Buyer's guide

Canvas buying guide 2024

The right projector screen in just a few steps

Your canvas buying advice at visunext

In addition to the projector, the right projector screens are also crucial for a good projection. To achieve optimum projection results, you should always use a screen as it has better reflective properties than a white wall. We explain what you should look out for in a screen and which projector screens are best suited to your application. Always make the right purchase decision with us !

Content

Canvas type: What types of canvas are there?

Stationary screens

A stationary screen is ideal if the screen is to be used permanently in one place. It is permanently installed and therefore not transportable. The different product types include the motorised screen, the recessed ceiling screen, the roller screen and the frame screen.

The stationary screens at a glance

Roller screen - the most cost-effective solution for fixed installations

The classic roller screen is a cost-effective projection solution with manual operation for occasional users. The manually operated roller screen mechanism allows the screen to be easily extended and locked in the desired position. In addition to the roller screen, there is also the crank screen and the spring roller screen. They are all easy to install and easy on the wallet!

Conclusion: More suitable for occasional use. A motorised screen is suitable for regular use.

All roller blind screens

Motorised screen - elegant and comfortable projection surfaces

The motorised screen (also known as an electric screen) is a further development of the roller screen. Depending on the equipment, it offers technical features for both beginners and professionals. Probably the most popular type of screen, it offers maximum flexibility. Motorised screens also include tension screens, multi-format screens, battery-powered screens and floor scissor screens.

Conclusion: Particularly popular for home cinema and conference rooms.

All motorised screens

celexon ceiling installation screen Motor Expert

Recessed ceiling screen - ideal installation for an aesthetic room image

Recessed ceiling screens can be integrated almost invisibly into any suspended ceiling with the help of a recessed ceiling box. The screen can be conveniently extended at the touch of a button. The recessed ceiling screen is controlled via a remote control, a switch or a button. As a built-in version of a classic motorised screen, the recessed ceiling screen has the same features, fabrics and materials.

Conclusion: Invisible installations for conference rooms, living rooms or home cinemas.

All recessed ceiling screens

Frame screen - perfect flatness for high quality image requirements

With a frame screen, the fabric is firmly stretched in a frame. This type of screen offers the best image quality, as the tightly stretched fabric is less sensitive to temperature fluctuations in the room and does not ripple. It offers perfect flatness , especially for UST projectors. A framed screen can be integrated into any room design, whether with black masking for an effortless image border or frameless for a modern and unobtrusive look. Comparatively inexpensive, durable and suitable for all projection systems, the framed screen is the classic for the best large-screen experience.

Conclusion: The all-rounder with a good price-performance ratio for rooms with sufficient space.

All frame screens

celexon CLR HomeCinema UST electric floor high contrast screen

High-contrast projection screens - the latest trend for home cinema and laser TV

Screens with high-contrast fabric are suitable for razor-sharp projections in the home cinema. An ALR screen (Ambient Light Rejecting) or high-contrast screen has a specially structured or multi-layered fabric that increases the contrast and black level by absorbing or deflecting ambient light. In combination with an ultra-short throw projector, it becomes a TV replacement for the high-quality home cinema or living room. High-contrast screens are state of the art and significantly more expensive than conventional projection surfaces due to their complex construction.

Conclusion: Outstanding high-contrast projections - for home cinema or bright living rooms.

All high contrast screens

In comparison: the advantages and disadvantages of stationary screens

Screen type

Advantages

Disadvantages

Roller screen

- Inexpensive
- No cable laying necessary
- Easy installation
- Permanent installation

- Manual extension by cord or extension pole
- Exact positioning is comparatively uncomfortable
- Usually only useful and available up to a width of 300 cm

Motorised screen

- Electric motor instead of manual extension/retraction
- Motorised drive protects the screen fabric
- Convenient operation via remote control, trigger, etc.
- Larger screen widths and significantly more choice of fabric

- Power connection required nearby
- Higher installation costs depending on the room

Recessed ceiling screen

- Almost invisible integration into the room image
- Motorised drive protects the screen fabric
- Convenient operation via remote control, trigger and much more
- Larger screen widths and significantly more choice of fabric

