Tyvek Projector Screen

Make a projection screen very quickly and very cheaply with TYVEK, a PVC pipe, rope, and plumbing pipe.

Step 1 Choose the size of screen you wish to make.

I started out thinking I'd do 16' x 9' then realized that was too large, so went with 9' x 7'. Remember you want a roughly 3:4 height to width ratio for most video formats.

unprinted tyvek might be better for rear projection.

Comments

[pappy77]

here is a link to another do it yourself screen that looks pretty easy to put together..I think tyvek would be the best option for the fabric...

http://outdoormoviescreen.blogspot.com/

[MadScott]

Try reflective paint - Krylon makes a spray on version - for a few bucks you can crank up the performance.

[solipsism]

strangely enough, it seems every thrift store I have ever been to,  will have an old 1950's portable screen for slide projectors hanging around in the back of the store in a cubbyhole. They are built like tanks and usually reflection coated, and since they were rarely used, they are usually mint. Prices range from a few dollars to probably 20.  Even if you don't want the stand it is a great way to get the screen and coil mechanism.

[knightofni79]

does anybody have any ideas on how to make a store bought projection screen swing out to caddy corner when in use and stay flush against the wall when not? I am racking my brain here and cant come up with anything thanks

[solipsism]

if you have room, 3 hooks.

Hook A across the corner on wall 1, B mid room wall 2, C other end of room 2 AB for watching, then unhook one end and BC for storage, plant hooks in the ceiling should work well. Would have to be changed manually, but not too hard.

[0.775volts]

do you mean that the screen would store flush against one wall, and then span a corner when in use? you could try mounting slides to each end of the screen, and attaching tracks to each wall, then us a linear actuator to push/pull the screen into position. that's my best guess, would take a bit of tinkering. it would probably be easier to hang a retractable screen in the desired poistion.

[imrobot]

Hey, in the last picture the hand drawn picture in the corner, is it a howtoon? It kinda looks like one...

[instructables4ever]

Hey how are the graphics on this size screen?

[rogers236]

Great Instructable, I like how you made the screen adjustable in height.
I tried something similar before, except that I only duct taped the Tyvek to the basement wall: less effective.

[nerd158]

Theres a tyvek based paper banner material i used anyone who knows someone in printing should be able to find this stuff very cheap

[matconweb]

http://www.materialconcepts.com/Material Concepts is a Tyvek distributor and we have some customers who have purchased Tyvek from us to make projection screens. We offer (non- Homewrap) Tyvek styles that don’t have the printed logo on either side, and don’t wrinkle like HomeWrap, so they work better for this application.

We just made a post on our Tyvek Innovative Uses Blog about the use of Tyvek for projection screens. http://www.materialconcepts.com/tyvek-blog/2009/02/tyvek-projector-screen-tyvek-projection.html

Enjoy!

[CementTruck]

I made mine out a white 12 gauge vinyl shower curtain, stretched over a light wooden frame. Works like a champ. Cheap too (under $15US to build).

[baysidedrivein]

My question is how good is the tyvek as far as picture? the photo on top show ok but shaken but that happens with dark or night shots. On a scale on 1-10 for a first screen what would you give it?

[deceiver]

I made a screen by mounting a large opaque windwoshade (homedepot) inside a 3 inch piece of PVC pipe with a slot cut the length of it with my table saw. I capped the ends put eye hooks in it and it's a pull down so it goes up to the ceiling when not in use.

[matt_the_webguy]

Thanks for the how-to! I build one of these over the weekend for a first-time outdoor movie. I used a 10' length of 2" DWV PVC for the top pipe, and a 10' length of 1" electrical PVC for the weight pipe, because it's what I had in the garage. I scrounged the Tyvek from a local contractor. He gave me a 5' width roll (cut-off) that had about 30' remaining. The only cost was $4 for a roll of good packing tape. The screen works fantastically, and once the movie started, the horizontal seam disappeared. I've already had two family member ask to borrow it. Guess I should build a protective bag or tube for it. Thanks again!

[peterman921]

Blank tyvek can be bought from some sign supply warehouses its used for making outdoor paper banners I know that Northwest Sign Supply in Portland OR and Seattle WA carry it

[bboyes]

Another option, better for a screen and still cheap: blackout cloth, available at most fabric stores. I found some in white at a local store. It's very dense and smooth. It's used to line drapes so is opaque. Also I have bought screen material from eBay. These are also good for white backgrounds for photography where a high reflectance helps the background later be removed digitally.

[michael]

Hey Saul. This is great. I was just googling for "DIY Projection Screen" and a Make-blog reference took me here. Tyvec is a fantastic idea. -Michael R

[ashembers]

Fantastic idea! Does Home Depot sell blank Tyvek or did you have to go somewhere else. I like the idea of making a pseudo wall & seeing it on both sides.

[fjr122]

I made mine out of a pvc pipe frame and some curtain backing cloth. Cost ~$15

[cokebottle tuque]

So I made a similar screen about 8 by 10 feet. I used two pieces and taped them together instead of one large piece,the line is only noticeable if you are looking for it. I used 9 small office clips to hold the screen to piece of nylon cord instead of a pipe. So far I like the results it has a much brighter image than the sheet I was using before, though the wrinkles stick out more. I have my speakers tucked away behind the screen along with some storage space, it works nicely.

[cokebottle tuque]

cool I just got finished building my own projector, for the 90$ I paid for parts its working realy well. I have all the lcd pats mounted on a plexiglass panel so it can easily be removed to use the overhead projector normaly, maybe ill do write up on it.

[cokebottle tuque]

you can see the tyvek logo showing through, how bad is it wen in use? I imagien you could clamp to the rope in such a way that it wouldent let the pipe spin, geting rid of the wrinkleworst case is you just drill a hole in the pipe.

[saul]

the tyvek logo does not shine through when projecting, only when there is ambient light both sides. i should have taken a photo..