![]() ![]() (Ambient light includes both side window lightĪnd four 20W ceiling floods above the screens)Ĭontrast as viewed from the center position is only one of several factors that contribute to image quality and screen functionality. They are not related in any way to screen specifications. These ratios show how the screens responded to this particular ambient light condition with this particular projector. Striking screens at 50 degrees from center) On one side of room primary concentration of light The effective contrast readings were as follows: Not surprisingly, each of the ALR screens in this review measured much higher in contrast than the neutral white test board. There is nothing absolute about these contrast numbers - they simply indicate the comparative contrast performance of each screen under this particular set of conditions. We then measured each screen under these same conditions to see how they compared in relative contrast. ![]() With this particular projector in this ambient light environment at mid-day, contrast measured 10:1 on a neutral white test board. We powered up the Epson 1440 projector and used an ANSI checkerboard test pattern and a Minolta LS100 spot meter to determine effective contrast at center screen as viewed when standing directly in front of the screen, technically known as the zero degree viewing axis. And there are obviously a number of ALR screens with gains of 1.5 and up. This of course does not cover all of the ALR screens in this gain range. In order to make the review manageable we limited this group to products with low to modestly positive gain ratings in the range of 0.8 to 1.4. We've got eleven screens in this review, but there are many more ALR screens on the market than just these. This is the minimum throw distance required to get the best performance from an ALR screen. The throw distance was 10 feet, and the image width was 80", so the throw distance ratio was 1.5x the screen width. We set it to Bright Cinema mode so it was putting out 2800 ANSI lumens. Throughout these tests we used an Epson Home Cinema 1440, a native 1080p projector designed for ambient light use. (Hopefully nobody would intentionally direct floods onto a projection screen in a real installation.) This was intended as a torture test to see how the screens respond to light from above. This light from above was directed onto the screens at a 30 degree angle. In short, this room might be typical of a well-lit residential multipurpose room that you'd want to use for TV viewing or gaming during daylight hours.Īfter taking luminance, contrast, and half gain measurements under the window light conditions, we added four 20-watt ceiling mounted floods to see how additional light from above the screens would further impact contrast, black levels, and saturation. In addition, the test room has white walls, carpet, and ceiling, so there was plenty of soft indirect reflected ambient light in the environment. The brightest concentration of incoming light from the windows was striking the screens at a 50 degree angle from center. All measurements were taken at mid-day when diffused light from the north sky was at its brightest. The tests were done in a room with large, north-facing picture windows along one wall. First we used window light illumination from the side, then we added low-wattage ceiling mounted floods placed above the screens and directed downward. Since these screens are designed for use in ambient light, we evaluated their performance two ways. We will explore these differences in this article. But they differ in many ways including contrast, optimal viewing angles, image artifacts, mounting options, and assembly/installation issues. All of these screens give you that "huge flat panel TV" look in a room with ambient light. So which of the many ALR screens is right for you? Included in this survey are eleven popular ALR screens from eight manufacturers, listed in the contents box to the left. The "Projector + ALR Screen" combo is ideal for parties, gaming, or TV and movie viewing during daylight hours, or in the evening when you just don't want to turn the room lights off. They are designed to give you a big screen picture with sparkling high contrast and solid color saturation in a well-lit room. you can get that same giant TV effect with a projector and one of today's Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screens. would you like to have a huge 135" flat panel TV in your entertainment room? If such a thing existed most of us couldn't afford it, and if we could we couldn't get it through our front doors. ![]()
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