Actually, it could be laid on the floor and sprayed with a resin based paint. Clever folks may even think of a way to put some pearl coating in it as well....hint hint...

The screen actually planes out when you hang it on the wall. Im still of the mind that I will buy the screen, but I wanted to test the idea. I got some aluminized mylar for the back of it to see how it would look. Still I think it would provide a neat solution for some folks. Its cheap. About 12 dollars in materials, but I did have to buy the grommet kit which was 12.

Saved your marriage? Excellent!
SamuraiJack is here for YOU!

Well, I have to say the lure of the floating screen is quite neat, but I think Im going to spoil myself and get a dalite hi power...

That being said. I wanted to show you a little about how my design works so somebody can copy it if they desire. Its cheap and easy...hehehe.

First off the reason behind the whole idea...a 60 inch WEGA tv. This TV almost killed my desire to build a PJ. Its that good. If you look behind the TV you can see the walls are all wood. No drywall here and no chance to set up a screen...unless you either hang it or do like this...

Click to view attachment

This is the crossbar truss. It also doubles as a shelf for the center speaker and will soon triple as the support anchor for the TV...just in case...

Click to view attachment

These are the ends of the rods I pruchased. They were already tapered and all I had to do was slop some surgical tubing on and tape them. So simple its not funny...

Click to view attachment

Now on to the assembly, which takes a grand total of five minutes IF you stop to take pictures along the way...

Yea my Sony Grand Wega 60" is SOooooo nice.

But on a lark I moved my PJ forward and did a 60" screen and it was very close to the Sony. Even my wife was impressed.

Oh and I just ordered my 105"*140" Da-lite High Power.......

Go ahead , you know you want to.

Step 1. Start by inserting the top tension rods. 10 seconds at best...

Click to view attachment

step 2. Insert the bottom pieces. Let them trail on the floor. You will want to string the top two first.

Click to view attachment

Step 3. Tension the rods and clip the ends. Since they are reinforced with the grommets, they should hold nicely. Just make sure you tension the rods pointing away from you.

Click to view attachment

Onto the bottom....

The bottom is easy...But you should note that before you do it, the top will seem a little tall...

Click to view attachment

With all the rods inserted and tensioned it will even out and give you a taught plane and a slight forward tilt which is perfect for keystone...

Click to view attachment

This is a shot behind the screen. As you can see, the rods bend their way around the tv to support the sheet. I imagine that doing this with blackout cloth would be very effective.

Total time to put up. 2 minutes, maybe less...

Click to view attachment

I hope someone can find a use for this...

This is a great idea, SJ. I'm still in the planning stages, both for my projector and for how I'm going to manage having a screen in front of my "old fashioned" tube HD set. This may be the answer or the starting point for another idea.

thats absolutly the best idea ever.. nice one samuraijack!

Ive been thinking of what im gonna do for my screen.. and i am definatly gonna do this. So simple and easy to take down and put up..

i was dreading a huge wooden framed screen in my living room.. no where to hide it..

Thanks sooo much for this.

if you could just tension it all around it would be sweet maybe some rods on the tops and sides that tension it

ya i noticed some sags your screen samurai, can you get your screen prefectly smooth?

Wow....you are a TEMPTING DEVIL!
105x140? where did you find that? The best I can come up with was 96x96...

Hey SJ,
You could add two more f-glass rods in an X connecting the corners of the sheet/screen. That should keep a uniform tension on the screen and eliminate those unsightly wrinkles. Hopefully it wouldn't add to much weight. For less weight, you could use some high strength fishing line. You know, the stuff they use for Nothern Pike or Muskie; the only problem with that is it stretches over time where as the fiberglass rods won't.

AstroGeek!

I suspect that stiffer fiberglass rods would do the trick. The ones I used were for driveway posts. Easily bent and rather "sproingy". I was thinking that I could use two pieces of 1x2 with holes drilled in them on the top and bottom and the use the rods to provide the up and down tension. The wife like the setup, says Im "delightfully mad" and that she would rather have a pull down screen...as Astrogeek says "Tacit Acceptance!"

I did take a few pics last night of the same setup and picture with and without a mylar backing. Maybe I will post later.

Just a quick post. I have been playing with different screens and reflectives for the fun of it. These next two shots are from last night. They are taken at exactly the same light levels, exposure etc...The only diffrence is the first one had a straight sheet to project on. The second one had the same sheet with a "space blanket" laid in back, not even glued or fixed. Im noticing improved skin tones...

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Im thinking about using some 3M adhesive and permanently tacking it on....

what kind of sheet....and remember, some of us are fabric impaired

Wal-Mart twin size 220TC...Basically the cheapest sheet you can buy. I run a class act.

