Back in the July 2012 issue of CPM, we looked at new projector technology (Video Projectors: The Latest Developments). While the choice of projector is an essential decision, it is not the only part of a successful projection system. For projectors to work their best, they need something other than a blank wall or simple fabric surface to project onto, they need a surface or screen with particular characteristics that enhance the image quality from the projector. You need to carefully consider the projection surface to get the results you want from your projection system.
When we asked a panel of projection screen manufacturers for advice for those considering adding projection screens we found a great many considerations—and developments that are important for churches: front or rear projection; white or gray screen material; size of screen(s); one or multiple screens; high or standard definition; lighting control around the screen area; etc. The manufacturers' answers provide invaluable insight into some of the latest developments and technologies for projection screens. They may help you address your specific projection needs.
For this article, CPM spoke with Jesse Walsh, U.S. sales and marketing manager for dnp Denmark; Jim Hoodlebrink, CTS, rental/IDS product manager for Draper, Spiceland, Ind.; Dave Rodgers, marketing manager with Elite Screens Inc., Cerritos, Calif.; and Dave McFarland, marketing director for Stewart Filmscreen, Torrance, Calif.
CPM: What are the most important factors for churches to consider when staff is looking to purchase a new projection screen?
HOODLEBRINK: Ask how the screen [will] be used. Also, have a really good understanding where the audience will be seated. Can they easily read or see the content on the screen? Most of the factors that go into the best selection are based on these two main questions. To make the best screen choice, an integrator will want to know the resolution they want to see, light conditions
for contrast level, audience size, and distance from the projector to understand screen size, projector brightness, and other factors.
WALSH: Determine what you expect in terms of image quality. If there can be control of the lighting, any screen will work to some extent, some better than others. High ambient light that can't be controlled will cause a lot of image problems.
RODGERS: The main considerations for a house-of-worship application are the mounting method, lighting conditions, types of projectors used, and the size of the congregation. The mounting method refers to the architecture of your sanctuary and whether or not it will allow you to do a standard wall or ceiling application, or if a hanging or freestanding projection screen would be better. Lighting is important because ambient light can wash out your projected image. If you have a projector system with high light output and reasonably good control of lighting, a standard matte-white projection screen may work best. If not, there are rear-projection and high-gain materials that can enhance brightness that should be considered. It's important to know how your projector performs first in order to decide about what screen would be best. The brightness and contrast will have a lot to do with the decision on what screen material to use and how the screen should be installed.
Also, congregation size in the sanctuary is extremely crucial. It is important to have a screen that isn't too large and dominates the entire front of the church; but it should also be easily seen from the back row. It is up to the installer and church staff to ultimately decide, but the choice of one large panel or multiple panels must be made, and evaluating the need from both the closest and furthest rows is crucial.
McFARLAND: Because of the trend toward facilities that support multi-functionality, and therefore have fluctuations in lighting, audience size, and activity, it is important to consider a very versatile screen. Since lighting control is often difficult, selecting a screen that can afford high ambient light situations is important. Selecting a future-proof material is also something to take into consideration, and many facilities may want to invest in a material that is 3D and 4K capable, to ensure that you can get the most mileage out of the material for many years to come.
CPM: What are the
benefits/drawbacks to white vs. gray projection screen material?
WALSH: Don Stewart [executive vice president and corporate partner at Stewart Filmscreen Corporation] was the first person to discover that a darker tint will perform better in high ambient light. A white screen will be washed out in high ambient light. More projector lumens will not help a white screen in that environment. Only lighting control can help a white screen.
HOODLEBRINK: Gray is being used more often to help enhance the contrast instead of just making it brighter, but be sure it fits your application. Gray screens tend to be [not] as bright (in terms of gain) or may create concerns with really wide viewing angles. White screens tend to wash out or may, if they are higher gain, create hot spots. Most of the time if churches can control the lighting a little and direct the light away from the screen, a wide angle white screen will look great—but making sure you have enough brightness on the screen will be important. Gray screens will look great for most of the audience, but be sure to check the viewing angle and gain to be certain you have enough power.
RODGERS: There are two types of gray projection screens: one type is a standard matte-gray and the other is an enhanced-gray, which is a combination of a high-gain reflective layer coated by multiple diffusion layers for enhanced contrast. Both help wash out the effects of ambient light and enhance contrast. The difference is that the matte-gray does not enhance brightness but actually decreases it, leaving color reproduction and non-contrast-related picture performance entirely up to the projector. This material is generally suited for enhancing contrast with a higher-lumens projector and reasonable levels of controlled lighting.
