Projector Screens

What projection screen to get?

As with almost any step in your projection display system purchase, when it comes to choosing a screen it helps to know where and what you’ll be using your projection system for, as well as what type of projector you plan to get. You can choose between a fixed installation or a portable screen, 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios, standard or customized sizes and several different surface materials. Knowing your options ahead of time will help make the decision easier.

Fixed screens can be mounted on your ceiling or wall. Manual models are the old standby version - inexpensive screens that roll up into a protective housing when you want them out of the way. Electric screens make use of the same idea but the up and down movement is powered by an electric motor rather than a manual pull-and-release system. The motor needs to be hardwired to a power source, so installation of an electric screen can be trickier.

A fixed frame screen is a more permanent option as it doesn’t roll up out of the way, making it a good choice for dedicated projection spaces. Tensioned screens are also available to ensure a flat and smooth viewing surface.

Other options for fixed installations include interactive whiteboards that turn your presentation surface into a touch-sensitive screen, allowing you to step away from your computer. Presenters on the move can choose from a variety of portable projector surfaces, including tripod screens and pop-up screens. Rear projection screens can also be used for permanent and portable projection.

What screen fabric to choose may be less straightforward. Matte white is an old standby and a good all around choice, but more people have been turning to gray screens in pursuit of darker blacks and higher contrast, particularly for projection rooms with ambient light. High gain screens are also a way of dealing with ambient light; they produce a brighter image, but may also give you a narrower viewing angle, so people sitting at the either edge of the room may lose out.

The shape and size of your projection screen matter too. Traditional classroom pull-down screens tend to be square (with a 1:1 aspect ratio), and these still work well with overhead projectors and many data presentations. Screens with a 4:3 ratio are ideal for projecting PowerPoint and full screen video. Any screen can accommodate widescreen viewing but for dedicated home theaters an HDTV screen (widescreen, with a 16:9 aspect ratio) is a better choice.

What size screen you purchase will depend on the size of your viewing room and intended audience, although the resolution of your projection system is also a factor - the higher the resolution, the larger your screen can be. If you’re set on a big screen in a small room, add a short throw lens to your list of accessories.