DIY Fold down 'fixed screen', help plz!

[AngelEyes]

Hi I am considering saving some cash and building a DIY fixed screen that I can fold down from the ceiling on a hinge.

I have attached an image so you can see what I am thinking. I have a beam accross the room which would essentially hide the false ceiling effect created by the screen. It would slo have the advantage of allowing me to paint the ceiling immediately above the screen, black to cut down on reflections.

Things I need to consider:

1. Screen material - Is paint or stretched fabric over a frame best?
2. Screen backing / frame - MDF is going to make this really heavy and the thought of it coming down on the kids scares me. Any idead on how to keep the weight down?
3. Lowering mechanism - Can I use gas struts or damped hinges to make lowering this safer?
4. Catch / Fixing - Any ideas how to make a safe quick release mechanism to lower the screen?

I am considering getting an HD1 which will be situated in a shelf on the back wall. The room has no light control and magnolia-ish walls and white ceiling. We will mostly use it at night which should help.

I viewed the Sim demos at the Bristol show and hated the beaded screens, you could easily see the white areas of the screen were grainy and movement looked unnatural. I don't know what the sreens were unfortunately but I want to avoid this affect so advise on screen amaterials would be great.

Thanks.

[Jonstone]

I've been toying with this idea myself though I am not sure how the wife would react

If you want to keep the weight down then I would imagine stretching some screen material over a rigid fram would be best.

[AngelEyes]

My wife is happy enough with the screen idea, she just objects to me paying £££££s for a projector

[albriscoe]

check out the thread before this one about blackout material from dunhelms

cheers Allan

[AngelEyes]

Thanks.

[bphhm]

Here is an example of a guy who tried the setup are looking for.

http://www.hifi4all.dk/forum/forum_p...674&PN=2&TPN=3

In the end he went for a different solution.

[AngelEyes]

Thanks for that. The more I think about it the more I realise that to make it look good it will be quite a large project. The elegance of a roll down screen does become a more appealing option... I will give it some more thought