Is the screen just hanging freely there for the most part (it appears to be)? Like can you walk in front of and behind?
Do you get any waves or distortion in the material from rolling it up and down? I'm about to buy an electric screen that will roll down over a bay window in our living room and was curious what your experiences are. I've been doing a ton of research and it seems like if you're not buying a tab-tension screen (and spending 800+ bucks) then you're going to likely get waves in it.
The one I've been looking at is an Elite Screens 125" electric, so any advice you have would be great.
Here is a pic I took while game planning the whole rig....
what you are looking is the view from my couch towards the kitchen. As you can see there is a soffit from the ceiling. Attached below that is cabinets (that actually open into the kitchen. The cabinets doors on this side are for aesthetics....) and small opening that provides a view into my kitchen and then the breakfast bar.
So.... the tube of the screen is tacked to the back side of the soffit next to the ceiling. Then we just simply pull it down.
As far as waving and such, there is actually an area on the right corner that produces a very small vertical roll, but when the projector is on, its virtually un noticeable.
So I haven't noticed and issues.
The real challenge was the 4 windows I have the face the screen directly behind my couch. However, I live in the city on a east west street so while I get plenty of light in my place, it's no real detriment to day time viewing. I just simply created a day time setting for it.
So when the screen is rolled up, it looks like this... but you know... with less shit all over the place.
So I guess my advice it mostly to get a screen with a good "gain". Also, be aware of where your ceiling joists are. Like I posted previously, we got lucky to hit one on our first try. However, it often think about how we would have had to adjust had a ceiling joist been 6 inches closer of farther. Because then you are talking about mounting plates and that may not look all that great in a family room.
Ours is our main TV and I love the fact that when the wife and I play video games or watch TV, we essentially have a theater. Then when we head to bed, I pull the chord, and the screen disappears opening up my family room and kitchen area again. It gives my place a nice clean, new, simple look.
I'm at work now, but Ill try to remember to measure the distances and such when I get home.... if I forget, I apologize.
- B