Screen Forum Index

[wbassett]

Under Construction

It's come to my attention we're starting to grow and as such getting harder to find information. There are stickies for some of the main topics, but everything can't be a sticky so an index makes sense.

In here we will link to threads or in some cases posts within threads. We'll lay it out with main categories and under those will be links to posts with information on that topic. These won't be reposts of the thread information, rather links with a brief synopsis of the topic.

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.

[wbassett]

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.

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.

[wbassett]

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.

[wbassett]

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.

[wbassett]

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.

[wbassett]

These links will be about various aspects of screen construction.

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.

[wbassett]

Links with cool tips and ideas.

[wbassett]

Links discussing the different brands of paint and how to chose a paint.

[wbassett]

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:

• Goo Systems
• DIY Theatre Sample Submitted for Review
• Digital Image Sample Submitted for Review
• Vogel's Mighty Brighty Called for more information and sample, no call back.
• Digital Theater
• ProjectX
• Liquiscreen

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.

[wbassett]

Various threads and reviews on commercial screens.

Manufactured Screens and Professional Paint Mixes
This is the main sticky that contains likes to the various commercial screen reviews.

[Prof.]

Well done Bill..Links to the various screen options will be invaluable..

[wbassett]

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.

[Prof.]

The ease of finding information is paramount...

[mechman]

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.

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

[mechman]

Added CGiv and Black Widow.

mech