There are a few good options for you to use in your conference room and yes, there is a general guideline to follow that makes selecting the screen a fairly easy task. Remember the acronym. PEG or (Purpose – Environment – Gear). Let’s use PEG to answer your question.

• Purpose – This will be a business environment with a focus on color reproduction. Elite has a selection of matte white or ambient light rejecting materials that are ISF certified. However, even our non ISF materials can help you achieve that superb picture quality as long as the projector is properly calibrated. Depending on preference, either a fixed-frame or retractable screen would be appropriate.
• Environment – If the environment has full control over ambient lighting, a matte white material will work well. Most business environments have overhead lighting (ceiling light) or simply put, making the whole place dark for any reason is just inconvenient.  For this matter, an ambient light rejecting screen material is appropriate. Ask about Elite’s variety of ALR (ambient light rejecting)  or CRL® (ceiling light rejecting®) material options.
• Gear – Since projection is a 2-piece video display, it is essential that the projector and screen’s performance specs complement one another.  The projector and screen should have the same aspect ratio (screen or image shape). If the projector is a standard “long” throw, short throw “ST”, or ultra-short throw “UST”, there is a specific screen material that is best suited for your specific projector.

In the question above, it must reject overhead (ceiling light) while maintaining excellent picture/color performance I a bright room. We have a few screens that can handle this but since you are considering a UST projector, I recommend the Aeon CLR® since it is designed specifically for use with ultra-short throw projectors. If you have a preference for a motorized variety, we are intending to launch a motorized “roll-up” version next year (2019).  We also have motorized ALR/CLR® variants for our standard long-throw projectors available now.

Although there are many manufacturers that cover a variety of retail and integrator sales channels, product quality, features and pricing are still the driving critera for increased projection screen sales. The general pricing matrix that most follow is that  a good projection screen equates to roughly 1/3 to ½ of the cost of a projector.  Comparative features include the screen’s ability to provide clear color reproduction, contrast and a level of brightness that is suitable to the environment in which it will be used. Equally important is the product’s overall flawless quality and reliablility as well as included features such as IR/RF and Ethernet controls  along with other accessories.

 It depends entirely what your intentions are but here are the general format uses to help you out.

• 1:1 format: If you use traditional Slideshow/OHP (Overhead Projector), Document Camera, and commercial projector presentations. These are most commonly used in schools, government facilities, and houses of worship.
• 4:3 NTSC format: PC software, Commercial Presentations (if your projector is SVGA or XGA native resolution), Classroom Training, and Gaming.
• 16:9 HDTV format: Home Theater Movies and Gaming
• 16:10 format: PC software, video games, video editing, presentations from notebooks with WXGA or WUGA native output.
• 2.35:1 Cinemascope format: Strictly Home Theater movies.

A: The best way to do it is to make sure the screen’s diagonal size matches the distance to you first row of seating.  There is not set standard size for a room, just consider the seating location of you and your guests.  Your material should allow everyone to comfortably sit and watch without craning their necks back or shifting their eyes from side to side. Generally, 84″ – 106″ diagonal sizes are appropriate for your typical residential setup.

Ultra/Short-throw projectors require a flat projection surface since the projector’s light is closer to the material.  Non-tensioned screen materials may exhibit minor wave or curls which may be more pronounced if using an ultra/short-throw projector.
We recommend using a Fixed Frame Screen with PVC such as our CineWhite® flexible material which will provide adequate tension throughout the entire projection surface. 

AKIA’s non-tensioned screens are great with standard throw projectors, but just like any non-tensioned projector screen, we don’t recommend using it with an ultra/short throw projector.  Non-tensioned screens are not completely flat and while it may have little, if any, perceivable effect with a standard projector’s image, it can distort ultra/short throw imagery. We recommend purchasing Elite’s tab-tensioned screens utilizing the CineWhite® or CineWhite® UHD materials or any of Elite’s fixed frame screens if an ultra/short throw projector is required.

For the best possible results, an anamorphic lens is recommended.  However, it is possible to get a 2.35:1 screen format as long as you can live with the “black bars” created when a mismatched 16:9 native aspect ratio projecto is set up to fit a wider projection screen format.  It is simply a matter of personal preference.

As a rule, it is recommended to ensure that the center of the screen is in alignment with the eye level of those seated in the first row of a graduated Home Theater seating layout.  This will provide the best levels of ergonomic stability, and will not negatively affect the vantage point of the following rows as their increased distance from the screen will provide a comfortable viewing position as well.