4k Projector Screens: 5 Things You Need To Know

Building an amazing theater or multipurpose room is an incredible experience – especially when you’re considering 4K projector screens. You can design a space that brings your favorite entertainment or professional content to life. It can serve as a hub for bringing people together for work or recreation. 

But to have a truly great theater, you have to take many factors into account. While many people spend a lot of time considering the space itself and select the correct projector and furniture, less time is usually spent considering the projector screen. But overlooking this detail can leave your theater lacking and deliver an underwhelming experience.  

While it is tempting to believe that you can project the image onto a white wall, this paint will not reflect light evenly, leaving it scattered. To deliver a cinema-quality experience, you need to have a proper projector screen. You may also want to check out our recent post – Manual vs. Electric Projector Screens.

Before starting out on your journey to creating a perfect theater, consider the following five things about projectors. Understanding these elements will help you to select the best possible option for your space.

1. Understand What 4K Is

When talking about 4K projectors and 4K projector screens, the term refers to the resolution. Resolution is measured in pixels. The more pixels that make up an image, the clearer and sharper the image. Resolution is also measured by width, so 4K actually refers to a resolution of 3,840 x2,160. 

4K projectors were incredibly expensive when they were introduced to the market (upwards of $25,000). Since then, the price has dropped dramatically. You can now find a 4K projector for less than $2,000, making them affordable to many more people. 

And while some 4K projectors use DLP or LCD chips to emit a true 4K image, some inexpensive options don’t use that many pixels but use mirrors to reflect extra pixels. These projectors are still advertised as 4K. But depending upon which type you buy, you may be able to get by with a different projector screen. You will want to buy a true 4K projector screen if you have a projector that is truly emitting a 4K image. If you purchase one that uses mirrors, you can get by with a less-expensive 4K compatible projector screen.

2. Understand Throw Ratio and How It Can Help You Determine the Right Sized Screen

As is true with many things, bigger isn’t always better when selecting the ideal projector screen. You will need to select a screen that the projector can fill from its intended position. Determining this can be done by analyzing the projector’s throw ratio information. 

The throw ratio can tell you the size of the image. It is calculated by dividing the distance between the projector and screen. This will tell you the image’s width (not the diagonal size). Conversely, you can think of it like this; if a projector has a throw ratio of 1.5, for every 1 foot of image width, the throw distance must be 1.5 feet.  

So, if you select a projector screen that is 20 feet wide, and your projector has a throw ratio of 1.5, it will need to be placed 30 feet away. Theater space is often limited. Calculating the throw distance will help you determine an optimal screen size. It can also ensure that your projector can support that image size in the space you have.

3. Recognize the Quality in Various 4K Projector Screens

It would be easy to think that all projector screens were created equally. They are not. Screen texture and composition have a huge impact on image quality. Screens that are designed for lower-resolution projectors have bumps that uniformly reflect light that minimizes distortion. 4K projector screens have a very smooth texture to display all of the pixels clearly. 

Using a screen designed for a lower resolution would distort higher resolution images, making them difficult to enjoy.

4. Understand Aspect Ratio

The projector’s aspect ratio will also impact how much real estate the image takes up on the projector screen. Widescreen content has an aspect ratio of 16.9. This aspect ratio accommodates widescreen content on most or all of the projector screen. An aspect ratio of 4×3 will use less screen surface but can provide a larger 4×3 image. 

By default, most projectors project a 16×9 aspect ratio but can be configured for a 4×3 aspect ratio (some even allow for a wider 2.35:1 aspect ratio). This doesn’t impact the projector screen, but helps you determine the right size and space needed.

5. Consider Elements of Lighting

Most projector screens are white; however, there are some gray and black variants to provide options for very brightly lit rooms. The screen’s gain will also impact the image. A gain value of 1.0 means that the screen will reflect all of the light that shines on it, while higher numbers mean that the image is brightest while viewed from straight-on. The image may suffer when viewed from wider viewing angles. 

When you use a screen with high gain in a bright room, there may be ‘hot spots,’ or areas where the middle of the screen suffers from glare or appears brighter than the rest of the image. In darker rooms, a gain below 1.0 can optimize the image as well.

When selecting the right 4K projector screen for your theater, there are far more variables to consider than most people realize. To get the best image possible, it’s important to account for the size of your room, whether you want front or rear projection, and whether your projector is a laser projector. You will also want to select a projector screen that maximizes the features found with your selected projector (or compensates for deficiencies). 

With so much to consider when shopping for a 4K projector screen, it’s no wonder that most people don’t know where to start. Expert advice and recommendations can help you select a 4K projector screen. SBI Contracting can optimize the elements in your space. We can provide expert guidance. We will also ensure that you get a projector screen that delivers a high-quality viewing experience.