Mainline offers a wide array of screens each with a choice of projection surfaces. Selecting the right combination to meet your needs is important for optimum results.
The following offer guidelines for selecting a screen that suits your application. Although these recommendations will work in most situations, each must be looked at not as a strict rule, but rather as a guideline for determining your actual needs based on your own situation.
For additional help in selecting screens, contact a Mainline Account Manager for the free publication "Selecting Front Projection Screens for Today's Presentation Media Applications".

Four Steps to Selecting the Right Screen
1) Pick the type of screen that best suits your particular needs. For example, choose from front projection screens in either portable, wall or ceiling mounted models in either manual or electric versions or rear projection screens. Generally, if your projection application is permanent, then wall and ceiling screens are your best choice. If, however, you find your needs require moving the screen to different locations then a portable screen is a better alternative.

2) Determine the optimum screen size based on room dimensions, planned audience seating size and arrangement. The rule of thumb is to fit the screen to the audience - not to the projector. Da-Lite recommends the following formula for determining screen size:
* Screen height should be approximately equal to 1/6 the distance from the screen to the last row of seats, allowing text to be read and detail to be seen in the projected image. Ideally, the first row of seats should be approximately two screen heights away.
* The bottom of the screen should be a minimum of 4 feet above the audience floor, allowing those seated toward the rear of the audience to see the screen. This may require additional screen "drop" for ceiling hung screens.

3) Select the appropriate format for your projection application. Common formats are as follows:

Common Applications Aspect RatioWidth/Height
NTSC Video = 1.33
PAL Video = 1.33
HDTV Video = 1.78
Letterbox Video = 1.85
Cinemascope = 2.35
35 MM Filmstrip = 1.32
2x2 Standard 35MM Double-Frame Slides = 1.50
SXGA = 1.25



4) Choose the screen surface that best suits your projection and viewing requirements. For your convenience, below we have listed descriptions and performance characteristics for each front and rear screen surface. If the screen will be used for multiple projection methods, choose the screen surface that meets the requirements of the lesser performing projection method.