[newmember1]

Would roller blinds work effectively for a projector screen?


I found white roller blinds for around $35. For the 4:3 ratio, it would equal about a 100 inch screen. They are built kind of like these Ikea blinds are.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90130691


Thinking about painting the blinds. How much would it cost to make some silver fire paint for a 100 inch screen? Or would some other paint be more efficient?


Would like to keep my budget low. Less than $100. I'm living at an apartment. So, I can't repaint the walls. But I can install a projector screen unit.


Any ideas on a solution that would increase the contrast ratio and colors of the unit? Looking for a noticeably improvement over a white wall.



Projector information

I am using a Sony VPL-x1000u; it's a 3 LCD projector. It is not calibrated for home theater. It produces 1100 ANSI of light. Rated to produce up to a 300 inch diagonal picture. XGA native. Back in the earlier 2000s, it seemed like a popular choice for home theater. The contrast ratio is about 200:1.


Projector distance:

I don't know the exact distance. But the projector should be about 13 feet away from the screen. With this type of projector, that would equal about a 100 inch screen (in the 4:3) ratio.


Light conditions:

Pretty good, only one window. Thinking about blocking out light from the window. While not completely dark, there should be very little light.


Primary uses:

Movies and Xbox 360 games. Projector has to produce some light in the room. Enough to see controllers, and so on.


*Just looking for the best, cheap solution. Thanks

 

[MississippiMan]

hang tight.....something will be coming your way soon that is much better than a Roller Blind

 

[MiGster58]

Hmmm, would those work for masking on a screen that size? Just remove the blach fabric and attached velvet to it instead?


Just a thought.

 

[newmember1]

Is the hundred dollar budget scaring people away?

 

[MississippiMan]

Not so much frighten as cause cause some mirthful chuckling.

The quick answer is no, they are not acceptable beyond giving you something white other than the wall to shoot at.


Certainly you can't expect to find anything at that price point that is going to magically do things that actually help improve the image quality beyond the differences between a Wall and the blind. Facts are, a smooth White wall will do every bit as good or better.


The only item around that fits into that descriptionbudget is ultra inexpensive Mfg "Pull down" Screens and for that info you'll have to visit the "Screens" Forum and seach for "Sony DynaClear". It can be found occasionally in the $100.00 range.

 

[newmember1]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MississippiMan /forum/post/18980050


The only item around that fits into that descriptionbudget is ultra inexpensive Mfg "Pull down" Screens and for that info you'll have to visit the "Screens" Forum and seach for "Sony DynaClear". It can be found occasionally in the $100.00 range.

How well would it compared to the screens you can purchase from amazon for like $150?


If not very well, please help me understand why those screen would work better. Rather, than the screen was marketed for that use and so it must be better.

 

[MississippiMan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MiGster58 /forum/post/18978722


Hmmm, would those work for masking on a screen that size? Just remove the blach fabric and attached velvet to it instead?


Just a thought.

I've made such Horizontal masking for a 122" diagonal Screen from "Pull Clutch" Roller Blind "Kits" by spline-ing two 6' x 1- 1/2" Roller bars together. It's a real "DIY'er" project, and most assuredly not a $100.00 "Wonder". It has to be done right...and mounted right (...absolutely level...)


Such a thing works best with a PJ with Lens Memory where the image is being shifted and Zoomed between 16:9 and 2.40:1 on a Screen large enough to accommodate the biggest image possible (identical height- variable width wise).


Velvet Curtains provide the "Side masking."

Another suggestion for the OP / TS,


You could use a 6' Kit such as I just described, and try finding a light Gray Blind material, or use Black out Cloth you have painted Gray and attach it to such a Roller. But that $100.00 limit makes it almost impossible. The screen I suggested is hard to locate right now at that price point. (...but strangely not at $399.00

)


Good luck. I'd suggest instead. You buy a $12.00 sheet of Thrifty White hardboard, and Roll on some Behr Silver Screen paint ($11.00 Quart) and use that attached to the Wall with Mirror Clips.

 

[MississippiMan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by newmember1 /forum/post/18980068


How well would it compared to the screens you can purchase from amazon for like $150?

That is exactly where that Screen is usually purchased. Other White screens can be had at that price point but they will do squat to help improve perceived contrast.

Quote:
If not very well, please help me understand why those screen would work better. Rather, than the screen was marketed for that use and so it must be better.

It's a high contrast-positive gain screen....one that improves black levels and maintains brightness at the same time. For more info on mfg screens like that please refer to "Screens' as on this Forum discussion is limited to purely DIY applications.

 

[newmember1]



Quote:
Originally Posted by MississippiMan /forum/post/18980085


Good luck. I'd suggest instead. You buy a $12.00 sheet of Thrifty White hardboard, and Roll on some Behr Silver Screen paint ($11.00 Quart) and use that attached to the Wall with Mirror Clips.[/color]

The wall I plan on placing the screen has a window. I can prevent light entering from the window. But the window ledge would prevent me from just using mirror clips.


It's an apartment... so I can't remove the window ledge.

 

[MississippiMan]

Using a solid material like the TWH I suggested, supported with a lightweight Frame of 1" x 2"s, you can simply set it on the window ledge and it can serve to block out the light as well.


Where do you live? If it's west of the Rockies you can also consider Doable, and although it's "White", it's a excellent surface that is not at all expensive. Paints up well too.


Your application is not a hard one to accommodate, as long as you don't place unreasonable restrictions on it. It can be kept under $100.00, and it can also do the things you want, but you'll have to lose the "Roller Blind" idea.


We don't give up easily here on DIY Screens, but you have to want to embrace DIY to get the best/most of what we can offer you.

 

[newmember1]

Thanks for the advise.


The window isn't very large and is a little high on the ceiling.


I'm going to at the apartment for maybe only a year. The ability to move a roller screen is a plus.


I would prefer a easy project that can be easily removed and possibly carried to new destination.


It seems like making a screen using a board might be semi-difficult to move and to remove from a wall.


Does anyone have experience using roller screens or pull-down projectors screens?


Can roller blinds be painted efficiently to improve contrast?