Hi All -
I have been surfing around the DIY Screen board for the last couple of weeks. The amount of information I have found is just overwhelming. I really enjoy reading about all the testing people have done on the various types of screens. There seems to be a lot more going on here than another forum that I started out on. I have made my way through most of the threads in the sticky section. What a valuable resource those threads are for someone, like me, just starting out in the projector world.
I will start off with my setup. Epson HC 6100, recently picked up on clearance. I, like most, I have gone against the advice of the board and purchased the PJ before thinking about the screen. That's what happens when you purchase a PJ and then realize you have no idea on what to do about a screen. Next time I'll know better. At least I feel that this unit is a decent choice for my viewing needs. The PJ is ceiling mounted 11' 6" from the screen, ceiling is white and walls are a light tan color. See pics below.
Projector
Screen wall
The PJ is located in my basement (approx 25' X 25'), which also is the kid's play run (they are no longer allowed to throw anything), wife's office area (I built her a cubical), and gathering place for the guys to watch sports and play cards. There are two windows that can be blocked off with BOC to make the basement completely dark during the day. Three zones of reset lights are all on dimmer switches.
Viewing: Sports with low light levels in the area furthest away from the screen and movies in complete darkness.
I started off by projecting the image on the tan walls and everyone thought the picture still looked great. A couple weekends ago I marked off the area of the screen, which by the way is a 98" diagonal (almost forgot that key point), by projecting a blue image on the wall and used a level to outline the screen area in pencil. Then taped it off with blue painters tape (about one inch outside the pencil line) sanded the wall with a finish sander, and painted the area with Kilz2 (as recommended). I calibrated using the THX setup, at least the best I could without having the blue filter glasses. I'll do a better calibration once the screen in completed.
Getting ready to paint.
In this picture you can see the tape is outside the line that defines the screen area.
Painted with two coats of Kilz2.
My thoughts of the Kilz2. The image is definitely more enjoyable, in my eyes, than it was on the tan walls. The black levels look great in a completely dark room but could use some help with a little ambient light. The image is both sharper and the contrast seems better. I'm sure some of the improvement could be from my calibration attempt, allow I did not have to adjust the settings that much from the factor settings.
I would like to move onto one of the gray mixes. From what I'm reading this should help some with the light reflection and ambient light while watching sports with friends. With my setup and room would you recommend going with an N9 like the C&S or going darker (N8.5 or N8)? I am also willing to give any developmental mixes a try if needed. I would just need someone to guide me through the process.
Many Thanks,
John
I have been surfing around the DIY Screen board for the last couple of weeks. The amount of information I have found is just overwhelming. I really enjoy reading about all the testing people have done on the various types of screens. There seems to be a lot more going on here than another forum that I started out on. I have made my way through most of the threads in the sticky section. What a valuable resource those threads are for someone, like me, just starting out in the projector world.
I will start off with my setup. Epson HC 6100, recently picked up on clearance. I, like most, I have gone against the advice of the board and purchased the PJ before thinking about the screen. That's what happens when you purchase a PJ and then realize you have no idea on what to do about a screen. Next time I'll know better. At least I feel that this unit is a decent choice for my viewing needs. The PJ is ceiling mounted 11' 6" from the screen, ceiling is white and walls are a light tan color. See pics below.
Projector
Screen wall
The PJ is located in my basement (approx 25' X 25'), which also is the kid's play run (they are no longer allowed to throw anything), wife's office area (I built her a cubical), and gathering place for the guys to watch sports and play cards. There are two windows that can be blocked off with BOC to make the basement completely dark during the day. Three zones of reset lights are all on dimmer switches.
Viewing: Sports with low light levels in the area furthest away from the screen and movies in complete darkness.
I started off by projecting the image on the tan walls and everyone thought the picture still looked great. A couple weekends ago I marked off the area of the screen, which by the way is a 98" diagonal (almost forgot that key point), by projecting a blue image on the wall and used a level to outline the screen area in pencil. Then taped it off with blue painters tape (about one inch outside the pencil line) sanded the wall with a finish sander, and painted the area with Kilz2 (as recommended). I calibrated using the THX setup, at least the best I could without having the blue filter glasses. I'll do a better calibration once the screen in completed.
Getting ready to paint.
In this picture you can see the tape is outside the line that defines the screen area.
Painted with two coats of Kilz2.
My thoughts of the Kilz2. The image is definitely more enjoyable, in my eyes, than it was on the tan walls. The black levels look great in a completely dark room but could use some help with a little ambient light. The image is both sharper and the contrast seems better. I'm sure some of the improvement could be from my calibration attempt, allow I did not have to adjust the settings that much from the factor settings.
I would like to move onto one of the gray mixes. From what I'm reading this should help some with the light reflection and ambient light while watching sports with friends. With my setup and room would you recommend going with an N9 like the C&S or going darker (N8.5 or N8)? I am also willing to give any developmental mixes a try if needed. I would just need someone to guide me through the process.
Many Thanks,
John