- Suspended ceiling required
- Usually needs to be installed by a specialist
- Power connection required nearby
- Wider than classic motorised screens due to inspection flaps

Frame screen

- No rippling for perfect projection results every time
- Extremely long service life
- Suitable for all projection systems, especially UST projectors

- No invisible integration possible due to fixed installation
- Permanently exposed to external factors such as sunlight or dust

High contrast screen

- High colour contrasts even under residual light conditions
- Hardly any darkening of the room necessary
- Increases black level, in-picture contrast and plasticity of the image
- In combination with a UST projector an excellent TV replacement

- Comparatively high purchase price
- Sensitive fabrics due to the multi-layer plastic construction

Further advantages and functions of a high-contrast screen in combination with an ultra-short throw projector can be seen in the example of the celexon HomeCinema CLR floor high-contrast screen.

Mobile screens

If you want to use the screen at different locations, a mobile screen is the ideal solution. It offers maximum flexibility, is quick to set up and can be used anywhere. There is the tripod screen, the ultra-mobile screen, the mobile frame screen and the table screen.

Tripod screens

Ultramobile screens

Mobile table screens

Mobile frame screens

Mobile projector

Presenter / Laser pointer

The mobile screens at a glance

Tripod screen - secure stand on any surface

The tripod screen is particularly suitable for mobile solutions as it consists of one piece and is therefore easy to set up. The tripod provides a secure stand, especially on uneven surfaces. Suitable screen bags are available for easy transport of the tripod screen. This not only protects the screen, but also allows it to be carried comfortably over the shoulder.

Conclusion: Offers optimum value for money for smaller and mobile projections.

All tripod screens

Ultra-mobile screen - the convenient solution for appearances on the move

The ultra-mobile screen, also known as a portable screen, is simply placed on the floor and pulled up. The convenient set-up is ready! This type of screen is themost convenient option for maximum flexibility and mobile projections. We differentiate between solutions with a telescopic pole and solutions with an integrated scissor joint.

Conclusion: A professional mobile solution with lots of convenience for travelling.

All ultra-mobile screens

celexon folding frame screen Mobil Expert

Mobile frame screen - large screen solution for use on the move

If you want to show a large picture at an event or trade fair, a mobile frame screen is ideal. Like a classic frame screen, it is covered with a fabric and stands on feet that are screwed to the folding frame. High-quality large screen projections, even when travelling!

Conclusion: The ideal large screen solution for events of all kinds.

All ultra-mobile screens

celexon table screen Mobile Professional

Table screen - The perfect addition for mini projectors

With a small mini projector, you can use the table screen to project onto table surfaces up to a width of approx. 1.2 metres. A good option for small group meetings in the conference room, viewing holiday photos with friends or spontaneous presentations in the field!

Conclusion: The mobile companion for mobile and mini projections.

All mobile table screens!

In comparison: the advantages and disadvantages of mobile screens

Screen type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Tripod screen	Inexpensive alternatives for occasional use Quick assembly and disassembly of the screen Most flexible adjustment of the entire screen surface Particularly secure stand on uneven surfaces	Requires a wider footprint Product appears less contemporary Only available in sizes up to approx. 2.5 m
Ultra-mobile screen	Closed housing protects all elements Quickest and most convenient set-up No separate bag necessary	Positioning of the projection surface is relatively fixed Flat surface essential for a firm stand
Mobile frame screen	Screen widths over 4 m possible Easy and safe transport in sturdy flight case possible Height-adjustable with optimum flatness Projection screen surface can be replaced Available for front and rear projection surfaces Also suitable for outdoor use with a rigging set	2 people are usually required for set-up longer set-up time than with a tripod screen
Table screen	Easy to set up with a flick of the wrist Low weight and small dimensions Maximum mobility	Not for large audiences Limited application possibilities

Projection type: front or rear projection?

A distinction is made between two types of projection surfaces: Front projection and rear projection. Within these two types of projection, a distinction is also made between standing and hanging installation of the projector.

To ensure that the image is projected onto the screen in the correct orientation, the projectors always offer the option of being used for either floor or ceiling mounting in the settings. Depending on the projection mode selected , the projector automatically rotates the image so that it is always displayed the right way round.

