How to make a do-it-yourself projector screen

It would seem that there is no longer room for a regular screen for a projector in the niche of information and television technologies. But it was not there. A situation can always arise when a projector and its satellite, a screen, are required. If the first is in good condition, but the canvas was damaged or damaged, you can try to make a screen for the projector with your own hands. Homemade canvas will not be much different from the store.

DIY projector screen

Projector selection by purpose

Before you start creating screens yourself, you need to select the type of projector. After all, the appearance of the screen also depends on this. Projectors are conventionally divided into budget, office, mobile, installation and home theater.

Budget devices are usually used in schools, training centers, vocational schools, small offices and at home. In such projectors, the number of functions and connections is minimal.

Office devices are necessary for meeting rooms, at seminars and expositions, exhibitions and conferences. Such projectors are functional and universal.

Mobile devices are compact, minimal in weight. Such projectors have shockproof housings. Devices are protected by a special system against theft. Such projectors can be used without a computer.

Installation devices are needed at events in conference rooms. They are equipped with many settings for image geometry, a large number of connectors. This type of device has maximum functionality and multitasking. The screen for an electric projector is great for him.

Projectors for home theater are designed to play videos with improved quality. Fan noise is low. It is possible to reproduce a computer image.

power projector screen

Projector Screen - A Need

After purchasing a projector, you need to think about buying a canvas. Of course, you can make a screen for the projector with your own hands, which will be a simple solution to the issue of creating a home theater. The canvas should display a high-quality picture. It is desirable that the screen sizes be large, then watching and showing videos and presentations will be much easier.

Depending on the interior of the room, you can choose stretch or roll sheets. By the way, the latter are more popular due to significant space savings. A roll screen for an electric projector fits into any interior. In addition, he is able to better demonstrate the image due to the perfect surface. A special mechanism prevents damage to the fabric due to uniform tension and accurate folding.

Using screens on a tripod can create some inconvenience. So, the support for the canvas interferes, especially if the area of ​​the room is small. The tripod screen may be damaged by pets or during transportation.

Proper screen selection for the projector

The projection canvas should perform two tasks: to accurately reproduce information and correctly distribute light in the direction of the audience.

The type of canvas should primarily be consistent with the characteristics of the room, the viewing angle, the position of the projector on a table or ceiling. Also, the choice of the canvas is affected by the lighting in the room and the brightness of the projector.

The next factor affecting screen selection is the image format. So, the following ratio of width and height is distinguished.

Image formats

Standard

1: 1

Video format

4: 3

HDTV

16: 9

Wide format

16:10

Cinematic

2.35: 1

Most often they choose a wall-mounted screen for a projector that takes into account any type of reproduced information. So, you can prefer the canvas or electrically, or with manual control. The electric drive allows you to evenly stretch the screen on a special shaft. Thanks to this, the canvas lasts much longer and does not get damaged. In the case of manual control, the quality of the folding mechanism affects the safety and durability of the web, speed and smoothness of folding.

projector wall screen

How to calculate screen sizes for a projector

Before making a screen for a projector, the dimensions of which can vary depending on the location of the audience and the design of the room, you need to make careful calculations. The canvas should be placed in front of the audience (audience), but not in front of the device itself. This rule will be the key to the success of the event.

If you want to use the wall-mounted screen for the projector, its height should be approximately equal to 1/6 of the distance "canvas-last row of viewers". In this case, the text on the screen will be perfectly visible. The ideal option assumes that the first row of spectators will be at a distance of two heights of the canvas. This is the minimum interval from which it will be comfortable to perceive information. The bottom of the screen should be 1.2 meters above the floor. In this case, viewers from the last row will see all the information located on the canvas.

projector screen sizes

When calculating the size of the projection screen, you must consider the type of format that will be played. If videos of different types will be shown, then all of them should be considered. Screen size should be the largest among all reproducible types.

Video formats
NTSC video4: 3 (1.33)
Pal video4: 3 (1.33)
HDTV video16: 9 (1.78)
Letterbox video1.85
Cinemascope Cinematic2,35

Varieties of screens for the projector

Choosing a screen for the projector is necessary depending on the tasks and individual requirements. There are canvases of reverse or direct projection; with manual or motorized control; with ceiling or wall mount. For stationary placement, wall and ceiling screens are best suited.

Canvases with manual and motorized control are also called rolls. Here, the way to minimize the screen so that it does not take up space plays a role.

When holding meetings or conferences, canvases are often used on a tripod. Such screens are very compact in assembled condition, conveniently transformed. They can be adjusted in height, easy to transport.

Also, the ceiling projector screen can be rolled up regardless of whether it is installed or portable. If you need to save space, then without such a canvas just can not do.

projector screen ceiling

Installation of projection equipment

To install projection equipment, you must perform two steps: select the location and image size.

The selection of the localization of the projector and screen depends on the size of the room, its layout and user preferences. The choice is also affected by the width and height of the canvas, the location of the outlet, the distance to the equipment, etc.

The projector can be installed in several positions:

  • front on the table;
  • front on the ceiling;
  • back on the table;
  • back on the ceiling.

You can adjust the equipment through a special menu. And if you make a screen for the projector with your own hands, then the control will be the same as for the canvas purchased.

In the second installation point of the projected equipment is the choice of image size, which will be placed on the canvas. The width and height of the picture depends on the distance between the screen and the projector, the video format and magnification. The equipment should stand on a flat horizontal surface, the beam - fall strictly perpendicular to the center of the canvas.

After these steps, you need to connect the projector correctly. On its back there are many connectors. Users who present presentations constantly connect the computer to the projector through the same input. However, if video and not slides are shown, then you need to figure out which connector the cable should be connected to.

How to make a screen for a projector

Is it difficult to do this? To create a do-it-yourself projector screen, you will need:

  • foamed PVC ;
  • aluminum profile complete with springs, corners, hinges;
  • suspension mechanism (rail and rollers), if you need to move the canvas.

All actions to create a screen must be carried out on a spread soft surface. Otherwise, the front of the screen may be damaged. So, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

  • It is necessary to fix the frame for the screen through special corners. Then install the hinges for the cross members and fasten to the wall surface.
  • The PVC sheet must be fixed in the profile frame using springs.
  • If necessary, the rollers are attached to the entire structure.
  • Then you need to mount the rollers in the lower part of the screen so as not to scratch the wall when moving the canvas.
  • To increase the rigidity of the structure, you need to install vertical racks at the attachment points.

In principle, the question of how to make a screen for a projector has been resolved. The prepared canvas is an order of magnitude better than a rolled canvas purchase. If you wish, you can paint PVC gray paint to create the feeling of being in a movie theater.

how to make a screen for a projector

Alternatives

If there is no opportunity and time to go to a hardware store for a sheet of PVC, try alternative methods.

  1. You can use the wall in the apartment instead of the screen. It is desirable that the surface on top be unused. A white door, fridge or cupboard is also suitable.
  2. You can project an image onto a white ceiling. In this case, you will need a large number of pillows that will be on the floor. And the projector somehow needs to be fixed not in a horizontal position, but in a vertical one.
  3. As a screen, you can use a large flip calendar, flipped to the audience with the white side. A white shelf from a cabinet or chest of drawers, placed on a stool and leaned on the wall, is also suitable. The image will be worse on a white Roman curtain or a light curtain.

Now everything is known about the projector and screen. It’s so nice to watch a movie with the whole family at home on a large improvised canvas, so effectively show a presentation at the conference and win the sympathy of the audience. The modern world without a projector is dull and boring.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/A4245/


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