Home Theater Projector Screens

Home theater projection screens are becoming one of the must have home accessories today. They not only give that impressive look, but they also make watching TV a memorable experience.

The screen you choose for your home theater system of course doesn't have to be a projector screen but rather can be a plasma or LCD TV. More on that in a moment.

For now lets focus on projector screens. The most basic way of categorising the screens is the front projection screen vs. the rear projection screen. Front projection screens can be further divided into fixed flat screens and curved screens.  Each of these has certain advantages; for example, curved screens are lightweight and hence easy to install.

Flat screens on the other hand, are ideal for front projection.  There are  retractable flat screens that can be simply rolled up when not in use or another interesting option is the motorized roll-down screen, which can be rolled up or down using a simple “switch” mechanism. Then there is the floor-mounted motorized screen, which fits into a small square box when retracted.

The preference of many however would be rear-projection screens which provide more image clarity and sharpness. Moreover, the projector is completely hidden from view.

The common screen size ratios are 4:3 and 16:9 and they range from 30" to 70" in size. The ideal type and size depends on various factors such as the kind of projector being used, seating distance of the audience, the size of the room, the placement of the screen and the projector, and the ambient room light.

For many viewers, the preference is not to deal with projectors and screens but rather have the convenience of a TV style screen that you just turn on and play the DVD in as you would in any other room but on a bigger screen. 

If you are wanting a TV as part of your home theater system,it is recommended to view in the 4:3 setting.

Lighting

Home theater lighting is something you should consider once you've got the basics  of your home theater set-up, and want to go a bit further and create an atmosphere in the room. One of the best ways to create the right atmosphere in any room is by using lighting, and home theater lighting has the added advantage that it actually improves the quality of the image on a screen.

Most screens these days are covered with velvet trim to absorb any light from the projector. They have a 3-inch wide and 1½-inch deep frame that keeps the screen strong and smooth.

Sconces that produce soft light on walls and recessed lighting are the best choices for your room. You need to make sure that the lighting is good enough for you or your friends to get to their seats and for you to set up the movie, but low enough when you begin to watch the movie.

Whether you choose a projector and screen or a TV as part of your home theater system is your own personal preference, but try to be aware of the various advantages of each given the size of your chosen room, before committing to a purchase.