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[upstatematt]

Here are some pics of my creation.  It started out as being made completely of logs and  after a few failed attempts to stand it up (I would have needed a crane) ended as a lumber and logs frame.  The screen is a 12x20ft tarp from tarps plus that Don from BYT recommended.  It has 3 seams but they are completely unnoticeable even if you try looking for them when the projector is on.  For a projector, I am using an Infocus x2 which is rated at 1600 or 1700 lumens depending on where you get the specs from.  I added a bunch of extra tarp clips and ball bungees from Walmart for storms.  I am using a kenwood 5.1 surround system and paired each channel with an extra set of pioneer speakers, so I have 2 speakers per channel.  I hang the speakers right on the frame with the exception of the rear left and right channels.  The receiver has a subwoofer-out which I swapped out the surround sub with a 15" sub bandpass box that was in my SUV and the bass is awesome.  I have all the wires underground.  I have an extra coaxial cable running to where the projector sits thats hooked to my satellite.  I still need to build a table for the pj and amp.  I keep all of my equipment, minus the pj in the enclosed trailer right behind the screen.  In my early attempts, I thought of actually using the side of the trailer for a screen.  I hope this thing is a distraction from the fact I can't seem to grow any grass.  I love this site and it's good to see so many other people with this addiction I seem to have contracted.  Also, thanks Don for the info on the tarp, I couldn't be happier with it.

[cafemom]

Welcome Upstate!!!
WOW, if that's your front yard...I'd love to see the backyard!  What a fantastic setup. How many spinters did you get setting up?!?! 
Can't wait to see more pics!
Cafemom

[kelemvor]

Be sure to remove the plastic planter bases before you light up that bonfire though.  heh.

[don]

Matt, Looks Great!!!! you done a nice job with that  frame. Glad that tarp is workin out for ya.Now its time to have some fun.ENJOY!!!

[tlogan6797]

Upstatematt -

Excellent setup! Love the screen house. I get eaten alive and just bought a bug zpper. I hope it doesn't distract from the movie. Looks like you're projecting from inside the screen house? Do you have to open up a section or does it show right through the screening? Also I presume that the pictures are from the front of the screen? I can see the support poles through the back. Is that not a problem at night with the projector going?

Good luck!
Tom

[upstatematt]

I havent tried projecting from the screen house yet as I just set it up, but that's not a bad idea, especially if there is a chance of rain.  NY mosquitos are terrible, especially being in the woods.  The pj normally sits about 10 ft in front of the screen house.  I tried setting the house a little off center so people that can't fit inside still have a good view.  A little bit of light does pass through the tarp and the supports cannot be seen once the projector is on.  This is a front projection setup.  I didn't realize until it was all set up that you can still see the screen about 1/4 mile down the road (I am off the end of a dead end road), so I have to be careful what we watch until later at night.  Thanks for all of the compliments!

Matt

[tscoff]

Great setup, I'm impressed.

And I understand completely about the problems with being carefuly about what you show.  My neighbors can watch my screen from their yards so my rule is G, PG, or PG-13 only.

[upstatematt]

Tscoff, how I found out was the very first night it was all set up, we tested it out by playing the movie "Borat".  It just happened to be where the 2 gentlemen start wrestling (If you've seen the movie, it's a scene you won't soon forget) when I noticed a car was sitting at the dead end and also watching the movie.  We changed it over to baseball and walked down the road about 1/4 mile , turned around and still saw baseball.   

[tscoff]

That had to be an unpleasant surprise.  I am close enough to my neighbors that the guy across the street is joking about building bleachers in his front yard and selling admission tickets.....or at least I think he's joking.  Plus I work for the school district where I live so I am held to a higher standard than my neighbors are.  I have to set a good example for the students, which means I'm extra careful about what I show outside.

I get cars that stop on the road and stare at the movie screen almost every time I show a movie, which was part of the goal of making the screen as large as it is.

 - Tim

[Cherry Hills]

Yeah, you DEFINITELY have to screen movies before you show them outdoors, to make sure there's nothing "funny" you may have forgotten since you first saw it. I usually run through them with 16x fast-forward, just to make sure I remember  what's in the movie, but without ruining it by seeing the whole thing frame by frame.

But with "Borat", the rating should have tipped you off! " Rated R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language." Ummm, right.  Unless your screen is really secluded, stick with things rated safer than "R"!

[upstatematt]

I actually figured out the movie wasn't for kids from the rating, but I didn't realize how visible the screen was from that far away until it happened.  I should have started with baseball until I had it all figured out.   My screen is at minimum 750' from the end of the road and there's trees everywhere so I didn't anticipate this issue.   

[Biotron2000]

Wow, that's a great setup! I love the huge screen. The frame looks very sturdy; have you had any trouble with wind?


Patrick

[upstatematt]

Frame is very sturdy.  I put the 3 2x4's in the center to help with the wind as it generally comes from one direction and I worried about the gromets pulling out.  Before then, it was catching the wind like a ship sail.  I added a bunch of extra tarp clips for that reason as well.  We've had some pretty good gusts and it appears to be durable enough that I don't feel like I have to add anything else to it, but time will tell :-)

[Matt]

That screen looks MASSIVE! 

[DavidCoppola]

Howdy neighbor! Where in upstate do you live? I am in Rochester.