·  Choose the screen surface that best suits your projection and viewing requirements. For your convenience, links for front and rear surfaces can be found at the top of this page. If the screen will be used for multiple projection methods, choose the screen surface that meets the requirements of the lesser performing projection method.

·  Pick the type of screen that best suits your particular needs. For example, choose from front projection screens in either portable, wall or ceiling mounted models in either manual or electric versions or rear projection screens. Generally, if your projection application is permanent, then wall and ceiling screens are your best choice. If, however, you find your needs require moving the screen to different locations then a portable screen is a better alternative.

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Although the thought of choosing the right front projection fabric may seem intimidating, it's actually a straightforward process. Please read the instruction here step by step.  Refer to the section on screen fabric descriptions for further definition of screen fabrics and their properties. Also, consult the glossary for terms commonly used when discussing projection screens and uses in this manual.

This growing application brings the realism of the "cinema" home. You'll find a wide spectrum involved in this application from video enthusiasts who build dedicated home theater rooms to movie fans that convert their living rooms or dens into mini-theaters.

Consider these characteristics and problems typically found in Home Theater applications:

Home Theater Characteristics

·         Typically this application uses some type of video projection but could include some slide projection. Popular today are LCD and DLP projectors combined with surround sound audio equipment.

·         The application objective is to attain the highest degree of visual and audio realism. The desire is to make the audio-video experience as close as possible to the feeling experienced at a modern-day cinema.

Special Problems or Situations

Typically, you'll find most home theaters have one or more of the following problems.

·         Lighting conditions may not always be controllable. For example, windows, skylights and entry ways can allow stray or direct light into the room, negatively affecting image quality.

·         Screen surface could be easily soiled or damaged by children, pets, etc.

·         May require wide or narrow angle of view depending on room configuration.

·         Screen surface must remain taut to maintain resolution and eliminate disturbing shadows when projecting with video devices like LCD, DLP and CRT based video projectors.

·         Could possibly require a variety of projection aspect ratios i.e. HDTV, letterbox, standard broadcast television.

Da-Lite Screen has identified seven basic criteria for selecting the right screen surface. Each criteria is designed to provide characteristics a screen must possess to meet the application's objectives as discussed earlier in this manual.

These Presentation Media criteria are as follows:

Part A - Determine whether or not light conditions are controllable to minimize ambient light when needed
-Controlled light assures no substantial stray light is allowed to enter the room that would increase ambient light levels to a point where the projected image is affected.

Part B - Determine if uncontrolled light is directed at the screen causing the projected image to "washout".
An example is uncontrolled light from sources such as ceiling lights directed on to the surface of the screen.

Use the following simple formula to determine the brightness (in foot-lamberts) of your display.

Determine if the seating area will require audience members to view the projected image from a narrow (Figure 1) versus a wider (Figure 2) angle of more than 30 degrees from either side of the center of the screen. If the room configuration (i.e. is more wide than deep) forces audience members to view the projected image from an angle greater than 30 degrees, a screen fabric providing a greater viewing angle is required.

Determine if the projected image is one or more of the following:

a) Conventional video images - Generally speaking this is an image that does not contain very fine detail, so resolution is not as critical.

b) Continuous tone images - Found in all slide film projection methods. Provides the best image in terms of resolution and color reproduction.

c) Digital or pixelized data with fine detail, (i.e. textual information as found in LCD and DLP video projection devices) require higher resolution to project characters with clarity.

Determine if the projector will be placed perpendicular to screen center.

Whenever the projector and the audience are on opposite sides of the normal and require a higher gain screen, use a screen that is reflective. (Figure 1). Whenever the projector and the audience are on the same side of the normal and require a higher gain, use a screen that is retro-reflective. (Figure 2).

Potential soiling or damage from inadvertent or constant handling. Typical situations are in high traffic areas where people may accidentally touch the screen surface or in public or educational settings where the screen surface could be abused. Potential soiling can happen in settings where there is a problem with airborne debris and dust.