What's the purpose of the screen curtain?

[704set]

Other than aesthetics, does the curtain serve any purpose? I can see protection from grubby little hands if there are kids present. But does a screen need protection when not in use? This will be a dedicated theater so there will be little traffic when the room is not in use.

Thanks,
Skip

[bpape]

You've really about covered it - Looks and coverage when not in use.

[rboster]

I think it also helps in acoustical absorption on the screen wall (behind the front three speakers). Opinions vary (see builders area + audio theory forums).

Ron

[colinsm]

And when in use some curtains are used to create a "mask" or to frame an image. My friend uses it to mask the black bars on the side of 4:3 images on his 16:9 screen. The benefits of masking are discussed often on the screens and PJ forums.

[bpape]

The curtains can certainly absorb at high frequencies but do little to nothing in other areas of the spectrum.

Edited for spelling

[Art Sonneborn]

Mine were for looks only.

Art

[704set]

I assume the curtains are partially closed to mask a 4:3 image. Is this effective? Is it bothersome in that it visually distracts from the screen?

Thanks,
Skip

[Tedd]

How about keeping dust off the screen?

[Toxarch]

It looks cool to have remote control curtains in front of the screen. And I guess there is the dust-free aspect too.

[colinsm]

Originally posted by 704set
I assume the curtains are partially closed to mask a 4:3 image. Is this effective? Is it bothersome in that it visually distracts from the screen?

Thanks,
Skip

Was it bothersome? I didn't think so. Was it effective? I can't say for sure. All I can say is that when I put a black velvet border around my screen it made a difference.

I didn't do before and after viewings at his place.

Sorry.

[EC]

Originally posted by 704set
I assume the curtains are partially closed to mask a 4:3 image. Is this effective? Is it bothersome in that it visually distracts from the screen?

Thanks,
Skip

Very effective! My curtains are black velvet so it it is a black hole to the sides and top and bottom of my screen. The black curtains also extends the mask effectively even when they are open in 16:9 mode.

Lastly, I used to fully close my curtains when listening to 2 ch and MC music as it creates a better illussion as I like just a little bit of light when listening to music but even the smallest amount of light reflects off a big white screen. Since I mounted my centre channel above my screen I can no longer fully close my curtains but it is still pretty effective.

[704set]

Eric,

How do you know where to precisely stop the cutain for masking?
Do you have some sort of markings?
Could a remote be pre-programmed?

Thanks,
Skip

[EC]

Originally posted by 704set
Eric,

How do you know where to precisely stop the cutain for masking?
Do you have some sort of markings?
Could a remote be pre-programmed?

Thanks,
Skip

Skip,

My curtains are manual ie not motorized. You are going to laugh when I tell you my secret.....

The curtains are wide open, I put a 4:3 DVD on like the Eagles When hell freezes over. The 4:3 image will be centered in 16:9 screen. The sides of the screen will be exposed with no picture. I just use the rope mechanism on the side to draw the curtains to the point where they just touch the side of the picture. I have very few 4:3 DVDs though.

There are motorized screens that you mask both vertically and horizontally at set locations. In fact Stewart has one that you can see if you look at the paid AVS advertisers. Not cheap though.

[Dan Forsyth]

To make it look cool duh. lol

[704set]

Hey, Eric. Whatever works. Even doing it manually. So you do get a sense of a floating screen?

The reason for my interest is I'm contemplating whether or not to get a curtain. I was thinking of a DIY masking system. Some pretty good ones discussed in the Screen DIY forum. But using the curtain for masking may be the factor that sways me to go with the curtain. Seems it would be easy to set the curtain than putting up masking (Yes, the Stewart system is pricey).

As a matter of fact, several times I saw the movie theater use the screen for masking a 4:3 movie. This was a long time ago and I guess a few were still shot in that format.

Thanks,
Skip

[EC]

Originally posted by 704set
Hey, Eric. So you do get a sense of a floating screen?
Thanks,
Skip

I sure do but you have to make sure your room is cave to get that illusion. I mean totally light controlled. My room is painted a very dark grey (all walls and ceiling). The carpet is black. The chairs are black. All the amps and speakers are black to minimize light reflection. All the gear at the back of the room are not facing the screen. Of course the curtains are black too. Although the valance does have a bit of red trim.

[704set]

Your curtain is a black velvet, which is very effective. I'm considering a dark burgandy color. How effective do you think this color will be?

Thanks,
Skip