New to this with projector screen questions! (1 Viewer)

[Lake]

Hi there. I am finishing my basement and want an area that will serve both as a dedicated theater as well as be open to the rest of the basement for sports viewing. I know, this is impossible, but I think I have at least a reasonable solution using theater curtains on the two open walls when I want to black out the room. When I don't want to black out the room, I will be dealing with ambient light. The ambient light will come from the remainder of the basement, not the theater area itself. No windows, primarily can lights and a pool table light, again outside of the projector / screen area. Painted charcoal flat on ceiling and walls in the theater area. I am looking for a hundred inch, zero edge screen and I will be using an Epson 3700 from 15 feet away. There will be no ambient light source between the project and the screen, the pool table light will be 20 feet behind the projector (away from theater area) and there are a few cans that start at 20 feet outside the theater area. How much should I worry about ambient light in this instance? Trying to decide between the many screen materials on the market, and hoping to get it right the first time! Really wanting the definition in the darker color spectrum. Thank you all for your help.

 

[Sam Posten]

Hi Michael, welcome to HTF. I don't have much experience doing what you want to do, I have a fully blacked out area for my basement. Hope some others can jump in!

 

[Bobofbone]

You might want to consider putting rheostats on the can lights. I did something similar, using a Lutron controller with both can lights and incandescent rope lights in crown molding and around the screen. When I made my screen, I put hooks around the frame, and had one of the outlets below wired to the Lutron unit. It can also be run off a remote.