Cheap DIY Screen options for my Sanyo PLV-Z2?

[MattyD]

Hey Folks.

I went out and purchased myself a Sanyo PLV-Z2 and at present I am
projecting onto my units off-white wall. Ofcourse, even given just
the wall, to this n00b of the Projector world it looks sensational.

I'm sure there is something I can do to improve this experience
without parting with loads of $$$$.

Ive gone and checked out the "screens" section in Avsforum.com, and
that place is just total overload, with most posts coming from
middle-aged American fella's who like to boast about the black level
issues their CRT projectors don't have.

I'm just open to any oppinions on what would be cheap,quick and better
than a creamy off white and textured concrete wall.

So what's worked for you? Simple Blackout material, painted material,
any paint colours that work good on plastic, a white sheet?

I would greatly appreciate any simple suggestions that offer some
improved results. I don't want some essay on grey colour scale and
gain tradeoffs, just what you did, whether the results tickled your
whickle, and a general synopsis of the percieved improvement to the
image.

Cheers in advance!
MattyD

[Cameron_S]

The best improvement would firstly be a black frame or border..
This will give you a greater perceived contrast and no light spill at the
edges of your picture.
A lot of people have had good experiences with 3 pass blockout from
spotlight etc.. very cheap for a screen option. I myself made a 100" screen
using DaLite Hi Power material, but this weighs in at a hefty $400 odd
dollars per metre.

Pics of my screen here, sorry no close ups at this stage.
http://www.arach.net.au/~cr_smith/HT_Masking.jpg
http://www.arach.net.au/~cr_smith/HT_No%20Masking.jpg

--
Cameron_S

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------
Sony HS10, Panasonic QTR2140 HD-STB, 100" Da-Lite Hi-Power, HTPC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------
"MattyD" <matt@ihug.com.au> wrote in message
news:7ea65132.0401230625.599d472e@posting.google.c om...
> Hey Folks.
>
> I went out and purchased myself a Sanyo PLV-Z2 and at present I am
> projecting onto my units off-white wall. Ofcourse, even given just
> the wall, to this n00b of the Projector world it looks sensational.
>
> I'm sure there is something I can do to improve this experience
> without parting with loads of $$$$.
>
> Ive gone and checked out the "screens" section in Avsforum.com, and
> that place is just total overload, with most posts coming from
> middle-aged American fella's who like to boast about the black level
> issues their CRT projectors don't have.
>
> I'm just open to any oppinions on what would be cheap,quick and better
> than a creamy off white and textured concrete wall.
>
> So what's worked for you? Simple Blackout material, painted material,
> any paint colours that work good on plastic, a white sheet?
>
> I would greatly appreciate any simple suggestions that offer some
> improved results. I don't want some essay on grey colour scale and
> gain tradeoffs, just what you did, whether the results tickled your
> whickle, and a general synopsis of the percieved improvement to the
> image.
>
> Cheers in advance!
> MattyD

[Michael]

It looks good. What did you use for the masking material? How does the
masking bit work changing between the two ratios?

"Cameron_S" <cr_smith@NOSPAMarach.net.au> wrote in message
news:40113841@funnel.arach.net.au...
> Pics of my screen here, sorry no close ups at this stage.
> http://www.arach.net.au/~cr_smith/HT_Masking.jpg
> http://www.arach.net.au/~cr_smith/HT_No%20Masking.jpg

[What The!]

> Ive gone and checked out the "screens" section in Avsforum.com, and
> that place is just total overload, with most posts coming from
> middle-aged American fella's who like to boast about the black level
> issues their CRT projectors don't have.
>

Sounds like someone has CRT envy. ;-)

[Cameron_S]

Used polystyrene sheeting (15mm thick), cut it to size for 2.35:1 masking
from the original 1.78:1 screen.
Used craft glue and black velveteen to cover it. It pushes in on the bottom
piece into the frame recess so it sits flush with the frame. The top piece
also pushes in, but is also fixed in the centre with a small bit of gaffa
tape to stop is sagging under its own weight. Easily removable though.