Just finished up with an online order for a DaLite Model B with CSR and High Power finish. I ordered the 96 x 96 inch screen to give me some versatility.
Guess I will just play with the mylar till it gets here...

...WOOHOO!

thanks, thats what I needed

While you are there, go to the camping section and get an emergency blanket...

So you can do a screen like this... Thats a 100 watt bulb by the way...

Click to view attachment

Im likin the mylar treatment...

Okay, during a conversation last night with the wife, she espoused the virtues of the big screen and how it can change the impact of a movie.

Naturally I took this as a cue that I needed to upgrade our screen size. I now have a 9 foot by 12 foot Da-Lite High Power CSR screen coming.
( !!!!!;))


I love my geeky wife!

I have a 9 x 12 foot dalite.

You have no idea how large that is. Ive had guys come look at buying it, for some reason even with measurements the first words are always "THATS A LOT BIGGER THEN I THOUGHT" .

Watch for motion sickness lol

Click to view attachment

dont panic, it cost me 15$, so i naturally had to unroll it in the only place it would fit....the parking lot

its powered, lol

If you want to mock it up, heres a measurement off mine

Click to view attachment

that's awesome. You'd have to have cathedral ceilings to make it fit. standard wall height is only 8 feet. And if i'm paying for 9 feet then by god i want to see 9 feet.

...uh... wow?

SJ - do you have the wall space / head-room for that?

again. wow.


AG

In a way, yes. My wife doesnt want to see the screen when its rolled up. What wife would? So I am going to hide it behind the 16 inch beam directly in front of the TV. We have slightly tall walls and then 16 inch beams on top of that, then tounge in groove ceiling. The screen weighs 73 pounds, so The beam is a good thing. I ordered the case in black so it should really dissapear when its rolled up. That way I will be able to get it all the way to the floor. We also have a space planned out for the screen when we build an addition. Either way it will be used.

Im thinking I might even put it outside and take the family to the drive in!

That's my idea and I have the popcorn to prove it

Uhmmmmm. We were planning a space on the new side of the house. We just got the quote from the builders to expand the house...

I need to sit down.
Thats a lotta clams...
( makes me feel guilty about spending money on a screen...)

Baby room or Home theatre room? Hmmm...decisions, decisions

Love the idea of adding an extension to the house just for a lumenlab projector haha, the things we do!

I decided from the start that my PJ was going to be for outside use only. That is the reason for all the light and Fresnel things.

To throw a 20' diagonal picture your have to have more brightness. I wanted 4 times as much and it now looks like I may get it. It has been a long road but the day I started the super light engine the whole light problem was solved for me. I just needed to decide 1k or 1.5k or 2K .The 2k ballast was $300 and the lamp arc was over 100mm. The 1k was $50 so 1k it is. All the high power lamps have a crummy CRI but you have to use something. With the frakenfresnl I can use 2 lamps so 2K can be done if I wish.
I started by installing a 30 amp outlet on the side of the house first just in case
The PJ is named the Megawatt. The polg is started but has no info yet as soon as the lamp pass the test then we go.

Well, the actual purpose of the extension was more living space, but we like a little wiggle room for fun stuff. I even looked at the possibility of some large expanse of drywall...

Would there be room for some comfy chairs in the general area this drywall???

Well, my wife put her foot down when I suggested "...a pen full of Orion Slave girls".

...so Im thinkin there might be. But a fireplace may also be in order. If thats the case I will make a Loft Mantle and hide the screen under there...

Cant wait. My screen comes next week.!

Maybe you should have suggested half a pen 'o slave girls and the other half slave boys (rugged and sweaty of course), or even 40/60.

I can understand that she would want to have a little sumthin, sumthin in it for her.

I think she is going to opt for the fireplace. I suggested the 50/50 mix, but then she mentioned that she barely has enough energy for me...So I guess it will just be hardwood floors...

My wife is getting excited about the screen. she keeps asking questions about how Im going to mount it and such...

I cant wait.

SJ-
I have been away awhile(redesigning/remodeling projector room). Just caught up on your plog. GREAT STUFF. Your results look fantastic.
Bluto

SJ, where did you order it from?

Did you just order the fabric? if so where?

I wanna look into getting this, but I dont wanna puy 500+ bucks. The smaller 50x50 are goin for $250+ on ebay, so Im just curious where you got a screen so big, how much it cost, and where.

