I am looking for a DYI Aspect Ratio solution?

[Scuba Diver]

I would like to construct something that makes it easy to change the aspect ratio for my screen. Something that can slide from the sides and above would be nice. I will attept it on my own if there is not suggestions.

[mechman]

The one thing that I've always thought about doing is making up some panels, wrapping them in velvet, and then gluing magnets on the backside. You would then glue a thin strip of metal on the back of your screen to hold them up. I've never gone further than the 'daydreaming' stage though. What are you looking for? Something easy? Or something like a motorized masking system?

mech

[wbassett]

That's one great thing about the laminates. You can very easily use rare earth magnets to hold masking panels in place. The laminate is thin enough that the magnets will hold the panels firmly in place, and the best thing is you don't have to worry about damaging the screen surface like with some paints.

[Scuba Diver]

Yes, I can see how that could work. That gives me some ideas.
I never even though about motorized panels. Sounds expensive.

[wbassett]

Here is an inexpensive motorized drape system that I have always been interested in for a masking system. I just haven't had the time build my 'ultimate' screen frame.

This would take a little ingenuity to rig it up, but having a remote controlled masking system is definitely a 10+ on the coolness scale.

[cynical2]

I have started to make my masking system, but haven't finished it yet. My screen is painted on the wall, so my options were very limited. I'm just going to wrap pieces of 1/8" hardboard (cut to the right size to move from 2:35 to 16:9) iwith velvet, with "tabs" sticking off of the back of 3 sides. The hardboard is thin enough to easily flex, and my belief (hope) is that I can easily slide the tabs behind the velvet wrapped frame on the wall. For example, on the left side of the screen, the tabs will slide behind the frame on the top, bottom, and left borders (frame) that are mounted to the wall.

It's a $5 solution, and once it's done I'll report back. So far, only the hardboard masks is cut. I haven't wrapped it in velvet or attached the tabs...yet. Hopefully, it will be a workable solution, as I want to control costs for my 1st solution.

[Scuba Diver]

I am so glad I posted this. I see a powered masking system in my future.

[Rex]

Scuba Diver wrote:

I am so glad I posted this. I see a powered masking system in my future.

Sounds very clever. Will you post a discussion and/or photographs of your prototype? I've always been a fan of dynamic solutions. A pity the world does not have a single standard, but we have to adapt.

[Scuba Diver]

Please do post pictures. I would like to see it. Working or not.