How to Choose the Right Projector Screen for your Church

How to Choose the Right Projector Screen for your Church

Video projection is a common practice among modern worship sanctuaries because many congregations find that the visual element enhances the overall experience of their church gatherings. However, it's also one of the most difficult spaces to create a vivid, eye-catching display. Before you can find the right projector screen for your organization's needs, there are three main factors you should consider.

3 Things You Should Consider for House-of-Worship Screen Selection

Lighting Conditions

The biggest challenge for worship venue projection is the lighting. Unlike a theatre, church spaces typically can't be completely blacked out, which means that your projection is competing with ambient lighting. An abundance of natural light causes reflections and diminishes the contrast of the image, so your audience is left with a blurry, indistinguishable finish. This is a common problem with standard white screens, consider a gray or black surface to curb the unwanted reflection and boost the aesthetic finish in high ambient light conditions. These screens perform better in high ambient light by enhancing black levels for increased depth of field and optimal contrast.

Audience & Venue Size

Another important factor in your house-of-worship screen selection is the size of the sanctuary. You need to choose an option that's big enough to serve your audience. Large venues typically benefit from a video projection on the stage so that everyone can feel connected to the presenter. While a standard arrangement will help the viewers in the center, the congregation members on the far sides of the audience may struggle to see a clear picture. To counter this issue, choose materials with wide viewing angles. These surfaces allow viewers placed at suboptimal angles to enjoy images free from distortion. To choose the right surface consider the half gain angle of the projection material. This information, provided by the manufacturer, gives the angle at which a viewer receives half the projected light when compared to the center and establishes what is known as the optimal viewing cone. Installing smaller projector screens to the left and right, so that these screens do not conflict with the main pulpit area where the sermon is being delivered, is also a common design choice that enhances the overall experience.

Installation Needs

You also need to consider how your screen should be installed. Options include, wall-mounted or flown, both for fixed or electric screen offerings. Floor standing screens, although seldom used in worship venues, are also available. For many churches, angled and tall ceilings pose a challenge to screen installation. Working with a custom screen manufacturer allows you to find a safe, practical solution developed for your unique architectural requirements.

Choosing the Right Projector Screen for Your Church

Every worship venue has their own specific needs. In some situations, one of the many current market offerings may work perfectly for your environment, but you also have the option of a custom screen solution. Specialty screens and support structures allow you to fit the video projection arrangement to your needs instead of forcing your circumstances into a prefabricated box.

There are multiple variables involved in projector screen selection, but we can help you find the right one for your needs. Strong | MDI offers a broad selection of cost-effective front and rear projection screens as well as support systems. We can personalize your arrangement to suit the specific requirements of your circumstances including technical assistance, custom screens, mounting solutions and frames. Get in touch with our team today to learn more about your options by completing our online contact form or by calling (877) 755-3795.