There are a lot of TV options out there. A lot. But, sometimes it’s nice to choose a setup that’s a bit different. A projection screen and projector setup allows you to tuck away your TV screen while still watching movies when you want to. Projection screens are ideal if you don’t want to take up too much wall space with a TV. These screens are also a lot of fun. The first step towards creating a projection screen entertainment system is to choose the type of screen that you want to purchase.



Screen Types and Selection

As with any TV selection, buying a project screen means determining the size of your living room. You can use tape to mark where a screen will go. Make sure to include the height and width of a possible screen. Standard projection screen sizes are 16:9 (HDTV standard size); 2.35:1 (movie size); and 4:3 (regular television size). So, if you are going to watch only movies, go for something that’s in the 2.35:1 range (screens are marked). When placing tape on your wall, make sure to consider the amount of light that enters your living room. A screen is really just a piece of fabric, so you won’t have any anti-glare options.

Next, Choose the Right Projector

The project that will fit your room depends on the screen size that you have chosen. Thankfully, you don’t have to do much math to figure this equation out. Projectors come with a list of screen sizes and corresponding projector matches. Simply choose the screen size that you are going for, and look for a projector that will match. What you need to concentrate on is how far from your screen your projector will be mounted. If you don’t have enough space to mount your projector, you might need to select a different screen size.

Projectors also come with a number of ports. If you want optimal gain, be sure to select a project with a good amount of ports. If you are just hooking up a DVD player to your projection screen, you can probably opt for a projector that’s less expensive and includes fewer ports and options. Speaking of expense, here’s what a projection setup will cost you (and a few suggestions).

Pricing Your Projection Setup

A projection screen can cost anywhere from $90 to $300. Really, the size and width of the screen will determine the retail price. If you buy your screen from a site like Ebay, you can also save a few bucks (just make sure there are no scratches or tears in the screen you are going to purchase). The projector is definitely the expensive part of this setup. Depending on the features, ports, and resolution needed, a projector can cost anywhere from $600 to more than $1000. Unless you have a massive room and are screening movies for the Oscars, you probably don’t need a top of the line projector.

The actual setup process is simple enough. Simply connect your DVD player to your projector using the provided ports. After that’s done, you should be able to screen movies to your heart’s content. A projection setup is definitely unusual, but it’s also a cheaper way to watch movies if you consider the cost of a new TV well out prices the $600+ cost of a projector.