CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

betel · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:03 am Post subject: Using Black Felt Behind Screen

A couple of weeks ago I set up a fast fold screen outside. I was surprized how much light was emitted from the backside of the screen. I think is was more than the front actually. In my HT I use a Da-lite Permwall 1.3 gain screen that appears to be a similar material. It just occurred to me I'm probably getting light spill behind the screen that is reflecting onto the screen face, compromising the black level among other things. I intend to install some black felt behind my screen as soon as I can locate it. I'm sure this has been discussed before but the concept is new to me and I'm too lazy to search.

Anyone tried this and what were the results?

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12026 Location: Fort Collins, CO

I never needed it, because my first screen was blackout material (which is specifically designed to block all light), which was recently replaced by Wilsonart Designer White (which is thoroughly opaque Smile

).

But yes, if your screen material leaks light, then I would think a black backing is a good idea. Felt is probably overkill.

betel · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:11 pm Post subject:

I pulled the screen off the frame a bit and shined a flashlight on the face. The screen barely blocks the light. Definitely give it a try.

How's the Wilsonart matarial working out for you and what did you laminate it to?

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12026 Location: Fort Collins, CO

It's working fine, though not as much of a dramatic step up from the BO cloth as I hoped.

I laminated it to some foil-backed foam stuff. Very light, but very rigid with the Wilsonart glued on.

jkruger · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 2435 Location: Carlsbad, CA

Why not paint the back of the screen with some white or silver or aluminum colored paint? Seems like it would tend to make the light that reaches the backside of the screen material reflect back to the front and make it brighter. Better than having all that light scattering around behind the screen.

WTS · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1276 Location: Calgary

I discovered that about 5 years or so ago when I set up my Hurley screen, so I hung some royal velvet about 3" behind the screen and if I recall correctly it was a big improvement. I'm still using it. I do recall mentioning it either here or the other site.

Actually I think it's more like 1.5" behind the screen.

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10273

If you are hanging something with color (something other than black or white) are you essentially tinting the otherwise white screen?

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12026 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Makes perfect sense to me, jkruger, but if it was that simple you'd think Da-Lite would do it...

jarseneau · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 323 Location: WI

I have the same Da-lite permwall screen. Behind my screen I have 'landscape' fabric (the black vinyl plastic used to block weed growth around shrubs, etc). Really cheap and easier than painting.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

I would think it would help especially with ANSI cr.

WTS · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1276 Location: Calgary

Mine was black and yes I'm sure if you hung anything of colour behind your screen that it might take on a hue of that colour.

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

WTS · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 1276 Location: Calgary

I'm no expert but I would think if it's paint it will reflect alot more light regardless of colour or texture than it would if it was velvet, but give it a try and see what you think.

Ile · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:13 am Post subject:

Many manufacturer recommend black felt behind vinyl screens, if I remember correct 1" or bigger gap was recommended by Stewart.

I used about 2" gap between Draper M1300 material and black bed-sheet behind it. I also painted brackets matt black.
Then I used white bed-sheet behind black one, so screen was quite imperceptible when flipped against ceiling.

www.dvdplaza.fi/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2249&d=1077783320
www.dvdplaza.fi/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2250&d=1077783332

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10273

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

Nash,
What is the distance between your screen and wall?

Cube · Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 77 Location: IL, USA

I've been wondering about this very thing recently. My old screen has tons of bleed-through and the walls are white, so during bright scenes it gets all blown out. ES CRTs have that bright halo defocus already so it's pretty annoying.

What's the cheapest solution for black backing? I checked out that Seymour backing and it's way too expensive. Can I just hang some of this generic landscape fabric behind the screen? I also thought of taping black construction paper to flattened cardboard boxes (just to make sure it's totally opaque).

Also, my 1272 doesn't have very high lumens, so would it be such a bad idea to hang something opaque and white right up against the back of the screen? If it's right there it seems like there wouldn't be so much diffusion and blow-out that way, and maybe it would just increase the brightness.

After I get this figured out I need something pitch-black but cosmetically acceptable to wrap my shiny faux-wood-finish speakers in.