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DIY top masking

4536 Views 63 Replies 6 Participants Last post by SJHT, Sep 24, 2019

SJHT

Discussion Starter · Aug 30, 2019

I have a 110” 16:9 screen. Thinking of adding a masking system to the top. This is a retractable screen which is hidden behind a soffit at the end of the room. Was looking at just adding an electric roller shade with the blackest material sold that could mask when watching 2.35 material. My video processor can move the entire image to the bottom of the screen and therefore just need the top masked. I could do a roller or even a curtain of black material. Would only have to drop like 20” or so. I have room in the soffit for either a roller. Anyone do something like this or have suggestions? I can find no products that would do this. I believe there was one that went out of business or stopped producing. Thanks. SJ

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MississippiMan

· #2 · Aug 30, 2019

The products still exist.

Black Velvet.....9' long Roller Bars w/Manual Pull / Motorized carriages. It's all there, and if your already able to consider a method to hide all the hardware, your ahead of the game at this point.

SJHT

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 30, 2019

MississippiMan said:
The products still exist.

Black Velvet.....9' long Roller Bars w/Manual Pull / Motorized carriages. It's all there, and if your already able to consider a method to hide all the hardware, your ahead of the game at this point.

I can hide all of it. Where do I start? Product list? Thanks!

MississippiMan

· #4 · Aug 30, 2019

SJHT said:
I can hide all of it. Where do I start? Product list? Thanks!

It'll have to wait a bit as I'm mobile....but there is a recent Thread where someone asked for and received the same info, as well as a few that document such a build.

You'll get hooked up soon...so no worries!

SJHT

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 30, 2019

No rush. Lol. Need it to be electric and controllable (IR, serial, whatever) as it will be integrated into my control system. Cost is not the main factor. Thanks. SJ

MississippiMan

· #6 · Aug 31, 2019

Here are some links:

38 mm 106" Roller Tube:
https://www.avoutlet.com/window-treatments/shade-components/manual/tubes/1.5-38mm-shade-tubes/rollease-rtea4t12-9/

38 mm Roller Tube Motor
https://www.avoutlet.com/window-treatments/shade-components/motorized/motors/somfy-1240292-ru28-rts/

The source for the Motor also sells RF / IR Remotes as well as Z-Wave compatible Controls.
https://www.avoutlet.com/window-treatments/shade-components/motorized/motors/?features_hash=94-3952_109-2998

Alternative source for Motor and Remote:
http://rollertrol.com/DIY-blind-tubular-motor-aluminum-tube-selection

The choices above are very heavy duty quality components. However you can get there on a budget by using the Roller Tube above, and the Motor w/Remote & End Brackets below
https://www.amazon.com/MorningRising-Electric-Roller-Blind-Tubular/dp/B01DZQ43AI

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SJHT

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 31, 2019

Thanks! I will take a look. Any links for masking material for the roller? SJ

MississippiMan

· #8 · Aug 31, 2019

SJHT said:
Thanks! I will take a look. Any links for masking material for the roller? SJ

oops....I furgitted.

https://syfabrics.com/collections/plush-triple-velvet/products/plush-triple-velvet1
https://syfabrics.com/collections/plush-triple-velvet/products/plush-triple-velvet1

Comes in 44" wide so you'll have pplenty if you order 3 yrds.

Tedd

· #9 · Sep 1, 2019

I often wonder about using a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino as a controller.

The Somfy motor already has the ability to set the minimum and maximum travel points.

Does all of your gear have the ability to fix the video image to the bottom of the screen?

You will want some weight sewn in as a straight line and to keep the masking tight. On my Draper masking system, that bar
extends past the masking material and runs in a channel, to keep the masking material barely off the screen fabric.

SJHT

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 1, 2019

Yes I can fix to the bottom of the screen. Already have done this. Just need masking on top. The company he linked me to also sells weights for the fabric which can be sewn in. I’m looking at the various motors because I will need to have control options to automate. One question is that the material may end up being 5” in front of the screen because of the screen housing. Is that too far or maybe doesn’t matter as it will just be black? Room is totally light controller. I could attach the masking rod to the screen housing, but not sure how I might do that or if the 5” really matters. Thanks for any suggestions. SJ

SJHT

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 1, 2019

If the 5” matters, I might be able to build brackets from the walls to hold the tube ends for the masking. That would put it as close to the screen as possible.... SJ

MississippiMan

· #12 · Sep 2, 2019

As long as the Projected image is not angled into the velvet, you should have no issues. Any Projector that has vertical Lens Shift and that is set in place both level and plumb to the wall will do just fine.

