[sonicflood]

I'd like to buy some of the blackout material from joann fabric and I need to know the fabric "model" number. I've searched the forum, joann's, etc and have had no luck. What I have found is that most of the employees are idiots and do not know what you are looking for.


Also, what is the fixed size of the fabric (bolt)? I know it is sold off of a bolt and I'd like to know how wide that it is.


Many thanks for help with this!


Sonicflood

 

[b2bonez]

Most any fabric shop or drape shop should have it. Just ask for

"blackout or light block drape lining". The stuff I bought was "Hanes Eclipse"

and comes on 54" wide bolts. I never found a item # on joanns either.


b2b

 

[gravitation]

When I asked for Blackout fabric at Joann's, they looked at me as if I had lost my mind. After I explained its funtion. The exclaimed, "Ah! you need curtain liner". Just use that name and they should be able to tell you where it is. It's label says BO Cloth and not Blackout as complete word. Good luck.

 

[PerryH]

What? None of those outlet stores in Foley sell home theater screens?


I found these two on their website...

http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?C...reground=green

http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?C...reground=green


Found this too:

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/shoppi...keyword=lining

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/shoppi...yword=blackout

 

[sonicflood]

Well, I bought some material from a local fabric shop. They had two different types, so they gave me 2" x 6" samples of each. One is a heavier fabric that almost has a rubber feel to one side and cloth feel on the other. The other was a lighter weight fabric and was cloth-like on both sides.


I brought home both of the samples and taped them on the wall. The heavier fabric with a rubber-like side seemed to be the better of the two. I tried several different demo DVD's, Monsters Inc., Vertical Limit, Pearl Harbor, Finding Nemo.


I went back and bought the better of the two and tacked it up on my white (contractor painted) wall, halfway up, so I could compare to the two.


I can see NO difference in the wall & the fabric! I must have the "perfect" wall paint! I'm sure that the picture will improve greatly, when I have a black velvet masking/border surrounding the screen, right?


I am planning to paint the den area soon with a non projector screen friendly color, so I know I'll need a screen.


The closest Joann fabric store is an hour away. I may make the trek in order to see if their offering is different than what I bought locally.


PerryH: Thanks for the links. I may make a day out of it and get samples from all of the stores I can!


I just wish there was a sure-fire way of obtaining the exact DIY fabric that many on the forum have purchased and are pleased with.


Sonicflood

 

[b2bonez]

Check this link, I bought mine local, this is just for illustration.

http://fabricman.com/Merchant2/merch...ry_Code=LIN-03


I have the Hanes and it is the "heavier" kind with the fabric on one side

and a smooth rubber like other side.


Put the samples to the flashlight test. The Hanes lets *no* light

through.


Pure Ultra White Flat paint, BO cloth, Parkland plastic sheet and

a real Matte White projector screen are just about the same on

gain: 1.0 + -


b2b

 

[GreggPenn]

Quote:

Originally posted by sonicflood The closest Joann fabric store is an hour away. I may make the trek in order to see if their offering is different than what I bought locally. I just wish there was a sure-fire way of obtaining the exact DIY fabric that many on the forum have purchased and are pleased with. Sonicflood

Save yourself the trip. I sounds like what you got it the correct item. I've seen the "blackout cloth at JoAnn's. It's 54" wide, white, and rubbery looking on one side. (That's what you described).


You basically want something that is white, void of significant texture (which would be visible in the picture), and is opaque -- so that light does not travel through the cloth and create ambient light issues for you. (This is particularly important if you mount your screen away from the wall where any light bleeding through could be seen).


FYI, there is no reason that you NEED blackout fabric vs. painting a white wall. The only potential advantage/difference of blackout cloth over a white wall is that the fabric may act as a diffuser -- since light penetrates it more readily than a white wall. And, this probably helps brighten the image and/or increase color saturation slightly.


FYI: There is a recent thread started by Tryg entitled "I thought everyone new this about screens". That thread is dedicated to the insignificant differences in various matte white surfaces. Hence my advice not to get too concerned over your material.


gp

 

[trpltongue]

It only comes in 54" wide?


That's a bummer. I was hoping to make an 80x60 screen to test. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and buy a commercial screen


Russ

 

[ridetheducati]

I found my receipt from Jo-Anns.


Hope this helps


2117232 WT BD BLKOUT $5.99


I am viewing the "rubbery" side.

