What to Consider When Finding the Perfect Home Projector Screen

SEE ALSO: Want the Ultimate Home Theater Experience? Start with Design

Mounting Method

While most homeowners envision a fixed, wall-mounted projector screen for their entertainment space, you have other options, too. A fixed projector screen works well in a dedicated home theater, but what if your screen will be placed in an open, multifunctional space like a media room? You may want to hide your screen from view when it’s not in use so that eyes stay on your décor. In that case, consider a retractable screen that lives in the ceiling or the floor and reveals itself at the touch of a button.

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio refers to the width and height of your projector screen’s display area. To choose the best aspect ratio for your screen, consider the aspect ratio of the content you plan to watch. Most TV shows and online video, as well as some films, use 16:9, making this aspect ratio the standard for today’s projector screens. However, if you’re a dedicated film enthusiast, you may consider a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, which is a more popular choice for widescreen viewing and is used in many commercial theaters.

Ambient Light

Light plays a key role in choosing the best projector screen for your space. A projector screen works by reflecting light from your projector to your eyes. But it also reflects ambient light in the room. The more ambient light in the room, the more washed out your picture will be.

Ideally, you’d want full control of your light sources so that you can create a super dark space when watching movies or TV. However, not all environments allow for that control. In that case, you may need an ambient-light-rejecting (ALR) screen, which significantly limits the reflection of light coming from off-axis sources such as windows and light fixtures.

If you have the luxury of controlling all light in your home theater or media room, then lower-gain screens (typically gray in color) are a solid option—particularly when paired with a high-lumen projector. Low-gain screens help bring out inkier blacks and enhance your projector’s native contrast ratio to create a more vivid and lifelike viewing experience.

Seating Arrangement

Before choosing a screen size as big as your wall, you need to consider your seating arrangement. If you don’t, you’ll risk having to strain your neck or eyes when watching a movie. Seating placement will determine the optimal size of your screen. A general rule of thumb is to place your screen two to three feet above the floor and 1.5 to 3 times the screen height distance from your seats. However, this is simply a guide and will vary based on other factors, like room dimensions and screen size preference.

Work with Avidia to find a custom Stewart Filmscreen projector screen for your home theater or media room. With vast options for fixed or retractable screens, ALR screens, high-gain and low-gain screens, aspect ratios, and projector types, Stewart Filmscreen screens offer the best possible image resolution, color fidelity, and uniformity for all your favorite content. Get started today by contacting us here or sending us a message in the chat box below.