Ok, HD70 ordered.....now making my screen.....formula?? [Text View]

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Favelle

10-16-06, 02:27 AM

So I have the HD70 coming in anticipation of the Grey Cup and I guess hockey after that, all running in HD (720p) from a Motorola 6412. I have total control over lights, but I often have "sports parties" and I don't always turn off all the lights in the room to watch the "big games". I will be using a 16:9 framed black-out cloth screen with a diagonal of 85" (74 x 41.6)

So I guess my question is, what formula do I use to paint the screen? About a year ago, there used to be formulas everywhere here and one could just pick one and go with it. Well all that seems to have dried up, even in the archives. Now, I'd really just be happy with 1 or 2 part solution, but I have no idea what formula to use. How about the Behr SS with some polyurethane mixed in? Couple coats with my HVLP sprayer?

Thoughts? Even just a simple formula from the Home Depot section would be appreciated.

Thanks guys,

JF

RodK

10-16-06, 11:18 AM

Try the RS-Mmmaxxx formula. It should do everything you want it to.

Favelle

10-16-06, 01:04 PM

So THIS one:

8 oz. Delta Silver Metallic #02603
8 oz. Delta Pearl Metallic #02601
4 oz. UPW, Behr Ultra Pure White Flat Latex
2 oz. Delta Pale Metallic Gold #02624
7 oz. Minwax Clear Satin Polycrylic
5 oz. distilled

So do I just do 3 coats of that? What do I put on first? Anything? No primer or base coat or what?

Thanks RodK.

MississippiMan

10-16-06, 05:43 PM

Hi Favell,

Sorry that the well seems so dry. Since the advent of ambient light solutions, most have been using the benchmark of performance with & without lights on as a ruller for judgement. Most every DIY paintable solution does not feature such potential, so those without have been left behaind, cast aside, under utilized...., ect.

In fact, the real seperation between "Do" and "Do not" seems to be using unpainted, ready to go surfaces, and opting for Ambient Light oriented applications..

Which all in all is in fact is a little too confining since Light Controlled HT environs are not all that rare.

My original 1:1:1 MMud mixture, (Behr Deep Base - Behr UPW-Flat - Behr Faux White Pearlescence) was in fact about the best DIY compound to hit the " Boards /Mirrors / Walls" however it did little to improve contrast with PJs lacking such. Improving CR means deeper, more satisfying blacks, and better 'subtile' shadow detail. Some degree of ambient light performance comes taggin' along with such CR improvent as well.

To acheive that, I added SM (Faux Silver Metallic) in small amounts to the 1:1:1 mix and MMud-SE (Silver Edition) was born. That then for a short while was also a benchmark by which most others were judged. Then a change up came along that substitued the Behr SM, Behr Deep Base, Behr White Pearlescence for Delta products, and added "Matte" Polyacrylic to then become what is known as RS-MaxxMudd.

That mix, applied viia HVLP over a Flat White primed surface that is smooth and textureless to the touch will be about the simplest solution that is truely proven itself by having been done many times over by quite a few AVS'ers. But....., there are at least 4-5 other Horses that have left the gate as well, some with more perceived gain, others with what is touted as having more "neutrality" (...don't be fooled... ;) ) and still others whose main claims rest on the ease and simplicity of obtaining a neutral Grey and applying it to various primed surfaces (non-mirror)

The latter, as well as the original 1:1:1 MMud altered to contain the newer substitutons in RS_MaxxMudd both are more than sufficent when your using a PJ w/3500+ CR. However, the advanced mixes that boost CR without crushing colors or whites serve to improve the percieved CR to such a degree that Blacks are just stunning in their deepness, while colors are maintained in all their brilliance. Shadow curvature (...a high CR benefit...) on Blacks as well as colors helps to drastically improve the image, add "3-D ism", and offer up detail previousl unseen.

And the best is still yet to come as far as PJ image quality.

All the above is a little more info than you requested, but serves to both explain some of the 'past' you missed and why so many posted threads containing "also ran applications" have gotten tossed aside. Sadly, many of those apps were in fact not so "also ran" at the time, and still represent forward thinking by those who dwelled the DIY Screens forum.

