Many people believe anything goes when it comes to putting together a home theatre. This might be the case for some, but those who want optimum viewing know one of the most important things is actually the item many try to skimp on. The fact is the sound system, the projector and even the furniture can found on a budget, but the screen should not be compromised if quality is a concern. If the screen is bad, it won't matter how much has been spent on the projector, it won't look right.
There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to screens, too. The only one that can say what is best is the person doing the viewing though. Some might prefer screens that make the blacks blacker while others like things to show up a bit brighter. With this in mind, let's look at some of the different choices in screens:
Blank wall: A lot of people choose to project straight onto a cream colored or white wall. While this will work, many say the images tend to wash out. The fact is movie theatre screens are pretty complex devices and a blank wall just can't compete with the quality a good screen will provide. When a blank wall is the choice for money savings concerns, altering lighting and even texture can help keep the images within the acceptable range, but don't expect miracles.
Paper: Giant sheets of white paper will typically present the same type of image a blank wall will offer. This is considered a step up, sort of, but real movie critics would cringe at the thought. When hundreds of dollars go into the equipment, screens should not be a last concern.
On the purchase end, there are four major types of screens. These all have their benefits, and some will like one kind more than another. Viewing perfection is a very subjective thing when it comes to home theatre screens.
Matte: The matte white screen is one that many wear by. This particular design tends to come with very little reflectivity and does a fairly good job of ensuring colors appear as they should. Blacks tend to be the blackest on these screens, but brightness is not one of their virtues.
Glass: A glass bead screen is not generally the favored choice of most movie fans. It does have its perks though. These screens tend to be highly reflective and they are bright. For those who like their images to be very bright, glass bead is the best choice.
Silver: Kind of the middle of the road option, a silver screen works very well, but it can make some colors appear a little muted. Still, this is considered a very big step up from a plain old wall or a sheet of paper.
Pearlescent: This type of home theatre screen is considered by many to be the best possible option. Offering decent color tones and modest brightness, the pearlescent screen is known for its good contrast and overall decent picture quality.
Home Theatre Projector Screens
Finding the perfect picture for your home theatre can be difficult, and it also depends what your definition of a home theatre is. For most individuals, a home theatre is having a beautifully large and modern TV with surround sound speakers in a room other than the living room: a room specifically designed for enjoying the big game or for watching the newest released DVDs.
A TV by itself is not enough, though, since an important factor is viewing distance. In that respect, it's like going to a movie theatre. Most people do not like the very front because not only do they have to crane their necks, but there is so much to take in all at once and it can be overwhelming.
Then there are those individuals who think home theatre system, and that means having an actual screen and projector. Technology is amazing, and now many individuals can afford to own an actual home movie theatre complete with projector and screen. If this sounds exciting, by all means, look for the right projector and home theatre screen for your perfect vision of a home theatre, but make sure to do your research first.
If you are looking to purchase a home theater screen, you should know that there are specifically three types of home theater screens available. The first one is the fixed home theater screen. These are the simplest, and most common, screens. They are usually designed to be permanently mounted on the wall. The disadvantage of this screen is that once it's set, it's set. There are advantages, however.
One advantage is you can hide ugly wires and cables quite easily with this type of installation. The screen itself is made of a fabric that will be stretched onto a frame and then fastened into place. A wrinkle free white surface should be the end result. If it is not wrinkle free after a professional puts it in, demand the job is done right.
The second type of screen is the tripod home theatre screen. These are the types of screens that are portable because they are attached to a tripod. These are best for meetings, like a business demonstration requiring slides, or an outdoor training. It is okay for these types of purposes, but they are not designed for actual movie watching.
The third type of screen is a wall mounted retractable screen. Remember the screens teachers would use in elementary school when they had an overhead projector? That's exactly what this is. These types of screens are usually installed on the wall, but they can be pulled down. These are more expensive than the fixed home theatre screen, and are best for homes that are smaller and therefore have less area to work with, otherwise they don't give any advantage over the basic model.
If you want a true to life movie viewing experience at home, these are your three options. Do the research, figure out your budget, and then enjoy the unique experience of having your very own projector to see the DVDs as if you were still in a small town theatre.
Both J. Lloyd & M. Jedediah are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
J. Lloyd has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health Insurance, VOIP and Culture. http://www.hometheatrefun.com brings you the latest on the home theatre. Home theatre's are popular, and we want to bring you up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on. J. Lloyd's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
M. Jedediah has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Finances and Computers and The Internet. http://www.hometheatrefun.com brings you the latest on the home theatre. Home theatre's are very popular, we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on. M. Jedediah's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
