A blank wall is a serviceable LCD or DLP projector screen, but isn't always available, or smooth or white enough. A dedicated screen is the final step in completing a HDTV home theater system.
A 120, 106 or 92 inch screen can cost from less than $100 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the type and brand. Popular brands include Da Lite, Draper, Elite Screens, Stewart Filmscreen, Optoma (Panoview) and InFocus.
Projector Screen Requirements
It's a good idea to gain some experience watching movies projected on to a blank wall or white bedsheet, before choosing a screen. The main considerations are:
Tripod, Wall, Ceiling, Motorized and Other Types of Projector Screens
Pull-down screens are popular for home use. They are fixed to the wall or ceiling and work like a giant roller blind.
Advantages
Flexible. Can be mounted almost anywhere.
Relatively cheap. A 120 inch screen can cost less than $100.
Disadvantages
Not portable.
Roll mechanism can fail.
Screen is not perfectly flat.
Tripod screens are like pull-down screens, but are placed on a large collapsible tripod. Most are pull-up instead of pull-down. They are popular for business presentations and other commercial use.
Advantages
Portable. Can be used outdoors.
Relatively cheap.
Disadvantages
Cannot be placed flush against the wall.
Roll mechanism can fail.
Screen is not perfectly flat.
Can be knocked over by small children or large pets.
Fixed frame screens are like a large, blank painting. The screen is stretched over a rigid frame, creating a flat wrinkle-free surface.
Advantages
Flat screen. Good image quality.
Reliable. No moving parts.
Screen is sometimes machine-washable.
Disadvantages
Usually permanently hung on the wall. Difficult to put away after use.
Can be expensive, a few hundred dollars.
Fixed size. Cannot be shortened or lengthened depending on image aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:12, 16:9).
Electric or motorized screens are like pull-down screens, only with an electric motor. They are more expensive, but otherwise share the same advantages and disadvantages. The additional machinery can result in lower reliability.
Features to look out for
Manual-override in case the motor fails.
Remote control.
Wired 3-way wall switch control (no need to hunt for remote control).
Cable connection to projector 12 volt trigger (if supported by projector). This will automatically lower/raise the screen when the projector is switched on/off.
Fast deployment. Some screens can take as long as one minute to lower or raise.
How to Choose Projector Screen Materials and Aspect Ratios
Most screens are white but gray screens are actually better for use in bright rooms (high level of ambient light). Dark colors looker darker, more saturated, on a gray screen, reducing the washed-out look that occurs with ambient light.
The amount of light reflected by the screen is measured by its "gain" rating. A plain white screen has a gain of 1. Gray screens reflect less light and have a gain of about 0.8. Some screens have a gain of 1.1 or higher, but only if viewed directly from the front. The Projector Central website recommends a gray (gain less than 1) or a plain white (gain of 1) screen (see link below).
Common screen aspect ratios (width compared with height) are 4:3 (standard definition, analog TV) and 16:9 (HDTV). Widescreen movies have an aspect ratio of more than 2:1. For roll-up screens, the aspect ratio is changed by lowering or raising the screen. A 4:3 screen can be converted to a 16:9 screen by partially raising the screen.
The Best Projector Screen
The main options to decide on are the mounting, size, screen color and aspect ratio. Having some experience watching HDTV projected on a blank wall, in the same room where the screen will be placed, will help in coming to a decision. This means that the HDTV/HDMI projector should be purchased first.
A 120, 106 or 92 inch screen can cost from less than $100 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the type and brand. Popular brands include Da Lite, Draper, Elite Screens, Stewart Filmscreen, Optoma (Panoview) and InFocus.
Projector Screen Requirements
It's a good idea to gain some experience watching movies projected on to a blank wall or white bedsheet, before choosing a screen. The main considerations are:
- Usage frequency. Will the projector and screen be used daily (as a TV replacement) or only occasionally to watch movies?
- Permanence. Will the screen be mounted permanently in place (dedicated home theater)? For a crowded living room, a pull-down screen can be mounted over a window (a screen with a black backing will reduce sunlight bleed-through), French doors or in front of the TV.
- Portability. Will the screen be moved outdoors for backyard screenings?
- Child safety. Are there small children or large pets that could topple the screen and injure themselves?
- Screen size. Is a 50 inch screen large enough? Is the room large enough? Is the projector bright enough for a large screen?
- Ambient light. Will the projector be used in a darkened room or will the lights be on for other family members to carry out their own activities? For use in bright rooms, a gray screen will give a higher contrast image (as long as the projector is bright enough).
Tripod, Wall, Ceiling, Motorized and Other Types of Projector Screens
Pull-down screens are popular for home use. They are fixed to the wall or ceiling and work like a giant roller blind.
Advantages
Flexible. Can be mounted almost anywhere.
Relatively cheap. A 120 inch screen can cost less than $100.
Disadvantages
Not portable.
Roll mechanism can fail.
Screen is not perfectly flat.
Tripod screens are like pull-down screens, but are placed on a large collapsible tripod. Most are pull-up instead of pull-down. They are popular for business presentations and other commercial use.
Advantages
Portable. Can be used outdoors.
Relatively cheap.
Disadvantages
Cannot be placed flush against the wall.
Roll mechanism can fail.
Screen is not perfectly flat.
Can be knocked over by small children or large pets.
Fixed frame screens are like a large, blank painting. The screen is stretched over a rigid frame, creating a flat wrinkle-free surface.
Advantages
Flat screen. Good image quality.
Reliable. No moving parts.
Screen is sometimes machine-washable.
Disadvantages
Usually permanently hung on the wall. Difficult to put away after use.
Can be expensive, a few hundred dollars.
Fixed size. Cannot be shortened or lengthened depending on image aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:12, 16:9).
Electric or motorized screens are like pull-down screens, only with an electric motor. They are more expensive, but otherwise share the same advantages and disadvantages. The additional machinery can result in lower reliability.
Features to look out for
Manual-override in case the motor fails.
Remote control.
Wired 3-way wall switch control (no need to hunt for remote control).
Cable connection to projector 12 volt trigger (if supported by projector). This will automatically lower/raise the screen when the projector is switched on/off.
Fast deployment. Some screens can take as long as one minute to lower or raise.
How to Choose Projector Screen Materials and Aspect Ratios
Most screens are white but gray screens are actually better for use in bright rooms (high level of ambient light). Dark colors looker darker, more saturated, on a gray screen, reducing the washed-out look that occurs with ambient light.
The amount of light reflected by the screen is measured by its "gain" rating. A plain white screen has a gain of 1. Gray screens reflect less light and have a gain of about 0.8. Some screens have a gain of 1.1 or higher, but only if viewed directly from the front. The Projector Central website recommends a gray (gain less than 1) or a plain white (gain of 1) screen (see link below).
Common screen aspect ratios (width compared with height) are 4:3 (standard definition, analog TV) and 16:9 (HDTV). Widescreen movies have an aspect ratio of more than 2:1. For roll-up screens, the aspect ratio is changed by lowering or raising the screen. A 4:3 screen can be converted to a 16:9 screen by partially raising the screen.
The Best Projector Screen
The main options to decide on are the mounting, size, screen color and aspect ratio. Having some experience watching HDTV projected on a blank wall, in the same room where the screen will be placed, will help in coming to a decision. This means that the HDTV/HDMI projector should be purchased first.
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