Projector screen / paint

[Northernboy]

My new home has quite a nice old 55” plasma television, but I’ve a decent projector (optoma UHD40) that I’d like to try instead.

I imagine that a decent screen, or screen paint will make a big difference compared to projecting it on a white wall, but is that correct?

If so, what’s the best route? Fabric screen in a frame, paint, or a more traditional thick screen hanging up?

[Lucid_AV]

1. 1 frame screen

1. 2 electric screen with tab tensioning or decent thickness unmentioned but with a heavy weighted bar - Screen line is a good brand

1. 3 proper screen paint: I have used Screen Goo and Smarter Surfaces on consumer and commercial jobs respectfully. Both worked very well. Screen Goo was better as it has a superior formulation that results in less colour shift off axis

1. 4 DIY concoctions of various combinations from the Dulux colour chart. If a customer ever asked me for a white wall projection area but without the brightness step from the painted screen area down to the plain white wall when viewed under ordinary lighting then then this might do.

[Northernboy]

Thanks.

Is that a list of best to worst options?

[LaurasOtherHalf]

A proper screen is the way to go but believe me, it really isn't that much better than a white wall than you might think. In fact, I'd say a white wall with dark grey or black edges outside the screen size would be as good as anything else unless you were testing back to back.

[Northernboy]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

A proper screen is the way to go but believe me, it really isn't that much better than a white wall than you might think. In fact, I'd say a white wall with dark grey or black edges outside the screen size would be as good as anything else unless you were testing back to back.

I’m tempted to buy some “decent” screen paint and take around with some black velvet edging.

It just needs to look good watching Teletubbies and Top Gear. I’m not entering any kind of competition here.

[peterperkins]

Sorry OP just a quick question to the experts.. Might also be relevant to you..

My screen is a 150cm wide white painted wall.
I project a lot of 4:3 and 16:9 material.

How wide do the black edges need to be for optimal effect?
The rest of the room is all white..

[db10]

im currently using an LG 4k laser projector onto a normal wall, the colour of which I would describe as weak straw (previous owners choice) and its perfectly fine - im going to repaint it dulux white cotton which i suspect will be equally fine (like you im not trying to win any awards). I dont really want a projector screen on one wall (even a retractable one) as it would look v out of place in an 1830's townhouse.

[justin220]

I used to project onto a white wall, then added a cinema tape border which made a really big difference. I'm not sure why but it seemed to focus the eye on the picture and the black border seemed to help 'finish' the picture.

I then moved to a tab tensioned screen and although it is better, its not night and day.