How Do Curved Projector Screens Compare to Flat Screens?

A curved projector screen provides a much different viewing experience than a flat screen does. Your individual preferences and unique viewing needs will help determine which screen is best for you. Keep reading to learn about curved and flat screens: their pros and cons, tips for screen shopping, and more.

What Is a Curved Projector Screen?

In contrast to previously popular projector screens, which were nearly always flat, some newer models for home viewing have curved screens. There are numerous benefits to having a curved projector screen and they come in a range of sizes to help you find the one that is most suitable for you. Ultimately, whether a curved projector screen is right for you comes down to your viewing preferences.

When shopping for a curved projector screen, keep in mind that the width of a curved screen is typically greater than that of a flat screen. The standard aspect ratio for these is 2.35:1. Some of the latest models may be available in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Less than that, and the viewing experience will be essentially the same as on a flat screen.

Your projector’s ability to project a wide image is very important when using a curved screen. Typically, the widest aspect ratio that can be projected on a modest or mobile projector is 16:9. With a few simple steps, you can make a cheap projector work with a curved screen. This is especially true if you use a projector with an aspect ratio wider than 16:9.

The performance that you can achieve using this method will not be as good as the performance of an ultra-wide projector, but you can still achieve respectable outcomes employing these strategies. If the image width is not sufficient for your projector, you can adjust the crop settings. This is the cheapest solution for connecting your projector to the screen.

Should I Use a Curved Projection Screen?

Simply put, there are two main considerations when choosing whether to use a projector with a curved screen. The distance between the projector lens and the screen, known as the throw ratio, is the first factor to consider. Your projector’s optimal distance from the screen decreases as the throw ratio increases. Projectors with medium throw ratios work well with curved screens.

The second component is the projector’s lens. If your projector has an anamorphic lens, which distorts the image by compressing it in the middle and stretching it out on the edges, a curved screen is your best bet for avoiding blurry edges. Everything will look very natural when using an anamorphic lens and a curved projection screen.

The Benefits of a Curved Screen

Inquiring minds need to know: What is the advantage of a curved screen? What makes curved screen viewing experiences different from their flat screen equivalents? How do I decide between curved screen and flat screen viewing experiences?

Supports Health and Productivity at Home and Away

The benefits of curved TV and projector screens are not limited to the home. Curved displays make the viewing experience more immersive, which has been shown to be good for your health and make you more productive at work.

Perfect Viewing Experience

Curved projector screens work in the same way that perfect theater seats do when you sit right in front of the middle point and axis. When you sit directly in front of a curved screen in your home, you’re less likely to experience color and visual distortion.

A Central Perspective Means Less Glare

Curved screens, according to their makers, also reduce glare from outside sources. The “central” view is the same distance from any point of view, which is why this improved viewing experience is possible.

Perfect for Home Theater

A curved screen resembles a half-circle or crescent. Curved projector screens are often used to make an image appear more lifelike across a wider and taller surface. Aesthetically, it improves the viewing experience, which is a big draw for those who want to turn a spare room into a home theater.

Three-Dimensional Immersive Experience

Ultimately, the curved design of the screen brings the borders closer to you, expanding the area you can see. As a result, you may get the impression that the image is more three-dimensional.

What Is a Flat Projector Screen?

Flat projector screens have historically been the most popular type of projector screens among consumers because of their simplicity and ease of use. They can be set up very quickly and do not require much technical knowledge to operate. Flat projector screens come in a variety of sizes and are even available in model designs that can be easily minimized when not in use.  

The two most popular types of flat projector screens are fixed frame and retractable. Fixed frame projector screens are generally larger and affixed in a specific place, like a living room or a conference room. Retractable projector screens are made of a flexible material that allows them to roll up into a specific holding space when not in use. They are generally smaller than fixed frame projector screens and are portable, allowing them to be taken into other rooms or outdoors as needed.

What to Consider When Shopping for a Projector Screen

When shopping for projector screens, you’ll notice wildly different types, price points, and sizes that have been on the market for some time. This is why it’s so important to check the exact specifications of each screen you consider. Producing an image that is clear from any angle is simple with projector screens. Because of this, you can mount the screen pretty much anywhere you want to. With projector screens, the visual experience is great when playing videos with a 16:9 or lower aspect ratio.

