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Here's a pretty simple how to for making your own project screen... "Home cinema is a great way to spend piles of money quickly. The projector costs a packet to buy and then more to run (about 10p an hour) and so you really don't want to be shelling even more money out on a projection screen. A custom made projector screen will cost you around £200 at least. I hear you cry foul. Why get a custom made projector screen - can't you just buy one off the shelf. Well yes and no. If you are going for a small image you can buy one off the shelf." Link. Also, check out the Tyvek version on Instructables.
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Has anyone tried goo systems screen paint product?
http://www.goosystems.com/
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Even easier and with excellent quality (no folds): use a plain white rollblind. The IKEA "TUPPLUR" model is the best (available in several widths, mine is 2m wide).
You can always paint it with reflective paint, and add a black frame, but the results are already very good as is.
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I picked up a pink 4x8 sheet of insulation, a gallon of Killz primer, some eye bolts, s-hooks and a couple of lengths of chain for ~$20, and couldn't be happier with the result. A few air bubbles developed over time, but I took a pin and put a very small hole in the edge of each one, and they totally disappeared. I picked up some of that Silverscreen/Pearl Opalescent (or whatever) paint that seems popular on the forums, but haven't bothered applying it since I was quite happy with what I ended up with.
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I suggest people interest in home theater technology check out the following website and look up their review of screens:
www.projectorcentral.com
http://www.projectorcentral.com/home_theater_screens.htm
They review the goosystems solution and give it moderate marks. There are tons and tons of websites on this issue and some good discussions on various boards. Try this site for DIY:
http://www.avscience.com/
I debated all the solutions and came to the conclusion that for all the effort I put into the rest of my home theater, screwing it up by using a poor screen was stupid. So, I did what was the best of all worlds. I purchased the screen material through AV Science (I worked with Jason, who was great about suggestions, quotes, etc.) and I had a friend who did framing and canvas stretching mount it for me. I also came up with a way to mount it on the ceiling so I get the benefits of a roll-down with the cost and benefits of a fixed screen. The total cost was about 30-40% the retail cost of a fixed screen with the same material (20% the cost of a roll-down screen).
I've had over people who have lesser quality materials for screens and they immediately can see the difference.
Look, if you are going to spend money on something, do it on the screen. The technology in the projectors and other hardware/software will change (by both and decreasing in cost), but the screen could easily be a lifetime investment.
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Just a white sheet painted with a flat white acrylic paint does a decent job. Paint it twice.
There's also some kind of 4x8 plastic paneling that does a great job, I wish I could remember its name. I have 4 of em. It was a great upgrade from the sheet.
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My Home theater system (including several relatively dim DIY projectors) employs (white) "blackout" cloth which is readily available from craft stores such as JoAnn's for a quite reasonable rate. My 72" x 53" screen cost $20 for materials and $20 for the local alteration place to sew seams. I use a Target commercial grade clothing hanger for support coupled with standard drape rods. I do need to steam out the last wrinkles before it is perfect.
It works very well and provides about the same gain as a matte white pro screen.
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I'm new to this whole theater system thing. We got a Yamaha DPX1000 for Xmas from my father-in-law.
I need help on screens! I've been reading so much stuff on the subject, Goo Paint, seamless paper, yada, yada, yada, that now I'm more confused than ever!
I'm not sure of the exact projection size as the projection unit's fan went out as soon as we plugged it in, out of the box! Evidently my FIL had the same problem happen to him when we bought the unit around a year or so ago. So, when we get the TV back from Circuit City, I want to have the wall painted or whatever it is I need to do to be ready.
I can't afford an expensive screen. So, here is my question: Is a sheet/paper/window screen/Goo really THAT much better than just a nicely painted white wall? If we do get 220" of projection like the unit specifies, I can't use a roller blind anyway. Is it worth the $200 for the Goo paint?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm a carpenter/seamstress and can paint fairly well.
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