Projector screen: This is the best material
The fabric or the material of the projector screen is a decisive criterion for home cinema enjoyment. The choice is often difficult due to the many different types of fabric. In this practical tip we have put together all the important information for you.
The projector screen should have these properties
Depending on the place of use, the canvas must have different characteristics. You have to consider whether you prefer to look at the screen in a dark room or with low light.
- Basically, a matt white painted, smooth wall is just as good as a canvas. However, if you have a woodchip wallpaper or other flaws on the wall, the picture is disturbed. As a low-budget project, a white-painted, adequately dimensioned wooden pallet is sufficient.
- It is recommended that the canvas be masked black. In addition, a dark wall in the background improves the contrast.
- Now you have to decide whether you want to project the image on the (darker) interior or in a bright place on the screen. Here the so-called "gain factor" is decisive.
- A matt fabric - also called "Type D" - with a low gain factor (reflection value) of 1.0 to 1.2 is ideal for home cinema. Here the possible viewing angle is 60 ° high and therefore suitable for projections in the living room, for example. Problem: If there is a lot of residual light, the picture is no longer clearly visible.
- A glossy screen - "Type S" - on the other hand has a gain factor of 1.7 to 2.4 and reflects the light from the projector much more strongly. However, this affects the viewing angle and drops to 30 ° to 40 °. Annoying, bright spots can also appear. This type of fabric is more suitable for outdoor performances.
This fabric is suitable as a projector screen
The same applies here again: the place of use is decisive. The available budget also plays a role.
- Cheap canvases are made of PVC. This material is light and easy to wash off. With very cheap models, however, wrinkles can appear after a while and disturb the image.
- Fabric, on the other hand, is more expensive, but remains the right shape for years to come. Here you should make sure that the cloth should have a dark back so that no light shines through.
- If you also want to hide your speakers behind the screen, an acoustic screen is recommended. This has many small perforations so that the clay can be transported through the fabric unhindered.
Tip: Read on right here, how to find the right projector screen for your room size and which features you should still pay attention to.