DIY projection screen?

[cheesehead]

I just got myself a nice SVGA projector (no laughing, please) for $100, and would like a screen to use it on. Any suggestions for a method of construction?

Method 1: Blackout cloth over plywood:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/0...stom-projector-screen/

Pros: Cheap, very light, very easy to wallmount.
Cons: Blackout cloth is not the be-all end-all of projection surfaces.

Method 2: Velveteen over plywood with paper on it.
Pros: Easy as pie.
Cons: Paper might even be more reflective and even than blackout cloth, but honestly...paper? Not exactly durable

Method 3: Paint on fabric
Pros: Should give better picture than other two if I do it right
Cons: Should look worse than other two if I do it wrong.
http://www.hometheaterforum.co...howthread.php?t=203687

Any tips? The paint does look good to me, and since my father, a painter, has been gessoing canvas for decades, I figure I can get help there.

 

[jkresh]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=110

 

[greengrass]

Interesting , I will try it the other day .

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm happy with how mine turned out.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=38&threadid=1959097

A masking system makes a big difference if you're going to be watching material with different aspect ratios.

 

[cheesehead]

Coool.

I'll do a stretched blackout cloth screen, maybe with a coat or two of Behr SilverScreen. Best of both worlds, eh?

 

[Eug]

How about just paint on the wall?

Sherwin Williams Gray Screen <= Close to Neutral Grey Munsell N8.

Behr Silverscreen isn't neutral.

 

[cheesehead]

I'm thinking Metallic Finish Rust-Oleum Aluminum.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb...74&highlight=rustoleum

I'm thinking of going for a DIY HD projector at some point, so more brightness is always better.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
I'm thinking Metallic Finish Rust-Oleum Aluminum.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb...74&highlight=rustoleum

I'm thinking of going for a DIY HD projector at some point, so more brightness is always better.

That sounds like a bad idea to me. It would likely have severe hotspotting.

However, YMMV.

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
I'm thinking Metallic Finish Rust-Oleum Aluminum.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb...74&highlight=rustoleum

I'm thinking of going for a DIY HD projector at some point, so more brightness is always better.

That sounds like a bad idea to me. It would likely have severe hotspotting.

However, YMMV.

I have heard the same. However, the surface of the blackout cloth is not entirely smooth; this may help minimize hotspotting, and I'll be sure to use a piece of scrap to test first. That said, I might just leave it as-is - the picture is quite good!

Pictures:
http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2367lc7.jpg]

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[montypythizzle]

Where are movie screenshots with it?!?!?!

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
Where are movie screenshots with it?!?!?!

I still need a VGA cable.

 

[Jadow]

I built a really good DIY screen about 4 years ago.

Drapery Blackout Material from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Some black border trim from the same place and some glue.

And buy some 1X2's from Home Depot to make your frame.

It's actually pretty easy and not hard to do.