Optimal setup behind screen + black vs white tarp?

[garrett296]

I have a question about how to set up the tarp/netting/memory foam behind my screen. My setup is a carls preferred screen that is mounted about 5-6" from an unfinished wall with studs. I purchased a 2" memory foam mattress topper to hang behind the screen to deaden the impact/bounce back. I also have white archery netting behind the screen as well. I just purchased 2 different heavy duty tarps from amazon (a black and a white one) and I plan to use one and return the other hopefully. Projector is an optoma GT1090HDR and the sim will be in a dimly lit room when in use.

My question is how to optimally layer these items in order to achieve the best projection picture and minimal bounce back, and whether to use black or white heavy duty tarp. I really want to avoid the outlines of the netting and the mattress pad from leaking through my screen, and I hope to have a nice, vivid picture, with clean edges. The way I am leaning toward right now is carls preferred screen, then black tarp, then white netting, then memory foam, then wall. Some of my questions/curiosities:

1. Does anybody have any input on that order of layers?
2. Would black or white tarp be better for picture?
3. If I went with white tarp, would it do an adequate job preventing bleed through of my mattress pad/netting? or should I go with black?
4. I've read some data points about black tarp marking up or staining the impact screen, and this is a major worry of mine. Anybody have issues or success with black tarp directly behind screen?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[azbball11]

I used a Black Sound Proof Blanket behind my Carls Preferred Screen. I tried the white and when the projector was off, you could see the White blanket. The black does not show through when the projector is off and it makes the picture better IMO. My sim is in a finished lower level so I preferred the clean look when the projector is off. I have not noticed marks from the black blanket showing up on the screen. There are some ball marks but I think that is the screen wear. I don't have anything else behind the screen other than the blanket, so I can not comment on the other questions.

[Christensen88]

I have my impact net, then I bought black flannel from a Joann’s fabric and hung that next, followed by the impact screen I got from GungHoGolf. Works great, does improve the visual of the screen. My ball hit the screen and drops straight down.

[Shipwreck34]

I did basically the same as Christensen here, except I went with cheap $10 blankets from Walmart that were a charcoal color. In my case it just helps a bit with a little extra mass behind the screen that deadens the sound slightly and helps the ball drop better. Image quality isn't really improved any. That's an entirely different discussion though. Black vs White backing what you're really talking about is slightly changing the gain, especially with a Golf Sim Screen that is already more porous than your typical projector screen. Even the kind that are meant for speakers to go behind. Here's a link that should serve as a good primer if you've never read about it. https://www.projectorscreen.com/What-is-Screen-Gain The main thing you should be taking away is higher gain is not always better.

[lawrencejp42]

Here is a warning! Be careful what you hang behind the screen.
I hung black moving blankets on bungees and tarp clips behind my Carls preferred screen. Within 2 weeks I had a large "smudge" area on the screen caused by transfer of the dye from the blankets to the screen in the impact zone. I attached a picture.
I cleaned the screen on both sides following directions provided by Joe at Carl's. It was a lot of work but looks much better. I am going to hang a white sheet between the screen and the blankets.

[Shipwreck34]

Interesting! My grey blankets haven't done that. Was it really the dye from the blankets being transferred, or just fibers that worked their way through then when being hit transferred the dye?

I'm asking that specifically because perhaps a tighter knit sheet or something else that wouldn't let the fibers through being put in between would still allow you to use the black moving blankets, if you like that application? Just a thought.

[lawrencejp42]

Shipwreck34 - Yes, it was dye. I used Dawn in lukewarm water washing both sides of the screen then clean water.. I think if I had prewashed the blankets the dye might have come out.