For 16x9 or 1.78:1 I take them off at put them aside, for 2.35:1 I push them
in.

--
Cameron_S

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------
Sony HS10, Panasonic QTR2140 HD-STB, 100" Da-Lite Hi-Power, HTPC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------
"Michael" <quadhammerNO@HAMhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4011e26c$0$16592$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> It looks good. What did you use for the masking material? How does the
> masking bit work changing between the two ratios?
>

[Bill Tiltman]

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

[dcm]

I used a sheet of 6mm MDF roller-painted reasonably carefully with a tin of
Dulux flat white (took a few coats). I cut the MDF sheet down to a height
so it had a 16:9 aspect. Wrapped the edges with black duct tape to give a
flat-ish black border.

It was surprisingly good!! It cost around A$25 plus an afternoon!!

Because I'm a confirmed HT junkie now, I'll probably buy a screen at some
point but for ultra-cheap thrills, I thought the MDF solution was pretty
good.



dcm
(currently has VLP-S900U)
(will very soon have Panasonic AE500)





"MattyD" <matt@ihug.com.au> wrote in message
news:7ea65132.0401230625.599d472e@posting.google.c om...
> Hey Folks.
>
> I went out and purchased myself a Sanyo PLV-Z2 and at present I am
> projecting onto my units off-white wall. Ofcourse, even given just
> the wall, to this n00b of the Projector world it looks sensational.
>
> I'm sure there is something I can do to improve this experience
> without parting with loads of $$$$.
>
> Ive gone and checked out the "screens" section in Avsforum.com, and
> that place is just total overload, with most posts coming from
> middle-aged American fella's who like to boast about the black level
> issues their CRT projectors don't have.
>
> I'm just open to any oppinions on what would be cheap,quick and better
> than a creamy off white and textured concrete wall.
>
> So what's worked for you? Simple Blackout material, painted material,
> any paint colours that work good on plastic, a white sheet?
>
> I would greatly appreciate any simple suggestions that offer some
> improved results. I don't want some essay on grey colour scale and
> gain tradeoffs, just what you did, whether the results tickled your
> whickle, and a general synopsis of the percieved improvement to the
> image.
>
> Cheers in advance!
> MattyD

[Me]

As I have not ventured into the projection area, can you tell me what a
VLPS9000U and a AE500 are both worth?

Just wondering if they are expensive, as most projectors are, why skimp on
the screen? Not being critical, just curious as to why you wouldn't splash
out some more cash for a decent screen to appreciate the cash you have
forked out on the projector/s???



"dcm" <dcmoyle@removethisword.optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:401388b4$0$18304$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> I used a sheet of 6mm MDF roller-painted reasonably carefully with a tin
of
> Dulux flat white (took a few coats). I cut the MDF sheet down to a height
> so it had a 16:9 aspect. Wrapped the edges with black duct tape to give
a
> flat-ish black border.
>
> It was surprisingly good!! It cost around A$25 plus an afternoon!!
>
> Because I'm a confirmed HT junkie now, I'll probably buy a screen at some
> point but for ultra-cheap thrills, I thought the MDF solution was pretty
> good.
>
>
>
> dcm
> (currently has VLP-S900U)
> (will very soon have Panasonic AE500)
>
>
>
>
>
> "MattyD" <matt@ihug.com.au> wrote in message
> news:7ea65132.0401230625.599d472e@posting.google.c om...
> > Hey Folks.
> >
> > I went out and purchased myself a Sanyo PLV-Z2 and at present I am
> > projecting onto my units off-white wall. Ofcourse, even given just
> > the wall, to this n00b of the Projector world it looks sensational.
> >
> > I'm sure there is something I can do to improve this experience
> > without parting with loads of $$$$.
> >
> > Ive gone and checked out the "screens" section in Avsforum.com, and
> > that place is just total overload, with most posts coming from
> > middle-aged American fella's who like to boast about the black level
> > issues their CRT projectors don't have.
> >
> > I'm just open to any oppinions on what would be cheap,quick and better
> > than a creamy off white and textured concrete wall.
> >
> > So what's worked for you? Simple Blackout material, painted material,
> > any paint colours that work good on plastic, a white sheet?
> >
> > I would greatly appreciate any simple suggestions that offer some
> > improved results. I don't want some essay on grey colour scale and
> > gain tradeoffs, just what you did, whether the results tickled your
> > whickle, and a general synopsis of the percieved improvement to the
> > image.
> >
> > Cheers in advance!
> > MattyD
>
>

