log siding mounted BOC screen (16' x 9', 220" diag)

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[mtbdudex]

Well;
We've committed to hosting our 1st outdoor theatre party on Friday 9/4, for my kids friends/family.
So far almost 30 people will be there!

I will use my basement Sony-VW60 to project a "cheap" DIY 16' cloth screen outdoors.
>>Any suggestion for cloth material is appreciated, we'll probably do this just 2-3 times/year, so under $100 just for the cloth is acceptable for me.  I have extra 1 x 4's already.

I'd just temp staple/nail the screen to my garage log siding, possible rip a 1 x 4 into 1x2 thin strips of wood to help keep the cloth flat:


I'd use my PS3 for blu-ray and my 10 year old Onkyo 787/AT350's for 5.1 sound.

Using http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php I found my sunset time:

Sun and Moon Data for One Day
The following information is provided for Howell, Livingston County, Michigan (longitude W83.9, latitude N42.6):

Friday
4 September 2009 Eastern Daylight Time
SUN
Begin civil twilight 6:35 a.m.
Sunrise 7:04 a.m.
Sun transit 1:35 p.m.
Sunset 8:04 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:33 p.m.

PJ has 900 lumens,I just bought a new bulb 3 weeks ago but not installed, so it would be a "bright" VW60 via new bulb.


btw;
I assume most people don't use any a-lens for 2.35:1 material, rather zoom?
I have a Panamorph UH380 a-lens that I use for my basement and could simply adapt that for this would give a brighter picture and I could then consider a 20' screen possibly.


thx for your help!

[Adult Beverage]

For 30 people you'll want a decent size screen, but you'll be somewhat limited with 900 lumens.  I would check out black out cloth (BOC) from Carl's Place.  Images are bright compared to tarps, drop cloths and other popular fabrics.  He has rolls up to 9' wide, larger enough for a 16' x 9' screen without seams ($75).  He also has finished screens now (5-10 days for delivery) with border and grommets.  These go best with an EMT or PVC frame.  Creative Shelters has designs for screen frames.  If you don't mind screws in your exterior wall I would build a rectangle frame from EMT and mount one of Carl's screens on your wall.  Short term though, stapling a drop cloth would work to see how well you like it. (See Upgrade-itis thread).  I would use some vertical 1x2 as well to get tension on the sides when you staple.

Helpful links:

https://www.carlofet.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_10&zenid=7f0a7654ef2e92c89d053cb0cf0f97ca

http://www.creativeshelters.com/Canopy-Kits/Outdoor-Theater-Screen.aspx

[mtbdudex]

Thank you, I'll review in detail tonight the links you sent and discuss with the boss (my wife) our options.

Looks like 16' x 9' (220" diag) is the way to go from what you posted.

I could go 21.1'x 9' also for a 275" dia 2.35:1 picture using my UH380 lens (backyard CIH!) , which would really give visual impact.

Edit:  I called Carl, no problem getting 22' long roll, thx for the info!

[AaronEva]

Here are some brackets I made:

http://backyardtheater.com/forums/index.php?topic=3916.msg32929#msg32929

My screen is 1" EMT with a vinyl coated tarp. Stays out all summer.

If you need more info, let me know.

Thanks and god luck,

Aaron

[mtbdudex]

After careful measuring I went with a 16 x 9, ordered from Carls on 8/22, delivery by Wed 9/2, 9/3 at the latest.
(cutting it close for my 9/4 event, I know......)
I was seriously thinking the 2.35:1 screen was the way to go, but my electric meters limit placement of the total screen size if I want to use the garage wall side as the screen back support.
This shows slightly smaller than 16 x 9 but the idea is shown here.
4' above the "floor" should give sightline to people above those seated in front? (I hope).


Plan on using bungee ball cords for tension.
I've got 1 1/4" grey PVC conduit from HD in the garage waiting for the screen to arrive, $30 total for (6) 10' sections, (4) 90 deg elbows, and (4) bags of clamps with 5 each. 
My thought is put four 3/4" x 2" x 3" wood support spaced (for gap) and use the conduit clamps to attache so bungee can be attached.

I still don't know "exact" bungee to get, how much does a normal 6" and 9" bungee stretch??  1/2"?  2"?
If I plan a 3" gap, considering the dia of  conduit seems 6" would work fine, guess I'll be trial/error that.

Good weather pending we also scheduled a 2nd movie nite for Sunday 9/6.

[Sparge]

mtbdudex,

My two cents...

(1) Personally, I find having the screen off-centered to be visually unappealing.  I'd bump it up a few more inches to clear your meters and center it on the building.

(2) I'd also consider using EMT (metal conduit) for the frame rather than PVC.  It will be stronger and more rigid.  Check out the screen frame Ken built in this thread - especially the EMT "foot" in the fifth picture down:

  http://backyardtheater.com/forums/index.php?topic=2092.0

If you use hooks like these then that's all that need be left on the side of the cabin between shows:

  http://backyardtheater.com/forums/index.php?topic=2092.msg18350#msg18350

You can hang your screen frame at the time of show.

(3) A 6" bungee should work fine on a 3" gap.

-Sparge-

[DandyDon]

Walmart has bungee cords that are cheap but good quality.  They may be 8+" but you can alway wrap them around twice if you find they are too long. 

[cecilb]

I agree with Sparge on #1.  Meter box I think will stick out and your eye will be drawn to it. Very nice plans!  Are you out west?

