MY DIY Electric CIH masking!

I have been planning to do this for a very long, just didn't have the time to figure everything out, but this weekend I was finally able to finish my DIY electric masking setup for my 2.40:1 CRT projector setup

before I was using curtains that were drawn over by hand, I grew tired of constantly adjusting them securing the velcro etc. so I decided to put a end to that

my system consists of the following:

Graber traverse rod from Lowes/Home Depot 84-156 inches
Graber 2 1/2 valence rod from Lowes/Home Depot 84-156 inches
2 relevant size pieces of foam insulation board, comes in 4x8 sheet with foil backing at Lowes/Home Depot
Black fabric of choice
Some traverse rod drapery hooks
and of course a Add-A-Motor 80

the system is quite simple, I sized out my boards, installed the traverse rod over the screen top, installed the valance in front of that, all my workings are hidden behind the valance and side velvet drapery, everything that is visible is covered in thin black velvet

the 2 foam panels are straight as a arrow and connect in 2 travelers on the traverse rod with the drapery hooks stuck in the back of the foam, they are light as a feather, both together wouldn't be a 1lb, the track would handle 30+ pounds of drapery

the loop cord simply slides into the Add-A-Motor(I don't even have this yet) and you customize 2 stop points, mine of course will be 1.85:1 and full 2.40:1 and as AC/DC would say, with the flick of the switch your masking is turning heads giving you the ultimate in convienence

total cost of this?, around 125$ and I have the ultimate high quality masking system for CIH that was customized for my needs, other costs were unacceptable

total cost for everything on that wall including velvet drapers etc. is around 225$

here is a video, pics coming in a jiffy:

http://rapidshare.com/files/20365048/masking.wmv.html

-Gary

I have a mouse in the wall!

that is me pulling the loop cord, motor will be here this week

here are some pics, I will post some later of all the coverings off the wall, this came out so well, if you need CIH masking this is the way to do it







-Gary

Tukkis the panels go behind the curtains some even when fully opened for 1.85:1

I think 1.85:1 leaves around 12 inches on each side of my screen and the panels are like 15 which is almot enough for 1.33:1, but the add-a motor only has to stop presets, so its fully closes or 2.40:1 or fully open 1.85:1 nothing in between or beyond

the panels stop at the bottom of the screen in the middle of the black border, I cannot tell where they end, so yes they blend very well and look great aesthetically

the drape mount at the top sticks outfurther then the panels, at the bottom under the panels I have some stuff pushing the drapes out there equal with the top, they way the panels never get caught up in the drapery or etc.

when I get everything done I am gonna use a light switch mounted in between my seats to do the changing, just flick it and off they go

unless I can find a cheap IR controlled switch or outlet and run a IR emitter to it, X10 doesn't like me at all

believe it or not, all the stuff that is out there, I cannot find a simple IR controlled AC outlet other than the 300$ Xantech piece which defeats the point because of price

-Gary

Scott does Lutron make just a light switch and not a dimmer? I would need a regular light switch or a relay

thanks for the idea

-Gary