Video of a studio we just built: 16x9x7' Advanced DIY enclosure with BenQ TK700STi

[GungHoGolf]

Here's a quick walk-thru of a studio build-out we just completed for a local client in Austin. The TK700STi projector really shines, and it's a first look at our Advanced DIY enclosure kit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqbzCeNNTA4

[fortysixandtwo]

I like the idea of the gradual ramp up to the screen with wire shelving. I like having a 9ft high enclosure, 7ft would make me nervous!

[GungHoGolf]

I like the idea of the gradual ramp up to the screen with wire shelving. I like having a 9ft high enclosure, 7ft would make me nervous!

The enclosure in the video is 16' wide, 9' tall, and 7' deep. No way we would use/recommend/build a 7' tall enclosure.

[tlrcash]

I can’t believe how good that image looked when you got up close.

[preludesam]

Yeah I think paying a little more for a 4K projector would have really changed the experience for me. Oh well you live and you learn.

[Brettster]

I agree, it would change the experience - I'm just not ready for a $1,700 experience at this point... maybe later...

[Hjscm]

looks great. I am looking at designing a building in yard that would be about 14’ wide by 24’ long and 10’ high. This whole system might be perfect for me.

[GungHoGolf]

If you can stretch to 15' wide, you'll be happier. That's the comfortable minimum width for righties and lefties from the same centered ball position. Length and height are perfect.

[Brettster]

Wow GungHoGolf - that's amazing... love the tight screen in back - 5" to piping (is that 1" EMT?)... how much does the ball push back into that 5" distance - could I get that screen within 5" of a back wall?

One thing... the 9' height... my problem is I'm dealing with 7' height on sides then sloping up to about 9', then another slope up to 10' (Gambrel roof), you can see it in my Sim Shed build post. There's no way I can do that with a straight bar - I have 2 slopes in my roof to get to 10' height unfortunately.

I've resigned to the thinking that I'm going to drape large pieces of the 'Commando Cloth' you recommended from Chicago Canvas, which I have bought over taut wire - probably at 2 heights - and pulling in to back & sides (both left/right) starting at 7' down at sides - going up to 9' (in toward center and back toward screen - to catch lob wedges) and then back down again to 7' on the other side - likely with 2 wires 1.) running length-wise and 2.) width wise in the structure. I can't do that with a structured enclosure, unfortunately.

The projector is amazing - and I'll look also at the Sonos Arc sound system you recommend... Is that part of it hanging in front of the LED lights? Also how far back exactly is the BenQ hanging from the sreen?

Looking forward to info on that DIY enclosure as 'screen only' - can you make an option for that (and I would need it at 7' height - since I have to drop that low at the sides) - will you offer a DIY screen/kit at different height screens? Looks great... thanks!

[Tshaw1712]

The screen tightness looks great, would love to do that for my home setup. Can you say what size custom bungee you are using? And do you have a rule of them for how long you cut the bungee based on EMT pipe dimensions?

Thanks!

[GungHoGolf]

Wow GungHoGolf - that's amazing... love the tight screen in back - 5" to piping (is that 1" EMT?)... how much does the ball push back into that 5" distance - could I get that screen within 5" of a back wall?

One thing... the 9' height... my problem is I'm dealing with 7' height on sides then sloping up to about 9', then another slope up to 10' (Gambrel roof), you can see it in my Sim Shed build post. There's no way I can do that with a straight bar - I have 2 slopes in my roof to get to 10' height unfortunately.

I've resigned to the thinking that I'm going to drape large pieces of the 'Commando Cloth' you recommended from Chicago Canvas, which I have bought over taut wire - probably at 2 heights - and pulling in to back & sides (both left/right) starting at 7' down at sides - going up to 9' (in toward center and back toward screen - to catch lob wedges) and then back down again to 7' on the other side - likely with 2 wires 1.) running length-wise and 2.) width wise in the structure. I can't do that with a structured enclosure, unfortunately.

The projector is amazing - and I'll look also at the Sonos Arc sound system you recommend... Is that part of it hanging in front of the LED lights? Also how far back exactly is the BenQ hanging from the sreen?

Looking forward to info on that DIY enclosure as 'screen only' - can you make an option for that (and I would need it at 7' height - since I have to drop that low at the sides) - will you offer a DIY screen/kit at different height screens? Looks great... thanks!

You need at least 12" of clearance behind the screen to any hard surface (with a screen attached on all 4 sides, like this one). We have a bit less than that, 10", with the steel column behind the screen, but it's enough off-center that it's not a problem. The 5" distance I referenced in the video was the lateral distance between the side vertical pipe and the vertical velcro on the main screen (where the side black panel velcros on).

Your ceiling height is very complicated - not sure how to tackle that. If you have at least 12' width between where the ceiling is 9' tall, I'd just stop the enclosure there on both sides.

The Sonos Arc bar is what you see mounted to the ceiling in front of the hittting area lights, yes.

With the 9' image height of this studio, the TK700STi can be positioned from 14'4" to 17'3" lens to screen (see https://www.projectorcentral.com/Ben...ulator-pro.htm). We have it on the closer end of that range to avoid player shadows. Ball is positioned 10' from screen fyi.

We will offer custom sizing of the DIY Advanced Enclosure kit, but not "irregular" patterns like I think you're talking about. If you can find a local seamstress to sew adhesive velcro to your impact screen and black side/top panels, you should be able to accomplish what you need to. But figuring out a way to keep your enclosure to a regular rectangular box at least 8-9' tall would be ideal.

[GungHoGolf]

The screen tightness looks great, would love to do that for my home setup. Can you say what size custom bungee you are using? And do you have a rule of them for how long you cut the bungee based on EMT pipe dimensions?
Thanks!

We use 3/16" bungee cord, available in 100ft spools on Amazon, along with the plastic end hooks, so can cut them to any length. We typically cut them as they're installed, to be able to feel the proper tension on each one. They usually end up about 50-60% as long as the width they're spanning.

The impact screen doesn't need a lot of tension - only enough to keep it flat on the front surface. Wrapping it around all four side and top pipes helps hold it very flat in all dimensions - the bungees are mostly there to keep it in place, not add tension.

[cctolbert]

Ron great video! Do you like wrapping the screen and attaching with the long 3/16” bungee cords as opposed to the article on the screen inside the frame and attached with short bungee cords? Also I assume this build is for a floor launch monitor. But how would this projector work with a uneekor eye xo, assuming plenty of ceiling height? Do you have a sure fire way of matching a projector to your screen size and a ceiling mounted LM without creating shadows? Thanks

[GungHoGolf]

Yes, we like the method in the video, but it only works well when using velcro on the main screen to attach the side and top panels - otherwise sides and tops are more difficult to attach to back poles, and back poles are harder to protect from ball impact.

The studio in the video is using a Mevo+, but an EYE XO would work just as well. Avoiding shadows with projector and matching to screen size is just basic geometry and looking at angles - drawing the layout in side view perspective using a grid (I like using lucidchart.com or draw.io) is helpful.

[Brettster]

Thanks GungHoGolf - just about to my screen hanging phase... I wondered about the projector position too - I'll be at about 15' and probably close to 10' height. Can't wait to get everything running... dang, have to get more heat into building!