Discount nothing. Make the decision to go with RS-MaxxMudd and your bound to be happy if you do a decent job of painting. Or explore a little longer for more advanced applications. Your "HVLP-ing" so your ahead of many in that respect, and able to consider applications that are in fact not that much more expensive than a 1:1:1 mix. PM the Authors of some specific advanced Mix threads and ask for personal evaluations. Get 'em, then post a thread that asks for actual comments by those who have made the screens themselves, not just samples. Wiegh in the differences, and the quality/quantity of the responses, and I'm betting you'll select something you yourself feel confident enough about to help you avoid any future "What ifs" or "Maybes".

Favelle

10-16-06, 08:52 PM

PM-ing you right now MM.....;)

JonathanG

10-16-06, 10:34 PM

Favelle

10-17-06, 12:06 AM

Hey Jon, are you going with a base-coat?? Or is your board already white-white?? Also, what aspect ratio are you making?

MississippiMan

10-17-06, 12:32 AM

Im going to try a few coats of the Behr silverscreen formula on a pre powdercoated 98" hardboard. It doesnt get much easier than that and I already bought the paint so theres no going back now. After I view it for a week or two in a light controlled room, I may decide to add the poly mixed in.
Maybe we should make this the Official "What paint formula did you use for your HD70 DIY screen thread?"
Not a bad Idea since I think this projector appeals more to first time projector owners.

Your gonna regret any effort you put forth using the SS and that HD70 together.
It's way too dark a paint for your usage, and it will shift that PJ's wonderful color toward blue, with tendencies toward reducing subtile shadow detail, not increasing, or even maintaining the current level possible on a matte white surface.

Sure, blacks will be "Coal like' but so much good is lost as well. It may be cheap....and easy.....but it will not float your Post Toasties. It's a "make Due" application when NOTHING else but simple and cheap can be considered.

I repeat, you'll regret having done so and the time spent toward a hopeful soultion. And if your gonna try to make it more worthwhile, forget about trying to make it better latter. Add 1/3rd UPW Flat , and 1/4 PolyAcrylic matte. That will add about $30.00 at most to your SS purchase, but at least it will be something that 'works well' with your PJ selection.

Favelle

10-17-06, 12:40 AM

Would it add that much to the cost? Because now you can buy less SS as you are mixing it to create more "screen goop". :)

JonathanG

10-17-06, 12:49 AM

The Board is already powdercoated a smooth white. Actually the image looks decent on the 16:9 white board as it is. But painting it a silver or grey or one of the other hundreds of paint formulas on here made sense to me to get the most out of dim light sports viewing and help with deeper blacks.
I just know my wife is going to complain if I tell her it has to be pitchblack everytime we fire this thing up.
I guess to explain it further, she doesn't even know I bought it yet. If I had told her before hand she would have said noway. My plan is to set it all up before this weekend and take her and the kids into the room blindfolded with some favorite movie playing. Shes gonna be pissed either way but I figure once she sees it in action it will be easier for her to accept it.

Pretty sad, a grown man in the basement at 12:00am painting a screen trying not to make a sound.
The little ones are going to love it though..

JonathanG

10-17-06, 12:52 AM

Hey MM, Do you think I would be better off with just blackout cloth and no ss?

Favelle

10-17-06, 12:58 AM

So are we supposed to put a base coat on or will just 3 coats of this stuff suffice on ANY coloured background??

JonathanG

10-17-06, 01:28 AM

Thanks guys, I think im going to go that rout also. Can i paint over my newly painted SS?
or sholuld i start over with a new board. All will be done with a roller.

Favelle

10-17-06, 01:38 AM

Thanks doods!

Jonathan, post pics when you are done man. You making a frame for a border as well?

Favelle

10-17-06, 01:54 AM

My original 1:1:1 MMud mixture, (Behr Deep Base - Behr UPW-Flat - Behr Faux White Pearlescence) was in fact about the best DIY compound to hit the " Boards /Mirrors / Walls" however it did little to improve contrast with PJs lacking such.