I ideally would love to just by the fabric, and not have to pay for their mounting (pulldown/power).

after you get it and use it, Ill have questions for you then as well

Thanks All! I got the screen from a place called THE FINAL CLICK. They do screens and such and oddly enough raid arrays. I had ordered a 96 sqaure, but then jonjondaran PM'd me and said he ordered a larger one. So I called and intercepted the order. These guys were great. I paid a hefty chunk for the 9x12 foot, but the wife said it was worth it.
They do have the fabric available for just mounting, but you will get seams every 72 inches. Teh folks I talked to said they are not visible during the movie, but you can see them in the light. If I had a chance to put up a real screen with a permanent mount, I would use sateen 400 count sheet material and back it with mylar from either space blankets or a thin mylar substrate so you can take the cloth off for cleaning. Comes out really nice.

Thanks for the response

I looked on the site, and High Power wasnt listed under screens.

I dont want a 9x12, that would be huge. (180" diagonal, are you insane LOL)

Anyway, how much was the smaller square that you had ordered, and for giggles how much is the 9x12, if you dont mind posting. Was the 96 square with mounting/motor/pulldown or was it for the fabric only.

The 96x96 Model B was whatever was on the site plus some shipping. The 12x9 was a model C with the controlled screen return. CSR helps a lot with screens that size. My total for the 9x12 was almost 800. I ordered it in a black case.


( Did I mention that my wife and I love a good movie!?)

Oh I see. You choose the model and then select your fabric.

yeah, you and the wife should enjoy a good movie with a screen that size. Your gonna need the highpower.

SJ, What is sateen? Did you mean satin? Just curious. I am getting ready to start experimenting with screens.

Sateen is a semi glossy cotton silk ( sometimes poly...) mix. It usually starts at about 260 TC and ends in the 800 range, if I remember correctly. It has a moderate sheen to it. Not nearly as good as pure cotton for sleeping, but it will do.

OK. Thanks. Can you get this stuff at Wal-Mart?

Yours should be in soon SJ. Mine came in today and man oh man this thing is HUGE !!!

Because of the size and the black case, I havent gotten word that it has shipped yet...

...But I remain optomistic.


Boomerbrian: Walmart? You Might be able to. But at the size you are looking for, it might be better to try an online fabric store...be very careful with joannes and that other big one. They get really pricey without you really knowing it. TRy to keep the mylar and the sheet seperate. The sheet will collect dust over time, plus oils and it will loosen in the weave. If you make it so you can take it off and wash it, you can save yourself some time and even experiment with different sheets. My daughter has already earmarked my twin sheet with mylar for a "Spacetent" to go with her pop up space shuttle...

Ah to be young and camping on the moon with your favorite teddy bears...!

Call them. They forgot to send me notification of shipping and when I called them they said it had shipped and emailed me the tracking #.

Their phone # is on the confirmation e-mail they sent you. When you call got to sales and not service. It's quicker.

It shipped last night!

Awesome !! It only took 3 days to get from Indiana to me (Georgia) and that's including Sunday.

You should have it soon. Check out my Plog to see a pic of mine.

YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT !! Seriously you might want to marry it, not kidding here.

Could I actually love an inanimate object?
Well, I think my PJ can answer that.....

The object of my affections is still in Ohio....

I have to tell you guys about this...Its a classic "Jack" moment...

So Im talking with one of my customers about a difficult problem and I walk out into the hallway and into a conversation about a rights error on the network and the conversants turn toward me...
"What are you looking at me like that for?" I ask.
My site lead and my customer supervisor are staring at me like like I know something. Now you have to picture this. Pete is about 5' 6" and about 150 pounds. Mary, the customer supervisor is quite a bit heavier and about the same height. She makes up two of Pete. But she carries it well and she is basically a nice person.
"Im wondering what you want" I say to them. They both exchange glances and then Pete says
"I dont know. It looks like he's going to eat one of us..." with this big smile on his face. I pause and then reply with
"Well Pete I guess that would be you."
"Why is that?" Pete asks.
"Because you are a vegatarian and your meat should be more flavorful"
"Oh No," says Pete, "You wouldnt want me. I excercise every day. I would be all stringy"
"Ah", I say, "That means there would be less fat".
Mary's face suddenly goes bright and I suddenly realize that I had inadvertantly insulted my customer. Pete starts laughing and Mary looks at me and say "Excuse me?"
Suddenly I am on the block. Im sweating bullets and wondering where my next paycheck is coming from. Damn. I am having what I can only describe as a hotflash as I flush my face with about two pints of blood and begin to sweat. Suddenly she breaks her serious face and looks at me, "Its okay, No offense taken..."
We enjoy a good laugh at my expense.
I WAS planning on taking Friday off to get my big screen. Now Im thinking I might just work quietly and avoid any undue attention...
I lead a charmed life.