[BSAKing]

I currently have a drop down screen (I don't even know what type it is without taking it down, but I suspect it is not a great quality).


I am going to have to make some changes to mount a Marquee 8K that I just acquired and would like to change the screen. About 8-10" behind the drop down screen it a perfectly flat wall covered in drywall.


From what I am reading here, do I even need the drop down? Seems to me I could either 1)make a screen as others have done and mount it on the wall, or 2) just paint the wall and do a black border, or 3) replace the drop down with a better quality one.


I am leaning towardes #2, but there must be some reasons why a lot of people are doing 1 and 3 instead. I'd especially like to hear some pros and cons between 1 and 2, since eliminating the drop screen buys me that extra foot of real estate across that end of the room.


thanks.

 

[Mark Lopez]

There is no reason you couldn’t do #2 As long as your happy with the results. Many are quite happy with a DIY screen either just painted on the wall or hung. Others are much more picky and want a ‘real’ screen (#1). I use #3, because I have a RPTV that I use for regular TV viewing otherwise I would use #1 or #2.


You can always try painting the wall first, then if not happy, go with #2. I see no reason to go with another drop down if you have no reason to roll it up.



[This message has been edited by Mark Lopez (edited 06-03-2001).]

 

[BSAKing]

Yes - I have no reason to really need a drop down, in fact I would prefer not to use one. Some of the DIY screens I have seen here look very impressive and of quality workmanship. I wish I were located to actually be able to see some of them in person.


Now I have to see if there is any benefit to be achieved from making one and hanging it versus just preparing and painting the wall.


Does the stretched and painted material approach provide any benefit over a nice flat wall? I could see that it *may not be quite as reflective due to material weave, even if partially filled with paint. I guess both would be equally hard to get perfectly flat, but either would probably be better than the roll down I have in that respect.


The screen size on my current setup is a 10' diagonal, and my partner here doesn't want anything smaller! (hey - now that's a change - no lobbying for it to take up less space)... so maybe the painted wall is the way to go for me.


Now I have to see what others have done for preparation and paint. If anyone has a really good forum thread on that topic please pass it along. Any recommendations, please drop me a line.


thanks.

 

[Mark Lopez]

Quote:

Originally posted by BSAKing: Now I have to see if there is any benefit to be achieved from making one and hanging it versus just preparing and painting the wall.

Since you said the wall is perfectly flat, it seems that you are set. I would guess that those that hang one either don’t have a smooth surfaced wall or prefer to use a fabric of some sort. Again, you have nothing to loose by trying painting wall first. You can always repaint it or cover it with a hanging screen. Some have even used the material from a drop down and made a fixed screen out of it.