MM, where those "white paints"?? I was in HD a coupl hours ago and dammnnnn...there were so MANY friggin' paints! Flat black, flat red, faux yellow, etc etc etc aaarggghhhhhh!!

JonathanG

10-17-06, 07:55 AM

Yes I am framing it with a 3 1/2" trim painted flat black for now. I realize this wont be my last screen or tweak; just something to get it up and going for awhile. I will post pics when complete.
Now I may top off with the Rs-maxxmudd coats as seen here:
RS-MaxxMudd (for moderate ambient light)
8 oz. Delta Silver Metallic #02603
8 oz. Delta Pearl Metallic #02601
4 oz. UPW, Behr Ultra Pure White Flat Latex
2 oz. Delta Pale Metallic Gold #02624
7 oz. Minwax Clear Satin Polycrylic
5 oz. distilled

Anybody know if these are all Behr paint numbers? Can I mix it, roll over my SS and still get decent results?

ace5000

10-18-06, 12:32 AM

Where do you get Delta paint? Numbers?
Thanks.

JonathanG

10-19-06, 10:24 PM

I went ahead and added the 1/3rd UPW Flat , and 1/4 PolyAcrylic sattin(no matte I could find) to the SS as suggested by MM. ill post the results asap. Maybe it will help someeone else.

Go Tigers!

Favelle

10-20-06, 02:45 AM

Cool! Keep us updated!

What brand of paints?

MississippiMan

10-20-06, 06:44 AM

I went ahead and added the 1/3rd UPW Flat , and 1/4 PolyAcrylic sattin(no matte I could find) to the SS as suggested by MM. ill post the results asap. Maybe it will help someeone else.

Go Tigers!

Must be talkin' 'bout Memphis Tigers?

The addition of those two elements should significantly lighten up the SS mix, and help mitigate the extreme push toward blue most see in SS results. It will not make SS become RS_MaxxMudd, or any of the other more complex mixes, and without any direct comparison, the end results will be only what you see. But it is not a stretch to have you accept out of hand that the $30.00 extra spent will leave you watching something brighter and more color correct from the 'get go' and easier to calibrate your PJ to an even closer parity with true representations of the projected color pallet.

If possible (...if you have any pure SS left...) slap some on something you can use to hold up and compare the SS/UPW-F/PAS against. That's not a prerequsite to do, mind you, being as your own satisfaction is what counts, but a bunch of folks would most likely appreciate any opportunity available to get some more feedback on the the SS-additive situation.

Good luck.....and good viewing.

MM

higgins14

10-20-06, 04:55 PM

so does everyone seem to think that silver screen is going to be too dark of a screen for the hd 70? i am planning on painting this weekend. i have already skim coated the wall, and primed it w/ zinzer 1,2,3. i have already spent the 10 dollars on the ss. can i go back in to home depot w/ the paint, and ask them to add the 1/3rd UPW Flat , and 1/4 PolyAcrylic matte? does this mean i will have 5/12 ss, 4/12 upw flat and 3/12 poly acrylic matte?
would i want to roll this on with a 1/4 inch nap roller?

higgins14

10-22-06, 12:41 PM

thanks tiddler

i'm heading out to home depot in a half an hour. i will let you know how it went in a few hours

wbassett

10-22-06, 01:44 PM

Higgens if you haven't left yet see if there is a Sherwin Williams paint shop near by and take a look at Sherwin Williams Gray Screen in the Matte finish... yes there is a finish called Matte! It's in between flat and an eggshell finish and it's very durable and not only washable but scrubable.

The color value looks very nice on this one...
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l190/wbassett/Data%20and%20Charts/GrayScreen_Data.jpg

This color is a close match to Munsell N8
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l190/wbassett/Munsell/Munsell_N8_SherwinWilliams.jpg

Behr Silver screen is 207 202 215, so this is a little darker but not as dark as a Grayhawk RS.

Between the color and matte finish this could be a very interesting one to look at...

