Projector Screen Advice

What are the benefits of buying a projector screen?

Projector screens use a fabric with a special reflective coating to maximize your picture quality. When you project onto a screen the projected light is reflected and diffused back at you. When you project onto a white wall most of the light is absorbed and not reflected back which results in loss of image sharpness, contrast and brightness. In order to achieve the maximum picture quality from your projector it is highly recommended to use a projector screen.

What type of projector screen do I choose?

Manual Projector Screens:

These are inexpensive, easy to install and easy to use. They operate just like a standard roller blind that you pull down and retract back up into the casing manually. Most of our manual screens can be wall or ceiling mounted.

Electric Projector Screens:

Similar to manual screens in that they can be wall or ceiling mounted but instead of you pulling them down an electric motor does the work for you via one of the following methods :

In-line Wall Switch- usually connected to the screen by a 2-3m long cable allowing you to put the switch where you need it and to operate it using up, down, stop buttons on the switch.

Radio Frequency Remote (RF): A remote control unit instead of a switch which has up, down and stop buttons. RF remotes cannot be programmed into any other equipment

Infra-Red Remote (IR): A remote control unit instead of a switch which has up, down and stop buttons. IR remotes can be programmed into other equipment like universal remote controls so you only have one remote controlling all your equipment

12V Trigger cable: Allows a hands free operation of your screen. Your screen is lowered and retracted when you switch your projector on/off (projector requires a 12v trigger output)

Portable Projector Screens:

Ideal for people on the move who wish to transport their screen with them if visiting different locations or for anyone wishing to store their screen away when not in use. When choosing a portable screen please consider the OVERALL CASE LENGTH DIMENSION of the screen not just the fabric dimensions as the case dimensions can add on up to an extra 20cm onto your screen size. We have different types of portable screens available :

Floor Screens : These portable screens are our most popular and best looking. They don’t have any legs but instead a floor case which the screen fabric is housed in and pulled up easily to your required viewing height and supported either by a pole at the back of the fabric or a scissor action mechanism. When you’re finished using the screen you simply lower the screen back down into the floor case. They also have a handle for you to pick up and move the screen easily.

Tripod Screens: A screen that has 3 supportive legs and a screen case on top of supporting legs which material can be raised and lowered out of. Ideal if you need a large portable screen over 200cm wide.

Tabletop Screens: Perfect for very small presentations and allow you to have your screen on the table

Fast/quick Fold Projector Screens:

*Can be 4.0m, 4.5m, 5.0m wide without joints, length can be 15m long in rear screen, 20m long in front screen.
*Can be any size and shape and degree, can meet different needs for different buyers.
*Premium high resolution material keep your image as clear and vivid as it could be, flexible front or rear projection material are optional, which can be stretched and folded.
*Screen surface is attached to the frame using snap fasteners or holes in four sides of the black border.
*Material is UV protective, anti-static, cleanable, mildew resistant and flame retardant.
*Professional frame-folding system in well-design allows easy and quick set up and dismantle without tools.
* Use 32*32mm or 32*64mm high strength aluminum alloy, can support extra large and long screen.
*Foldable legs in human-friendly design, can be easily adjust in the length according to site and position.
*Black border is made of PVC material, highly flexible, black border and material with double needle, both material and black border all are have a corresponding contraction space, not changed by temperature *Materials are folded and packed into PVC bag and then into explosion-proof aluminum air box with wheel, holder and brakes for safe and easy transport.
* 4:3, 16:9, 1:1 or 1.25:1 are available.
* Simple screen with eyelets and black border with frame is available.

* You can choose dress kits/drapes around the screen, or just the bottom place if you want to have better projection image.

Rear Projector Screens:

These screens have a special translucent fabric that allows you to project your image from behind the screen instead of the front. This is popular in theatres, stage performances or on show stands where people might be walking in front of the screen a lot. By having the projector behind the screen instead of in front of it you are not interfering with the projected image. You won’t see a silhouette like you do when someone gets up in the middle of the cinema because you won’t be walking in front of the projected light.

Fixed Frame Projector Screens:

●  HD Image, Environmental Friendly
Different elastic screen fabrics can be chosen to render vivid and clear image in perfect condition. Premium high resolution material keep your image as clear and vivid as it could be, flexible front or rear projection material are optional, which can be stretched and folded. The fabrics are UV-proof, fire-proof and wet-proof, washable, they can meet the requirements of RoHS, REACH, NFPA701 standards.
●  Grand & Fashionable Designing
The aluminum frame can be different widths for different sizes, with high temperature powder coating or black velvet for your choices. 4:3, 16:9, 1:1 or 1.25:1 are available.
●  Highly Flexible & Super Flat
Flexible tension system can effectively eliminate “V” and reverted “V” shape. Flat, steel frame with projection screen fabric stretched using elastic cords. The edge with eyelets is equipped with extra reinforcement. Simple mounting of projection screen fabric and frame.

We have Motorized Tab Tension Screen, HUGE Outdoor Screen, Home Cinema Screen, Curved Frame Screen on our site. If you are interested in them, contact us.

What format do i need?

Our advice is to always choose a screen with the same format/ native resolution as your projector. If you are unsure of this please call and ask us

Widescreen Format (16:9): Mainly for home cinema use

Video Format (4:3) : Mainly for office, education, church use when projecting from a laptop or PC

Square Format (1:1) : Mainly for OHP use

Some projectors have the ability to switch between 16:9 and 4:3 so go for the format that best suits what you’re mostly going to be watching

The native aspect ratio of the home cinema projectors we sell are 16:9. For Business projectors the vast majority are 4:3 with some being 16:10 So you have probably guessed that when buying a projection screen for your projector you will want to match it to the right screen format. You can of course for example use a home cinema projector with a 4:3 screen but the end result is approximately 25% of the screen will be unused and will look something similar to the below image..

I know what format I need - What size should I go for?

Alternatively the best way to check what screen to go for if you already have a projector is to follow these simple steps :

1.      Place your projector at the set distance back from the screen where you would want it.

2.      Turn on your projector so it projects on to the area where your screen will go

3.      If the projected image size is correct simply measure the image width and height and jot down the figures. If you need a smaller image adjust the zoom on your projector or move the projector closer to the screen. A larger image again either adjust the zoom on the projector or move the projector further back from where the screen will go

A lot of the time people make the common mistake of choosing a very large screen as they want a very big image. However, having a very large screen in a home cinema environment (or even an office) can be a bit like being in the front row of the cinema - you find yourself looking left and right across the picture instead of seeing the picture as a whole which can be a bit distracting and a strain on the eyes. So please be sure of sizing and double check before you order. If you’re at all unsure, contact us, we are here to help.

Our most popular sizes for home cinema are anywhere between 160cm wide up to 240cm wide depending how far back you’re sitting and how large your room is. For portable screens please take into account the overall case length of the screen not just the viewing dimension especially if you are transporting the screen in a car. The case dimensions can add on up to an extra 30cm onto your screen size. You can get this by hovering over the “more info” text with your mouse pointer.

Screen Gain - what is that?

Gain is the measurement of the reflectivity of your screen’s surface. We recommend matte white screens across the board. They produce the best picture quality and are the most versatile. The matte white surface reflects the light back over a wide viewing angle and the colours remain accurate and bright.

To make things simple we no longer stock any grey or glass beaded screens. You may have read that these types of screens are said to increase contrast (the black colours in a projected image) in your picture but projectors today are so much more advanced and generally have good contrast ratios anyway that they don’t need a grey screen to improve them. Also when you project white onto grey screens it appears grey and washed out. The glass beaded screens also gave a sparkling effect at times on the grain of the screen which was quite distracting.