray blackout material from Carl's FlexiGray online, thinking of making it rollable by using two metal pipes or bars - one at the top for hanging the screen itself from the ceiling and at the bottom to stretch the material down.

Thoughts?
Optoma
Post edited by object13 on
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Comments

  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited March 2014
    It will get wrinkles, fix it to a frame.
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited March 2014
    yep...needs to be very flat to keep everything in focus....
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • object13
    object13 Posts: 4
    edited March 2014
    I can't fix it to a frame - i have a door in the middle (if I had the full wall width I'd just paint it gray) and it has to be rollable as well.In theory weight of the bottom metal bar should be sufficient to hold the stretchable material down without leaving wrinkles. I will post a photo of the wall later, please feel free to jump in with ideas :)
    Optoma
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited March 2014
    what about a used screen...? sometimes when you DIY you end up spending just as much money because of R&D...
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • object13
    object13 Posts: 4
    edited March 2014
    I checked our local kijiji, no luck - the only thing I've seen was some 4:3 80" old rug :(

    The "R&D" budget is $200 for the material I've ordered, two metal pipes from Home Depot for about $20 each and (I hope) one weekend of labor. I have some old roller blind with similar structure to what I plan for the screen so again in theory that should work.
    Optoma
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited March 2014
    object, check out AVS Forums, specifically their DIY screen forum. Tons of suggestions on how to make a frame on a budget. I was going to build my own screen, but lucky me, the Ontario kijiji market is much larger, and I found a good used 92" fixed screen for $50 :)
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
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    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
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  • object13
    object13 Posts: 4
    edited April 2014
    Hawdy again...

    Rollable was a nice idea but couldn't find a matching pipe/log/etc that would work length and weight wise - metal poles were too heavy, also thought that gluing the screen to metal pole might end up tearing the material or glue dissolving it or whatnot...

    Long story short ended up fixing the material to a frame - hardboard covered 6X12 wood frame with the material on top chained to the ceiling. Watchable screen size 146 inch. Took me about three evenings and 4 trips to Home Depot.

    Cables are still hanging all over but the screen is completed and tested as awesome.

    screen.jpg
    Optoma
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