The second type of gray screen, enhanced-gray, can be used in environments where ambient lighting is high because of the reflective qualities of its base layer. This material enhances brightness and contrast in a way that is far superior to the performance of the matte-gray, but is also costlier. The advantages of gray materials [lie] in their abilities to enhance contrast. The disadvantage is that matte-gray materials still require a strong projector output or controlled lighting to compensate for its diminished picture brightness. The enhanced-gray material addresses that problem but has a narrower viewing cone (i.e., the image is much darker from the side than it is from in front) and it is more expensive.
Matte white is the universal projection material. Its wide diffusion uniformity means that viewers in front and to the sides will see a picture of equal brightness and color temperature. It is also [relatively] inexpensive when compared to other materials that require added steps in the manufacturing process. The advantage of a matte white projection screen is in cost, availability, and in equal picture brightness, for either those in front of the screen or off to the side. The disadvantage is that it does not enhance contrast levels and tends to give a washed out visual image in ambient light.
McFARLAND: A gray screen would be preferable where there is a large amount of ambient light present in the venue, whether by choice or because there is a limited ability to control it. Gray screens, or high-contrast screens, boost contrast and afford better black levels. Contrast is what drives the perception of resolution, so to take advantage of the performance of today's projection systems it is imperative to use a material that can prevent images from washing out under light.
CPM: What are the benefits/drawbacks of front projection vs. rear projection?
HOODLEBRINK: Rear projection (RP) almost always [appears] brighter. Rear screens don't have to fight ambient light in the audience. The rear projection room is always dark, which allows for the projected image to transmit a nice, bright, contrasted image. The ambient light on the audience side of the screen does not have to be reflected, it is just absorbed into the RP—however, don't expect your screen to look good with direct sunlight hitting it. The problem with rear projection is the cost. Typically there are higher equipment and installation costs, and the church has to give up space to hide the projector in a separate room.
WALSH: A rear projection screen requires a dark room behind the screen. So size of the sanctuary becomes an issue. Front projection is the most efficient and cost effective use of space.
RODGERS: Front projection has the advantage in terms of versatility in function and cost. It can be used with an almost limitless variety of standard- and short-throw front projectors in [an array] of formats. The disadvantages are that some environments present unfavorable mounting conditions in front of the projection screen. Also, it is extremely difficult to maximize the brightness of a projected image in ambient light. It usually requires specialized materials, projectors with higher lumens (brightness) or light control to accomplish this. The rear projection material can usually provide the brightest solution for use in ambient light and gives the appearance of a cleaner and simpler installation. The primary disadvantage of RP can be in cost when compared to the less-expensive variants of front projection materials. It usually requires a significant throw distance from behind, making it less space conscious or versatile in placement than front projection materials.
McFARLAND: Selecting front vs. rear projection is often dictated based on space limitations and the intended purpose of the screen. Rear projection is a great option if there is adequate space behind the stage to mount the projector(s). The projector's light path is protected, allowing for bright, high contrast images regardless of ambient light in the viewing environment. As with any projection screen installation, it's important to talk to your dealer or integrator about your needs to help decide whether front or rear projection is best for your space.
CPM: What should a house of worship consider when looking at incorporating
projection screens into its services or programs?
HOODLEBRINK: Weigh your options against your needs; there are higher-gain surfaces with narrower viewing angles or lower-gain surfaces with an extremely wide viewing angle. It all depends on the things we discussed above. The important thing to remember is that there are several different solutions depending on the need.
McFARLAND: The most important thing to consider is that everyone in the audience is getting the maximum benefit from the installation. Things like screen size, viewing angle, and ambient light are factors to take into consideration when incorporating projection into any facility.
RODGERS: Stay focused on practicality. There are many good items that came out a couple of years ago and the only thing wrong with them is that they are no longer the latest and greatest flavor of the month. They will be cheaper while bringing a considerable amount of quality. Don't be afraid to call first and pick companies' brains before committing to buy anything.
IN CONCLUSION
Be sure to ask yourself, “What do I want the technology to bring to my facility; what features are important to address my needs; and what is the best choice for my budget and style of worship?”
There are a variety of projection screens to consider for your facility and you need to look at how they will work with your projector to achieve the best results and meet your usage needs. Do your research, arrange product demonstrations in your space, and ask a lot of questions. If you are also looking to purchase a projector along with a screen, try to match the demonstrations in your space at the same time so you can really evaluate the system as a whole.
