Need help with a 92'' fixed theater screen, anybody??

jedi35 · « **on:** 23 Apr 2009, 04:01 am »

Hi guys,

I have a 92" fixed theater screen coming that should be here in the next couple of days. I got it for a great price, but I'm not good with the handyman skills, so I'm hoping that someone here can help me assemble it and get it installed on my wall properly. We can check out some nice sounds from my all-Martin Logan surround system while enjoying bluerays, or just listen to music. I'm missing my Krell monoblocks driving the woofers of my Monoliths up front, but they still sound nice. The Threshold Model 4000 is holding up well driving the panels(knock on wood). I've got Quests in the back of the room, and the ML Cinema for the center. Please help, anybody???

This screen is replacing a DIY Parkland Plastics shower panel that I've used for the past 3 years or so. The new screen will have an aluminum frame. The mounting hardware(4 brackets) comes with the screen, and it will need to be anchored to a plaster wall. The screen material is called Grey Magic II(from the Saaria Company), which I'm hoping will coax some better black levels out of my 1080p LCD pj.

Thanks,
Adrian

BTW, the Back Society is performing again this Sunday night at 6:30pm at College Church(St. Francis Xavier) at Grand and Lindell. I'm still checking on tickets. The main choral work is the Mozart Vespers, as well as the Bach Violin Concerto No. 1 played by Dr. Lenore Anop. Should be a great concert.

electricbear · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Apr 2009, 02:30 pm »

If your new screen is like everyother one I've come across you should have no problems hanging it. Screens are so light and generally only require a couple of screws. I'd volunteer to help you but I've got a severe head cold just now which trust me you don't want.

bpape · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Apr 2009, 02:39 pm »

Hi Adrian

Not sure when you have available. My schedule is pretty nutty but if we can find a time, I'd be happy to help you hang it. It's not a big deal to do really.

PM me the info.

Bryan

jedi35 · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Apr 2009, 03:06 pm »

Hey Tim,

Wow man, I hope you feel better soon. Bryan, thanks a bunch. I'll send you a PM.

Adrian

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Apr 2009, 03:28 pm »

Adrian,
I was "all about" helping a Brother get his screen thang going until you said the magic word, "plaster".

I would LOVE to construct the screen and LOVE to hear your system. The plaster thing is the only thing I have reservations about. I've never dealt with that.
I've got ALL the tools, the knowledge, the desire, the time (more of that than you can imagine).

Bob
{You buy the beer}

636.671.1058

daves · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 01:32 pm »

Adrian, I just saw this. Ring me at 651-9396 with the details and I'll be there if schedule permits. I'm off today and will take Liam to "Meet the Machines" tomorrow in the am.

Dave

thunderbrick · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 01:49 pm »

If it is PLASTER and the studs aren't where you want 'em, you may have to use specialty anchors. A stud finder will be a big help. This is a bad time for me, but depending on when you start this project I might be able to drive up I-44 from Rolla to help, as well as meet the GAS guys for the first time.

Bob

P.S. If you have outlets on that wall they will typically be nailed to one stud, and that can be used as a guide to help find the remaining studs.

C'mon, Bob, you're a guy! If you can BE plastered, you can handle plaster.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 01:53 pm »

No need for a stud finder...... I'm right here.

In all seriousness Adrian, I've got an electronic stud finder.

Bob

bpape · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 01:55 pm »

I had to back out. I was informed that my inlaws will be here for the weekend.

One thing you might be able to do is just put up a ledger boards on the wall connected to several studs to allow hanging of the screen wherever you want.

Bryan

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 02:01 pm »

Good point about the ledger board.
I can't see a 92" aluminum framed screen being very heavy. Would it be as simple as a ledger board with four or five screws (with pilot holes into the wall to avoid cracking plaster), and an equal amount of screw holding the frame to the board?

Bob

thunderbrick · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 02:05 pm »

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 24 Apr 2009, 02:01 pm

Good point about the ledger board.
I can't see a 92" aluminum framed screen being very heavy. Would it be as simple as a ledger board with four or five screws (with pilot holes into the wall to avoid cracking plaster), and an equal amount of screw holding the frame to the board?

