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Hello everyone, we're just starting the process of relocating our HT to a different section of our basement to hopefully improve the overall layout. The main area is open, no dedicated theater room, so I have two options for placement and after 13 years or so, it's time for a change.
The current screen is a paint mix that was formulated by MississippiMan a number of years ago and it's worked out really well. My original thought for this new spot was to use the same paint (if the leftovers are still good), same trim/crown moulding and in-wall speakers. Unfortunately the stud structure in that exterior wall (walk-out basement) makes placing the speakers on both sides of the screen nearly impossible. AT screen material will allow me to move the speakers, center channel included, behind the screen.
After some research into commercially available AT material, I found myself here reading about spandex for DIY. I LIKE DIY. And, like the DIY painted screen, MississippiMan is here to help. I asked him some questions in another thread that were specific to this project, they are copied below along with his answers
Quote:
1. The room is not completely light controlled, during the day there is some leakage through the blinds, this is usually video game time for our son so I'm not super worried about it, movie time is usually pretty dark. Use 2 layers - white over black?
MM Answer: Yes.....Milliskin 4-Way Stretch ....you will need 2.5 Yards of ea.
Quote:
2. I'd like the frame to be low profile, 3/4" thick, I assume the wall color behind 2 layer white over black spandex is a moot point (?) or could there be bounce back if the wall is light beige.
MM Answer: Well, a 3/4" Low Profile screen frame consists of course of 1x3s laid flat. That requires that a additional stand-off of Quarter Round be applied around the edges to raise the surface of the Spandex layers off the face of the 1x3 Lumber.
Quote:
3. A distance recommendation. The screen size is 96" diag. 16:9 (currently). The PJ is an Epson Powerlite 8350, 1080p, 2000 lumens. 14' would be great from an aesthetic standpoint, would like to hear your thoughts on that distance with this PJ. Can be less if necessary.
MM Answer: You can get by with 14'. 12' would be better......10' would be terrific as far as delivering the brightness that would make the Spandex "PoP" like the screen paint did.
You could mount the 8350 up almost against the Ceiling using the right type mount, keeping it as musch "out of sight" as possible,
Quote:
4. In the post that I quoted you mention the stretch, spandex needs to be pretty tight to avoid sag? I have yet to research the frame construction as this whole project just materialized this morning.
MM Answer: Pretty sure I was referring to a Screen build that was quite a bit larger than 84" x 47" (actual 96" image area). You won't need to pull it all that tight...just firmly enough that it doesn't sag downward when you have the Screen laying flat on the Floor. Also since your placing the screen onto a beige wall, it would be advisable to construct the screen with at least an additional 2" wide Black border to avoid any light spillage off the edges onto the wall.
Quote:
Thanks in advance for your help.
MM Answer: Your very welcome.....always a pleasure to hear back from a older member who wants to move forward into previously uncharted realms. I'll make you up a straightforward design that will address all your needed points. But please author a dedicated Thread for me to post it onto as this one is pretty much devoted to discussion. I'll have it ready to post when you do.
Oh hell.....here it is. Copy and re-post it on your new Build Thread. I'll be out and about until late today, and when I return if you've done so I'll delete this Post.
The current screen is a paint mix that was formulated by MississippiMan a number of years ago and it's worked out really well. My original thought for this new spot was to use the same paint (if the leftovers are still good), same trim/crown moulding and in-wall speakers. Unfortunately the stud structure in that exterior wall (walk-out basement) makes placing the speakers on both sides of the screen nearly impossible. AT screen material will allow me to move the speakers, center channel included, behind the screen.
After some research into commercially available AT material, I found myself here reading about spandex for DIY. I LIKE DIY. And, like the DIY painted screen, MississippiMan is here to help. I asked him some questions in another thread that were specific to this project, they are copied below along with his answers
Quote:
1. The room is not completely light controlled, during the day there is some leakage through the blinds, this is usually video game time for our son so I'm not super worried about it, movie time is usually pretty dark. Use 2 layers - white over black?
MM Answer: Yes.....Milliskin 4-Way Stretch ....you will need 2.5 Yards of ea.
Quote:
2. I'd like the frame to be low profile, 3/4" thick, I assume the wall color behind 2 layer white over black spandex is a moot point (?) or could there be bounce back if the wall is light beige.
MM Answer: Well, a 3/4" Low Profile screen frame consists of course of 1x3s laid flat. That requires that a additional stand-off of Quarter Round be applied around the edges to raise the surface of the Spandex layers off the face of the 1x3 Lumber.
Quote:
3. A distance recommendation. The screen size is 96" diag. 16:9 (currently). The PJ is an Epson Powerlite 8350, 1080p, 2000 lumens. 14' would be great from an aesthetic standpoint, would like to hear your thoughts on that distance with this PJ. Can be less if necessary.
MM Answer: You can get by with 14'. 12' would be better......10' would be terrific as far as delivering the brightness that would make the Spandex "PoP" like the screen paint did.
You could mount the 8350 up almost against the Ceiling using the right type mount, keeping it as musch "out of sight" as possible,
Quote:
4. In the post that I quoted you mention the stretch, spandex needs to be pretty tight to avoid sag? I have yet to research the frame construction as this whole project just materialized this morning.
MM Answer: Pretty sure I was referring to a Screen build that was quite a bit larger than 84" x 47" (actual 96" image area). You won't need to pull it all that tight...just firmly enough that it doesn't sag downward when you have the Screen laying flat on the Floor. Also since your placing the screen onto a beige wall, it would be advisable to construct the screen with at least an additional 2" wide Black border to avoid any light spillage off the edges onto the wall.
Quote:
Thanks in advance for your help.
MM Answer: Your very welcome.....always a pleasure to hear back from a older member who wants to move forward into previously uncharted realms. I'll make you up a straightforward design that will address all your needed points. But please author a dedicated Thread for me to post it onto as this one is pretty much devoted to discussion. I'll have it ready to post when you do.
Oh hell.....here it is. Copy and re-post it on your new Build Thread. I'll be out and about until late today, and when I return if you've done so I'll delete this Post.
.