If you want something a little lighter Sherwin Williams has one that closely matches Munsell N9. It's called Soothing White.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l190/wbassett/Munsell/Munsell_N9_SherwinWilliams.jpg

MississippiMan

10-22-06, 02:42 PM

If he can find a Sherwin Williams store open on Sunday, it will be a "Earth Moving" event, lemmie tell ya! That just ain't gonna happen. S'cause nobody but Home Depot believes anybody does anything on Sunday 'cept Churchin' or TV / Ballgame watchin'.

Or sumpthin' like that. Leastwise in the Midsouth.

I really don't think Higgins will have any luck going with any paint as dark as SS is "Out of the can", let alone anything that's even darker. He'll be on the edge as it is even with the suggested additives.

It's not an easy thing to suggest a "make do" or give compensatory advice when you know there are much better solutions available for a particular PJ / viewing circumstances. Especially when there are now getting to be so many different avenues to go down.

But that has mostly always been the case, having to either convince someone to go further, or in the least work toward doing something that will not disappoint them out of hand. Some want is simple and cheap, but 'most' also want whatever they choose to be the best. Perhaps giving it another year or 2 at most, any light to medium Grey surface will suffice for normal ambient light viewing what with the Uber-PJs that are coming. Advanced Mfg. & DIY applications will still afford even more spectacular results, to be sure. But for the "Entry Level" DIY crowd, as well as the "Normal Buying Public", who are essentially people who are more easily satisfied, soon there will be scarce need to go beyond a basic application such as a light-to-dark neutral Grey or Matte White mfg. Screen or painted Board/Wall, or one of the new Laminates (DW) or any other applicable and simple surface.

But Higgin's HD-70 most assuredly isn't "Uber" by any means, albeit it being a fine budget PJ however. But it won't tolerate a dark screen application very well at all.

higgins14

10-22-06, 05:58 PM

as mississippi man said, there is no chance in hell that a decent paint storewould be open on a sunday. i found this out the hard way when i needed some benjamin moore paint once on a sunday.

i went to hd and added the upw and the poly to the ss, the first coat just dried. i put on shrek though my ps2 w/ the component input.... i am happy for now. i can't wait untill i get the hd box and a decent dvd player set up. i am looking for the best preformance on a small budget. i am starting w/ an easy diy screen, i am sure i will try a more complex screen in the future. i like the idea that if someone puts a mark on the screen i can just fix the mark and re-paint. all of my friends are starting to have kids. i do not want to worry about an expensive screen getting ruined.

next time i paint it i will try a different mix, thanks for the info wbassett.

i still have a few small imperfections to get rid of, and a few bubbles in the paint. i am not really sure why i have the bubbles, the joint compound had a day to dry before painting. a co-worker of mine runs a small interior painting buissiness on the side, i figure he can help me fix the problem.

wbassett

10-22-06, 06:23 PM

I forgot what day it was lol. I was working until around 1AM and then got called again at 9AM so sometimes I lose track of what day is what!

wbassett

10-22-06, 10:10 PM

I really don't think Higgins will have any luck going with any paint as dark as SS is "Out of the can", let alone anything that's even darker. He'll be on the edge as it is even with the suggested additives.

It's not an easy thing to suggest a "make do" or give compensatory advice when you know there are much better solutions available for a particular PJ / viewing circumstances. Especially when there are now getting to be so many different avenues to go down.
Good points and true... that's why I also mentioned a lighter gray along the Munsell N9 shade.

If he were going with an advanced mix I would say have at it... but he's looking at a simple one can, or a one can plus, kinda an in between simple and advanced. I don't want to trash SS, but since he's looking at altering it why not just look at some other simple solutions too? I still have a quart of SS unopened here, but I'm not worried or upset because I know I'll use it around the house somewhere... that's one beauty of paint... if you don't like a particular color it can be used for another project other than a screen.

wbassett

10-23-06, 12:20 AM

...
next time i paint it i will try a different mix, thanks for the info wbassett.

Just to point out... these aren't custom mixes rather they are 'off the self' paints...

