Making The Jump: Poor Man's Cinemascope

[EJ1]

So I've decided to make the jump to a constant image-height setup without using an anamorphic lens, scaler/processor, etc. My plan is just use the zoom method. I currently live in an apartment where all the walls and ceiling are the same beige color but I have dark curtains w/ blackout lining on every window and I plan on putting black fabric on the entire wall the screen is on. Here's what I currently have:

92" Carada CCW 1.78 to 1
Height: 45"
Width: 80"

...and what I plan on purchasing:

112" Carada BW 2.40 to 1
Height: 43"
Width: 103"

This way, when I want to view HDTV programming, I'm almost retaining what I was originally viewing with the old screen. I also noticed using the projector calculator, that I'm going to have to increase the gain in order to achieve 14-15fL. Also, the reason I decided on 2.40 to 1 is that this is the AR of some movies and it can allow the content of 2.37 to 1 and 2.35 to 1 to "spill over" onto the borders.

I'm curious how the screen is going to look when watching 16:9 footage with no masking. Is it going to drive me batty having those sections of unused screen just glaring at me? Does anyone have any ideas for a cheap masking system? Maybe just put some velcro on the back of velvet and affix it to both sides of the screen when watching HDTV? Thanks in advance and I welcome any comments.

 

[jostenmeat]

Maybe a curtain?

I've never seen bars on the sides, but all I can say is that the bars on top/bottom don't bother me one bit. There are many other things that could distract me more easily, if I chose to be distracted. Hell, even light reflecting off my speakers would be more distracting.

Are you sure that 14-15 fl is bright enough for you?

Interesting reading for you from the digital hi-end pj subforum:
Is the Traditional Recommended Luminance of 12 foot-lamberts Bright Enough for You?

Good luck, EJ1.

-jostenmeat

 

[EJ1]

Thanks for the read, jostenmeat. I just zoomed out on my current setup to see if the lack of image on the sides of the screen would bother me and to my surprise, it's not that bad. Depending on my ambient light situation during the day, I might not even need side masking so that's good.

As far as the fL's go, I will probably stick with the same screen size (maybe drop to 104") and see if I like it or not. If not, I guess I can still decrease the throw distance until it's where I need it to be. Once again, thanks!

Can anyone suggest good blackout cloth or black curtain that will get the job done on the screen wall? I have some black velvet fabric from Wal-Mart but I'm curious if there is better at a decent price.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks for the read, jostenmeat. I just zoomed out on my current setup to see if the lack of image on the sides of the screen would bother me and to my surprise, it's not that bad.

Cool. It seems you've already taken efforts in light control.

Depending on my ambient light situation during the day, I might not even need side masking so that's good.

What's your budget for screen? For high ambient light situations, you might really enjoy high power screens. Very good at shedding ambient light. You can perhaps use a filter on the PJ for night viewing. Anyways, I ask for budget in the case of TWO screens, because HP is quite affordable. Probably $300 or less for your size is my guess.

As far as the fL's go, I will probably stick with the same screen size (maybe drop to 104") and see if I like it or not. If not, I guess I can still decrease the throw distance until it's where I need it to be. Once again, thanks!

Welp, you are very welcome. I'll just say that you're talking to someone who thinks bigger is better. Of course this is personal preference, first and foremost. Play with it on the blank wall. Have you played with the viewing distance calculator?

I originally went for THX, but I'm quite a bit closer now. 42 degrees is my guess.

Can anyone suggest good blackout cloth or black curtain that will get the job done on the screen wall? I have some black velvet fabric from Wal-Mart but I'm curious if there is better at a decent price.

Velvet is expensive. Very. Just find any fabric store, and just pick whatever is cheapest in black, not velvet. I used some sparingly, and it works great. I'm thinking about buying more for a particular application.

-jostenmeat

 

[EJ1]

Update: Ordered a 104" 2.40 to 1 Carada screen in brilliant white. Also, I picked up some velveteen fabric from Jo-Ann to do the entire screen wall. I also plan to cut some cork board to fit the edges of the screen and cover them in the same fabric so I can simply put them in place to mask the screen to 1.78 to 1.

 

[jostenmeat]

I tried finding velveteen at their website, and I only found metallic paint. Id love to see a pic sometime, b/c Im not quite sure what you are doing with the cork board. Sounds very interesting, and Im interested in this fabric as well. How much is it per sq ft?

Congrats.

2.40? I hate you. Go away. Leave me alone.

 

[EJ1]

I tried finding velveteen at their website, and I only found metallic paint. Id love to see a pic sometime, b/c Im not quite sure what you are doing with the cork board. Sounds very interesting, and Im interested in this fabric as well. How much is it per sq ft?

Congrats.

2.40? I hate you. Go away. Leave me alone.

On the receipt it says "BLACK EMP VLVTEN 400015819749" if that helps. It was $10.99/yard eek but it looks like it's going to get the job done. I'm bad at explaining the masking panels so I'll just have to show you the finished product when I'm done. Screen should get here probably early next week. I wish I would have held out for the Panasonic PT-AE3000U seeing that you can enter the details of you screen and focus points into the memory banks of the projector and add a name to your settings. Then when I want to watch at 2.40:1, I push a button and it does it for you automatically.

 

[jostenmeat]

On the receipt it says "BLACK EMP VLVTEN 400015819749" if that helps. It was $10.99/yard eek but it looks like it's going to get the job done.

Thanks.

I'm bad at explaining the masking panels so I'll just have to show you the finished product when I'm done. Screen should get here probably early next week.

Thanks.

I wish I would have held out for the Panasonic PT-AE3000U seeing that you can enter the details of you screen and focus points into the memory banks of the projector and add a name to your settings. Then when I want to watch at 2.40:1, I push a button and it does it for you automatically.

Oh I didn't know that. I'm glad you didn't get one so that I don't hate you even more.

 

[EJ1]

Oh I didn't know that. I'm glad you didn't get one so that I don't hate you even more.

Well I wish I was baller enough to have a Prismasonic lens with a sled and a DVDO processor. If it makes you feel any better, just picture the walk I have to make to the projector and the time I have to spend zooming in and out and refocusing when I change AR.

 

[GlocksRock]

Get some pics when you get it all done, I'd love to see how it turns out.

 

[itschris]

Carada has an auto masking system that you can add to any screen. Home Theater Mag had a great write up on it.

 

[jostenmeat]

Carada has an auto masking system that you can add to any screen.

Neat. However, regarding the masking of a 16:9 screen . . . see, IMO, the biggest benefit I would gain with a 2.40 screen is actually with the audio. Much better placement of center speaker, given that I don't have an AT screen. (IOW, I would just want horizontal masking). But, I've never seen one in action.

Home Theater Mag had a great write up on it.

Could you please provide a direct link? I briefly scanned HTM and missed it, used "masking" in the search function . . .

 

[EJ1]

Could you please provide a direct link? I briefly scanned HTM and missed it, used "masking" in the search function . . .

I don't believe it's on their website yet.

Carada has an auto masking system that you can add to any screen. Home Theater Mag had a great write up on it.

Little too expensive for me right now.

 

[EJ1]

Covered the wall in black velveteen and put the 16:9 screen back on the wall and wow! Looks so much better. The image appears to be floating and there are no reflections on the wall. The new screen comes tomorrow!

 

[jostenmeat]

Congrats man. WTG. Sounds exciting . . .

 

[Press Record]

Covered the wall in black velveteen and put the 16:9 screen back on the wall and wow! Looks so much better. The image appears to be floating and there are no reflections on the wall. The new screen comes tomorrow!

That's way cool. I wonder why more people don't do that?