[MattyD]

Why Skimp on th screen when you have paid $3K + for a projector?

Very valid point! Two reasons I have considered the "screen Skimp" are
as follows:

1. At present I live in a unit that I don't own and unfortunately the
owner doesn't like the idea of me getting a masonic bit and drilling
the wall to mount a pull down screen or the like. Plus I will be
buying my own place shortly and plan all my effort and expenditure for
something more permanent.

2. From what I read people get almost equivalent results from 3 pass
Blockout (which you can get from Lindcraft for $4.99/m at present) a
bit a soft wood, some matte black felt, and a staple gun. WhenI can
easily fix this to the wall hangings that already exist, sounds like a
great option to me!

QUESTION!

I'm seriously considering the 3 pass block oput option, and you have
choice of white, or ivory. Which would be more appropriate for the
PLV-Z2 (LCD)? Ive head people talk about the benefits of grey, and
the ivory seems to have a bit more of a greyish tinge to it!

Thanks for the advice to date people!
Cheers,
MattyD.



"Me" <r@r.com> wrote in message news:<4013a9e9$0$1756$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au>...
> As I have not ventured into the projection area, can you tell me what a
> VLPS9000U and a AE500 are both worth?
>
> Just wondering if they are expensive, as most projectors are, why skimp on
> the screen? Not being critical, just curious as to why you wouldn't splash
> out some more cash for a decent screen to appreciate the cash you have
> forked out on the projector/s???
>
>
>
> "dcm" <dcmoyle@removethisword.optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
> news:401388b4$0$18304$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> > I used a sheet of 6mm MDF roller-painted reasonably carefully with a tin
> of
> > Dulux flat white (took a few coats). I cut the MDF sheet down to a height
> > so it had a 16:9 aspect. Wrapped the edges with black duct tape to give
> a
> > flat-ish black border.
> >
> > It was surprisingly good!! It cost around A$25 plus an afternoon!!
> >
> > Because I'm a confirmed HT junkie now, I'll probably buy a screen at some
> > point but for ultra-cheap thrills, I thought the MDF solution was pretty
> > good.
> >
> >
> >
> > dcm
> > (currently has VLP-S900U)
> > (will very soon have Panasonic AE500)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "MattyD" <matt@ihug.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:7ea65132.0401230625.599d472e@posting.google.c om...
> > > Hey Folks.
> > >
> > > I went out and purchased myself a Sanyo PLV-Z2 and at present I am
> > > projecting onto my units off-white wall. Ofcourse, even given just
> > > the wall, to this n00b of the Projector world it looks sensational.
> > >
> > > I'm sure there is something I can do to improve this experience
> > > without parting with loads of $$$$.
> > >
> > > Ive gone and checked out the "screens" section in Avsforum.com, and
> > > that place is just total overload, with most posts coming from
> > > middle-aged American fella's who like to boast about the black level
> > > issues their CRT projectors don't have.
> > >
> > > I'm just open to any oppinions on what would be cheap,quick and better
> > > than a creamy off white and textured concrete wall.
> > >
> > > So what's worked for you? Simple Blackout material, painted material,
> > > any paint colours that work good on plastic, a white sheet?
> > >
> > > I would greatly appreciate any simple suggestions that offer some
> > > improved results. I don't want some essay on grey colour scale and
> > > gain tradeoffs, just what you did, whether the results tickled your
> > > whickle, and a general synopsis of the percieved improvement to the
> > > image.
> > >
> > > Cheers in advance!
> > > MattyD
> >
> >

[Me]

Fair enough.


