Do i need a screen for a front projector?

[panteedropper]

Hey guys, i was just wondering if I really need a screen for a projector, couldnt i just have it projected onto a wall painted white? I dont need the best picture quality, i just need something decent.

[kevinw]

A screen would be much better.Even an inexpensive on is better than a wall. Do a search for Stewart projection screens. E-bay is a good spot to look for used equipment.

[panteedropper]

is there something that i can do to the wall that can make it better with a projector? should i use a certain type of paint? put some sort of cloth on the wall? i'm trying to avoid the screen at all costs.

[kevinw]

I have heard of some refelctive type Paint but if having a screen in plain sight is an issue consider a roll up.

[panteedropper]

its not about having it in plain sight, its just that i really dont want to spend 300 bucks on a screen, lol. I'm thinking about buying the material on ebay for about 40 bucks, and making my own screen maybe? What do you guys think of that? Or better yet, could i just buy the material somewhere else cheaper?

[57U]

See the following for a DIY screen.

http://members.shaw.ca/danhanson/Theater/screen/screenproject.htm

[panteedropper]

thanks for the instructions, they were definitely very helpful

[twonami]

I went to Staples and bought a roll down screen that mounts to my ceiling. Cheap and good picture.

[panteedropper]

i was considering a roll down also, but i would like something a bit more "permanent" if you know what i mean. but again, i still have my mind open, the flexibility of a roll down cant be beat.

[Freddy Basset]

Have you looked at the dalite screens? They can be a lot cheaper than $300.

http://store.yahoo.com/cousinsvideo/dalitemodelb.html

I've also heard there are people getting good results by painting the wall.

[paulszpet]

If you are going to paint a wall, use flat white, do not use any gloss or semi gloss paints. I have used a white wall for standard 16MM projection for years and it has worked very well.

[panteedropper]

flat white, ok i'm guessing cause this reduces glare to almost nothing?? I think i'm going to paint the wall flat white, and then i'll make my screen later on. thanks!

[DVdude]

Some specialty screen paints you may want to consider:
Screen Goo:
http://www.goosystems.com/cgi-bin/ic/goosystems/screengoo?id=poBveUgT
DIY Theater:
http://www.diytheatre.com/why_diy_movie_screens/index.htm
Opticoat:
http://members.shaw.ca/opticoat/
For those on a tight budget:
On the AVS forum a lot of people recommend Behr "Silverscreen" (#770E-2) Flat Latex with 20-25% Behr "White Opal Pearlescence" (#751). Others recommend Glidden "Misty Evening". You can use Kilz primer behind these and paint directly on the wall or paint on some foam board or hardboard. Painting can be done via spraying or using a low (1/4") nap (pile) type of roller.

[Chaz]

A friend of mine just put up a frame, smoothed out the inside with filler, and painted.

Seems to work fine and he now has a 110" screen.


I am sure the picture could be better with an actual screen but movies, games, and HD all look fine to me.

Remember ignorance actually is bliss. :D

[wifeB8]

Do a search for Parkland Plastic material over at AVS forums. You will be amazed at the picture quality that you can get out of this material for the price. The following is the original thread. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93780&highlight=parkland

This is a panel sheet that is used to waterproof residential walls. It comes in 4x8 size and can be easily cut to any size thus you could have two DIY screens in a 16:9 and 4:3 format. It’s widely available at Home Depot or Lowes for $30.00 for a 4x8 sheet.

In addition Parkland has started to offer larger sheets (Imagine the possibilities)
5' x 8' #PTC 0021P (16:9 = 54.5" x 96")
$60.40
5' x 10' #PTC 0022P (Great for 1.85:1 & 2.35:1 screens!)
$67.97

[oman321]

That thing looks sweet, :drool11: cant believe the guy made it for $25.00. I've been thinking about a projector for whenever I finish my basement I know what i'll be doing for my screen.