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Do you need a screen for a projector? Short answer: Technically, no. Longer answer: It depends, but probably yes. Even longer answer: A screen will dramatically improve the image quality, and often the brightness, of any projector. Even a cheap screen can improve the performance of the best projectors. More expensive screens can reduce ambient light, greatly improving image quality if there’s any light in the room. Also, while your painted wall may seem smooth, there’s still a texture, and every tiny imperfection will be visible as part of your movie, TV show or game.
Look at it this way, movie theaters have screens for a reason. Spending even a little money on a screen will improve how the projector you spent a lot of money on looks in any room. It is an added cost, though, plus the added complexity of setup and mounting. So if you’re not sure, here are all the reasons why you should get a screen, especially if you have an ultra-short-throw projector, plus a few situations where you don’t need one.
To screen or not to screen
There are three main reasons to get a screen:
Brighter image: Even simple screens are better than walls of any color.
Even simple screens are better than walls of any color. Smoother image: Walls have texture that will be visible in the projected image.
Walls have texture that will be visible in the projected image. Potentially better contrast and overall image quality: Some screens can “focus” more light toward your eyes, making the image seem brighter. Others can reject ambient light, so the image is better with any lights on.
Now, in fairness, if you have a tiny, budget projector that puts out only a handful of lumens, you won’t gain much by adding a screen. There’s very little performance to begin with, so there’s not much to improve. Full-size budget projectors and anything more expensive can definitely benefit. Many screens can “add” brightness by focusing more of the light back to where you’re sitting, instead of scattering it all over the room.
That scattering is especially problematic if you have an ultra-short-throw projector. Enough so that I’ve got a whole section below about them specifically.
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