Screen Size

To determine the right size of projector screen to purchase, you should choose the largest screen that will fit in your viewing area and within your budget while still providing you with the features and quality you require. When comparing the size of flat and curved TV vs flat and curved projector screens, you will find that the projector screens are generally larger, although smaller ones can be found.

Examine the Viewing Distance

It’s equally pertinent to consider where you’ll be sitting and how far away from the screen you’ll be. The usual rule is that you shouldn’t sit any closer than 1.5 times the screen’s diagonal measurement and no farther than twice the screen’s diagonal measurement. Keep in mind that the width of a projector screen is typically 1 to 3 inches less than its diagonal measurement.

Compare the Prices

Projector screens can be found in a wide range of price points depending on the quality and the materials used in construction. The most popular types of projector screens have frames that are made out of wood or aluminum and screens made out of PVC to make them lightweight and inexpensive. Manual screens do not require any electricity to work properly, lowering the cost of operation even more.

Resolution Matters

Pixels, or points of color, define the display’s resolution. The horizontal and vertical pixel counts are what define the resolution of an image. With more screen real estate comes a need for more pixels.

In other words, the same number of pixels dispersed over a bigger area will not produce the same level of sharpness on a larger panel as it does on a smaller one. SVGA is at the low end with a resolution of at least 800 x 600 pixels. Some modern 4K UHD screens can support up to 3840 x 2160 pixels.

A Quick Guide to the Pros and Cons of Curved Screens vs. Flat Screens

Use this quick reference of the pros and cons of curved projector screens and their flat-screen counterparts to help you determine whether a curved or flat viewing experience is better for you. First, let’s consider the pros and cons of flat screens.

Pros and Cons of Flat Screens

Pros and Cons of Curved Screens

Should I Be Projecting Onto a Curved Screen?

If you’re not sure if you need a curved projector screen, check to see if your projector has an anamorphic lens or a high enough throw ratio. The instructions or packaging for it should state this clearly.

Ideally, a curved projector screen is the best option if your throw percentage is less than 1.6 and your throw-to-pass ratio is 1:1 or less. If your throw ratio is between 1.6 and 1.9, a curved projector screen could be a good option for you. There’s not much of a reason to use one, but it’s up to you.

When Not to Use a Curved Screen

However, if your throw ratio is under 2.0, a curved projector screen is not recommended. No good can come from doing so, and in fact, it may provide for a less satisfying viewing experience than would be possible with a regular, flat projector screen.

In theory, a curved projection screen used with any projector might provide a stunning, dramatic effect. But with a curved projection screen, a subpar projector will ruin the viewing experience.

If your projector lacks the appropriate throw ratio or an anamorphic lens, the image will be too tall in the center and too short on the sides of the screen. Also, because the focus isn’t always in the same place, the whole screen will look fuzzy.

Use Multiple Projectors With Curved Screens

The fundamental benefit of curved screens for visualizations is that even when a flat and curved screen are precisely similar in screen size, the latter still provides a greater field of vision from the same viewing position. This is because the field of view expands toward the edges of the screen as they get closer to the viewer.

Because of the expansion of the visual field, the user experiences a stronger sense of immersion in the shown world, and their visual perception may even be enhanced. Moreover, a display’s field of view (FoV) can be expanded by using multiple projectors to cover an area as large as 360 degrees.

Establishing overlapping zones is the first step in creating a show using several projectors; from there, edge blending can be utilized to create a smooth image. There are lots of online resources you can use to learn more about establishing overlapping zones and edge blending.

To keep things simple, though, if you’re using two projectors to fill a curved screen, just remember that you can always synchronize more projectors later. A specialized mapping program must be active on your computer in order to synchronize the projectors. There are different mapping programs to choose from.

An HDMI hub may also be required if you plan on using multiple projectors. Typically, a single HDMI connector is included with computers and laptops. An HDMI hub will allow you to connect many projectors to a single computer if this is the case. Also, in order to use the mapping program, the projectors must always be connected to the computer. Even though using multiple projectors can become expensive and time-consuming to set up, your viewing experience will be vastly improved. This is an impossible task for a single projector.