All about Projector Screens

If you've been around for a while, you've seen how projector screens have changed. Earlier, you simply rolled it out by hand and projected images onto its white, flat surface. Today, you have a choice between manual pull down screens, slow retract mechanism (SRM) screens and more...In this guide we'll tell you everything you need to know about the different types of projector screens. So, here goes...

A projector screen is an installation consisting of a surface and a support structure. It is used for displaying a projected image for the view of an audience. Projector screens may be permanently installed, as in a movie theater, painted on the wall, or portable with tripod or floor rising models. The latter are popular in a conference room or other non-dedicated viewing space.

Another popular type of projector screens are inflatable screens for outdoor movie screening, that is, open air cinema. Uniformly white or grey screens are used to avoid any discolouration to the image. The most desired brightness of the screen depends on a number of variables, such as the ambient light level and the luminous power of the image source.

Flat or curved screens can both be used depending on the optics used to project the image and the desired geometrical accuracy of the image production. However, flat screens are more common than curved screens. Screens can also be designed for front or back projection, the more common being the front projection systems, which have the image source situated on the same side of the screen as the audience.

Screens are different, depending on whether they are going to be used with digital projectors, movie projectors, overhead projectors or slide projectors. However, the basic idea for each of them is very much the same. Front projector screens work on diffusely reflecting the light projected on to them, whereas back projector screens work by diffusely transmitting the light through them.

There are several different types of screens depending on their use. In commercial movie theaters, the screen is a reflective surface that may be either aluminized or a white surface with small glass beads. This screen also has hundreds of small, evenly spaced holes to allow air to and from the speakers and subwoofer, which are often directly behind it.

Another variety, rigid wall-mounted screens maintain their geometry perfectly, just like the big movie screens, which makes them suitable for applications that demand exact reproduction of image geometry. Such screens are often used in home theaters, along with pull-down screens.

An overhead projector usually projects onto a pull-down screen. These screens (also known as manual wall screens) are often used in small spaces. These use painted fabric that is rolled in the screen case when not used, making them less obtrusive when the screen is not in use.

Fixed-frame screens result in optimal image quality. They are often used in home theaters and professional environments where the screen does not need to be recessed into the case.

Another variety of screens are electric screens. The latter can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted or ceiling recessed. These are often larger screens, though electric screens can be used for home theater as well.

Switchable projector screens can be switched between opaque and clear. In the opaque state, the projected image on the screen can be viewed from both sides. This screen is very good for advertising on store windows.

Mobile screens usually use either a pull-down screen on a free stand, or pull up from a weighted base. These can be used when it is impossible or impractical to mount the screen to a wall or a ceiling.

Specialty screens may not fall into any of these categories. These include non-solid screens, inflatable screens and others.

So, these are the different types of projector screens. Check out the various models available in the marketplace, especially online, before deciding on the one you want. Here's to great projected images always...