Types of Projection Screens

• A quality projection screen reproduces images without losing quality.theater image by Luisafer from Fotolia.com
  
  Projecting images onto a screen is where the cinematic experience begins. Screens are crucial to enjoying films, whether it's at the cineplex or in your living room. A 2006 Pew Research survey found three-quarters of American adults would rather watch movies at home than in a theater. Choosing the right projection screen depends on where and how it will be used.
  
  

Fixed

• A fixed projection screen is a large screen permanently mounted to a frame on a wall. Common in movie theaters, these screens are always in sight. For home theaters, a professional audio-visual technician is recommended for the complicated installation, which can add to the cost.
  
  Fixed screens have a vinyl surface material that is stretched taut, like a drum. Tighter screen tension makes for an ultra-flat screen. Flatter screens are ideal for higher resolution quality, but it can make them more sensitive to light, so images on fixed screens look best when the room is dark.
  
  

Manual

• Manual projection screens operate like a roll-down window shade. The casing is attached to a wall or ceiling. When you pull the screen fabric down, it hangs flat and locks into position. To put the screen back into its casing, you pull the screen further down and the tension will cause the screen to retract. To prevent curling on the bottom edge of manual projection screens, manufacturers tend to make the screens heavier, with built-in tautness on the bottom. This allows the screen to stay flat and allows viewers to see the same resolution from any angle.
  
  Considered an affordable option to the more expensive fixed screens, manual screens are simple to operate and are commonly used in schools and businesses.
  
  

Motorized

• Like the manual version, motorized projection screens operate on the same windowshade principle, with one difference. It's connected to an AC power source. A motor inside the casing pulls and retracts the screen, but it's controlled by remote control, switch or circuit board. Electric projection screens are less physically demanding than manual screens and are also commonly used in schools, businesses and auditoriums.
  
  

Portable

• If you're on the move--or just want to move your presentation from room to room--a portable projection screen is the best option. Designed to withstand the rigors of travel, portable or mobile screens are usually collapsible in their own casing. Metal casings offer the best protection, but tend to be heavier. Newer, lightweight models offer less protection, but sometimes come with a tripod which has a sturdy base, making it less likely to tip over.