DIY Home Projects
DIY Projection Theater


BLACK+DECKER B+D Contributor 120 Projects
While a home theater with a rear-projection TV can easily perform multiple functions, when you invest in a front-projection theater you should plan on giving it a dedicated space. This is mainly because a projection theater should be dark when in use. If your home theater goals are to watch television or socialize, you may want to go with a traditional large-screen TV. The room you choose will also have a bearing on the maximum size screen you can use. The ideal room, then, is rectangular, at least 12 feet long in one dimension, and windowless or easily darkened. It’s a good idea to have a specific spot in mind for your projector before you purchase it. It isn’t hard to calculate the appropriate screen size using the specs for your projector and your known room size. But a sure way to know you’re getting the correct screen for your needs is to buy the projector, set it up, and measure the image size. Then you can order a projection screen, or you may choose to make your own. You can also use a white or light gray wall, but the image quality will suffer quite a bit compared to a screen.
Tip: Projectors are image-output devices, and that’s it. When you set up your projection theater, you’ll need to accommodate input devices like a DVD player and a TV receiver to provide signals to the projector (which can be a bit of a tangle if you choose to ceiling-mount the projector). You’ll also need to provide a sound output device, presumably your home theater sound system, to connect to your signal source.