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Screen Forum Index

14K views 15 replies 3 participants last post by  mechman 
#1 ·
The sticky has been updated so that now the first post contains links to all the pertinent posts. If there is one we missed please let us know. The more descriptive older sticky follows after for those wishing more information.

Education and Screen Theory threads


Quick DIY 101- Some Definitions and Acronyms

Data and Testing Definitions and Intro - This thread deals with more of the science of color and how it applies to screens. It gets periodic updates.

Official Screen Recommendation List - These are screens that we have tested and recommend.

Data and Testing Definitions and Intro Discussion - Here you will find questions and discussions about topics and concepts in the main Data and Testing thread.

Gain and other confusing topics. - DIY like anything else brings up a lot of questions and sometimes even more confusion, even at times outright myths that over time people accept as fact because of how many times they have been repeated. Those topics are discussed here and it is an open format where people can ask questions of a more technical nature dealing with the science and theory of screens.

Neutral Grays and Simple Off The Shelf Solutions - This thread may sound more like a screen solution or application but it is more about neutral grays and why we should use a neutral over a 'color'. Within the thread there are some recommended screen options as well as plenty of example screen shots.

Spraying a Screen - This thread discusses spraying a screen vs rolling it.

DIY Screen Painting 101 - This is the main sticky thread going over the fundamentals of painting a screen. The information in this thread applies to both DIY and commercial screen paints.

S-I-L-V-E-R vs. Wilsonart Designer White Laminate - Two comparable diy solutions go head to head.

Paint Variances - For those interested in DIY screens, specifically using paint for a screen, when dealing with common house paints there are sometimes issues with quality and variances from brand to brand, and sometimes even batch to batch. This thread discusses some of the variances being seen between different brands of paint and stores where most people would be shopping.

Inverted (Negative) Images and Uniformity - This thread will also be linked in under screen construction links but it is also good to have it here because it discusses a method for detecting screen imperfections that was pioneered here on HTS.

Exterior vs. Interior Paints - Exterior paints are not a good idea. This is why.


DIY Screen threads


DIY Grayscale and Gamut readings - Grayscale and Gamut readings from various diy materials. The first post contains a very good description of the charts. Probably the best way to display the performance, or in some cases the lack of performance of a screen solution.

DIY Spectrum Readings - Spectrophotometer readings of various diy screen solutions. Needs a description in the first post.

Black Widow PFG - the Presentation - Black Widow - World famous Black Widow screen paint.

Black Widow PFG - the Discussion - Black Widow - Discussion of the world famous Black Widow screen paint.

Cream&Sugar - an N9 reflective screen mix. - Home of the famous (soon to be world famous) Cream & Sugar screen paint.

Scorpion N8 and N8.5 - The middle ground between Black Widow (N7.5) and Cream & Sugar (N9).

The Laminate Screen Thread (Data and detailed information) - This is probably the biggest and most well known substrate on this site. Lots of information as well as screen examples are in here.

Working with Rough Walls... a Screen from Nothing - Can't find a substrate large enough? Walls too rough to use as is? Here is one way to deal with older homes and less than ideal walls.

DULUX Exterior Paint vs. Black Widow - There was a time when this was 'supposed' to be identical to Black Widow. Need proof? Check out the thread! :T

Laminate Showcase - As the thread title says, this is a showcase for those owning laminate screens.

The Silver Pearl - Prof's screen mix from Australia. :T

Blackout Cloth (BOC) and other Screen Materials - Still under construction but this thread is the main sticky that will be the landing thread discussing all material based DIY screens.

Simple Substrate Screens - This thread is still under construction. There are many different substrates out there and this will be the thread where they are presented.

Designer White vs. Fashion Grey Laminate - This thread is a comparison of the two most often used Wilsonart laminates, highlighting the pros/cons of each. This thread also demonstrates the importance of re-calibrating your pj for each screen, with an excellent explanation of why that's so. It's also a good place to learn the difference in performance of a white and gray screen.

Silver Fire Review - It's the rage elsewhere. Find out why it fizzles from an unbiased perspective.

CGIV For mech - benven's last diy screen paint offering. Base coat was measured but the final outcome was never measured as we never received a sample with the topcoat. And the ingredients are not available locally to us.

'Pigment' Free Gray- Initial Development and Testing - Want to read up on the history of pigment free grays? The logic behind Black Widow? It's there.

Polyurethane and other misguided ponderings... - It's all the rage elsewhere. Not so much here. Find out why. This thread will have additional information and concrete data in the coming weeks (Jan 2010).

Other Black Widow Options - Black widow options with bases other than Valspar Ultra Premium Flat Enamel.


