| I get asked this question quite often: Does the | | | | impact on the light coming through the screen? |
| screen come with a black back? Well, a lot of | | | | Opacity and why this is more important than the |
| screens do, so why would people be asking this | | | | black back |
| question? | | | | The answer for the issue is the term opacity. When |
| Well, they have been "told" a black back is better, | | | | the opacity of a material is 100%, it lets through all |
| because it doesn't let any light come through. A lot | | | | of the light. When the opacity is 0%, it blocks out all |
| of companies don't even bother to explain why that | | | | the light. |
| would be better, so let me tell you why it's better to | | | | So what we are really looking for is a material that's |
| have no light come through the fabric. | | | | 0% opaque. Because this material would black out all |
| How light through the back of the fabric will impact | | | | the light that's not coming from the projector. |
| your projected image | | | | Regardless of the colour of its back. |
| The best possible home theater experience is | | | | No projection screen manufacturer gives opacity |
| achieved when there's no light that can interfere with | | | | values, so now what? |
| the light coming from your projector. So, light coming | | | | How to choose the right fabric, without the right |
| through the back interferes with the images, because | | | | information |
| it makes the image look washed out. That means | | | | Luckily, there is a way, but it will involve some work. |
| that the colours aren't as deep and vivid. | | | | Failing the right info, you have to do your own |
| So your goal is to have no light coming through the | | | | research. There are 2 ways: |
| back of the fabric. | | | | |
| Why a black back doesn't solve the problem. | | | | 1. Call your potential supplier and ask for a guarantee. |
| As we have seen above, the issue is not the colour | | | | They should know if the material is 0% opaque and |
| of the back, but the amount of light that comes | | | | if not, they have to find out for you. |
| through. Some companies have cleverly marketed | | | | 2. Ask your supplier a fabric sample. Take a bright |
| the black finish on the reverse side of the projection | | | | torch and hold the fabric against it. If no light comes |
| fabric as the black back that lets now light through. | | | | through, you should be fine. Be careful not to use a |
| However a very thin piece of fabric - even with a | | | | light source that becomes very hot. The material |
| black back - can let light through. And - the right | | | | might melt! |
| piece of fabric with 2 white sides can block out any | | | | So when you go shopping for your projection screen, |
| light. | | | | you know now what to look for and how to test |
| Which brings us to the question: what does have an | | | | the material. Have fun. |