Also as far as kids go, SW has a display showing the difference between a regular flat paint and their matte finish... they have marker (albiet water based) where you can scribble on a sample of the matte finish and a flat finish and a small spray bottle of Windex and a rag... let's just say the flat paint failed the marker test...

higgins14

10-23-06, 06:44 AM

[QUOTE=wbassett]Just to point out... these aren't custom mixes rather they are 'off the self' paints...

i realize that the paints were regualr sw colors. i actually wanted to do a simple "out of a can" screen first so i can compare the results to a more complex screen. by february vacation i will probably try something different. i am happy with my results so far. i need to get my hands on an avia disk and calibrate the pj now. i am happy that the project is moving along. the pj is mounted, the screen is done enoigh for now, and the cables are on thier way. i now need to find the right receiver and speakers

thanks everyone for your paint imput

Bud-man

10-30-06, 02:51 PM

I have a HD70 also and find the whites wayy to bright, i have a DIY ruberized canvas screen off e-bay.
It has a gain of 1.3 they say, i find maybe HD70's like a more grey type screen, might help tone down the bright white's a bit.

As Mississipyman said SS wont look good, as i have enough left to try, alot of you guys here are perfectionist's and maybe the averge joe like me wont mind the difference.
Also i feel optoma builds there PJ's based off there screens like the greywolf 2.
So it's factory calibrated to there liking not our's.

I know about the HD70 wheel paint mod and do not want to resort to that.

There is so many different screens to make or buy so everyone has a different view than somebody else....it's just not controlled like say a plasma or lcd screen, so many variances to consider.

killerdoberman

11-01-06, 02:25 PM

letzleta

11-01-06, 02:38 PM

MississippiMan

11-02-06, 03:44 AM

I am getting my HD 70 tomorrow or Friday. I can't wait!

I want to start my screen tonight, so I am gonna go with the first formula listed in this forum.

RS-MaxxMudd (for moderate ambient light)
8 oz. Delta Silver Metallic #02603
8 oz. Delta Pearl Metallic #02601
4 oz. UPW, Behr Ultra Pure White Flat Latex
2 oz. Delta Pale Metallic Gold #02624
7 oz. Minwax Clear Satin Polycrylic
5 oz. Distilled water

Now, did you modify any of the amounts or the paints to get results you wanted? If not, I believe I am going to mix this up and get going on my screen. I am planning on using 1/4" drywall and building a frame from poplar and covering it with black velvet. PJ is going to placed just under 12' from screen and project a 75" x 42" 16:9 screen. Just the right size for my room.

Wish me luck!

Vicious Puppy,

Are's ya rollin' or a sprayin'?

Either way, be sure to prime your Drywall with Kilz2 first using a 1/4" nap roller. apply two good coats, then lightly sand the "DRY" surface with a FINE GRIT SANDING BLOCK. Use long, very light strokes, the object of which is to reduce any texture to a "Baby Butt Smooth" finish.

Then apply the first coat of RS-MaxxMudd. Using a Roller?* Use a 1/4" nap lambswool (...or 3/16th iffin ya's can find one....) and apply with a throughly loaded roller that you have rolled out two or three times onto the Paint Tray's washboard, then apply to the surface with as long a upward stroke as you can without the paint coming off at the end too sparsely. Only genteel pressure mind you, or the smooth surface might cause the roller to slide.

After two coats are on and dry, check again for texture, and lightly resand if required. and/or necessary.

Apply a third coat with as low a nap as you can find, but in any event, make this coat your thinnest application. let dry, and Splash some digital eye candy on the screen. Fear no cavities, but expect a big one to develop between nose & chin when your Jaw drops to the floor. ;)

*Sprayin'? Just ask for more directions. Pullleeease!

killerdoberman

11-06-06, 08:48 AM

WOW!!!
WOW!!!
WOW!!!

Man o' man! I got my HD70 on Friday night and that I hung my basic plain, blank piece of drywall to the wall and watched Pirates of the Caribbean. Great!

