Vertical Masking solution for the top black bar anyone?

kenshingintoki

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Hey. I'm after a masking solution please for my setup. The bottom half, I can just make panels and stick some MEVEL22. However the top part is more difficult because I do switch aspect ratio.

I soemtimes go from 16:9 to 2:35:1 and obviously the height changes?

Is there anything electronic or something I can easily build which can mask the top part? I can buy MVEL22 fabric which isn't a problem. The length is approximately 4M which needs to be covered.

I do have a contact who sells blinds but he's not sure if they make them that big and it looks like it'd be pretty costly.
 
Most people drop the image on 2.35 content to the bottom of the screen or the lowest pòint in your case and then just mask the top of the image.
 
Most people drop the image on 2.35 content to the bottom of the screen or the lowest pòint in your case and then just mask the top of the image.


yup thats my plan. I need masking for the top part of the image.

I switch aspect ratios between a 165'' 2:35:1 and a 150'' 16:9 so I need something which can be used when needed.. and go back up when I'm in IMAX mode.


I could just stop using IMAX mode... but its god damn cool lol.
 
I see What you are saying but I don't think your going to achieve what you want, well certainly not without spending a small fortune and then there is the obvious question of how many films are actual made for and in Imax format, of which I now know to be 24 well that's according to blu-ray.com.

But to further more answer your question the most impressive system i have seen on this forum or anywhere was a self built system controlled by python if memory serves whereas the guy had 2 sets of masking both sides , top and bottom that changes automatically with aspect ratio detected, TBF it was that impressive I'm surprised that guy didn't patent the idea and move forward with sales. I'm sure if look for it you'll find it. But if you want it to work on your current"154" picture then I'll say good luck.lol.
 
My solution has always been to have the top of the image at the top of my screen whatever the ratio - then I mask the bottom.
I never feel like my 2.35 or 2.40 are too high.

maybe relevant that I run neither CIH nor CIW - my 1.78 and 1.85 are not as wide as my 2.35 and 2.4 and my wide setups (2.35 and 2.4) are not as tall as my 1.78 and 1.85

I‘m not weird you all are :)
 
But to further more answer your question the most impressive system i have seen on this forum or anywhere was a self built system controlled by python if memory serves
I built up a pi controlled masking system I had someone else asking about it a few months back. It only does top and bottom masking and to Pre set ratios, but 4 years on its still working 😬

The code used is, now up on github
 
I built up a pi controlled masking system I had someone else asking about it a few months back. It only does top and bottom masking and to Pre set ratios, but 4 years on its still working 😬

The code used is, now up on github
I think this may be the setup I was thinking of. I tip my hat to you sir what an awesome setup this is :)
 
I see What you are saying but I don't think your going to achieve what you want, well certainly not without spending a small fortune and then there is the obvious question of how many films are actual made for and in Imax format, of which I now know to be 24 well that's according to blu-ray.com.

But to further more answer your question the most impressive system i have seen on this forum or anywhere was a self built system controlled by python if memory serves whereas the guy had 2 sets of masking both sides , top and bottom that changes automatically with aspect ratio detected, TBF it was that impressive I'm surprised that guy didn't patent the idea and move forward with sales. I'm sure if look for it you'll find it. But if you want it to work on your current"154" picture then I'll say good luck.lol.


Loads mate.

I play video games and watch TV shows on my PJ. More of the content I consume is 16:9 than 2:35:1.
most TV shows are also 16:9 and they're getting more and more cinematic by the day.

If you mean IMAX as in snyder cute IMAX ratio, I agree. I'm not really planning for that.

Essentially all I want is an electric 4 metre black blind lol with a small drop.
 
I built up a pi controlled masking system I had someone else asking about it a few months back. It only does top and bottom masking and to Pre set ratios, but 4 years on its still working 😬

The code used is, now up on github


Thanks mate. What did you use for the top masking?

I can sort out the bottom and the sides with curtains and permannt masking but the top bar needs to come up and down and ideally be 4metres wide.
 
Thanks mate. What did you use for the top masking?

I can sort out the bottom and the sides with curtains and permannt masking but the top bar needs to come up and down and ideally be 4metres wide.
It's the same masking for top and bottom, it's blind blackout fabric as the backing with Whalleys black Devore stitched on top for the visible mask. Essentially a cheap electric roller blind with a 4 metre tube would do what you want wouldn't it?
 
It's the same masking for top and bottom, it's blind blackout fabric as the backing with Whalleys black Devore stitched on top for the visible mask. Essentially a cheap electric roller blind with a 4 metre tube would do what you want wouldn't it?

Exactly. Do you know where I could buy one from? You've pretty much nailed what I'm after but finding someone who sells it or can install it is impossible.
 
finding someone who sells it
Metal suppliers that engineering companies use sell aluminium tubes in various lengths when I did mine I just bought tubes with a big enough internal diameter to fit the tube motors in. Scaffold tube may be another option but you will likely need to find a local engineering firm to do some machining / brackets if you go down the DIY route.
 
