Draper's Product Guide for Visual Communication - Draper Group Ltd

Selecting a Projection Screen
Selecting a Projection Screen
Draper manufactures the finest and most complete line of
projection screens in the world. We want to help you incorporate
these screens into the most effective presentation systems.
Planning a projection system involves several steps: choosing the
screen size, viewing surface, screen model and control system
(if required). Here are some tips to help with these important
decisions. For more detailed recommendations, visit us online at:
www.draperinc.com/go/FrontScreens.htm
Projection Screen Size Selection
Determine the correct size based upon—
• The dimensions of the audience area.
• The projection format(s) to be used, or aspect ratio: the screen’s
height and width configuration, formatted for the desired
projection source.
• Audience Area—Make the screen large enough so those in the
back row can read it, but not so large as to overwhelm the closest
viewer.
• Height—Use the following to calculate screen height for
maximum legibility: for 4: NTSC moving video, screen height
should be at least ¹⁄₆ the distance from the screen to the furthest
seat; for charts and data, use 1/4; for complex graphics, use 1/2. For
HDTV projection, screen height should be at least ¹⁄3 the distance
from the screen to the optimum seat.
• Width—Determined by the height of the screen and the
projection format(s)—see formats below.
• Ceiling Height—The bottom of the screen should be
approximately 40˝-48˝ above a level floor with several rows of
seats. In rooms with theatre seating or only one or two rows, the
bottom of the screen can be lower. Extra drop may be required in
a room with a high ceiling.
• Projection Format—The size you’ve calculated above may be
modified based on projection equipment.
Common Projection Formats
Stanwich Congregational Church—Greenwich, CT
Photography © Bruce Katz—New York, NY
Draper screens are offered in Audio Visual, NTSC Video, 16:10, HDTV, WideScreen, and CinemaScope formats. 17:10 and 15:9 Formats are
available by quotation.
Screens with Draper’s Tab Tensioning System always include black borders and 1˝ of black drop at the top.
Audio Visual (or AV) format screens are described in terms of height x width, and are furnished without black borders, although borders
are optionally available.
Other formats are defined as a rectangle, with standard sizes described in terms of a nominal diagonal. NTSC, 16:10, HDTV and
WideScreen format screens are furnished with black borders on all four sides.
Square
4:3 NTSC
16:10
16:9 HDTV
1.85:1.00
WideScreen
2.35:1.00
CinemaScope
How to Calculate a Custom Size
Draper also manufactures custom-sized screens to meet your specification. Use the formulas below or the calculator at
www.draperinc.com/projectionscreens/customsizecalculator.asp. Virtually any size is available up to the maximum
shown for a given model. Download submittal sheets from our web site at: www.draperinc.com/go/Documents.htm.
4:3 NTSC Video 16:10 16:9 HDTV 1.85:1 WideScreen 2.35:1 CinemaScope
H = D x .6 H = D x .53 H = D x .49 H = D x .4762 H = D x .3915
W = D x .8 W = D x .848 W = D x .87146 W = D x .881 W = D x .92
D = H x 1.667 D = H x 1.887 D = H x 2.04 D = H x 2.1 D = H x 2.554
D = W x 1.25 D = W x 1.1792 D = W x 1.1475 D = W x 1.135 D = W x 1.0868
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