Commercial Screen threads


Commercial Grayscale and Gamut Readings - Grayscale and Gamut readings of various commercial screen materials.

Commercial Spectrum Readings - Spectrophotometer readings of the various commercial materials.

Elite Screens Silver Frame Screen Review - Sadly discontinued due to the aluminum frame manufacturer going out of business.

dnp Supernova Review - dnp Supernova review.

Da-Lite Screen Material Review - A review of many of Da-Lite's screen materials.

Da-Lite's New 3D Virtual Grey Projection Screen Material

Vutec Vision-X Dyna-Curve

Goo Systems Review - Arguably the king of commercial screen paints. Clearly not worth the money...

Seymour AV Center Stage Screen - Seymour AV Center Stage material review. Acoustically transparent material. Seymour makes a good product. :T

Beamax Screen Materials - Beamax screen material review.

SmX Projection Screens Official Thread - Thinking about getting a SmX screen? Or maybe you have one and are looking to tell fellow Shacksters about it. This is the place. SmX acoustically transparent screen.

Manufactured Screens and Professional Paint Mixes - A list of manufactured screens and paint mixes that have links here at the Shack.

HoloDisplays HoloVega - A review - HoloVega review.

Elite PowerGain 3, 4, & 5 - This was just a quick look at three new materials that Elite was prototyping for screen materials. We didn't really care for them too much as they are geared for niche areas of use as opposed to home theater.


Miscellaneous threads


Spectrum Images

Further Investigations... - The Further Investigations threads are a good look at the thought process that goes on between us while we attempt to develop new screen paints. These no longer take place here in the main forum, just in the developer's forum.

Further Investigations Part II

Further Investigations Part III


A study of clears - part two - The link to part one is in the first post. This one is a bit more thorough than the first study.

gray balance before taking photos and GTI N8 - Want to know how to take color accurate photographs? Well read this thread then. :yes:

Black Widow - How does it calibrate? - How does a Black Widow screen calibrate? Very easily if the projector is dialed in! :T

Investigating Screen Gain - This is a great discussion thread on how to measure gain, including what you need and how to accomplish it.

Gain Readings - Gain readings for various materials.

Projector Central Calculator - Just enter your projector brand and model number and it will tell you what screen size you can get for your throw distance, etc. It also will tell you how many foot lamberts you will be projecting.


Links with cool tips and ideas.


THX Home Theater Display Setup

Projector Central PJ Calculator

Calibration guide for AVIA and DVE from RAM Electronics

Avical's DVE tutorial

Bruce Lindbloom's site - one of our favorite resources

Carlton Bale's Home Theater Calculator



The old sticky starts here


Screen Basics and Theory



Substrate Screens


Cloth Screens



Screen Painting


Screen Construction


Tips, Tricks, and Cool Ideas



Paint Selection
Known OTS Neutral Greys
Topcoats

Commercial Screen Paints

Commercial Screens

As time permits links will be filled in by the moderators. If anyone feels there is a post or link of interest that should be included, let us know.
 
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#2 ·
Screen Basics and Theory

These links will take you to the various threads and posts dealing with screen theory and discussions.

Data and Testing Definitions and Intro
This thread deals with more of the science of color and how it applies to screens. It gets periodic updates.

Data and Testing Definitions and Intro Discussion
Here you will find questions and discussions about topics and concepts in the main Data and Testing thread.

Calibration - Possibly the most important thing to read - here or anywhere.

Gain and other confusing topics
DIY like anything else brings up a lot of questions and sometimes even more confusion, even at times outright myths that over time people accept as fact because of how many times they have been repeated. Those topics are discussed here and it is an open format where people can ask questions of a more technical nature dealing with the science and theory of screens.

Paint Variances
For those interested in DIY screens, specifically using paint for a screen, when dealing with common house paints there are sometimes issues with quality and variances from brand to brand, and sometimes even batch to batch. This thread discusses some of the variances being seen between different brands of paint and stores where most people would be shopping.

Neutral Grays and Simple Off the Shelf Solutions
This thread may sound more like a screen solution or application but it is more about neutral grays and why we should use a neutral over a 'color'. Within the thread there are some recommended screen options as well as plenty of example screen shots.

Inverted (Negative) Images and Uniformity
This thread will also be linked in under screen construction links but it is also good to have it here because it discusses a method for detecting screen imperfections that was pioneered here on HTS.

Commercial Screen Reflection readings
Title says it all.

Commercial Screen Spectrophotometer readings
Again the title says it all.
 
