[James W. Johnson]

I am building a blackout material based screen , my projector is only capable of 4:3 but I like to watch DVDs in 16:9 , is this what masking is for?

Could someone show a pic of what masking looks like?

Also when I watch 16:9 movies will I have two black bars on the top and bottom of the screen ? ( I do not have my projector yet so I have not been able to see for myself.)



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James' DIY Speakers

 

[Deane Johnson]

In it's simplest form, masking places a jet black bar across the screen, both top and bottom, right at the picture edge no matter what aspect ratio you are using. Framing the picture changes the dynamics considerably.


There have been several projects outlined on this forum where people have successfully built movable masks.


I have built one for my theater that is not only remote control, but has 8 randomly accessable pre-programmed aspect ratios. It is awewome to use.


Now the bad news. It is based on the DrapeBoss motor drives which are no longer avialable. I have created a web site with all of the construction details and a layout drawing. A clever person could probably figure out a way to build a similiar unit that was manual.
http://www.kathiejohnson.com/HomeTheater.html


Work you way through to the masking section.


You can probably find other ideas by doing a search under this section and perhaps the Theatre Construction section. Several people have embarked on projects to do this. The result is worthwhile.


Deane


Edit: I guess I didn't answer one of your main questions. Yes, when you watch in 16:9, you'll have the black bars above and below. And for 2.35:1, they will be even bigger. Actually, they will likely be gray, not black. The masking provides a solid black bar. Unlike a TV or RPTV, if your screen is on the wall you can put the same material all around like I have so that you see nothing but solid black around your screen. It's far more powerful.


[This message has been edited by Deane Johnson (edited 08-30-2001).]


[This message has been edited by Deane Johnson (edited 08-30-2001).]

 

[tlastrange]

Deane's masking system is very cool. I've got my masking system planned and will start implementing it this weekend. I'll have 2 stops: 16:9 and 2.35:1 and it'll hopefully be X10 controlled as well.


Any opinions on material to use? Black felt, velour, velvet?


No pictures yet, but hopefully next week...


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Tom L.

NEC LT150 FAQ

My stuff, pictures, HTPC, and screen tests

 

[DMan]

I use a Stewart Electrimask screen in my HT room. The screen starts at 16:9 and I can mask at any variable aspect ratio from 1.78:1 to 3.20:1. Here's a couple of pics...

http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/at...rn/Screen1.jpg
Screen without masking at 16:9


http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/at...rn/Screen2.jpg
Screen masked at 2.35:1

 

[Deane Johnson]

Tom L: My preference is black velvet. Easy to find and pretty dead black. Rolls nicely on a roller. Not all velvets are the same. I looked at several sample books and chose one that seemed to be deader than others.


Not obvious in the pictures is the fact that I have velvet covered vertical panels on the sides. They have been removed for the photos. From the viewing position you see nothing but jet black around the actual picture.


Be sure to keep us informed as to how you're doing it, expecially how your remote control system works.


DMan: Cool setup and nice pictures. I often envy people with dedicated rooms. Mine's in the living room. That has it's advantages as well as disadvantages.


Deane

 

[chrisl]

Has anyone tried duvetyne for masking. I know it's the fabric of choice for lining the interior of RPTVs. I'm not sure if it's because of it's flame retardant abilities or what, but I thought I heard that it absorbs light better than velvet.


chris

 

[James W. Johnson]

Deane and Dman , you both have very cool set-ups. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

and Deane yours is just flat out beautiful, nice website too!


For most DVDs I will only need two matting options 16:9 and 2.35:1.

I am thinking of going with a 48"x64" screen so what size mattes do I need? (sorry , i'm not too good with math)


I can't afford the motorized matting but I have an idea...

First build a 48"x67"screen (the entire wall behind the screen will be covered in a black fabric)

Then attach 3" wide felt covered wood slats on each side,

then build 4 matting boards covered with felt and use sort of hanging method for the mattes.




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James' DIY Speakers

 

[Deane Johnson]

There are people on this forum who can give you better size calculations than I can.


What I do is point the projector at the screen and see where the edge of the picture falls. I then set my mask to that location. Kind of a low tech approach, but it works good. This way I don't have to think.


I always encourage people to get their projectors first and point them at a white wall to see what they want to do in reference to screen size, location, etc. I personally think it's hard to advance plan.


Jim, I think your general approach to building the mattes is good. If I were doing it, I'd probably wrap something in velvet that would span the screen and be the right size. I used aspen deminsional lumber from a home depot type store. It's lighter than most woods and seems to be nice and straight (hand picked, of course). If the matte is big, you would probably need something else that is lighter.


It should be fairly easy. You could literally go out to the sides and put little pegs, punch holes in the ends of your mask and hang the thing on the pegs. So long as everything is flat black, it won't show much.


Deane

 

[tlastrange]

Check out my masking design/prototype over in this thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/001287.html


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Tom L.

NEC LT150 FAQ

My stuff, pictures, HTPC, and screen tests

 

[cwilson]

DMan:


I'm also considering a Stewart masking system. A couple of questions:


I assume that your screen is also Stewart, and that you have the vertical masking system but not the horizontal. So if you show something in 4:3, there are gray bars on the side, right? Do you watch much TV, and if so, do you use a mode that fills the screen at the expense of cutting off a little at top and bottom, or show it in its natural format?


Is the masking system entirely separate, so that you could hang the screen first and then buy the masking system later if desired?


If you're comfortable with it, I'd appreciate knowing what the masking system cost. I believe that they charge quite a bit.


Thanks.


Craig

 

[DMan]

Craig,


I have the Stewart Horizontal Screenwall Electrimask. The screen starts at 16:9 and masks to any wider aspect ratio all the way up to 3.20:1.


The screen and masking is all built-in together, so you can't just add the masking at a later date. The Stewart masking is simply a beautiful piece of artwork. You have to see it to appreciate it!


BTW, this screen is expensive and usually starts at @ $3,500. and goes up with any additional options (eg. controller options, frame options, etc.)


I can tell you that you won't find a better screen or masking system than the one Stewart sells. It truly is one of the few pieces of equipment in my HT room that I truly feel was completely worth the money. Afterall, your screen in a FPTV setup is THE main centerpiece of your HT experience.


Enjoy,




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DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[Nick Beecham]

DMan


Please can I ask you this? Can the upper mask and lower mask be adjusted independently? I ask this because I have a few DVDs in 2.35:1 that have been framed off centre. If the upper and lower masks have to move together, presumably you would be stuck with these DVDs.


Cheers

Nick Beecham

 

[Deane Johnson]

Nick:


I occasionally run into this also. My projector lets me position the image up or down a little bit which solves the problem. I don't know if all projectors do that or not.


Deane

 

[DMan]

Nick,


Yes, the upper and lower masking panels each have their own motor and controller so they do run independently. They can be stopped at any variable position allowing virtually any configuration.




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DMan
The Academy Home Theater

 

[Nick Beecham]

Thanks Deane


What projector do you have? Mine is a Marque 7500 (the European version of the 8100). It is not yet set up so I don't know whether it can do this.


Cheers

Nick

 

[Nick Beecham]

Many thanks DMan


That is great to know.


Nick

 

[Deane Johnson]

Nick:


Mine is a Telex P1400 which is a rebadged Fujitsu 6200. Having no experience with other projectors, I don't know if this a universal adjustment or not.


Deane

 

[Hugomed]

Thanks Tom L.

I was wondering who was the one who posted the screen shot comparison.

Finaly found you.

I like to set up my mask like yours.

Thanks for taking the time to post your Ideas.


Hugo