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Author
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Topic: Building a Projection Screen w/ Adjustable Masking?
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Evan Samaras
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 513
From: Queens, NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2015
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posted May 28, 2016 01:48 PM
I am planning on building a projection screen with adjustable side masking that will allow me to project from 2.35:1 (scope) & 16:9 (for digital projection/TV) down to 4:3 (flat).
I have some ideas but hoped that some brainstorming from those with more experience and maybe even those with a similar set up can contribute to my upcoming project.
I plan to use 4 pieces of 2x4 that I will use as the frame to attach (with an industrial stapler?) the blackout screen. As for the adjustable side masking I was looking into various ideas such as curtain tracks to allow me to adjust between the three sizes. I will need some kind of clip, magnet, or stop to pull the masking to the appropriate mark. Any thoughts or ideas here would be greatly appreciated.
I was also looking into various forms of masking. From my understanding certain velvet fabric may work well, but I am open to suggestion! I would also appreciate any adhesive suggestions, or any types of adhesive that might be best to avoid? Any suggestions of where to buy the fabric?
Lastly, while I have an idea of the screen size I am aiming for, and have measured for the projection distance I have one question for which I could not find a straight answer. While I want to maximize my screen size, I realize that if the screen goes from wall to wall it will probably make for a poor viewing experience. Is there a certain distance I should maintain from end of screen to wall? Maybe a formula that could help me calculate the distance?
Thank you in advance!
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...When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the Earth...
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted May 28, 2016 03:41 PM
Well I can tell you right off the bat that the time and effort it took me to incorporate motorized masking, and screen drapes, has more than paid off in terms of creating a really professional film presentation and home theater ambience. Not that it cost much at all to do it.
1. My screen size is 115ins wide and 49 ins high in the 2.35 scope format
2. This gives me about 2ft on either side for the curtains(pulled back) and (pulled back) masking panels.
3. Both the curtains and masking panels hang from standard sash-cord type curtain rods. There are two sets of rods running the full width of the room, and hidden underneath the pelmet. The rods closest to the screen are of course used for the screen masking panels. The rods furthest out from the screen are used for the burgundy colored drapes.
The masking panels are designed for very light weight, in order to minimize loading on the curtain rods and curtain motors. Each panel is 56 ins high x 18 ins wide, and was made up from a rectangular wooden frame, made from 1/2 ins x 3/4 ins wood strips. The frame was then covered, on the front side only, with matt black velvet cloth, using Scotch double back mounting adhesive tape. This way you can first spray the frame matt black, then on the innermost edge of the frame, mount the cloth right up to the edge of the frame. This way you get the sharp edge of the frame on the inside edge of the projected picture, and the black velvet gives zero reflection- much better than matt black painted wood. The masking panels hang from the curtain rod as follows:
a) The top of the inside edge of the panel is bolted to one of the holes in the traverse rod carrier.
b) The outer edge of the masking panels hangs from one of the plastic eyelet runners in the curtain rod, using a turn-buckle , which can be rotated to get the inside edge of the panel absolutely dead vertical (really handy!)
4) The masking panel curtain rod is powered by a curtain motor. The one I got was only $90.00 and that included an RF remote control! You can adjust the stops built into the motor to get exact 4:3 or 16:9 framing. Works like a charm! One controller can run up to 6 individual motors or light dimmers. The controller can be preset for a hard stop at the 2.35 and 4:3 formats. For 16:9 I just stop it when it gets to the right position.
These curtain motors are. I believe, available in the UK
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted May 29, 2016 12:46 PM
Rick, the drapery motor and controller is supplied by Smarthome Products in the USA:
http://www.smarthome-products.com/p-283-add-a-motor-80-drapery-controller.aspx
http://www.smarthome-products.com/p-284-add-a-motor-rf-drapery-control-kit.aspx
These are 12v motors operating from a separate 115v transformer(PROVIDED). You would have to provide your own 230v transformer in the UK.
I have 2 motors in my set up, one for the curtains and one for the masking panels. You can program up to six items to be operated from a single RF remote hand set. But you do need a separate RF motor controller for each motor and the remote handset comes with it.
My system is a constant image height set up (CIH)where the image height is the same for all formats from 4:3 out to 2.35 Cinemascope. For wider formats such as 2.55 Cinemascope, and Technirama etc , I have a separate masking panel that rolls down from the top of the screen. My Panasonic AE4000 digital projector has programmable lens memory, so it will automatically zoom, focus, and vertically shift the image to fit the screen for Cinemascope(and up to 8 aspect ratios) at the push of a button.
In fact, this projector can be set to automatically sense Cinemascope films and zoom the lens accordingly.
[ May 29, 2016, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: Paul Adsett ]
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted May 30, 2016 02:55 PM
Evan, the curtains are standard 84ins high burgundy drapes that I got from J.C.Penny. In the picture, for some reason, they look black, but they are actually the same color as the window curtains.
The masking panels are covered with matt black cloth from Joanne's Fabrics. Do not use shiny velvet for the masking panels, you must have matt black cloth for total non-reflection.
Andrew, thanks so much for your comment.
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Evan Samaras
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 513
From: Queens, NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2015
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posted June 04, 2016 02:33 PM
Paul,
Just to make sure I understand, the fabric that you attained from Joanne's fabrics acts as the masking panel itself. It does not attach to anything, but attaches to the curtains rod and stacks to the sides like a drape when unmasking to 2.35? How does it handle stacking?
Thank you for your help! I am just about ready to finish placing my orders for all the material! Unfortunately I will not have any drapes yet, but being able to switch between ratios will be great enough for me for the time being!
[ June 04, 2016, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: Evan Samaras ]
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...When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the Earth...
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