SMPTE Tutorial Paper: Front-Projection Screens: Properties and Applications

Stephen P. Hines

Information about front-projection screens is provided in an attempt to improve the screen design, in particular for 3-D theaters, as well as for other general front-projection applications. Topics discussed include: a comparison of typical screens (used flat) and their characteristics; optical laws applying to front projection; the “no-free-lunch-in-optics” law; the effects of tinting the screen; the effects of changing screen gain and screen shape; the shape of the ideal front-projection screen, the ellipsoid; its practical alternative, the sphere, and ways to construct it; the acoustics of a spherical screen; and focusing on a spherical screen.

Print ISSN
Published
1986-09
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J03247