But if you can reduce that 5" spacing to any degree...do so. That seems a bit much. You should be able to rig up a mounting solution that has the Fabric rolling up the rear side of the Roller, and the Brackets set / positioned so that the fabric falls within a inch or two.

SJHT

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 9, 2019

Well I have ordered everything. If I do the 5”, the tube will be completely hidden. To get it closer, I would have to position the roller under the screen canister which would make it visible. I held up some material and didn’t see any shadows. Think I might do the hidden way first and if that doesn’t work, I can move it. It will be mostly black so might be ok to show a bit. Thanks again for all the help. SJ

MississippiMan

· #14 · Sep 9, 2019

SJHT said:
Well I have ordered everything. If I do the 5”, the tube will be completely hidden. To get it closer, I would have to position the roller under the screen canister which would make it visible. I held up some material and didn’t see any shadows. Think I might do the hidden way first and if that doesn’t work, I can move it. It will be mostly black so might be ok to show a bit. Thanks again for all the help. SJ

I understand how difficult coming back to install such assemblies can be when the original conceptual design was intended to accommodate hiding just the Screen casing. I mean...who knew...right?

I did one installation where the Screen Canister received a coating of adhesive Black Velvet. That made the thing virtually invisible. That was a quick and easy fix...of course that Screen Canister was White...so it had'ta go! That installation had a Top Roller Mask (Pull Chain) and I had limited space so I too had to place the Roller assembly directly above the Screen Canister but out just far enough so that the descending Velvet barely brushed the front of the Canister. That left me with just a 2.5" distance from the actual screen.

5" is a bit much IMO, but as previously related, during content watching it should not be an issue, as much as the assembly might look a bit odd when observed during "lights up" conditions and someone comes up and looks at it from a sideways position.....

If they make a derogatory comment, just give 'em the tip of your Toe on the way out of the door.

....or use that Bull Whip on 'em.

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SJHT

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 9, 2019

Thanks again for the advice. When I get all the parts I will look how best to get it close. May need to paint the ends of the roll black or something depending on how much fabric, etc. SJ

SJHT

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 10, 2019

For the hem, I’m using one of these:

https://www.avoutlet.com/window-treatments/shade-components/manual/hem-bars/rollease-rcbihb-9/

Can this be taped into the bottom of the fabric? Thinking I could apply very strong double sided tape (like what comes attached to the roller that the fabric attaches to) on both sides and just fold the material over. Folding so the end of the fabric ends up behind. SJ

MississippiMan

· #17 · Sep 10, 2019

SJHT said:
For the hem, I’m using one of these:

https://www.avoutlet.com/window-treatments/shade-components/manual/hem-bars/rollease-rcbihb-9/

Can this be taped into the bottom of the fabric? Thinking I could apply very strong double sided tape (like what comes attached to the roller that the fabric attaches to) on both sides and just fold the material over. Folding so the end of the fabric ends up behind. SJ

That is made to be inserted into a Hemmed Pocket. I suppose you might use a Adhesive Fabric Tape and create a Pocket, but taking your material to a Seamstress and having it sewn in would be best...and surely not a very expensive a proposition.

markmon1

· #18 · Sep 10, 2019

Isn't it much easier to mask the bottom by not retracting the screen all the way?

Reactions: 1

MississippiMan

· #19 · Sep 10, 2019

markmon1 said:
Isn't it much easier to mask the bottom by not retracting the screen all the way?

That would essentially eliminate the Black Masking at the top of the screen...and require that the image be shifted all the more higher. Then...Top Masking would be entirely dependent upon how well the Screen Casing could act in that regard. Also, unless the Screen has the ability to accept multiple stop positions, there might well be a lot of "up & down" adjusting going on.

markmon1

· #20 · Sep 10, 2019

MississippiMan said:
That would essentially eliminate the Black Masking at the top of the screen...and require that the image be shifted all the more higher. Then...Top Masking would be entirely dependent upon how well the Screen Casing could act in that regard. Also, unless the Screen has the ability to accept multiple stop positions, there might well be a lot of "up & down" adjusting going on.

Moving the picture to the top sounds great. You could sit in a recliner and relax and watch a movie (leaning back comfortably) rather than sitting on these benches most people seem to like.

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