#projector_screen

A fixed frame screen is a projection screen that’s always in sight and can not be rolled in. Think of a painting, but a really big one with changing images.

It’s the type of screen that demands a dedicated room, or at least a dedicated wall. That’s because it’s always in sight and is not easily taken off and stored in the corner. It’s just too big for that (in general around 80 to 100 inches wide).

The problem a poor frame creates

The projection screen fabric usually demands most of the attention. The frame is the supporting curved, that’s mainly there to hold together the construction. When assessing the quality of a screen, it would be a mistake not to pay attention to the frame.

A poor frame will create a sagging fabric that completely destroys the image on your screen. It’s like looking at a movie underwater. Not the kind of thing that you want when you want your screen to display what the director had in mind.

The importance of frame width

The width of the frame is important for 2 reasons:

1. A wide frame is more rigid and prevents the frame from bending under the pressure of the surface, as well as its own weight. The resulting straight frame creates the optimum surface: a perfectly flat and wrinkle-free one. That’s exactly the kind of surface you need to get the most from your projector

2.  A wide black frame (if possible covered with black velvet) gives your movie more impact. That’s because the frame creates a contrast between its own black and the colors of the images from your projector. The wider the frame, the bigger the impact of this contrast.

Now that we know why a frame is an important element of your fixed frame screen, let’s establish some rules of thumb that help you find the right screen.

How to find the right screen in the market place

Because rigidity of the whole construction is the biggest issue, we can categorize projection screens according to width: the bigger the width, the wider the frame.

Through experience we have found that these are the minimum widths you need for a given screens size:

1.2 cm / 0.5" frame width                                              max 135" /screen 6 cm / 2.4" frame width                                              max 150" / screen 8 cm / 3.1" frame width                                              max 180" / screen 10 cm / 4" frame width                                               above 170" / screen

Conclusion

Now that you know the importance of the frame width and how it affects the image quality, you know what to look for when comparing screens.

There are some cheap screens in the market place, that look like a bargain. Keep in mind though that fixed frame screens last 5 to 10 years. The small savings you make initially, do not outweigh the ever increasing quality demands from the projector’s side. So as tempting as it might be, only buy a screen when you have the budget for the right one.

As an experienced manager of XYSCREEN projection screens, August knows what matters when you want to get the most from your projection screen.

August focuses on an often overlooked aspect: projection screen industrial design. This focus results in projection screens that not only make the most of your projector, but complement your decor.