#3 ·
Substrate Screens

These links are for simple substrates used for screens as is or as a foundation for a painted screen.

Simple Substrate Screens
This thread is still under construction. There are many different substrates out there and this will be the thread where they are presented.

The Laminate Screen Thread
This is probably the biggest and most well known substrate on this site. Lots of information as well as screen examples are in here.

Laminate Showcase
As the thread title says, this is a showcase for those owning laminate screens.

Painted screen vs laminate screen
This thread discusses the differences between a painted and laminate DIY screen.

The Official Do-able Thread
A regional substrate available to those west of the Rockies. For those that can get it, Do-Able is one of the best and least expensive substrates used as is for a DIY screen.

The Melamine Screen
Another excellent thread by Prof outlining the construction of his new HT room using a melamine substrate as the screen.

Designer White vs Fashion Grey Laminate
This thread is a comparison of the two most often used Wilsonart laminates, highlighting the pros/cons of each. This thread also demonstrates the importance of re-calibrating your pj for each screen, with an excellent explanation of why that's so.
 
#4 ·
Cloth Screens

These threads talk about various cloth materials used for DIY screens. Long gone are the days of bedsheets and some of these materials rival much more expensive options.

Blackout Cloth (BOC) and other Screen Materials
Still under construction but this thread is the main sticky that will be the landing thread discussing all material based DIY screens.

Fabric Screens
This is a thread Prof started about an interesting material he found.

RoseBrand
This is a site that deals with the stage and theater industry and they have a lot of materials that are ideal for use as DIY screens, including actual screen material that they sell cut to size.

Fabric based screens are an area that we are investigating, but there is still a lot of work to do in this area and anyone that has experience and information on material screens, feel free to start a thread and help get this particular option more developed.
 
#5 ·
Screen Painting

Perhaps one of the most popular forms of DIY screens is the use of paint.

These threads discuss various topics dealing with painting a screen using paints found at local stores.

DIY Screen Painting 101
This is the main sticky thread going over the fundamentals of painting a screen. The information in this thread applies to both DIY and commercial screen paints.

Neutral Grays and Simple Off the Shelf Solutions
This thread was also listed under the Screen Theory section, but it also contains actual Off The Shelf (OTS) neutral grays and where to obtain them.

A Gray Screen even with total light control?
This isn't a thread but a post within the Neutral Gray thread that I felt was worth breaking out into it's own link. It discusses the benefit of gray screens and explains that for some people, and in some situations even in total light control a gray screen sometimes may be better.

How to determine if Gray is for you...
Another breakout post within a main thread. This one outlines how to determine if you may prefer a gray screen or a white screen.

CGIII
This is a DIY painted screen option developed by Benven that is very nice. It is however a spray only option.

CGiv
Benven's latest creation!

HTS Black Widow

Cream & Sugar - a N9 Reflective Gray
Harpmaker's investigation into gray reflective screens have resulted in a very simple light gray paint.

Spraying a screen...
This thread discusses spraying a screen vs rolling it.

'Pigment' Free Gray- a New Gray
This thread follows the development of a new and very unique gray that doesn't use conventional pigments like other store based grays.

Rosco Off Broadway White White
This is an often over looked white paint, mainly because it typically isn't available locally but can be purchased online and check the store locator, it just might be in your area. This is a vinyl based paint that is extremely bright and Rosco acknowledges its use as a screen paint.

Scorpion N8 and N8.5
These are the latest off shoots from Black Widow and Cream and Sugar. Combined they make a very nice and neutral N8 & N8.5.
 
#6 ·
#7 ·
#9 ·
Commercial Screen Paints

In addition to DIY paints, we also provide information on commercial screen paints. These are a very viable option and some people would rather not mess around with the sometimes experimental world of DIY or don't feel comfortable mixing, or perhaps they just prefer something commercial over DIY.

There are probably more commercial screen paint companies out there than most people realize.

In no particular order or ranking:

Prices range from under $100 to well over $200. For some, the idea of getting something that isn't trial and error like DIY can sometimes be, the money is well worth it.

DIYTheater.com No Contrast screen paint kit
A thread by electronbee discussing his application of a DIY Theatre screen.
 
#12 ·
We're still working on it. Kinda an index within an index.

There always seems to be great links or posts, but you can't make everything a sticky so this just made sense.
 
#14 ·
I removed Xtreme Fusion Screen paint as they no longer sell their paint on their web page. It says dealers may inquire but I highly doubt all of our members would have access to that. :huh:

Personally I think we should only list those that submit a sample for review and are readily available to anyone on our forum. Including those 'down under. ;) But that's just my $.02.

mech
 
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