You’ve done your research and chosen a projector, DVD player, speakers, amplifier, subwoofers, and cables. The budget is just about blown, but what about the screen? It’s tempting to just project directly onto a wall but, it’s a choice that will waste your investment.

Following are five key points to help you choose a suitable front projection screen.

1. Type

There are two basic types of screens, fixed or framed, and pull-down or roller screens.

A roller or pull down screen

A roller or pull down screen is a good general use screen and has the advantage that it can be stored away when not in use. Roller screens can be operated manually (pulled down), or motorised (remote control). They are suitable for wall or ceiling mounted options, or above the ceiling with additional components added in. The disadvantage of roller screens is that the material may become stretched with use over time. Moving parts and continual use can result in a piece of equipment that experiences wear and tear and may need parts replaced.

Fixed or framed screens

Fixed or framed screens are better for dedicated viewing areas. Depending on surface materials, a fixed screen is often a less expensive, more durable option. With less movement fixed screens have less chance of stretching over time. However, with the screen as a permanent feature, it may become dirty with people touching the screen surface. Fixed screens can be mounted or suspended (flown).

2. Size

Heading to back rows of the cinema is a common choice – any closer and viewing a movie is uncomfortable. Likewise, with projection screens, it’s important to select a suitable size to provide a comfortable viewing distance. A bigger is screen not necessarily better. When determining the correct screen size, you must consider the minimum viewing distance and the maximum viewing distance.

The minimum viewing distance is the closest distance to the screen one can sit before losing the ability to see the picture as a whole. Once a person is closer than this, the human eye cannot capture the whole picture – the eye can only focus on a part and will have to continuously scan the screen tiring the eyes.

The minimum viewing distance is 2 x the width of the screen.

The maximum viewing distance is the farthest distance one can be from the screen to be able to comfortably capture the image.

The maximum viewing distance is 6 x the width of the screen.

3. Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the size an image is displayed with width (x) divided by its height (y) (usually expressed as “x:y”).

• The aspect ratio of a traditional television screen is 4:3
• High definition television uses an aspect of 16:9
• Aspect ratios of 2.39:1 or 1.85:1 are frequently used in cinematography
• Aspect ratio of a sync-sound 35 mm film frame is around 1.37:1 (also known as “Academy” ratio)

The international standard format of HDTV as used in Australia, Japan and America, as well as in Europe on satellite and non-HD widescreen television (EDTV) PAL-plus is 16:9. Many digital video cameras have a 16:9 recording capability. Your screen be able to take projections on both 16:9 and 4:3 ratios.

4. Materials

Front projection screens are available in a variety of materials, however matte white screen material is currently the best choice for modern LCD and DLP projectors. Only matte white provides the best all round performance for-

• True color reproduction
• Allowing the highest possible resolution
• Widest possible horizontal/vertical viewing angle
• Limiting glare and hot spotting
• wash ability if soiled

Other screen materials compromise image quality in one way or another to increase the screen’s gain. A high gain material is simply unnecessary with today’s projectors and is not worth the loss in image quality.

5. Cost

A good screen reflects 97 per cent of the light providing an image that’s bold, bright and even, with no hot or cold spots. Screen costs depend on size and sophistication. A common budget guide is that you should budget for about half your system budget on the screen.