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Back in 2007, I got my first projector and built a screen with some DIY material, following a recommendation I saw at another A/V forum (sorry, I do go to more than one 
ops: ). In any case, working with what I had, I made a 64" 16:9 screen and it has served me well for this past decade. It still looks great, but with my new (last year) projector, especially with its 3D ability, I've wanted to go bigger--but not spend a lot of money.
Did a quick search on Amazon and found cheap screens for very little money--mostly geared to temporary/outdoor use; something only made practical in the last few years with much brighter projectors, I presume (these did not exist 10 years ago--or at least were not widely advertised). I ordered the biggest one I can fit into my room re: wall space and seating distance. Still not large by projection standards (84" 16:9), it will be a rather big step up. For 30$, I figure I can't lose. I can build a permanent frame for about the same price. If it looks like crap, I'm out 60$. If it is too big for the space (it fits, but may seem overwhelming in use), I can easily go back (or get something in-between). If it looks as good as what I have now, but bigger, it'll stay.
I know it won't look as good as better screen material--and I'd be willing to go with something in the 200-400$ range. But the best recommended screens in that price range (used to be double the price 10 years ago for the same quality--which is why I built my own in the first place) are all 92" or bigger--and that simply doesn't work in my current space. There are some dedicated 84" ones out there, but they are almost all above 400$. I think I'll try my cheap experiment first.
So, anyone go bigger on their screen, only to wish they'd stayed at the previous size? I expect few people would say yes, but, in a small space like mine (seating is 9' from screen, which makes 84" the max recommended size for THX viewing angle), perhaps not.
Just curious.
ops: ). In any case, working with what I had, I made a 64" 16:9 screen and it has served me well for this past decade. It still looks great, but with my new (last year) projector, especially with its 3D ability, I've wanted to go bigger--but not spend a lot of money.Did a quick search on Amazon and found cheap screens for very little money--mostly geared to temporary/outdoor use; something only made practical in the last few years with much brighter projectors, I presume (these did not exist 10 years ago--or at least were not widely advertised). I ordered the biggest one I can fit into my room re: wall space and seating distance. Still not large by projection standards (84" 16:9), it will be a rather big step up. For 30$, I figure I can't lose. I can build a permanent frame for about the same price. If it looks like crap, I'm out 60$. If it is too big for the space (it fits, but may seem overwhelming in use), I can easily go back (or get something in-between). If it looks as good as what I have now, but bigger, it'll stay.
I know it won't look as good as better screen material--and I'd be willing to go with something in the 200-400$ range. But the best recommended screens in that price range (used to be double the price 10 years ago for the same quality--which is why I built my own in the first place) are all 92" or bigger--and that simply doesn't work in my current space. There are some dedicated 84" ones out there, but they are almost all above 400$. I think I'll try my cheap experiment first.
So, anyone go bigger on their screen, only to wish they'd stayed at the previous size? I expect few people would say yes, but, in a small space like mine (seating is 9' from screen, which makes 84" the max recommended size for THX viewing angle), perhaps not.
Just curious.
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