How to Address Ambient Light and Make Screen Installs Shine

The focused reflectivity rewards viewers with a bright projected image that achieves a superb level of color temperature. At the same time, off-axis light is diverted away from the viewer’s range of visible perception (see graphic below). Its multiple layers of diffusion material further negates the washout effects of ambient light while enhancing black levels for image clarity.

At the same time, indirect light is either absorbed in the dark saw-tooth formations seen in the picture or otherwise cancelled out by the diffusion layers.

With retro-reflective materials, light coming from the projector must hit the material in direct alignment with the screen’s level center without being off by more than a 5-degree angle. Any vertical off-axis angle of projection greater than that will be reflected off at so extreme an angle that it will not come into the viewer’s field of vision.

How Do I Calculate This Angle?

There are two steps you must take:

• Know where and how your screen should be positioned in accordance to where your viewers shall be.
• Make sure your angle of projection is correct regardless if tabletop or ceiling mounted.

Here are the basics in positioning your screen.

• Viewing: The optimal alignment with the human eye should be with the bottom third of the screen’s overall height. (Note: the average height of the human eye level is roughly 50 inches seated and 60 inches standing.)
• Seating: The optimal viewing distance from which one can comfortably view a projection screen is 1.5 times the screen’s actual width.

ALR enables the viewer to maximize the effects of optimal contrast and even ISF Certified Color Temperature. It enhances brightness while filtering out ambient light.

This creates a realistic image that allows 4K content to be appreciated in its full glory with the lights on or off. Color is more defined; the sharpness and image clarity of high resolution (UHD and 4K) content is more defined; and your end users are more satisfied.

Author David Rodgers is marketing manager for Elite Screens and has more than 20 years of experience in the AV and wireless communications industries.