Then Saturday I spent most of the day painting the screen. 3 coats of primer. Followed by 3 coats of RS-MaxxMudd.

Saturday night! AWESOME!!! What a difference! Colors! Blacks! Whites!

Watched Pirates of the Caribbean...again. It's like watching a different movie!

And that is just out of the box. Now I need to calibrate this thing to make me drop my jaw again.

Thanks to all who really took the time to piece together RS-MaxxMudd!

And if I can figure out how to post a pic...I will do it to show off my work.

-Thank you all again.

sawtooth_ktm

11-06-06, 11:44 AM

WOW!!!
WOW!!!
WOW!!!

So did you roll or spray?

killerdoberman

11-06-06, 11:55 AM

Rolled.

I used a 9" mole hair roller from Lowes. Cost me $3.97.

Wooster Pro Classic Mohair Blend 9" x 1/4" Roller
Item # 41873
Model # LR207-9

Very low nap. I would even say it is under 1/4".

pb_maxxx

11-06-06, 11:56 AM

and of course i'm happy for you. i've always said a test sample... even at 2'x4' just doesn't do this mix justice. it's not until you've got a full 80/90/100inch screen or more in front of you... before you realize how much you are missing with a flat white screen.

--------

and if you've got a menard's in your kneck of the woods... they carry the 'wooster' brand at 3/16" inch.

killerdoberman

11-13-06, 10:30 AM

Now it looks even better!

I finished up the boarder last night, just in time to watch the Giants get their a$$ spanked.

But I think I was admiring the boarder more then I was watching the game.

Materials used:
1x4 Poplar
Black batting (Joann's)
Black speaker material (Joann's)

My wife helped hang it and it looks out of this world!

Calibration is next, as soon as I get the disk.

pb_maxxx

11-13-06, 12:15 PM

I finished up the boarder last night, just in time to watch the Giants get their a$$ spanked.

that must why jeremy shocky needs some oxygen...

http://xtreme-fusion-screens.com/misc/shocking.jpg

my apologies to the ny giants fan.... ;)

killerdoberman

11-14-06, 09:03 AM

OK. Here are a couple of pics.

Optoma HD70 11.3' throw 80" diagonal 16:9
Componet video 420p image
RS-MaxxMudd
Limited calibration
Border made from items listed above post.

Missing from picture...the drool spot from when my jaw hit the floor last night! :D

Thanks for all of your help. This project ain't done yet. On to a bigger and better things; like better sound, high definition DirecTV and DVD player that can display 720p. :cool:

scbauer

04-03-07, 05:19 PM

I think I would like to revive this thread. It looks to me like it has been about 4.5 months since killerdoberman finished his screen. I read the whole post but can't remember if Favelle ever finished his screen.

I must say that after reading MANY posts about DIY screens, having MississippiMan and tiddler give their thoughts here really helps.

Now, on with the good stuff... it's time to start again! I just bought an HD32 (supposedly the Canadian cousin of the HD70). I guess it has the same specs as the HD70 except maybe an extra 100 lumens (1,100 vs 1,000 according to the spec sheet).

Anyways, I bought the projector online so it should be here on Thursday, so the next step is to build a screen. Currently, my biggest problem is that I don't have the room to put the projector in yet... it's currently in escrow. So, while my wife and I hash out the details of buying our first house, I would like to work with you guys on the specs for my screen.

I was originally torn between the idea of a painted screen and simply hanging material on a wooden frame. After reading for another 5 hours last night, I finally decided I was going to build a simple screen using 1x3 wood and Blackout Cloth. Then this morning I got the amazing idea to do a hybrid screen... I would build a 1x3 frame, cover it in blackout cloth, then paint the blackout cloth using the RS-MaxxMudd formula.

Here are my questions.

1) Can you see any benefit (besides overall weight) of painting a blackout cloth screen?
2) Can you see any major flaws (I imagine that if the cloth were to shrink or stretch the paint might crack)?
3) Does anybody have a personal preference if they have tried both?

Again, I've read plenty of info on both types but have not seen too much about painting a framed screen (everything seems to refer to painting a solid surface).

