Home cinema with beamer showing a football match

Projection surface calculator for projectors

With our projection calculator, you can quickly and easily calculate the projection distance and determine the image size for any projector

Calculate projector distance now!

Projection distance calculator

Manufacturer

Model

Calculating the projection distance - this is how it works

1. Select manufacturer and projector model

2. Enter screen size

3. Select screen format

The minimum and maximum distance of the projector to the screen is calculated automatically

Calculate image size - this is how it works

1. Select manufacturer and projector model

2. Click on the "Picture size" tab

3. Enter distance to screen

4. Select screen format

The minimum and maximum image size will be calculated automatically.

Our projector highlights

This is how the calculation of the projection area works

What does the projection distance mean?

The projection distance is the distance from the projector (lens) to the projection surface (e.g. projector screen). The projection distance influences the size of the projected image. As a rule, the greater the projection distance, the larger the projected image and vice versa.

What does the image size mean?

The image size of a projector projection depends on the projection distance. You can influence the image size by increasing or decreasing the distance between the projector and the screen

To the canvas buying guide

projector distance

There are several factors to consider when setting up a projection device correctly. One of these aspects is the distance between the projector and the screen, which significantly affects the size of the image to be projected. The selected image size also directly affects the choice of the appropriate screen size

Planning ahead includes considering the space available for screen and projector. It should also be taken into account that the distance to the projector does not necessarily have to correspond to the seating distance. Physical barriers, such as ceiling lights in the living room or home cinema, are often an obstacle to installation.

In such a situation, it may be necessary to use a projector with powerful telezoom optics to place it behind the audience or a ceiling obstruction. Alternatively, a shorter distance can be chosen and the projector placed in front of the ceiling obstruction, in which case it is useful to usea short throw projector that allows a normal image size at half the usual distance. For projectors with standard optics, mounting at the optimum distance is essential.

Anyone who owns a high-quality home cinema projector usually has no problems with the projection distance due to the flexibility of the lenses used. The zoom lenses used are often equipped with a zoom of 1.8x to 2.1x. This makes it possible to change the image scaling at a fixed distance or to adjust the distance to the projection surface variably.

Especially in large living rooms or in your own home cinema, the installation location can thus be optimally adapted to the spatial conditions. In addition to the high-quality zoom optics that home cinema projectors often have, they often also have a lens shift function. With lens shift, vertical and horizontal image shifting is possible, which makes the projection much easier and more flexible to adjust compared to projectors without lens shift

Home cinema with beamer, screen and sound system

When using the projector in event halls, museums or large conference rooms , special requirements may be placed on the unit. It may happen that the projector has to be placed several metres away from the screen or directly in front of it.

To meet these special requirements, it may make sense to choose a projector with interchangeable lenses . These projectors allow the lens to be changed so that telephoto zoom lenses, standard lenses or short throw lenses can be used, depending on the application, ensuring flexible adaptation to the circumstances. If you have already decided on a projector or would like to weigh up different devices against each other, our projection calculator is available to you. You can use it to determine the distance to the screen and the image width for each projector.

Special attention should be paid to the distance between the projector and the screen if people are moving in the space between the projector and the screen. This may be the case, for example, in restaurants or at events where guests have to walk along in front of the screen.

This is also the case with motion games or simulators such as a golf simulator. With a projector with a standard lens , there is a risk of moving in the light beam of the projector and thus casting a shadow on the screen. This is why devices with short-throw optics or ultra-short-throw optics are particularly suitable for such applications. This is because these optics significantly reduce the distance between the projector and the screen, allowing more freedom of movement under, behind and in front of the projector without casting a shadow on the screen.

Optimal projector projection surface

Bring the cinema home! - All projection screens

Projection screens

There are many ways to create a projection surface, e.g. mobile screens, fixed screens or even special screen paints. In the following, we present three excellent products that ensure an optimal projection surface

celexon projection screen Rollo Professional Plus 200 x 113 cm

As an outstanding roll-up screen , the celexon Rollo Professional Plus in size 200 x 113 cm not only offers a first-class projection surface in an elegant housing, but is also equipped with a slow-return roll-up mechanism that prevents uneven roll-up. This further enhances the ease of use when rolling up. So if you don't want to take the step to a more expensive motorised screen just yet, the celexon Rollo Professional Plus is a first-class option.

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celexon HomeCinema Frame 240 x 135 cm

The celexon HomeCinema Frame 240 x 135 cm is the archetype for home cinema use. Its dimensions allow for an authentic home cinema experience within your own four walls without compromising on picture quality or projector light output. Its black frame contributes to an atmospheric home cinema ambience. Of course, it is also suitable for the living room, but one should bear in mind that it remains present as an empty surface on the wall when not in use. However, the situation is similar to that of a large flat-screen TV, as here too the screen is mounted on the wall or on a stand and appears as a large black surface when not in use

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projector projection screen

To obtain an optimal projector image, the projector projection surface should be prepared accordingly. Of course, this applies primarily to a conventional wall if you do not want to use a screen.

Canvas paint

To transform a conventional wall into a projection surface for a projector, a few prerequisites must be met. For example, existing wallpaper should be removed. A plaster surface that is too rough can impair the projection result and should therefore be smoothed with a grinder or sandpaper. It is then advisable to apply a primer to ensure good adhesion of the paint. According to the manufacturer Screen Goo, approx. 1 litre of paint is needed for an area of 4.6 square metres

Both the primer and the screen paint should be applied in two coats. Ideally, the paint should be applied with a roller or a spray gun to avoid brush strokes that could be visible on the projector's projection surface. After the surface has dried well, the canvas paint can be applied on top of the primer, following the same procedure as for the primer to achieve the best result.

Classic canvases

Of course, the traditional screen remains a proven option. It offers numerous possibilities for positioning the projection surface, whether mobile or permanently installed. If a screen is desired for aesthetic reasons, it is a cost-effective alternative. Nowadays, the selection of screens is so extensive that you can find the right model for every need. Whether it is a roller or motorised screen for fixed installation or a tripod or mobile screen for mobile use.

An outstanding example of optimal flatness is the frame screen. The tight tension on all four sides holds the fabric in place even over a long period of time. In contrast to a motor screen or a roll screen, however, a frame screen is not so easy to conceal when not in use. For this reason, it is often used in home cinemas

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: The choice of the right projector for a certain distance depends on the so-called "throw ratio" of the projector. The throw ratio is the relationship between the distance from the projector to the screen (throw distance) and the image width. For example, if a projector has a throw ratio of 1:1, it can project an image 2 metres wide from a distance of 2 metres. A projector with a throw ratio of 2:1 can project an image 1 metre wide from the same distance.
: The size of the beamer projection screen depends on several factors, including viewing distance, beamer resolution and personal comfort. A common rule is that the screen diagonal should be about one third of the viewing distance. So, for example, if you are sitting about 3 metres from the screen, a screen with a diagonal of about 1 metre might be appropriate. However, it is important to note that this will vary depending on individual preferences and the specific characteristics of your room.
: The ideal sitting distance from a screen depends on its size. As a rule of thumb, the viewing distance should be about 1.5 to 2 times the diagonal of the screen. This ensures that you can see the entire image without moving your head and that you are close enough to see all the details that the resolution of your projector offers.
: Image size is generally understood to be the diagonal of the projected image, i.e. the line from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. It is often expressed in inches or centimetres. The calculation of the image size for a projector depends on the throw ratio and the distance between the projector and the screen. It is important to choose the right picture size to ensure optimal picture quality and a comfortable viewing experience. You can easily determine the appropriate image size with our distance calculator.

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