Metal suppliers that engineering companies use sell aluminium tubes in various lengths when I did mine I just bought tubes with a big enough internal diameter to fit the tube motors in. Scaffold tube may be another option but you will likely need to find a local engineering firm to do some machining / brackets if you go down the DIY route.
So no cheap way to do this? I feel like what I'm trying to do is something so simple :(
 
So no cheap way to do this? I feel like what I'm trying to do is something so simple :(
The problem isn't what your trying to achieve the problem is the scale you want to do it on, which puts you in the category of needing a specialist to make said item here go the huge cost.
 
So no cheap way to do this? I feel like what I'm trying to do is something so simple
It depends what you define as cheap, for me spending thousands on a set of Arendals or a 75 + inch Oled just isn't possible but £250 or so that I spent getting my masking system working was a no brainer.

A quick Google search shows 4m tubes are available from £50 ish, example below.


My tube motors came from germany


As you already have a contact who makes blinds can you not simply get one of these and then get your own tube to match, even accounting for some custom machined brackets surely a single blind can't get that expensive 😬. Making up the devore part to go on it just requires someone with a sewing machine 😁.
 
The problem isn't what your trying to achieve the problem is the scale you want to do it on, which puts you in the category of needing a specialist to make said item here go the huge cost.
I dunno. Unreel seems to be into something !!
 
I dunno. Unreel seems to be into something !!
Indeed, this has peeked my interest as such situations like these on here often do, it's surprising how inventive people can be to achieve certain room treatments and create enviroments for home cinema.

Good luck to you, I look forward to seeing pictures of the finished job👍
 
I’ve been thinking up ways to engineer something cheap, in my mind I’m still thinking two masking panels with some kind of twin pulley system so dropping one lifts the other other.

Even just paying someone to engineer the whole system has got to be cheaper than the extra £9000 Stewart Filmscreen charge!
 
Indeed, this has peeked my interest as such situations like these on here often do, it's surprising how inventive people can be to achieve certain room treatments and create enviroments for home cinema.

Good luck to you, I look forward to seeing pictures of the finished job👍


Yup its mental.

TBH I don't think I'm asking for a lot. I think someone could make a pretty decent side hustle if they could market an electric large black blind or with MVEL22 towards the home cinema market of projector owners.
 
Yup its mental.

TBH I don't think I'm asking for a lot. I think someone could make a pretty decent side hustle if they could market an electric large black blind or with MVEL22 towards the home cinema market of projector owners.
Worth dropping someone like this a message, if you case with just a drop down mask, it should be pretty straightforward

 
I’ve been thinking up ways to engineer something cheap, in my mind I’m still thinking two masking panels with some kind of twin pulley system so dropping one lifts the other other.

Even just paying someone to engineer the whole system has got to be cheaper than the extra £9000 Stewart Filmscreen charge!
TBH if I and a permenant fixed screen I would just buy a couple manual of auto-retracting blinds, spray glue mvel to them, a couple of brackets either side at the appropriate height top and bottom and it's done, I wouldn't think it would cost anymore than a few hundred quid tops. Of course that's only a rough idea of how I'd do it.lol
 
TBH if I and a permenant fixed screen I would just buy a couple manual of auto-retracting blinds, spray glue mvel to them, a couple of brackets either side at the appropriate height top and bottom and it's done, I wouldn't think it would cost anymore than a few hundred quid tops. Of course that's only a rough idea of how I'd do it.lol
I just love things being automated, yes it’s lazy but I’m active all day and when I get home I want to press a button and not have to get back up to set up the room.

I’ve built the motion for driving simulator from the DIY plans along with the seat belt tensioner which I think I could easily retrofit for a blind and 3D print some roller parts which I’d then attach the the back of the false wall although probably not as elegant as the video’d solution but would be easier to implement in wider rooms when you can use the side walls.
 
It depends what you define as cheap, for me spending thousands on a set of Arendals or a 75 + inch Oled just isn't possible but £250 or so that I spent getting my masking system working was a no brainer.

A quick Google search shows 4m tubes are available from £50 ish, example below.


My tube motors came from germany


As you already have a contact who makes blinds can you not simply get one of these and then get your own tube to match, even accounting for some custom machined brackets surely a single blind can't get that expensive 😬. Making up the devore part to go on it just requires someone with a sewing machine 😁.


hi mate, how do u control the tube motor? I'm going down dIY route. No one will help me sadly from the blind companies or the guy who installed my blind.
 
Give these a try….


Our windows are just over 3 meters wide and so we had to have custom electric blinds made / installed.

They come with a remote and can be controlled via an app on your phone / voice control.

Won’t be cheap I’m afraid but maybe able to do what you want…?
 
Give these a try….


Our windows are just over 3 meters wide and so we had to have custom electric blinds made / installed.

They come with a remote and can be controlled via an app on your phone / voice control.

Won’t be cheap I’m afraid but maybe able to do what you want…?
How much was it mate? I do already have electric blinds, sadly the company I used said that don’t do 4m :(

Or companies are stating they can’t do with mvle22 cos their motors are too weak
 

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