Projector Screen For Home Theatre

[jyl]

I need a projector for a presentation I'm giving in 1 month for a community organizing thing I'm doing. Yup, I'm becoming a "community organizer" just like the last President. But not as my day job.

So I bought a used Epson 1720 for $200 on Craigslist, brought it home, got it working with the MacBook. Which was a little challenging, what with the general age of the projector (discont'd 2011), its antiquated ports (S-Video, VGA, USB), the MacBook's differing ports (USB, HMDI, DisplayPort/Thunderbolt), the general flakiness of adapters (have a stack of them here, VGA-to-USB, VGA-to-Displayport, VGA-to-HDMI, none worked), and Epson's disinterest in supporting this projector with Mac OS drivers. But a goofy USB graphics adapter that has been rattling around my junk box did the trick.

Now, I would also like to use this to watch streaming bike racing that I currently watch on the Mac. Yes I can HMDI the MacBook to my TV but that TV is only a 42". So I need a projector screen.

Before I go trawling Craiglist for a used screen, any tips on brand, material, etc? Looking for a fairly large one, like 90" horizontal. Will mount to ceiling of my attic family room, and pull it down when watching bike racing.

(I know, this old projector is not HD. I hate watching TV and movies in HD.)

[id10t]

Here at the college the only screens we have are left overs from when we used over head projectors and transparencies, or slide projectors....

For new areas, or as old screens get too torn to do the job, we simply paint the appropriate area a nice flat white. If you want, I can check with our facilities guys to see exactly what paint is used....

If you *really* want a mount-to-ceiling-and-pull-down screen, there may be one in our summer surplus auction - if I remember I'll check and let you know, but shipping will be a killer.

[pdxfj]

Since I'm guessing you don't want to spend a ton on a screen, you'll want to look at "Elite Screens" if you want to go the new route. Craigslist can be really hit or miss. Mostly miss from what I have seen.. Although it sounds like you did ok on the projector.

One site that has very good prices on screens with free shipping is: www.projectorscreenstore.com

Your projector is a native 4:3 format. Remember screen size is measured diagonally, so to get 90" horizontal measurement in 4:3 you'll need at least a 110" diagonal screen. That might be a bit much for your projector at that size. 80-90" diagonal would likely be better to give you a bit more brightness.

If you have a Fry's electronics near you, they usually have good deals on inexpensive screens.

As far as painting a wall, there is screen "paint" available. Goo Systems is one brand: Goo Systems, Screen Goo, Projector Screen Paint, Digital Signage | gooscreen.com

You can also use blackout cloth, which has a nice white surface.

[LWJ]

We bought a fixed screen for our theater. Elite screens sounds about right. We bought a stand alone outdoor screen on Amazon I believe. It was about $100. Both are great. A flat wall painted with white or reflective paint would work fine I am certain.

Let me know if you want to discuss. It is a simple thing.

[stomachmonkey]

Built my own.

Go to your local bigbox Fabric store, Joanne's or whatever you have local.

Buy 2-3 yards of blackout curtain. It's around $7-8 a yard.

It's the stuff you find in hotels behind the decorative curtains.

It's also the stuff most guys on fleabay are selling for $20-30 a yard

3 yards will yield a 108 in screen.

Go to Lowes / Home Depot.

Grab appropriate length 1x3.

Build a square frame.

Lay on top of fabric.

Starting on one side in the middle fold over, staple.

Move to opposite side, staple.

Move to adjacent side, staple.

Move to opposite side, staple.

Keep repeating that working towards the corners alternating between left of and right of 1st staple and you'll have a nice stretched screen.

If you did it right you won't have any wrinkles. Any minor ones will come out after it hangs for a bit.

Cost, $30. More if you buy moulding to frame it out pretty on the front side.

Time, took me 45 minutes by myself.

[jyl]

Thanks. In my case the screen needs to unroll from above then roll back up.

Here is the situation. We're in my attic, seated at one end, protecting on the ceiling at the other end, watching Omloop Het Nieusblad. I want a screen that basically bisects the room. The distance between upper corners of the image projected here is about 8 feet. I'm thinking a screen about 6' to 7' wide.

[stomachmonkey]

Well for a roll up you can still use the same fabric.

Get a long dowel. Think wooden clothes hanger rod for your closet.

Mount in ceiling with some simple loop brackets.

Staple material to it

Fold up bottom 2-3 inches of fabric and glue the seam to make a tube pocket.

Get a heavy length of steel rod and slide it in there.

It will result in the fabric hanging taut and straight.

Easier and cheaper than building a frame.

If you want to get fancy later scrounge some old electronics for a motor and gears and mar it automated.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

If you want to get fancy later scrounge some old electronics for a motor and gears and mar it automated.

Raspberry pi, some adapters, an old dot matrix printer (for the gearing and circuits) and some code....

Have the Pi act as a media server as well... hit play and it could unroll the screen, end of video could roll it back up

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by id10t

Raspberry pi, some adapters, an old dot matrix printer (for the gearing and circuits) and some code....

Have the Pi act as a media server as well... hit play and it could unroll the screen, end of video could roll it back up

See, this is why I like you.

You get me, lol.