"MattyD" <matt@ihug.com.au> wrote in message
news:7ea65132.0401250634.78f4987d@posting.google.c om...
> Why Skimp on th screen when you have paid $3K + for a projector?
>
> Very valid point! Two reasons I have considered the "screen Skimp" are
> as follows:
>
> 1. At present I live in a unit that I don't own and unfortunately the
> owner doesn't like the idea of me getting a masonic bit and drilling
> the wall to mount a pull down screen or the like. Plus I will be
> buying my own place shortly and plan all my effort and expenditure for
> something more permanent.
>
> 2. From what I read people get almost equivalent results from 3 pass
> Blockout (which you can get from Lindcraft for $4.99/m at present) a
> bit a soft wood, some matte black felt, and a staple gun. WhenI can
> easily fix this to the wall hangings that already exist, sounds like a
> great option to me!
>
> QUESTION!
>
> I'm seriously considering the 3 pass block oput option, and you have
> choice of white, or ivory. Which would be more appropriate for the
> PLV-Z2 (LCD)? Ive head people talk about the benefits of grey, and
> the ivory seems to have a bit more of a greyish tinge to it!
>
> Thanks for the advice to date people!
> Cheers,
> MattyD.
>
>
>
> "Me" <r@r.com> wrote in message
news:<4013a9e9$0$1756$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au>...
> > As I have not ventured into the projection area, can you tell me what a
> > VLPS9000U and a AE500 are both worth?
> >
> > Just wondering if they are expensive, as most projectors are, why skimp
on
> > the screen? Not being critical, just curious as to why you wouldn't
splash
> > out some more cash for a decent screen to appreciate the cash you have
> > forked out on the projector/s???
> >
> >
> >
> > "dcm" <dcmoyle@removethisword.optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:401388b4$0$18304$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> > > I used a sheet of 6mm MDF roller-painted reasonably carefully with a
tin
> > of
> > > Dulux flat white (took a few coats). I cut the MDF sheet down to a
height
> > > so it had a 16:9 aspect. Wrapped the edges with black duct tape to
give
> > a
> > > flat-ish black border.
> > >
> > > It was surprisingly good!! It cost around A$25 plus an afternoon!!
> > >
> > > Because I'm a confirmed HT junkie now, I'll probably buy a screen at
some
> > > point but for ultra-cheap thrills, I thought the MDF solution was
pretty
> > > good.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > dcm
> > > (currently has VLP-S900U)
> > > (will very soon have Panasonic AE500)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "MattyD" <matt@ihug.com.au> wrote in message
> > > news:7ea65132.0401230625.599d472e@posting.google.c om...
> > > > Hey Folks.
> > > >
> > > > I went out and purchased myself a Sanyo PLV-Z2 and at present I am
> > > > projecting onto my units off-white wall. Ofcourse, even given just
> > > > the wall, to this n00b of the Projector world it looks sensational.
> > > >
> > > > I'm sure there is something I can do to improve this experience
> > > > without parting with loads of $$$$.
> > > >
> > > > Ive gone and checked out the "screens" section in Avsforum.com, and
> > > > that place is just total overload, with most posts coming from
> > > > middle-aged American fella's who like to boast about the black level
> > > > issues their CRT projectors don't have.
> > > >
> > > > I'm just open to any oppinions on what would be cheap,quick and
better
> > > > than a creamy off white and textured concrete wall.
> > > >
> > > > So what's worked for you? Simple Blackout material, painted
material,
> > > > any paint colours that work good on plastic, a white sheet?
> > > >
> > > > I would greatly appreciate any simple suggestions that offer some
> > > > improved results. I don't want some essay on grey colour scale and
> > > > gain tradeoffs, just what you did, whether the results tickled your
> > > > whickle, and a general synopsis of the percieved improvement to the
> > > > image.
> > > >
> > > > Cheers in advance!
> > > > MattyD
> > >
> > >