Projection Screens - More Than Meets the Eye

Good projections and presentations that the viewer is sure to remember as a “bright experience” require not only a big, beautiful picture, but it must also be possible to see them clearly in all their detail and to process them quickly and comfortably.

Since the majority of all the content presented is perceived and processed visually by the human eye,
the success of your projection or presentation is primarily dependent on optimally adjusting your  projector and your screen to the physical limitations of human perception.

In addition to the limits of human optical perception, other technical conditions such as the influence of ambient light and room geometry may also be different.

Currently they are defined under DIN 19045, T1-T7 and serve as the guideline for all Tüchler projection screens / products. Furthermore, in accordance with this DIN standard, our Tüchler in-house metrology accompanies all current product developments and customer projects

According to DIN19045, the essential “success factors” for an impressive presentation/projection  require the perfect optimization of the following factors:
Viewing area (geometry/size), projection screen (brightness gain factor) and projector (luminosity/ANSI lm)

Viewing Area (DIN 19045 T 1)
The distance between the first row of seats and the screen should not be less than 1.5 times the area width in meters of the planned projection screen.
Only then is it possible for the viewer to quickly take in the entire visual impression of the projected image and process it free of fatigue.
The distance between the last row of seats and the projection screen should not significantly exceed 6.0 times the area width, so that all the projected details remain readily recognizable for the viewer.
The lateral viewing angle relative to the viewing angle left / right of the projection axis should ideally not exceed 40° on either side so that viewers can comfortably process and correct the optically perceived distortion of the projected image.

Video screen reflection quality (brightness gain factor)
Since it is not possible to realize the “DIN viewing area” for a majority the planned projections, Tüchler offers you projection screens with different reflective coatings based on their decades of experience.
These reflective coatings optimize the visibility of the projected images on projection screens for viewing areas/rooms that are for example narrower, but considerably deeper, or rooms that must be wider than the desirable 40°, or must function with a significant amount of disruptive ambient light. Thus an improved brightness, higher contrast and optimal, lifelike colour reproduction is achieved.
The DIN 19045 therefore defines basically 3 different reflection coatings for high quality projection screens according to the measured reflectance value (brightness gain factor). The brightness gain factor is determined under laboratory conditions in comparison with an initially evaluated measuring standard:

Type D (diffuse reflective projection screen)
The impinging projection beam is reflected with a constant intensity at every angle.

Type S (specular reflection / mirror reflection Type M)
The impinging projection beam is preferably reflected with a higher intensity up to a max. lateral viewing angle of 45° (mirror angle reflection). A special type from this group is the additional polarizing reflective projection screen coating for 3D projections.

Type R
The distribution / intensity of the impinging transmitting projection beam is measured on the rear side = viewer side of the transparent material.

Projector performance (ANSI lm) versus projection screen coatings (brightness gain factor)
During a presentation, disturbing ambient light or stray light is often unavoidable. Some light may be required to allow the speaker visual contact with the audience and to allow participants to take notes. It is also not always possible to optimally eliminate stray light (room light/sunlight). If such conditions exist, the following factors should be taken into consideration when selecting a projector and projection screen of the desired size:
For each square meter of projection area, the projector should provide at least 4 to 5 times as much light output (ANSI lm) as the unavoidable ambient light or stray light impinging on the projection screen space.

Otherwise, the projected image will lack contrast and the colours will appear faded, which will make it difficult to view. Since for larger projection screens these calculations quickly exceed the technical limitations of the projector output, the following “rule of thumb” applies:
For projection screens with a total area of more than 10 square meters, Type D should no longer only be used, but rather coated surfaces specifically with Type S reflection characteristics should be used. The experienced and competent Tüchler team is more than happy to assist you in your selection and planning