Projector screens

[b0redom]

Hi All,
So I have my shiny new office (man cave) and shiny new projector. I am now after a projector screen as the walls aren't completely flat. It has to be put away when not in use and portable, so a ceiling/wall mount aren't really appropriate.

I'm looking for a free standing 100" 16:9 screen.

What does the panel recommend?

[b0redom]

*bump*

Really? No one has a view?

[dave87]

A screen that size is going to be quite a lump to put away. Have you considered a ceiling mounted retractable unit? That way you can drop the screen when you need to/put it away when you don't.

Even better (depending on how much DIY you want to do and the direction your joists run) you can put it in the ceiling and then only drop through the bit you need.

Sadly I don't know the first thing about screens. Lowe might be your best bet - he's been running a projector for a decent while I think.

[snedger]

When I researched floor mounted pj screens a couple of years ago a lot of forum posts talked about the screen not being very flat after a short period of use.
As usual the better screens were not available in the UK.
A lot were 4:3, which makes no sense to me.
I'd be tempted to get a wall renovated to be a good projecting surface - and perhaps paint it with the "Mississippi mud" recipe.

[scaryjim]

... I am now after a projector screen as the walls aren't completely flat. ...

To what extent and in what direction are they not flat? ime projection tends to be fairly forgiving of the surface you're using, but if the walls are really bad you might find it's just as cheap to get a decent plasterer to reskim the wall. Have you tried direct projection yet?

Also, why does it have to be put away if it's in your man cave? Surely the whole point of a man cave is that you can do what you want in there?!

[b0redom]

A screen that size is going to be quite a lump to put away. Have you considered a ceiling mounted retractable unit? That way you can drop the screen when you need to/put it away when you don't.

Even better (depending on how much DIY you want to do and the direction your joists run) you can put it in the ceiling and then only drop through the bit you need.

No dice, the ceiling is sloping due to building regulations, so a roof mounted projector is out. You've also missed the 'portable' bit :-). I'd like to be able to use it outside the man cave too....

[b0redom]

I'd be tempted to get a wall renovated to be a good projecting surface - and perhaps paint it with the "Mississippi mud" recipe.

To what extent and in what direction are they not flat? ime projection tends to be fairly forgiving of the surface you're using, but if the walls are really bad you might find it's just as cheap to get a decent plasterer to reskim the wall. Have you tried direct projection yet?

The walls are 1m panels, with a strip that probably sites 2-3mm, out from the surface and possibly 20mm wide joining them up. It looks OK for the most part, just a bit odd if something passes over the join.

Also, why does it have to be put away if it's in your man cave? Surely the whole point of a man cave is that you can do what you want in there?!

It's not just that it needs to be put away (although the space is also being used as an office for me and the mrs), it's more that I want to be able to move the screen. If I have to do a customer presentation/the kids want to have 'movie night' in the living room etc.

Moving a whole plastered wall is a bit ummmm.... problematic, not least because it will cause the rest of the building to fall down.

[scaryjim]

... It's not just that it needs to be put away (although the space is also being used as an office for me and the mrs), it's more that I want to be able to move the screen. If I have to do a customer presentation/the kids want to have 'movie night' in the living room etc. ...

Do those need a 100" screen? Could you project onto the wall in the man-cave, and have a smaller, cheaper, more portable screen for the other uses?

Also, intrigued that you've got some kind of paneled wall in the man-cave - I'd assumed it was just a nominated room in the house. Is there a reason for the paneling? Or could it be replaced by a normal plasterboard & skim?

[b0redom]

It's not a room in the house, it's a 6mx3m one of these:

http://www.greenretreats.co.uk/garde...den-rooms.html

I'm not going to get a single wall plastered as that'd make the building look stupid and I don't want the whole lot doing now I've got all the electrics done etc.

Of course I don't _need_ a 100" screen. Let's face it no one actually needs a 100" screen. I just want one!

[Disturbedguy]

Do those need a 100" screen? Could you project onto the wall in the man-cave, and have a smaller, cheaper, more portable screen for the other uses?

Also, intrigued that you've got some kind of paneled wall in the man-cave - I'd assumed it was just a nominated room in the house. Is there a reason for the paneling? Or could it be replaced by a normal plasterboard & skim?

Cant really add much to the screen thing, but im fairly sure Boredom posted a thread earlier and his man cave was a kinda pre-fab unit in his garden..

[scaryjim]

It's not a room in the house, it's a 6mx3m one of these: ...

Hmm, yeah, not really something you want to plaster! Heh, do you have one with a big picture window? You could put a big white curtain up and use that Double bonus it'd work as a back-projection screen in the summer so you could have film nights in the garden!

I don't have any personal experience of particular 100" screens, but based on my general experience of screens I'd definitely go for a pull-up screen; they're more stable and have a slimmer profile (so it's easier to push them up against the wall). Looking around a 100" screen is going to cost you the best part of £200 and weigh A LOT (e.g. https://www.avpartsmaster.co.uk/p-51...fl200wsfp.aspx)

[Btl5959]

I have been using Elite Screens Spectrum (110-inch 16:9, 4K) for about 8 months now and could not be happier. Highly recommend it.

[neonplanet40]

Sorry I missed this mate

Too late now but, I use this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005BE02...ing=UTF8&psc=1

Its very good. Moving soon though and going to get this I think:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PCW133MET-1...E3WD81YGB97VXF