Make Movie Night Great With The Best Projector Screens

Projector screens are the perfect way to turn a regular movie night into a spectacular one. They also bring your favorite characters to life, make your long-awaited championships even better, and can be the perfect tool in a professional setting to get your message across. Whether you’re using projector screens to showcase the research you did to your colleagues or you’re playing a brand new movie for a fun movie night at your friend’s, you will want to get the best deal out there.

This is why we bring you this buying guide for the best projector screens in 2021 for you to choose the right screen for your use that can last you a long time without causing any trouble. Ready to get your own projector screen? Here’s how you can pick the right one.

How To Choose the Right Projector Screen?

There are four important factors one must consider when looking for projector screens. Whether you need it for your home theatre or your office meeting room, you will need to check the following aspects of a projector screen to ensure that you’re getting the best one for yourself.

Projector Screen Type

The first thing you should be considering is the kind of projector screen you need. There are several different types of projector screens depending on their screen retraction or mounting style. There are two common types of projector screens. These can be further classified into categories based on different features. These are fixed-frame projector screens and retractable screens.

Fixed Frame Screens

A fixed frame screen is supported by a black metal frame. The projector screen is tightly wound around the metal frame. The frame borders the screen as well and ensures that if any part of the projected image spills over, the black border can absorb it. Fixed frame screens might come with different frame sizes, depending on what looks better to the user. You might want to give your projector screen a more sleek and TV-like look, which might lead you to choose thinner frames that may not absorb image spillage much. You can get your hands on assembled and unassembled fixed frame screens depending on your choice. This type of projector screen is usually placed in areas dedicated to them, like a home theatre.

Retractable Screens

As the name suggests, retractable projector screens can fold up or retract after they have been used. These are usually good for spaces where you might occasionally need a projector screen while at other times, you may want to remove it or hide it. There are different types of retractable projector screens that you can find.

Automatic Retractable Screen

An automatic retractable screen or a motorized retractable screen is the perfect retractable projector screen you can invest in if you’re looking for elegance and grace. The screen comes with a metal case that contains a motor. This motor pulls up or rolls down the screen using a remote control.

Setting up an automatic projector screen requires some work and several electrical connections to power the motor. You might also have to keep your projector connected to the screen depending on its requirements.

Manual Pull Down Screens

Manual pull-down screens are cheaper than automatic projector screens. They are easier to set up and do not require an electrical connection. All you need to do is simply tug on the screen to pull it down like you would pull blinds on a window. The case contains a spring and a roller that enables the manual pulling down and rolling up of the screen.

Tensioned and Non-Tensioned Screens

For motorized screens, you will find that they are either non-tensioned or tab-tensioned screens. Non-Tensioned screens hang loosely from their case with zero tension or support which might cause them to ripple or create waves.

Tab-tensioned screens use tabs to create tension on the surface of the screen so that it stays stationary and does not create ripples or disturbance in the projection.

Projector Screen Size

The size of your projector screen will be according to the measurements of your room. You would ideally leave 2 to 3 feet from the ceiling and at least 1 foot from the bottom so the audience can easily view the screen without discomfort. However, you also have to make sure that your screen size is compatible with your projector. You will find “recommended image size” with your projector manual which should help you get the right size for your projector screen.

Projector Screen Fabric

Several factors make up the screen fabric and its effectiveness for a projector screen. A few of the main factors are the gain, color, and texture of the fabric. Gain is the amount of light reflected by the fabric. A high gain would mean that the projector screen will reflect light more brightly whereas a low gain would mean it would be less bright. A gain of 1.0 means the brightness will be equal to the amount of light reflected on the surface initially.

The color of the screen fabric decides the entire color quality of your projection. A white-colored fabric is mostly preferred for its ability to reflect all colors vividly and show the contrast in the image.

To ensure a high-quality experience, the screen fabric should be smooth in texture. For a finer viewing experience, you may get a fabric with a finer resolution.

FAQ's

Q: Is a projector screen better than a TV?
Before the high-definition smart TVs came into our lives, projectors screens may have been voted better than TV. However, with the advancement in technology, TVs have high-definition screen resolution and color quality allowing for a better experience than a projector screen.

Q: Can I use my projector screen like a TV?
You can definitely use your projector screen as an alternative to your TV by hooking up your channels to the projector. The daily use might wear down the projector a little, but it can be a really fun experience to watch TV on a large screen.