We’ve already seen why you need a projector screen, the next question is which projector screen should you get?
Gone are the days when a standard white screen was your only option. Today, there are also black screens in the market. This may lead you to wonder, “Which is better?”
The answer? Neither. Both white and black projector screens have their advantages and disadvantages. It is these advantages and disadvantages that we are going to have a look at today.
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Black Projector Screen vs White Projector Screen
Color Quality
Both of these screens will give you the best color quality. With them, you will get the closest colors to reality.
That said, if you are looking for the best of the best, black screens are the answer. This is because black screens will give you so much more contrast. The colors of your projection will pop more when you use a black screen.
Compare this to a white screen, where a lot of the lighter colors can get lost. You will lose details on the whites and the brights of your picture. And the blacks of your image will also appear faded.
You can see the difference in contrast in this video:
That said, black screens are not perfect. A lot of times, there will be some areas that are a lot brighter than others. You may also experience shimmering effects on the screen when you go for black.
Also, you can lose details on the dark areas of your picture with a black screen. This isn’t as bad as having low contrast. But it shows us that black is not 100% better than white.
Reflectiveness
Another big difference between black projector screens vs white is the reflective properties. We all know that black absorbs light, while white reflects it. This is why we wear white on hot days and black on cold days.
In the same way, white screens bounce away a lot of the light that hits it. This is both a good thing and a bad thing at the same time.
It’s good because this allows you to see what’s on the screen from any angle. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the front or on the side of the screen, you will get a clear picture. The reflected light allows even people who are way off to the side to see what’s going on.
The problem with this reflectiveness is that it’ll brighten the entire room. If you’re going for a home theater, you want your surroundings to be dark. But with a white screen, this won’t be possible.
Also, because a lot of the light is reflected away, your image will lose a lot of its contrast. This is why if the room is bright, it can be difficult to see what’s on the screen.
On the other hand, when you get a black screen, the light is absorbed. This creates a completely different effect.
For one, you can only enjoy black screens when you are in front of them. Because the light doesn’t bounce off, people off to the side won’t see anything on the screen. You have to stay at an angle to enjoy your presentation or movie.
Aside from that, the absorbent qualities of black screens are great. With it, you don’t have to worry about brightening up your home theater. Also, you can enjoy projections even when your windows are letting in daylight.
Options
So far we’ve seen that black does better than white in several areas. So why is it that white is still the standard? It’s because of how many options there are.
Black projector screens are relatively new. Their numbers are increasing in the market, but they still don’t have as many options as white screens. This is why, for now at least, most people stick to white screens.
When buying a white screen, you can get any size you want. You can also get screens with special features such as letting sound pass through it. These allow you to put your speakers behind the screen.
In the coming years, we may see black screens with similar features. But for now, black screens lack options.
Cost is another factor to take into consideration. Because there are so many white screen options, their price range goes from really low to really high. On the other hand, all black screens today are quite expensive.
Conclusion
To summarize, black screens:
- Have clearer and better colors
- Doesn’t brighten the room
- Can be used in daylight
While white screens:
- Allow you to watch from any angle
- Have a bunch of features you can get
- Can be a lot cheaper than black screens
So what’s better? Like we said before, neither. It all depends on your preferences and what you are looking for.
But with this complete guide, you should know what the differences are. This will help you decide whether you should get a black screen or a white one.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.