Front projection

With front projection (incident light projection), the projector stands or hangs in front of the screen, i.e. where the audience is located. The screen can be mounted on the wall or ceiling to save space. No additional space is required behind the screen.

Screens for front projection

Rear projection

With rear projection (transmitted light projection), the projector is located behind the screen and the audience sits in front of the screen. This is particularly advantageous for applications where you want to avoid the audience standing or sitting in the projection cone. The corresponding technology, such as the projector and cabling, is installed inconspicuously and professionally behind the screen. To maximise contrast, the area behind the screen should be completely darkened. If a short-throw projector is not used, there must be sufficient space behind the screen for the installation.

Screens for rear projection

The right screen format and size

In addition to the screen format, the screen size is also crucial for a good projection. When determining the screen size, the distance of the audience to the screen and the distance of the projector to the screen must be taken into account in addition to the room size. Our projection surface calculator will help you to determine the optimum distance between the projector and screen and the image size of the projection.

As the screen width increases, the height of the screen naturally also changes. If a larger screen width is selected, the fabric must be longer in order to maintain the format. When choosing a screen, this means that you need to make sure that your room is not only wide enough, but also has sufficient ceiling height to optimise the installation of the screen.

The ideal screen format must always be considered individually. Various factors play a role in the required screen size: Will the projector screen be used in a small home cinema or in a large auditorium?

It is important to consider the distance between the projector and the screen as well as between the viewer and the screen. Different formats are recommended depending on the intended use (home cinema, presentation, teaching, etc.). To achieve an optimal projection result, you should choose a screen in the format that best matches the intended use and the native format of your projector. This way you can ensure that the edges of the image match the edges of the screen.

Presentations

16:10 or, more rarely, 4:3 are ideal formats for presentations and use in the business environment and in educational institutions.

Films

16:9 or, more rarely, 21:9 are perfect for your own home cinema. The 16:9 format is suitable for television and occasional film watching. The 21:9 format is also suitable for a professional home cinema.

Flexibility

The 1:1 format can be flexibly adjusted to different sizes and is ideal for use with mobile screens, for example.

Positioning: How far away do you need to sit?

How should you set up your projector screen?

The optimum viewing distance between the screen and the viewer depends on the resolution of the projector and the picture width. The following rule of thumb applies: The lower the image resolution, the greater the seating distance should be. Otherwise, the individual pixels will be distracting if you sit too close to the screen. To ensure fatigue-free viewing, the lower edge of the projection surface should be 90 to 120 centimetres from the floor. This means that the projection surface is approximately at the viewer's eye level.

The projection distance depends on the image quality of the projector: with a projector with HD Ready resolution (i.e. 1,280 x 720 pixels), it is advisable to sit about 1.8 times the width of the screen away. If the projector supports Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), you can move a little closer, about 1.5 times the width of the screen. If you have a 4K projector (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), you can even sit as far away from the screen as its width without the picture quality suffering or the individual pixels being visible.

Light output: How bright should your projector be?

Your projector needs sufficient light output to display your screen image in detail. The ambient brightness at your location is crucial here.

Normal daylight and ambient light is between 150 and 180 lux, for example, and between 200 and 750 lux in a living room or office. For a bright and high-contrast image, the ratio of ambient light to the light output of the projector should be 1:5. In well-darkened rooms without backlighting, the projector does not necessarily have to be 5 times brighter. The larger the area with the same brightness, the lower the light output.

Example: The ambient light on the projection surface is 300 lux. You want to project onto a 221 cm x 124 cm screen. The projection surface is therefore 2.74 square metres in size. This corresponds to a 100 inch screen in 16:9 format. The factor for overhead projection is 5. 250 lux 2.74 square metres x 5 = 3425. According to this formula, your projector should have a brightness of approx. 3,500 lumens for the location.

Please note that this is a guide value. To ensure perfect projection for your application, it is best to discuss your project with one of our visunext experts before making a purchase decision.

visunext expert advice

Modern projection surfaces such as high-contrast screens can increase the contrast of your projection considerably. A special fabric structure increases the black level enormously, absorbs stray light and projects an excellent image even in bright rooms. You can find more information on the right projector for your projector screen in our projector buying guide!

