Electric Projector Screens

Projector screens in general are installations that consist of a blank surface that is supported by another structure and is used for projecting a digital image.

An electric projector screen is the same as any normal screen and can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted or ceiling recessed. However, the difference between an electric screen and any other normal screen is that instead of manual intervention to pull the screen up and down, an electric motor moves the screen up and down. This is achieved either through an infrared remote control or a wall mounted switch. Some electric screens also come with an interface wherein it is interconnected with the projector itself and is automatically lowered when the projector is turned on and rolls up when the projector is turned off. These screens are ideal when you need a screen placed high on a wall where pulling it down manually may not be feasible.

Electric screens are usually tensioned, meaning that they are pulled from both the ends to provide a flat and smooth surface. Also, these screens are generally mounted on the ceilings externally and in case you want to install the screen during the construction of the room itself, you can also recess the mounting in the wall. These days, even floor-mounted screens are available.

Electric projector screens are the most expensive and by far the most elegant of all the screens available. A custom casing can be installed which will hide the screen when not in use. A slim casing wherein the screen will quietly roll into by a flick of a switch sure will leave a lasting impression in your boardroom.

You can even buy an electric rear projector screen wherein the image is projected from behind the screen. The advantage of these types of screens is that the presenter can walk in front of the screen without casting a shadow on the screen.

Choosing an Electric Projector Screen

The main thing that you will need to consider is the size of the projector screen that you need to buy. This will be determined by the size of the room and the settings in which the screen will be used. You will also have to consider the capabilities of your projector. The size of the image emitted from the projector should not be tampered within ideal situations as you would be compromising with the quality of the image. The two thumb rules that are generally taken into consideration while buying the screen is that the screen size should occupy at the minimum a 30 degree field of view for the audience and secondly, the height of the screen should at the minimum be one-third the distance of the screen from the audience.

The screen formats should play a vital role in helping you decide the right one for you. Some of the screen formats available in the market today are:

• HDTV: These screens provide a width to height ratio of 16:9. This is an excellent feature for widescreen viewing and hence is ideal for home theater setup.
• Multi Format: The aspect ratio of these screens can be modified with the help of a masking device; hence these types of screen serve multi-purposes.
• Slide: These screens have a width to height ratio of 1.25:1 and are ideal for slide presentations.
• Square: These screens have a width to height ratio of 1:1 and are ideal for use with overhead projectors.
• Video: These screens have a width to height ratio of 4:3 and are normally used for television screens and computer monitors.
• Widescreen: These screens have a width to height ratio of 1.85:1 and are used in movie theaters.

The fabric that is used to make a projector screen is also very important as it can help maximize the quality of the image that is projected. The qualities to look for in a specific fabric are the gain and the viewing angle that it provides. While gain provides the measure of how reflective the screen is, viewing angle gives the maximum angle from center up to a point where the image appears clearly. There are plenty of fabric types available which have their own set of qualities.

Please read all the available information on the Internet and talk to the distributors before purchasing the screen. Electric projector screens are expensive and an investment into the same should be made wisely after weighing all the pros and cons and analyzing all the features that will suffice your requirement.