Thanks in advance for everybodies input and help.

-Scott

scbauer

04-03-07, 05:28 PM

Oh, I guess I should have stated a few of my expectations/issues.

1) I'm hoping to make the screen about 92" because the projector will be about 12 feet away, ceiling mounted (actually, the ceiling is about 18 feet tall, so it will be hung upside down from the back wall of the room)

2) Room will have a signifigant amount of ambient light (there are a lot of windows), but 90% or more of our TV/DVD watching will take place after the sun goes down.

3) The room this will go in actually has a TV "cut-out" (I guess that's what it is called... some might call it a media niche). Anyways, in the middle of the wall, there is a "hole" that is about 2 feet deep, 8 feet high, and 7 feet wide. This will actually allow me to recess the screen into the "hole" so that no direct sunlight will shine onto the screen (hopefully). If you guys want to get creative, feel free. I actually thought about having a fixed screen drop down from the "ceiling" of this media niche which would technically put the screen in the garage and have it drop into place when ready to watch. I think that might be a little bit overboard, thought (but it would look cool, right?) :)

4) Finally, my budget is about $75,000. Actually, it is about two hundred bucks, preferablly less as I'm sure there will be plenty of other "new house" projects eating up my paycheck.

Thanks again.

-Scott

MississippiMan

04-03-07, 07:15 PM

I must say that after reading MANY posts about DIY screens, having MississippiMan and tiddler give their thoughts here really helps.

Thanks from both of us on that. :)

Now, on with the good stuff... it's time to start again! I just bought an HD32 (supposedly the Canadian cousin of the HD70). I guess it has the same specs as the HD70 except maybe an extra 100 lumens (1,100 vs 1,000 according to the spec sheet).

The 230v current is responsible for that slight increase.

I was originally torn between the idea of a painted screen and simply hanging material on a wooden frame. After reading for another 5 hours last night, I finally decided I was going to build a simple screen using 1x3 wood and Blackout Cloth. Then this morning I got the amazing idea to do a hybrid screen... I would build a 1x3 frame, cover it in blackout cloth, then paint the blackout cloth using the RS-MaxxMudd formula.

IMAGINE THAT???!!!!! That IS amazing. Wassamatter with everyone else? Why hasn't someone else tried that? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;) :D

Here are my questions.

1) Can you see any benefit (besides overall weight) of painting a blackout cloth screen?

Yeah. A painted piece of BOC....painted with even simple UPW, will easily outperform raw BOC everytime. No question. Imagine that?

2) Can you see any major flaws (I imagine that if the cloth were to shrink or stretch the paint might crack)?

Somewhere in time, about several 100s of BOC screens have been painted with no cracking occuring. And a few have had cracks develope as well. But the latter came from people trying to fill in the "rough side" with too much primer or Gesso. I've NEVER heard of any "sprayed" BOC screen EVER cracking, and too wit, even "Roll Up Screens have been painted without much, if any issues. As for what surface of the BOC to use, the best surface to use, raw or otherwise, is the 'smooth side'.

3) Does anybody have a personal preference if they have tried both?

Aside from being simpler and easier to just stretch BOC raw onto a frame and shoot away, there is no way anybody could prefer the performance of Raw BOC to virtually any correctly matched and painted solution. Iffin' ya ain't too lazy, and you want somethin' special, then ya's gotta make that little extra effort. It pays off, lemmie tells ya!

Again, I've read plenty of info on both types but have not seen too much about painting a framed screen (everything seems to refer to painting a solid surface).

First you stretch the BOC across your frame, then paint it, then trim around or on top of it, depending on your screen's size, format, and frame construction.

I don't know how you could miss all the talk hereabout on painting BOC screens.

I just can't imagine that.... :D

Thanks in advance for everybodies input and help.

-Scott

Scott, spray that puppy. Use a Wagner Control Spray (...see my thread "A Wagner for MississippiMan ") It's really inexpensive, and can make your BOC become a thing of perfection. Or nearly so.

