How to Choose Between Lenticular CLR and Fresnel ALR Screens

How to Choose Between Lenticular CLR and Fresnel ALR Screens - Nothingprojector

 

Generally speaking, we recommend CLR lenticular screens as they are more suitable for ordinary households.


If you only plan to watch it alone, or, if you and your partner plan to sit side by side and don't plan to share your film or game with your other friends, you can choose a Fresnel screen.


This is because Fresnel screens offer brighter image during daylight hours compared to lenticular screens. (center vision).


However, for ALR Fresnel screens, the viewing angle is typically only around 60-90 degrees. This means that apart from the central position, where the optimal picture is achieved, the brightness of the image seen from other angles is inferior.


However, if you're aiming to use your screen and projector as a substitute for a traditional TV, especially for hosting gatherings with friends during happy hour, we recommend opting for a Lenticular screen.

 

Why are there differences between the two? Because their screen structures are different.

 

Lenticular screen structure

This type of screen has a sawtooth-like structure, with a surface coated with a black layer and white slopes serving as reflective layers.

The black coating absorbs light from above, preventing light reflection, resulting in a clearer projected image.

 

how lenticular screen works?

 

 

Fresnel screen structure

The Fresnel structure, on the other hand, resembles a convex-concave magnifying glass and features a three-sided anti-glare structure. This means it not only absorbs light from above but also from the sides.

The Fresnel structure resembles a concave magnifying glass, featuring a three-sided light-resistant design that effectively blocks light from above as well as from the sides.

This light-resistant property of Fresnel screens enhances their ability to render images with superior clarity and brightness. In contrast, lenticular screens lack the ability to block light from the sides, making them slightly less resistant to ambient light.

Fresnel's gain will also be higher than lenticular screens.
how fresnel  alr screen work
While the lenticular screen cannot block light from the sides, it does not mean it performs poorly in bright environments. In fact, the lenticular screen can also perform well in bright light.
Here's a shot of the white screen effect we shot inside the studio. You can see that the image is barely visible.
white screen performs
Here is our black series CLR lenticular screen
black series performs under light
You can observe the significant improvement in picture clarity. This is attributed to the ambient light rejecting nature of the lenticular screen, unlike the non-resistant material used in white screens.

Difference between Lenticular screens and Fresnel screens

Viewing Angle

 

What is viewing angle?

In simple terms, it refers to the angle from which a user can clearly see all displayed content on the screen.

For traditional televisions, it's 180 degrees.

For lenticular screens, it's 160 to 170 degrees, but for fresnel screens, although many suppliers claim 90-100 degrees, if you are someone who is picky about image quality, I believe 60 degrees is the limit for Fresnel screen viewing angles.

 

 

This means that if you stand in the center of the Fresnel screen, you'll see an excellent picture.

However, when you stand on either side of the screen, at angles of 30 degrees or 60 degrees from the center, you'll notice that as your angle increases, the brightness of the picture gradually decreases.

The lenticular screen, on the other hand, doesn't have this limitation. It has a viewing angle of 170 degrees, meaning that if you're planning to invite your friends over to your living room to watch the game, you'll both be able to enjoy the same high-quality, vibrant picture quality.

If hosting parties isn't your usual scene and you prefer cozy movie nights with just a couple of friends, all seated within a 30-degree angle of the screen's centerline, then opting for a Fresnel screen might be the ideal choice for you.

 

Screen Type

Lenticular screens are made of flexible material, allowing them to be rolled or curved, whereas Fresnel screens are rigid and cannot be bent.

This flexibility enables lenticular screens to be used in various configurations such as drop-down, floor rising, or fixed frame, while Fresnel screens are typically limited to fixed frame installations.

 

There are also risks you may need to take by choosing Fresnel


Hotspots:


What are hotspots?

A hotspot refers to the uneven brightness across the screen, where the center appears brighter than the edges.

To illustrate, imagine shining a flashlight against a wall. You'll notice a brighter center with gradually diminishing brightness towards the edges, resembling what we refer to as a hotspot.

This phenomenon may result in whites and colors appearing significantly brighter in the center of the screen compared to the top and sides.

Ceilings reflect light:

 

If your home has low ceilings, choosing a Fresnel screen may also run the risk of reflected light from the ceiling.

 


How to avoid the aforementioned issues:



Usually the above problem occurs because of the poor material of Fresnel.

We highly recommend opting for a premium Fresnel screen.

Our Nothing Projector Fresnel screens are crafted from top-tier fabrics in the industry, effectively mitigating the aforementioned issues.

 

 

 

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1 comment

Dimitri

Dimitri

Salve,il kit Proiettore Formovie Theater 4K UHD Ultra Short Throw 2800ANSI Smart Laser TV con schermo NT è quel schermo che respinge da 3 lati la luce? Pet Crystal?

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