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Select the Right Screen Surface

The way a screen surface refracts light is what differentiates one screen fabric from another. Manufacturers specify both gain and viewing angle to help you decide which surface is best for you. Take some time to think about the following questions before making your final decision:

Does your viewing area have controlled lighting or ambient light?

Does the room or rooms where you plan to use your screen have controlled lighting? Or is there ambient light from windows and office/household lighting? Your screen material can help minimize the effects of ambient light in rooms without controlled lighting. Screen materials can also help to increase the appearance of contrast or brightness of a projected image. See the descriptions on our surfaces page to learn more about surface characteristics.

What is the room configuration?

In rooms that are wider than they are deep, some audience members may find themselves at an angle to the screen where "fall-off" occurs, making it more difficult for them to see the image. In these situations, a screen surface with a larger viewing angle is preferred. Longer rooms may require larger screens so that those in the back of the room can see details more clearly.

What type of images do you intend to display?

The content you display on your screen will also play a part in determining which screen is best for you. Gray screen material is popular with home theater enthusiasts because the material adds the appearance of contrast to a video image. White or matte white screens are more popular in business applications. In situations where accurate color is desired, such as 35mm film display, a white or matte white surface will provide truer color representation.

Common Applications	Screen Surface Suggestions

Video (TV, VHS, or DVD sources)	gray, white, or matte white*

35mm slides (using traditional slide or digital projector)	white or matte white

Power Point slides (New standard for high definition TV - less common)	white or matte white

Detailed spreadsheets or CAD designs (high-res, high detail)	white or matte white

View Complete Viewing Surface Descriptions.

Back to Help Selecting The Right Screen.
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