Standard screens have a 4:3 shape ratio, which is better suited for viewing computer presentations and standard TV broadcasts. Watching DVD movies or HDTV broadcasts on a 4:3 ratio screen limits the image width and leaves black bars above and below the image. Available screen sizes vary, but are usually up to 60 inches diagonal (the same height as an 80-inch diagonal 16:9 screen).

Screens are also available for wider image formats, such as CinemaScope™ (approximately 2.35:1), but are not as common.

Considering Screen Mounting Style

Most screens are either floor-standing, wall-mounted, or ceiling-mounted. Consider these characteristics as you choose which type would be best for your viewing environment:

Screen mounting style

Characteristics

 

 

Floor-standing screens

Portable

 

Can be used in multiple locations

 

Can be stored out of the way

 

Some may also be wall-mountable

 

 

Wall-mounted screens

Typically permanently installed

 

Can be partially hidden out of the way

 

Some may be disguised as artwork

 

 

Ceiling-mounted screens

Typically permanently installed

 

Can be partially hidden out of the way

 

Some may be recessed into the ceiling and hidden completely

 

Can be manually or electronically dropped and raised

 

 

Outdoor screens

Resistant to outdoor environmental factors

 

Can be used on patios, and around pools and landscaping

 

Usually made of inflatable plastic or vinyl

 

 

Considering Color and Surface Quality

For home theater settings, screens come in white or a shade of gray. Gray screens (sometimes called high contrast screens) increase the natural contrast of images projected in rooms with ambient light by absorbing the room light and preserving the darker blacks. If you have a dedicated home theater room with dark walls, ceiling, floor, and furniture, a gray screen may not provide better contrast than a white screen. However, if you usually project images in a typical living room or family room with some reflected light, a gray screen will provide better contrast and a truer viewing experience.

14 Playing Movies