Television equipment is increasingly receding under the onslaught of projectors. There are still promising directions for the development of new-generation TV devices, but they can hardly compete with the proposals that are issued by leading manufacturers of projection equipment. Trying to win the competition with the manufacturers of TVs for all operational qualities, the developers began to offer a special screen for the projector. Reviews of the combination of the projection apparatus with the screen confirm that this solution significantly increases the image quality. It remains only to choose the most optimal version of the device.
Projection Screen Features
It must be emphasized right away that such screens have nothing to do with television displays. As a rule, they are a white matte canvas designed for uniform distribution of the broadcast "picture". Moreover, not every material is capable of reflecting the image of the light flux from the projector with full depth. For this, manufacturers use special solutions, including increasing the brightness of the image and smoothing its structure. It should be noted that the question of choosing a screen in this case is not secondary to the main equipment. Optimally, if the projector and screen are selected at the same time, which allows you to take into account and compare the characteristics of both components of a home theater. But if the choice is made first in favor of one thing, then experts recommend starting it on the screen. In any case, it is important to determine the optimal material for the canvas. The projector’s ability to maximize its potential in the broadcast process will most advantageously depend on it. At the moment, the best solution in choosing a screen for the material is a translucent polymer. This option can be called universal, as it is suitable for home watching movies, and for lectures with presentations.
Screen Specifications
The main characteristics of projection screens are expressed in size - in particular, the canvas format with proportions in width and height is taken into account. So, the following formats are common:
- Square. The so-called overhead projectors with a standard size of 1: 1.
- 4: 3 multimedia format.
- The format for viewing 35 mm slides is a 3: 2 ratio.
- HDTV format with a ratio of 16: 9. Ideal for watching movies.
A win-win choice of the screen format can be a model that matches the parameters of the broadcast image. The projector itself may provide for the ability to change the format of the “image”, so you should immediately focus on the image characteristics that the screen for the projector will work with. Reviews also recommend using 1: 1 or 4: 3 as a universal format. Such screens can be unwound from a roll to the desired height, while achieving a cinematic image feed.
Type of coating
Today, two types of coating are used for projection screens - standard matte and bead. In the first case, a single reflection coefficient will be provided, eventually allowing the light to be scattered equally over the entire area. For the viewer, this will mean the perception of the "picture" from a wide viewing angle. Also, the matte finish is characterized by high color rendering and a clear image. The bead coating is applied to the existing matte surface. The beads in this case are microscopic spherical elements made of glass. This coating allows you to reflect most of the directional light within the spatial sector. What are the practical benefits of a bead screen for a projector? Reviews note that compared to conventional matte screens, it has a small viewing angle. However, for viewers who perceive the image at right angles and even with small deviations, a more rich and deep "picture" is provided.
Reviews on the model Cactus Wallscreen
Under the Cactus brand, the market offers several options for practical projection screens. The CS-PSW model with the 187x332 format deserves the most attention, as it offers ample opportunities for adjusting the dimensional parameters and is distinguished by high-quality materials. Users note the strength of the supporting structure made of steel, as well as a convenient wall-mounted method of fastening the canvas. It is also worth noting the working qualities of this screen for the Cactus projector. Reviews indicate that the matte finish, in addition to wide viewing angles, conveys the saturation of the “picture” and the detail of the display. The material is based on a combination of polyvinyl chloride with terylene, which also makes it easy to care for. The owners emphasize that the canvas is washable and does not lose its basic working qualities. As protective coatings, the manufacturer used refractory and antistatic layers, which is also an undoubted advantage of the screen.
Projecta Descender Electrol model reviews
This is a whole family of inexpensive projection screens that are characterized by ergonomics and structural reliability. First of all, users note the original way of attaching the canvas with slats that are fixed directly to the ceiling. This makes the mounting components almost invisible and creates the feeling of a solid cinema screen. At the same time, after installation, the Projecta projection screen is highly configurable without the need for disassembly.
As users note, the non-modular design can be rebuilt and maintained even during image viewing. If necessary, you can use the additional complete Projecta brackets, which allow you to implement the electrical installation of the structure in any configuration, taking into account operating conditions.
Classic Solution Scorpius Reviews
Manufacturer Classic Solution is one of the first manufacturers of projection screens, so it is not surprising that the most technological offers are found in its lineup. The Scorpius model, in particular, attracts users due to the presence of an electric drive and an advantageous 16: 9 working area format. However, there are modifications with other sizes. The ergonomic advantages of the model include home movie fans with convenient elements for carrying and fastening, the presence of an infrared receiver and high quality workmanship with a black enamel coating. Using the supplied remote control, the user can remotely customize the screen for the Classic Solution projector. Reviews on image quality are also favorable to this series. There is a clear image, and balanced viewing angles. The disadvantages of the owners of Scorpius include the inability to mask the power cable for the electric drive.
How to make the right screen selection for the projector?
A variety of projection screens makes it possible to optimally select a model for specific conditions. But before that, the future user must decide on individual requirements. In particular, it is necessary to indicate the parameters of compliance with the projector (if it was purchased first), determine the format and design characteristics, and also select the type of canvas. Together, these criteria will help you choose the best screen for your projector. User reviews of the screens also recommend that you don’t save money by purchasing openly budget solutions. Practice shows that canvases of low quality can please the first time of use with a "picture", but after a couple of months they wear out and become unusable.
Conclusion
The combination of the cinema canvas and the projector can provide a truly deep penetration of the broadcast video sequence. Nevertheless, many connoisseurs of home theaters are still not convinced of the advisability of abandoning television equipment. Of course, reviews of projectors, projection screens and the modern capabilities of such equipment convince us of the justification of this particular solution as optimal in terms of quality and depth of image transmission. But there remains an unpleasant aspect in the form of value. Large-format TVs are not cheap, but high-quality projectors are estimated at 20-30% more expensive. Therefore, it is especially important not to lose the choice of the screen so that it can squeeze the maximum out of the potential of the projection equipment.