[Backyard Paradise]

Since you are against a wall, I would consider a “frameless” design.

Two eye bolts (lag) under each eve. String a rope threw the eye bolts and back down the ground. Fasten each end of the rope to the wall or use stakes in the ground. Tie one end and pull tight and tie the other. You can use a turn buckle to get it super tight.

You now have a 3 sided frame that you can fasten your BOC to by using tarp clips and bungees or even cloths pins. If you get some sag, (I don’t think you will) you can add another fastener in the middle. If you need to pull out the bottom, use more tarp clips and stakes.

We have done this many times with only four fasteners, one in each corner. You may need a couple more due to your screen is bigger.

If you are determined to go with a frame I would also go with EMT for the same reasons Sparge mentioned. I’ve have grown to hate PVC.

Good Luck!

[mtbdudex]

Since you are against a wall, I would consider a “frameless” design.

Two eye bolts (lag) under each eve. String a rope threw the eye bolts and back down the ground. Fasten each end of the rope to the wall or use stakes in the ground. Tie one end and pull tight and tie the other. You can use a turn buckle to get it super tight.

You now have a 3 sided frame that you can fasten your BOC to by using tarp clips and bungees or even cloths pins. If you get some sag, (I don’t think you will) you can add another fastener in the middle. If you need to pull out the bottom, use more tarp clips and stakes.

We have done this many times with only four fasteners, one in each corner. You may need a couple more due to your screen is bigger.

If you are determined to go with a frame I would also go with EMT for the same reasons Sparge mentioned. I’ve have grown to hate PVC.

Good Luck!

Frameless, gosh I love the web and collaboration of ideas 

For a temp on/off screen and with my situation that might be the best way, when I get home tonight I'll look into that.
You got my brain working on that.....
Any picts here of that ??


Also,
thx to others for feedback on the elect meters being a distraction, I have cardboard that at very least I can put in front and hide those with.
Not sure if the 16' x 9' will fit above the meter and still fit under the roof overhang.

I checked Lowes online for ball cords, they have decent price, $6.97 Task Force 8-Pack 12" Canopy Tarp Tie , I found out the stretch is 100% for 12" bungee gets up to 24" in size.
So I "assume" a 6" ball cord would stretch 12".
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=107734-37340-JB3V430&lpage=none

Length (Feet):   1.0
Cord Diameter (Inches):   0.157
Hook Material:   Plastic
Cord Core Material:   Rubber
Cord Jacket Material:   Polypropylene
Elasticity/Stretch (Inches):   24.0
UV/Weather Resistant:   Yes
Abrasion Resistant:   Yes

[mtbdudex]

Quick sketch of frameless idea:



As long as the rope is quite taught and holds this should work, correct??

[edit]
A guy at work suggested threaded inserts, then the eyelets can be removed while the inserts stay there.

[Backyard Paradise]

That’s the idea!

I would try just four eye screws first and add the others if needed.
Center it on the wall with the top ones screwed into the soffit.

Attached are a few different setups with minimal screen attachment points.
Sorry they aren’t the greatest….
The last one has only four attachment points with canvas drop cloth.

Heck you might not even need the rope, just eye screws.

You might be surprised how few attachment points you need because you are not really trying to stretch BOC like you would other materials like Trapeze.

Start with the four corners and go from there.

Fun Stuff!!

[mtbdudex]

Backyard Paradise(Kevin?);
Thx for input, I played with some variations of frameless designs, see below.
I also measured and found the screen will fit as shown just above the elect meters, now it's centered on the garage, style points.

This one is based on 3 sided rope strung from soffit eyelets, staked to ground.  Use rope ball bungee for tension on 3 sides, use stakes/rope/rope ball bungee for bottom.
I'm concerned the ropes will bulge inward/down and not hole the screen taught


This one more like a total stretch/attach, but I'd start with just minimal 4 corners and add eyelets/attach as needed to keep sag/wave out.


Yea, fun stuff to put the brain to work, especially 2-3 days before the "big event" Friday 9/4.

[arronspelling]

Make sure the rope you choose has limited stretching. The best is sailing rope, but very expensive, the second best is polyester and its the cheapest. Other ropes will stretch and you will lose you taughtness DURING the movie.

[Sparge]

To me that frameless design looks like a P.I.T.A. to set up and tear down - especially that last incarnation.  I think you'd be wise to revisit your original design or the hanging EMT frame I suggested earlier.  Set up is quick and there are zero issues with keeping the screen taught.

If you're looking for a minimalist design then perhaps something like this:

  http://backyardtheater.com/forums/index.php?topic=3413.0

I use a variation of the above from time-to-time for rainouts.  We hang it from the rafters of an outdoor pergola and sit in a covered area close by.

You'd need a 16x18 tarp/cloth as when it's draped evenly over the EMT rod it will come out to 16x9.  You'd also need at least one fitting to join two sticks of EMT to get the 16' width.

Sorry, I'm not trying to muddy the waters with yet another design.  It's just you're running out of time for your event and you haven't even gotten to the point of finding all the things you haven't yet thought about.  Those come as you set up all the bits needed for the full show.  It's a different beast when you take it outdoors.  You should try to get a full test screening in as a dry run before the big night.  The lessons one learns there are invaluable when it comes time for the real thing!

-Sparge-