Do I Need a Projector Screen If I can Use a White Smooth Wall?

Not long ago, the best place to watch a movie in high quality of sound and image was the movie theaters. Now, ordinary people can have cinema quality set-up at home. It is not only possible, but also very accessible. A home projector is sold at approximately the same price of a large LED TV. It has never been easier to have high quality definition of sound and image in your very own living room.

However, purchasing and installing a projector is not as straightforward as a TV. When selecting a TV, you can just turn it on and check the image and sound you are about to buy, but if you are in the market for a projector it is not that easy. You cannot test the project as easily as if it was a TV. The position of the projector, the installation, the level of light in the room and the projector screen needs to be taken into consideration, so your home theater projector system can meet the expectations. Get one of these wrong and you will not achieve the desired quality.

In this article, we are going to cover the importance of a projector screen, and how it compares if you choose not having it, and project the image on the wall. So, project screen vs white wall. What is the best? Bear in mind that the position of the screen and projector are very important. For more information about it, please read the article: How High Should a TV Be Mounted on The Wall.

First of all, you need to ask yourself why you want to use the wall instead of a proper projector screen. The main two reasons will probably be the cost of the screen and having one less element to consider in the installation. After all, you already have the wall, so why not use it? OK, you do not need to have a projector screen, but in most of the cases it is better to have one if you expect a high quality image. Here are the reasons why.

Light reflection & Smooth Surface - Reflection is extremely important to achieve a high definition image. The wall will absorb light, more than it should for projecting purposes. Regardless of the paint you have on the wall, you will lose reflection. Another factor that will negatively impact on the reflection is the wall’s surface, as it will never be smooth enough to a point where it is optimal.

Wall Color - When color comes to mind, white is often considered as the best option. Again, it is about reflection, as clear color will reflect more light, therefore it is a better option than dark colors. That being said, white might not be ideal. If your projector produces more than 3,500 lumens, a white grayish color will have better reflection capabilities than a plain white.

Flexibility - When considering flexibility the wall does not score any point at all. A projector screen will have features like: ceiling mount, variable viewing angles, black-backed screen material for an ultimate light reflection, and retractable screen, so it can be out of sight when you are not using it.

There is no right and wrong; the image can be projected on the wall, or screen. It is easier to use the wall, but at the cost of a not as high definition image. If this is not important to you, then the wall should be enough. However, if you want to have that cinema in your household, then a projector screen is recommended. 

If you choose to use the wall, there are in the Australian market today screen paint for projectors. This product will help you to get the best of your wall. However, if you go for a proper projector screen, check out this article about DIY projector screen installation.