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Screen Surface Types
Rating Screen Surface Types
The way a surface refracts light is what differentiates one screen fabric from another. Look at the gain (
) together with the viewing angle (
) when evaluating fabric choices. Lower gain ratings mean the light is reflected more uniformly from the center to the edge of the viewing area. Here are how the most popular fabrics stack up.
Note: Low gain screens are best for home theater, and with today's brighter projectors.
Da-Lite Screens
Matte White
The most versatile screen surface and a good choice when you can control ambient light. It evenly distributes light over a wide viewing area (50 degrees), while colors remain bright and life-like, with no shifts in hue. This surface may be cleaned, is mildew resistant, and flame retardant.
1.1 100 degrees
High Contrast Matte White
Designed for moderate output DLP and LCD projectors, this screen surface is a great choice when video images are the main source of information being projected and where ambient light is moderately controlled. With its specially designed gray base material and reflective top surface, this screen material is able to provide very good black levels without sacrificing the white level output. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.
1.1 90 degrees
High Contrast Da-Mat
A smooth, gray, vinyl finish surface for high output LCD and DLP projectors. This surface improves the perceived contrast by lowering black levels. It is a flexible unsupported vinyl fabric and may be folded or rolled. Available on all models offered with the Da-Mat surface. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.
0.8 90 degrees
Cinema Vision
A unique unsupported vinyl surface that offers a bright, uniform image with no color shift no matter at what angle you view the image. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.
1.3 90 degrees
High Contrast Cinema Vision
A smooth, gray, vinyl finish surface for moderate output DLP projectors. This surface improves the perceived contrast by lowering black levels while offering moderate gain. It is a flexible unsupported vinyl fabric and may be folded or rolled. Available on all models offered with the Cinema Vision surface. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.
1.1 90 degrees
High Power
A technological breakthrough, combines the reflectivity of a glass beaded surface with the ability to clean the surface when required. Its smooth surface offers the highest gain of all types of screen surfaces with moderate viewing angle. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.
2.8 60 degrees
Video Spectra 1.5
Especially designed for demanding video and overhead LCD projection applications where a balance of higher gain (1.5) and greater viewing angle (35 degrees) is required. The special pearlescent surface may be cleaned with mild soap and water. Mildew resistant, flame retardant.
1.5 70 degrees
Da-Tex
A translucent, neutral gray vinyl, rear projection surface that offers high transmission and low reflectance values for optimal viewing. It yields excellent color rendition, image contrast and a wide viewing angle. Suitable for all types of rear projection. Ideally suited for both lace and grommet and snap button type screens. Material needs to be tensioned. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant.
1.8 60 degrees
Draper Screens
Matte White
Laminated to tear-resistant woven fiberglass. It diffuses projected light in all directions, so the image can be seen from any angle. Provides accurate color rendition as well as superior clarity. Recommended for use with all high light output projection devices. Requires control of ambient light in the audience area.
1.0 70 degrees
AT1200
The most innovative and versatile acoustically transparent screen material. Similar in gain performance to standard matt white. Acoustical properties comparable to the finest speaker grille cloth.
1.0 70 degrees
ATGrey
This screen uses innovative and versatile acoustically transparent screen material with the best optical qualities of both Matt White and High Contrast Grey. It is unique in that it offers both a 180° viewing cone and the vivid color contrast associated with high contrast grey materials. Washable, flame and mildew resistant. Not recommended for screens smaller than 80" wide when used with LCD or DLP projectors.
0.8 70 degrees
M1300
Extremely broad light dispersion and spectral uniformity. Panoramic viewing angle and true color rendition. Recommended for use with any type of projector in rooms where the light level can be reasonably controlled.
1.0 70 degrees
HiDef Grey
A grey front projection surface that provides greater contrast and black reproduction than standard surfaces, with a lower gain to handle today's super-bright projectors. The grey allows for more ambient light in the audience area than traditional surfaces.
0.8 70 degrees
High Contrast Grey
Grey textile backed surface offers excellent resolution while enhancing the blacks of LCD and DLP projected images, even as whites and lighter colors are maintained. It performs well in ambient light conditions, even with a brighter projector.
0.7 - 0.9 70 degrees
M2500
A high-contrast front viewing surface, with excellent resolution and high gain. For data-graphics projectors producing up to 1000 ANSI lumens. Tolerates a higher ambient light level than most other front projection screen surfaces.
0.8 - 2.2 60 degrees
Flexible Matt White Surface
White vinyl for front projection. Panoramic viewing angle and true color rendition.
1.0 70 degrees
Cineflex
A neutral grey vinyl for rear projection. Cineflex has high resolution and excellent contrast, even in lighted rooms. For use with any type of projection equipment.
0.3 - 2.3 50 degrees
