Which Projection Screen is Right for My Home Theater?
When it comes to home theater, there's nothing more cinematic than watching movies on a projection screen. But when it comes to choosing the right projection screen for your viewing room, things can get a little tricky ... with so many options available, it's often tough to narrow down the choices. Luckily, HomeTheaterOrganizer.com is here to help you sort it all out, with a checklist of screen features to keep in mind while you're shopping.
White vs. Gray
This will probably be the first – and most obvious – decision you'll make in your quest to find the right screen. Chances are you're wondering what the difference between a white and a gray screen is, once the lights go down. The answer is simple: contrast. White screens are generally classified as being lower-contrast, which is perfect for viewing rooms that are dark: free from windows and disruptive ambient light. Gray screens, on the other hand, provide a higher level of contrast – and ambient light absorption – for home theaters that have windows or are located in multi-purpose areas.
Resolution
Resolution can be defined as the sharpness, or clarity, of an image. You might think that one screen is the same as the next in this department, but resolution can actually vary greatly from screen to screen. Do your research, get recommendations from other projection-enthusiasts, or try to see the screen in action firsthand before making a purchase.
Pull-down vs. Rigid Wall Mount
Just like the “white versus gray” decision, the choice between pull-down style and permanent rigid screens is pretty straightforward. If you have a dedicated viewing room where you plan on getting a lot of use out of a projector, rigid wall-mount screens are a great choice: they always maintain perfect shape, and there's never any setting up to do. On the flip side, pull-downs are ideal for multi-purpose home theater rooms in which you'd only want to use a projector some of the time ... and when the lights come back up, pull-down screens can be easily retracted to make room for other activities.
Screen/Projector Compatibility
Don't spend a bundle on a top-of-the-line projector and screen, then set them up at home just to find that they work terribly together! If you want to get the best picture possible, be sure to select a screen type that is specifically designed to suit your projector's rating.
High Gain vs. Low Gain
Here's where room configuration comes into play. High gain screens are designed to reflect light centrally, so if your home theater's seating will be placed at a narrow viewing angle to the screen (directly in its path), high gain is the way to go. For rooms with seating that's more spread out, it's usually a good idea to go with a low-gain screen, which will allow for a wider, more diffuse viewing angle.