Finally, a place to get curved screens made...

[blueskydriver]

A sim builder over on MYC posted this link about getting curved screens from China. Here is the link:

http://www.snowhitescreen.com/curved-fixed-frame-screen/

According to the builder, it took 10 weeks from purchase, and then shipment from China to Italy. He posted pics of how the screen looks setup with his sim.

BSD

[saabpilot]

Hi,

I do not believe this type of curved screen gives any significant better picture over a single flat one.
Also you will need warping software for the view.

If you want "true surround" you have to build a perfect 220 degree circle segment and use 3 ultra short throw beamers (0.5) + Warping software.
Not very difficult if you have the tools in the garage 

Best,
Bjorn

[blueskydriver]

Building a curved screen is not without problems. Depending on the material used it can have all sorts of issues like:

1. Expansion and contraction, and depending on the screen material (if its drywall, wood or fiberboard) there will be flexing; thus, the chance for cracking of the surface or paint placed upon it will eventually show.

2. Structure of the curved screen is complex to get it right to begin with, let alone trying to squeeze it into the "garage" with the sim and all its hardware is no easy task. Even some of the best builders of curved screens will tell you that they wished for a better, easier way of doing the screen builds.

3. Surface color, be it special paint or not, many people have tried different approaches to this, like screen goo, silver screen paint, flat white and so on. Although, it is acceptable, but these same people will admit they want something better. A lot of the builders here in CB or MYC have been saying this for at least two years now.

Therefore, a real screen that is meant for projectors based on contrast ratios and all the other factors that screens include would be better to have than what some of us have been trying to build or "reinvent". From our (BSD team) prospective, a curved screen like this shown in the link is much easier to work with. However, since we do not have the screen in question in front of us, we cannot give a true opinion on it, but we certainly can attest to the "build your own" method.

Finally, there is very little in regards to curved screens in the industry of screens. Flat screens are the dominant item because that is the most common application; however, curved screens are certainly on the rise, and seeing a company starting to the sell these is a big plus. Now, if only a company would get the idea about how hobby builders really want these, it would be awesome for them and us!

BSD

[jskibo]

You don't need to go to china for these.  They are all over the Home Theater market now.  I'm knee deep in my own HT construction right now and have looked at these before choosing a 2.35:1 Cinemascope. Plenty of US based sellers.  The cureved are nice in HT application when you want to focus maximum light on the Sweet Seat in the theater, but they really offer nothing for the Sim market.

[blueskydriver]

Not sure about your opinion on what they offer for sim builders, but take a look at these:

http://www.fly737.com/media/screen.jpg

http://www.fly737.com/media/screen1.jpg

That screen sure would seem a lot easier to put up, and to think what a proper screen that is designed to match the projectors would be like. In that second photo above, the richness of the colors is for sure a seller.

If you know of a US company that sells a 9'x39' screen, please post who they are. Would'nt be surprised it'll come from China anyway....doesn't everything anymore?...lol

Since you're building a home theater, how about making 5 or 6 12"x12" square panels, and then put different surface materials on each one and take photos of each in front of the projectors; thus, there would be an actual sample(s) to discuss or compare...

BSD

[jskibo]

The problem with the links is it still leaves you a bit short in the 180 degree (or 220 degree) area. 

Looks to be just a 1.1gain screen.  You can buy the material for that  (vs. the typlical homemade blackout fabric).  In a cloth you would need a tension system.  In a flexible panel you would need a hard substrate (few guys tried gluing to pine and it sagged over months, looked awful).

I could do the panels for you in about 4 weeks.  They are finishing rough in electric and I'm not bringing my Panasonic AE4000 anywhere near drywall dust   Tell me what surfaces you like and my 1.1 gain screen will serve as the background for comparative purposes.

I guess I could yank one of my DLP short throws down there for the test if you rather not see an LCD PJ (DLP would have a much higher lumen than the Panny.)


These guys will do curved, commerical size screens as well http://www.screeninnovations.com/news/sis-new-curve-reference/

But not cheap

Here too

http://www.smxscreen.com/pro-curve-projector-screen.html

Custom made lace and Grommet here, made to any size (supply your own curved frame),
http://www.focusedtechnology.com/series300-lace-grommet.html

[Pixelwix]

Hey guys if you need a USA supplier of curved screens / frames/software try http://www.pixelwix.com 

[phil744]

Hey guys if you need a USA supplier of curved screens / frames/software try http://www.pixelwix.com 

Interesting, please tell us more