 

[sonicflood]

Quote:

Originally posted by trpltongue It only comes in 54" wide? That's a bummer. I was hoping to make an 80x60 screen to test. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and buy a commercial screen Russ

It will stretch! I was lucky though to find some in a 62" width. It was not from JoAnns though. It was a local independently owned fabric shop.


Thank you ridetheducati & everyone else for the assistance! I too use the "rubbery" side.


Scott

 

[jlarmstr]

Quote:

Originally posted by trpltongue It only comes in 54" wide? That's a bummer. I was hoping to make an 80x60 screen to test. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and buy a commercial screen Russ

Go to Danzian's web site, they sell screen fabric to the cinema industry, however, they have begun dabbling in the home theater market, and produce a textured polyvinyl screen materail specifically to do it yourself'ers. Comes in 54 and 86" widts, at 16 and 21 per linear yard. A little more expensive than blackout, but for 60 bucks you can get more than enough material to make your screen. Works great for me, has 0.95 gain, comes in Matte White only so I am now looking to find some good gray paint.

 

[doubleJ]

My BO from JoAnns was called "Budget BO".

BTW...

How much will the bo stretch? At 54" tall, can I make my frame for 54" and have enough stretch to staple to the back, or should I make it 50" or 52"?

Also, should I be using the rubber or fabric side?

Thanks...

JJ

 

[William Mapstone]

Does blackout cloth perform the SAME as a 1.0 gain matte white screen that you would buy from a screen manufacturer? I have a 1.3 gain screen that I have been thinking about replacing with a 1.0 gain screen to improve black level (10ht LCD projector). Maybe I should try out this stuff?

Or are these DIY screens just a way to save money?

 

[sonicflood]

doubleJ: Mine stretched about 5 inches. I used the rubbery side for viewing. This seems to be the chosen surface among the AVS Forum members.


William Mapstone: Yes, the B.O. cloth is 1.0 gain. It's cheap enough that you can buy a piece and experiment with it.


Scott

 

[razorfish]

hey ridetheducati (and any others who may have an opinion - haha I guess that means everyone ) I used DIY plans for my screen using joann's budget bo cloth; however, the instructions never said anything about which side to use nor did I ever find any definitive recommendations as to which side to use. With that said, and basing my decision on my ability to completely control light level, distance of pj from screen (12 ft or so), screen size (100"), I went with the cloth (suede?) side. It seemed to have a bit of grey to it. So far it's worked beautifully. Would the other side actually be better?


thanks

razor

 

[GarryM]

jlarmstr - Where is this web site? Simple search didn't reveal anything. I am currently using a Muslin sheet since the size of my screen is ~120x65. So like Russ, I need something much wider than 54".


Thanks

 

[sonicflood]

Quote:

Originally posted by GarryM jlarmstr - Where is this web site? Simple search didn't reveal anything. I am currently using a Muslin sheet since the size of my screen is ~120x65. So like Russ, I need something much wider than 54". Thanks

Try HERE


Found it via a search on google for dazian.


Scott

 

[razorfish]

the two who've responded, do you guys have any ideas of the loss i might be incurring by going with the fabric side of my joann's blackout cloth instead of the vinyl?


thanks

razor

 

[sonicflood]

Quote:

Originally posted by razorfish the two who've responded, do you guys have any ideas of the loss i might be incurring by going with the fabric side of my joann's blackout cloth instead of the vinyl? thanks razor

Not sure of the amount of any loss incurred by going with the fabric side. I personally thought that the blacks were better and the colors were warmer. Could be based though, upon my preconditioning from other forum members!


As I suggested though to William Mapstone... It's cheap enough that you can buy a piece and experiment with it.


Try it both ways and make your decision based upon your liking.


Scott

 

[razorfish]

thanks sonic. So what you're saying is there is some loss you think? I'm picking up a sample of bo cloth from joann's today so i'll do an a/b and repost what i find.


Personally, detail and color look great! I am happily surprised with the fabric side. My initial impression was to go with the fabric side because it appeared a little more grey than the vinyl side. But we'll see. Let me ask your opinion. If there IS a notable improvement with the vinyl side I may just upgrade fabric altogether. Of the following, which would you recommend


- the other side of the blackout cloth

- the Dazian matte, non-perf cloth

- or the fabric being offered by moakes on ebay? (just do a search on the bay for the seller's name; i'd post but ebay links don't show up)


thanks!

razor