PROJECTOR SCREENS
A projector screen is a vitally important part of a home cinema system. Whilst of course you will see an image on a white wall - it really won't be anything like the image the film maker intended. A projector based home cinema allows you to upgrade the screen and projector separately so even if projector technology changes your screen is unlikely to go out of date. This is one of the reasons that we suggest in a good quality screen from the outset. Frankly it is also often much easier to swap a projector than it is to change the projector screen.
With so many screens available at different prices what really is the difference between them?
Firstly you have to consider the features they offer. A fixed screen attached to the wall will always be the cheapest option and ideal for a permanent cinema installation. Having the screen roll up electrically when not in use is the next stage up. With electric screens it is important to keep the screen in tension so there are no wrinkles so tab-tensioned screens are another option you will find. For the most discreet installation the screen can drop down from a trapdoor in the ceiling. When using a screen for full widescreen mode electonic black masks can be used to make the projection surface match that of the image being projected.
Secondly comes the type and quality of the fabric. The image your eyes see is only as good as the reflective properties that your projector shines on to. Different fabrics can be used to focus that light more directly back to the viewer which allows the projector to be used in daylight conditions or to produce a wider field of view for larger cinema installations. This is known as 'gain'. Finally the fabric can be designed to be acoustically transparent. This allows the speakers to be situated directly behind the cinema screen just like a commercial cinema. This allows for more accurate sound positioning and can often allow us to install a larger screen in the room.
The choice of screen is an essential part of our design process and some of our most popular brands are as follows.
Beamax
Beamax offer some of the most cost effective projector screens which are ideal for those on a budget. They offer a full range of screen types from fixed screens to in-ceiling drop down varieties.
In terms of projector fabrics they provide screens in diiferent levels of screen gain. Currently however the screens are not available in acoustically transparent versions.
Screen Excellence
All of Screen Excellence's projector screens are acoustically transparent allow speakers to be positioned behind the screen. They have spent many years developing their fabrics to reflect the most light back to the viewer whilst allowing the most sound to come through the screen - no mean feat!
Available in both fixed and electric versions these are ideal screens for most medium to large scale home cinemas where the quality of the image is important. They also produce fixed screens with electronic masking for full wide screen projection systems. No in-ceiling version is currently available.
Vutec
Vutec are an US brand of projector screen and cover just about every conceivable option in terms of screen types and fabrics. They have fixed screens, electric sceens, screens with masking even screens which can rise out of the floor when ceiling mounting is not an option.
With such a wide range Vutec are able to provide screens at many different price points.