Bob

Yeah, just a couple of 3 or 4 inch drywall screws at each stud point. If, as Bob suggests, the screen isn't heavy, then just using screws at two or three key stud points might lessen the need for repairs later. Maybe, anyway.

Bob, you lookin' for studs? i thought you were married! Or did you mean you ARE a stud?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 03:11 pm »

You could use a french cleat on the screen, and a matching one on the back of the screen - this is what I did with a LARGE mirror I hung in our home 4 years ago. It does weigh a ton though, and the screen you are talking about likely is quite light, so perhaps that is far more work than it is worth.

jedi35 · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 05:14 pm »

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the advice and offers for help. I'll certainly need it. I just got the FedEx tracking number, after calling these guys every day this week. Checking on the arrival now...

Adrian

jedi35 · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 05:26 pm »

The screen is not arriving until Monday, the day I leave town. I won't be back until Wed. afternoon, which gives me hardly anytime to decide if I want to keep it or not. Great.

Adrian

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 05:56 pm »

That sucks.

Just let us know what you need and when you need it Adrian.

Bob

thunderbrick · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Apr 2009, 06:35 pm »

Unfortunately I leave Wednesday for a university business trip for a week, so I am out of the near-term action.

jedi35 · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 03:56 pm »

Ok thanks again, guys. I may have to hire the contractors around the corner from me to do the handywork part. Bob, I'll give you a call on Wed., as I could use your help to make sure that things are lined up properly. My pj ceiling mount is rather flimsy. It was meant for a much smaller unit, as you will see. I need to buy a better one that allows me more precise alignment. I do have a very flexible lens shift system on the pj. We both have Sanyo units. I have the 1080HD.

I'll see if FedEx can hold the screen and let me pick it up on Wed. when I get back in town. I'll have to teach between 4 and 7:30pm. I'll try to get it as early as I can Wed. morning. Thursday I have a window of time between 11am and 2:30pm.

Thunderbrick,
Thanks for all the info, and I hope you get everything fixed(out of town) the way you want. I'm always impressed with this open spirit of helpfulness among the GAS group.

I experimented the other night by putting up a huge piece of crappy old light grey fabric over my current screen just to see what it would do for contrast and black levels in the picture. Man, was I surprised!! The picture was incredible, with deep bold blacks. If this is any indication of what's to come with a video optomized screen, I've got a lot to look forward to. Even with the fabric, sharpness, brightness and detail still looked very good. I'll have to do some color work, however.

Adrian

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Apr 2009, 05:27 pm »

Quote from: jedi35 on 25 Apr 2009, 03:56 pm

I may have to hire the contractors around the corner from me to do the handywork part.
Bob, I'll give you a call on Wed., as I could use your help to make sure that things are lined up properly.

Ummm.... Ideally, we don't want a huge amount of lens shift/keystone adjustments involved Adrian.
Preferably, the guy that's going to place the screen in the proper location should either be the one to place it, or be there when it's being placed to insure it's in the right place.
I can do everything that needs to be done. The only item I have reservations about is the plaster issue. But with what's been said here, I'm quite a bit more comfortable with dealing with plaster. If it's as simple as finding studs and making sure any holes drilled/screwed are large enough not to disturb the plaster, then I'm very confident we'll end up with results you'll be happy with. aa

Before you contract anyone you'll have to pay, call me first.

Bob

jedi35 · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Apr 2009, 07:25 am »

Ok Bob, that sounds good. I'd much rather have someone who is familiar with pjs and screens do the work. My Monolith speakers greatly limit where the screen can go, and how big it can be. Another 2 inches or so larger would be ideal, but 92'' will have to do. I'll call Wed. morning as I'm heading back into St. Louis. I'm hoping to have the screen picked up and back at my house by late morning.

Adrian

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Apr 2009, 11:15 am »

I.I. Captain, Roger Roger.

Bob