Projector Type

The first question is what type of projector you are using. Standard-throw, short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors use very different projection geometries.

This is especially important with UST projectors, which project light upward at a steep angle and are more sensitive to screen flatness and material direction.

Screen Size

Bigger is not automatically better. Screen size should be chosen according to viewing distance, projector brightness, available wall space and image resolution.

A very large image may look impressive, but if the viewer sits too close or the projector cannot provide enough light for the screen area, image quality can suffer.

Aspect Ratio

The most common home cinema format is 16:9, while commercial and educational installations may also use 16:10, 4:3 or 1:1 formats.

Dedicated cinema rooms may use wider formats such as 2.35:1 or 2.40:1 for Cinemascope content.

Screen Material

Screen material can have a greater impact on performance than the frame or casing. Different materials are designed for different projector types and room conditions.

Other specialized materials include UST ALR, speckle-reduction surfaces, rear projection materials and high-gain projection fabrics.

Screen Gain

Screen gain describes how much light a projection surface reflects toward the viewer compared with a standard reference surface.

A higher gain can increase perceived brightness in certain viewing directions, while lower-gain surfaces often distribute light more broadly and may provide wider viewing angles.

Ambient Light

Room lighting has a major impact on projected contrast. A conventional white screen may perform extremely well in a dark theater but appear washed out when significant ambient light reaches the screen.

If lights must remain on, or the room has uncontrolled daylight, an appropriate ALR screen may be worth considering.

Screen Type

Once the optical requirements are clear, choose the physical screen structure.

Other options include in-ceiling motorized screens, manual pull-down screens, tripod screens and fast-fold screens for temporary installations.

Screen Flatness

A projection screen should provide a smooth, stable image surface. Waves, edge curl or surface deformation can distort projected geometry, particularly with UST projectors.

Fixed frame screens use continuous tension around the frame. Motorized screens can improve flatness through tab-tensioning or other tensioning systems.

Installation and Control

Screen selection should also consider how the screen will physically integrate into the room.

Decide whether the screen will be wall mounted, ceiling mounted, recessed into the ceiling or integrated into furniture.

For motorized systems, consider the control method as well. Options may include RF remote control, wired switches, RS485 integration, trigger control or automation systems.

Future Use and Upgrades

A projector may be replaced long before the screen needs to be replaced. It is therefore worth thinking beyond the projector you own today.

Consider whether you may later upgrade to a brighter projector, move to UST, install speakers behind the screen, increase image size or integrate the system into a smart-home environment.