Projection screens have helped speakers out, brought joy to children, and helped students study. In 2024, this popular device will be used for lectures, presentations and home theater creation. You need a screen to implement various tasks with a projector; problems usually arise when choosing the latter.
This blog will tell you how to determine a suitable screen and what characteristics to pay attention to.
Aspect Ratio
One of the most essential characteristics of projection screens is that they can have different aspect ratios. The indicator affects the geometry of the screen and must be correlated with the projector’s aspect ratio. Otherwise, the image will extend beyond the screen. Or there will be empty fields. Or there will be problems with focusing.
The most common aspect ratio of modern films (and therefore, a good option for watching movies at home) is 16:9. If your projector works with this ratio, the screen should have similar characteristics. Other popular aspect ratios and their uses:
- 4:3: Format for presentations, slide shows and other office tasks;
- 16:10: A fashionable aspect ratio that is found in modern content with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, 1280 x 800;
- 1:1: A less popular but still helpful format for square content (archival photographs with exactly this aspect ratio);
- 2.39:1: Aspect ratio of cinema screens.
Diagonal
Projector screens come in different sizes (diagonals). It is necessary to correlate the diagonal, the resolution of the transmitted image and the distance to the screen so that viewing is as comfortable as possible. The most common diagonals of projection screens:
40 inches;
60 inches;
80 inches;
100 inches;
120 inches;
150 inches, etc.
The larger the diagonal (size) of the screen, the further it needs to be installed from the viewer’s eyes. With the popular aspect ratio of 16:9 and an image resolution of 1920 x 1080, an 80-inch screen is installed approximately 200 cm from a person, a 100-inch – 250 cm, and a 120-inch – 300 cm. When choosing an SMD screen, consider its size and the ability to organize a viewing area in a specific room correctly. If there is simply not enough space in the hall (room), choose a model with a smaller diagonal.
Construction
Projection screens are used in different rooms and different conditions. Hence the wide variety of their designs. Let’s consider the most basic options and areas of their application.
Stationary Screens
A design has a frame and a screen stretched over it. The stationary model is installed in home theaters and lecture halls. The frame can be hidden or external. A good choice if you repeatedly show content for a long time in the same room and watch movies at home. If you need mobility for work and ultra-fast installation is essential, this category is not for you.
Models with Collapsible Frame
Mini version of large stationary screens. It is made in a portable design format, with a small frame holding the screen. The advantage (as with a regular stationary screen) is the strong tension, ensuring the absence of image distortion. Quite a rare model, in which private and legal entities prefer the more familiar and mobile roll designs.
Roll Screens
A format where the canvas is rolled into a roll inside the housing. This mechanism allows you to transport even a large screen when folded easily. The mounting is usually universal: on the wall or ceiling. The screen is quickly mounted and unfolded at the right time. Many models have an electric drive that lowers and raises the canvas after pressing the remote control button.
Roll screens benefit from a combination of advantageous features:
- high mobility;
- simple and quick installation on different surfaces;
- immediate readiness for work
If you hold seminars or lectures and rarely change locations or want to watch movies at home, roll-up screens will provide both ease of use and good image quality with different aspect ratios to choose from.
Mobile Roll Screens
A more compact, stationary version of the roll-up screen. The canvas is fixed on a tripod. The model is suitable if you don’t just change locations but do it constantly. When folded, the structure will fit in any car; it can be easily and simply unfolded before the start of the lecture.
If necessary, the mobile roll-up screen can be quickly moved during operation (together with the projector) if someone in the audience suddenly cannot see the content. A mobile roll-up screen will be a good choice for sellers who present their products, professional growth coaches, etc.
Gain and Luminous Flux
We’ve sorted out the structures. But there is also the concept of a society of quality and brightness of the image on the canvas. Besides the basic screen resolution and output content, you need to consider the gain factor. This is a parameter for the reflective properties of the screen.
The higher the ratio (standard – 1:0), the more light the screen scatters and the brighter it is. But one screen and its coefficient are not enough for an intelligent choice. High brightness must be correlated with the brightness of the luminous flux of the projector itself.
The projector needs a screen with a high coefficient if it has a low or medium luminous flux. If the projector performance is high (3500-4000 lm or more), the screen should be taken with a lower ratio (for example, 1:4). Otherwise, a bright projector with a bright screen will create glare and flare, which the audience does not need at all.
Coating
The most common coating for budget and mid-budget projection screens is matte white. This is an unpretentious solution for home and office. Screens with a white matte finish have large viewing angles and look normal when the projector is turned off (it turned out that this is also important). You can’t achieve cinematic quality with them, and you need to play with the room lighting for optimal contrast. But these are mere trifles, especially if you will not show Avatar in 4K. Matte white is the “people’s” choice for project and office work.
The second coating option is gray. Gray screens have appeared recently and offer very high gain (above 1:0). Their contrast is excellent, and dark shades are rich. But such models are more expensive, and light colors do not look ideal.
If you’re looking for an excellent home theater screen, look no further than ALR. The technology is the most modern – with a thoughtful angle of light reflection, complete absorption of light from surrounding sources, and the highest contrast in any condition. But you will have to pay a lot for such a miracle of engineering (from 40 thousand rubles or more on average).
Which Models to Buy For Personal and Work
When choosing a projection screen, you should first take into account:
- its purpose (what needs to be shown and for what purpose);
- layout and lighting of the room;
- the layout of the seats in the hall (from what distance people will watch);
- Possibility of installation in a specific room.
Without considering these factors, even the most expensive screen can become useless.
