Very cheap cinema setup
Discussion
Hi guys
I'm trying to pull together a very cheap (ideally donated) cinema setup for the kids primary school.
I can probably find inexpensive old speakers and an AV amp and DVD player.
Possibly even an old HD projector.
Just wondering what I might be able to use as a screen? Can you buy material, or would say a white tarpaulin do the trick? Ideally I'd like to make it about 150in, so sizeable.
Any thoughts? (we're not talking quality here, just big and loud-ish)
I'm trying to pull together a very cheap (ideally donated) cinema setup for the kids primary school.
I can probably find inexpensive old speakers and an AV amp and DVD player.
Possibly even an old HD projector.
Just wondering what I might be able to use as a screen? Can you buy material, or would say a white tarpaulin do the trick? Ideally I'd like to make it about 150in, so sizeable.
Any thoughts? (we're not talking quality here, just big and loud-ish)
You get cinema screen paint for walls.
Never used it, but worth a look?
Someone who knows more about it may be able to recommend something
Quick search came up with this -
https://www.goosystemsuk.com/
Never used it, but worth a look?
Someone who knows more about it may be able to recommend something
Quick search came up with this -
https://www.goosystemsuk.com/
150" is big. Really big. You're either going to have to have a very bright projector (used, but with a spanking new bulb???) or bat cave levels of blackout otherwise the picture will look washed out and lack any impact. Are you sure you really need the screen to be that big?
I've sold and installed projectors in home cinemas and in lecture theatres. One thing is common to both. The appeal of a huge screen wanes if the image looks lackluster and dull. Concentrating the light in a smaller area makes a bigger increase in brightness than upping the light power unless we're talking light canons.
For screens I've used Stewart (StudioTek130 is glorious but expensive), Draper, Screen Research, Owl/Screenline, Beamax, Sapphire, and then some cheap stuff off eBay where the customer's budget dictated it. For paint, I've used ScreenGoo and Smarter Surfaces. Never used a tarpaulin.
The budget solutions are about the quality of a PVC sheet. You'll get a hotspot where the viewer is looking at a distracting bright zone that's the reflection direct from looking down the lens.
I've sold and installed projectors in home cinemas and in lecture theatres. One thing is common to both. The appeal of a huge screen wanes if the image looks lackluster and dull. Concentrating the light in a smaller area makes a bigger increase in brightness than upping the light power unless we're talking light canons.
For screens I've used Stewart (StudioTek130 is glorious but expensive), Draper, Screen Research, Owl/Screenline, Beamax, Sapphire, and then some cheap stuff off eBay where the customer's budget dictated it. For paint, I've used ScreenGoo and Smarter Surfaces. Never used a tarpaulin.
The budget solutions are about the quality of a PVC sheet. You'll get a hotspot where the viewer is looking at a distracting bright zone that's the reflection direct from looking down the lens.
I went down the screen painting rabbit hole 10 years ago. I researched a lot on the forums and mixed up my own paint and sprayed it. I use a flat board from my local diy store. I made a surround of black velvet wrapped around wood. People assumed I paid a lot of money for it. Screen was 120”.
Results, extremely impressive. My mix was a balance of low level light and some viewing with background light coming in through blinds. You could watch a movie in day light from my crappy epsom projector with a no name bulb.
Down sides. Supplies were not cheap and I bought a paint sprayer, which is a must, so I didn’t save a huge amount. It was a lot of work. Something like 10 coats of paint.
I don’t have a photo but my kids would watch it even in this light.
The setup was an experiment that became permanent. When I sold the house the buyer insisted I left it. I now have a Sony 4k with an elite screen. The epsom was brighter but that probably is more about the projector than the screen.
Results, extremely impressive. My mix was a balance of low level light and some viewing with background light coming in through blinds. You could watch a movie in day light from my crappy epsom projector with a no name bulb.
Down sides. Supplies were not cheap and I bought a paint sprayer, which is a must, so I didn’t save a huge amount. It was a lot of work. Something like 10 coats of paint.
I don’t have a photo but my kids would watch it even in this light.
The setup was an experiment that became permanent. When I sold the house the buyer insisted I left it. I now have a Sony 4k with an elite screen. The epsom was brighter but that probably is more about the projector than the screen.
Edited by h0b0 on Tuesday 23 July 00:12
I have an Epson HD projector EH-TW650 and a 90in motorised screen here that I don't use, Plus an old Yamaha Amp (1080P Max) and Q Acoustic speakers, and 5x B&W M1
We did a bunch of work in the house and the projector had to go. Audio has since been upgraded.
I'm near Thame
Pop me a message if it sounds interesting.
We did a bunch of work in the house and the projector had to go. Audio has since been upgraded.
I'm near Thame
Pop me a message if it sounds interesting.
Thank you everyone who's replied.
I've asked the Head teacher what he'd like to do.
Like every school in the UK, they're running a deficit, so there is literally zero money available.
I've offered to volunteer my time to build whatever I can for them, but some things just require kit.
I'll revert once I've heard back.
I've asked the Head teacher what he'd like to do.
Like every school in the UK, they're running a deficit, so there is literally zero money available.
I've offered to volunteer my time to build whatever I can for them, but some things just require kit.
I'll revert once I've heard back.
Cactussed said:
Like every school in the UK, they're running a deficit, so there is literally zero money available.
I've offered to volunteer my time to build whatever I can for them, but some things just require kit.
You won't like me for saying this but I've been there (with audio installs not cinemas) and done that. And I wouldn't do it again. Putting graft in to make a low-cost or free thing work for someone else is all well and good but sours very quickly. The work required is significant if it's to be any good (this is irrespective of the quality of kit - much of the quality of the end result is a product of installation not of using good kit) and the recipient will be forever comparing their 'lesser' outfit with the all-singing all-dancing one in the school next door. You will forever be on the hook for anything and everything that goes wrong as well as dozens of 'Do you think you could just ...' requests. I've offered to volunteer my time to build whatever I can for them, but some things just require kit.
And you'd be surprised how quickly the cash can be scraped together for a 'proper' solution if they put their mind to it. No, really - they CAN afford it if they want to, or appeal to the right people, or apply for the right grants. Trust me, they can.
Being mightily blunt, make sure you are doing it for the right reason (if the teachers are foxy and you have your eye on one of them, perhaps) but don't underestimate how much of a millstone 'round your neck this sort of thing will become.
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