Guide to Projector Screens

A projection screen is probably the least considered factor when preparing a presentation. Some companies will spend thousands of pounds on the latest projector and then ruin the effect by showing the presentation on any old screen or even worse, projecting it onto a wall. The effect of this is to counter-act the benefits of buying a quality projector.

What is the purpose of a projection screen?

The screen plays a major part in the quality of the displayed image. It's purpose is to reproduce the image without losing quality and to distribute the projected light towards the audience.

How do projection screens work?

Projection screens maximize the light coming from the projector by reflecting more light back to the audience concentrating the viewing angle. They are made using high-tech fabrics, that either focus or diffuse the light shining on them and control how that light is reflected back to the viewer.

A projection screen has to reflect and distribute the projected image in such a way that everyone in the room can see and read the image clearly, so optimum image quality can only be achieved if the projector and projection screen are perfectly matched to the presentation room.

What are the applications?

The applications for which the projector will be used, together with the configuration of the presentation room and the amount of ambient light, affect the choice of fabric for the projection screen.

If the wrong screen fabric is chosen, it may not be possible for everyone to view the image properly.

Do I choose a screen with 1:1, 4:3, or 16:9 ratio?

Generally when choosing the aspect ratio of your screen its worth taking into account the aspect ratio of your projector. If your projector is natively 4:3 match this with a 4:3 screen. This will give you the best effect filling all available screen space and optimising the projected image.

Projector Guide - Contents

Overview
Resolution
Brightness
Warranty advice
Choosing a Screen
Spare lamps
DLP vs LCD

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What screen fabrics are available?

1. Matte White Diffusion Screen Cloths:

Suitable for most applications particularly where light conditions are controllable. It evenly distributes light over a wide viewing area while colours remain bright and life-like, with no shifts in hue.

2. Datalux Reflective screen fabrics:

Datalux fabric has been specially developed for projection applications where a higher reflection value and wider viewing angle are desirable. Accordingly, Datalux fabric is extremely suitable for video and data projection. Also ideal for use in conjunction with ceiling mounted projectors where the maximum advantage will be noticed.

3. High Power Retro-reflective screen fabrics:

Retro-reflective screen fabric primarily reflects the projected light back towards the projector. Accordingly, it is highly suitable for applications where the projector is at table height, and is ideal for smaller presentations with fewer people in the room. Not recommended for ceiling mounted projectors as the light rays are bounced back along the exact path from where they came from.

4. Rear Projection

Housed inside the large cabinet of a rear projection unit is a projector aimed at a mirror that reflects the image onto the rear of a display screen.

The mirror enables the image to travel far enough to be seen without requiring the distance that front projection normally requires.

The mirror in a rear projection unit allows for large images while maintaining a relatively slim profile for the home or in the boardroom. A permanent rear-projection system can be installed into a wall for a neater and more impressive finish.

Rear projection screens also have the benefit that people are less likely to walk between the projector and the screen, casting shadows over the image.

Rear projection screens tend to be considerably more expensive than front projection screens.