If choosing the right projector screen for your home theatre seems overly complicated, then this buying guide is exactly what you need. It breaks down the selection process into four simple steps.

Step One: How Will You Mount It?
The first step in choosing your projector screen is determining how you plan to mount it. Projector screen mounts are specific to the type of screen you buy, so this is an important step. There are generally four main mounting options.

The first is a portable screen, which is designed to be easily moved from location to location. The next mounting option is for manual screens. These large projector screens are intended to stay in one location and be pulled down when they are in use. Electric projector screens are the next mounting option. These digital projector screens are high end, permanent fixtures. They lower into place electronically, usually with the use of a remote control. The last mounting option is a fixed frame. These screens are in a fixed location and are left down, usually stretched around a frame.

Step 2: Selecting a Screen Surface
There are four main considerations when deciding on the material for the screen projector. The projector screen material is important because light reacts with diferrent materials in unique ways.

Matte screens are known for there light diffusion. These cheap projector screens distribute light evenly over a wide viewing area. This enables the image to remain sharp and the colors remain bright. These screens are ideal where the light conditions are easily controlled.

Datalux reflective screen fabrics are designed for wide viewing areas. They also have a higher reflective characteristic and are primarily used for projectors that are mounted on the ceiling.

High power retro reflective screen fabrics are used to project the light back to the projector. This type of screen works best with projectors that are at table height. This screen is best used for small viewing audiences.

Rear projection screens, though more expensive, tend to be favored in most projector screen reviews. They use a mirror to reflect the image onto the screen. Using this type of screen reduces the chance of the image being interrupted by people walking in front of the projector.

Step 3: Choosing an Aspect Ratio
To compare projector screen’s aspect ratios involves determining the aspect ratio of your projector. You should match the ratio of the projector to that of the screen so that the entire screen is filled.

Step 4: Picking a Screen Size
The size of the projector screen you choose depends heavily on the setting it will be used in. Most experts agree that a good rule of thumb is that the height of the projector screen paint should equal one-sixth the distance from the screen to the last row of the audience. In addition, the bottom of the screen should be at least four feet above the floor of the audience.