Canvas cloth: Which type is suitable for your application?

The reflection behaviour of a screen is decisive for the strength and dynamism of the colours and contrasts and the presentation of a rich black value.

The reflection behaviour of a screen is defined by the gain factor (luminance factor) as a function of the viewing angle. The gain factor indicates how strongly the screen can focus the incident light. This bundling is decisive for the strength and dynamics of colours and contrasts as well as for the presentation of a rich black level.

A screen that reflects the light evenly in all directions has a gain factor of 1. The smaller the gain factor, the less light is reflected. Some of the light that the projector throws onto the screen is therefore absorbed by the projection surface. With a high gain factor, the image on the screen appears brighter, but the viewing angle is smaller.

According to the international standard ISO 8396 and the German standard DIN 19045 Part 4, the reflective behaviour of screens can be divided into the groups D, S, B and R. Today, manufacturers work with fabric types D and R for approx. 90 % of all screens. A type S fabric roughly corresponds to a high-contrast screen. Cloth types of type B are only used occasionally.

Type D - Diffuse reflective screen

excellent solution for your home cinema
Light beam is reflected evenly in all directions
Matt white, smooth surface
Gain factor: approx. 1.1
Horizontal viewing angle: approx. 40°

Type S - Specular reflection (in the mirror angle)

Light beam is reflected into the centre of the room and thus compressed
Mother-of-pearl coated surface
Gain factor: approx. 1.6
Horizontal viewing angle: approx. 30°

Type B - Beaded reflection (back to the light source)

Light beam is reflected back to the light source
Glass bead coated surface
Gain factor: approx. 3
Horizontal viewing angle: approx. 15°

Type R - rear projection (transmitted light projection)

Light beam is guided through the screen and creates the image on the front of the screen
Gain factor: approx. 1 - 5
Horizontal viewing angle: approx. 15 - 40°

Type D screens are generally used. This type of screen is used in home cinemas as well as in conference rooms and classrooms. The other screen types are mostly used for special projection applications.

We are also happy to offer customised products for your individual application on request.

Let's go canvas hunting!

If you cannot find a suitable projector screen in our range, we also offer you the option of ordering high-quality customised products from us. Our product specialists will be happy to advise you!

If you are still looking for the right projector for your projection project, we have put together all the important tips for choosing a projector for you in our projector buying guide. In our range, we offer you the largest selection of projectors from well-known manufacturers. Have fun projecting!

Discover canvases from all manufacturers!

Our canvas recommendations

celexon projection screen Rollo Professional

The screens in the celexon Rollo Professional series are classic projector screens with a roller mechanism, which are available in various formats for business use or home cinema! celexon Professional screens offer the highest quality and excellent value for money. A roller screen is therefore suitable for private users as well as for companies and institutions!

To the roller screens

celexon Economy tripod screen

The tripod screens in the celexon Economy series are among the most popular mobile screens. Thanks to their handy size, they can be taken along in the car or easily carried from room to room in a company building or school. To make transport even easier, there is a matching bag with which the tripod screen can be carried over the shoulder. The screens in the series can be used not only as projector screens, but also for overhead and slide projectors.

To the tripod screens

celexon Motor Professional screen

The celexon motorised screens of the Professional series are high-quality motorised screens for professional use with a very good price-performance ratio. Thanks to the large selection of different formats, they are among the most flexible screens. The Motor Professional screen is therefore ideal for all projection systems and is also ideal for the home cinema room.

To the motorised screens

celexon CLR HomeCinema UST floor high contrast screen

The celexon CLR HomeCinema UST electric floor screen is a unique TV replacement in combination with an ultra short throw projector. The innovative projection surface and the electrically operated scissor-joint construction make it possible to create a large image in almost any room. When not in use, it disappears almost completely fromview in or behind a lowboard. In this way, the dream of a rollable 100" TV that is only visible when it is in use becomes a reality.

To the high-contrast screens

Our visunext recommendations:

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