You cannot recess the screen too far into that hole unless your PJ is placed so the light cone does not intercede with the top edge of that hole. To keep sideways oriented light from striking the screen, you'd need it to be at least 36" back.

You can get some ambient light performance without sacrificing color purity and white levels by using any of several recent paint mixes. You can try FinEasy, and then coat it with a reflective enhancing coat of Poly/Pearl, or Silver Fire.

But spray or settle for less than what you deserve. Tiddler can attest that rolling a flexible material can be done, but I also must add that you cannot do it easier and achieve the very best possible results without spraying.

scbauer

04-03-07, 09:06 PM

Thanks MM! I know the painted BOC has been done, I'm just not very good at searching... especially after 5 hours of thread reading (the eyes get blurry and the phrase "WATCH ME PAINT MY BOC SCREEN" reads "another search result that might be useful... not sure" :)

So you're obviously a big fan of spraying versus rolling. I agree that (all else aside) it would be much easier to spray a cloth-wrapped frame rather than rolling it. I'll look into the Wagner and if "cheap" is within reason, I'll probably buy it. I mean, I'm sure I'll find other uses for a power sprayer, right?

Thanks again!

-Scott

scbauer

04-03-07, 09:14 PM

Okay, now I can prove my inability to search... I can't find the "A Wagner for MississippiMan" thread. If you have a link to the thread I would appreciate it. Thanks.

MississippiMan

04-04-07, 12:23 AM

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10207026#post10207026

scbauer

04-04-07, 02:04 AM

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10207026#post10207026

Thanks! Great thread...

killerdoberman

04-05-07, 12:10 PM

scbauer...

Thanks for giving CPR to this thread. I just posted these pictures in another thread, but if you didn't see them there...then this will be your first time.

I have 2200 hours on my HD70 from Early Nov '06. Yeah...that's a lot! My screen is RS-MaxxMudd, self calibrated with AVIA, and love every second I am watching.

Plus it helps to have a tri-pod or something holding your camera still, unlike the other pictures I posted earlier.

Front:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/1138/frontscreen800un6.th.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frontscreen800un6.jpg)

Side:

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/180/sidescreen800oa3.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sidescreen800oa3.jpg)

Bugs! Rain Forest Sample from Discovery HD (DirecTV):

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8076/bugs2of6lights800pd5.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bugs2of6lights800pd5.jpg)

scbauer

04-06-07, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the screen-shots, killerdoberman.

It's official, the projector came in yesterday! I plugged in my Sony DVD player (I didn't even know it had component out until yesterday), put in "Shrek", turned on the projector and WOW! The projector was just displaying on the wall at first, so I grabbed a white sheet and hung it tight across the wall... even better!

Up to this point in my life, I've had 3 TV's... a Zenith from the early 80's. A Panasonic from the early 90's, and most recently, a Sony Trinatron 27" that I bought in 1999. The Sony 27" is still our main TV today, and actually still looks great. For me, the biggest difference right now is the fact that I just went from a 27" 4:3 to a 75" 16:9.

Once we finally move into our new place I can start building the screen (probably between 85" and 95"). I think the screen vs sheet will make an even bigger impression on my wife. Then, most importantly, I will show her some HD (720p) and she will be blown away (as will I). Right now the best I can do is 480i from the DVD and that looks amazing on a sheet.

Wow, I just can stop thinking about this new setup and how overdue it really was.

I'll be back in a few weeks to start asking screen questions.

-Scott

MAZMAN808

05-20-07, 09:45 AM

now, how about for people in aussieland? :p
Those codes/brands/mixes, i went to a close by hardware store that sell paints, and all i could find were brands such as wyttle/dulax and a few others, none of wich are mentioned here.

So, if i was to get an equally matched paint code, but from a brand we have here, how would i go about?

ATM im using a BOC stretched on a frame, and using a hd70, picture is great, but if i can roll a colour onto it and get even a marginal better picture/better blacks, id be happy :)

Any tips, andy aussie's here that had they're painted in a different brand and with excellent results? please share if so ...