As you already know, the quality of your visual experience depends a lot on the projector screen you use. But do you know that the color of the projector screen can also make a difference in the visual quality? Well, the modern projector has come a long way from the generic usage of the white screen as the standard choice.
Nowadays, you can find black projector screens that are slowly becoming popular in the market. So it may lead you to wonder what would be better when it comes to a black projector screen vs. white. A white screen works great for different visual conditions, but there are situations where a black screen gets the edge.
Both of the screen colors have their pros and cons, and the color you want entirely depends upon your choice. The color and contrast output makes a lot of difference in both the screen color. So in this article, we will discuss both the screen colors according to various aspects.
Table of Contents
Black VS White Projector Screen
When it comes to what color screen is best for a projector, there is no definitive answer as both are suitable for showcasing excellent visuals. Here we will differentiate between two, and you can evaluate which will be suitable for you;
Reflectiveness
The reflectiveness of the screen is one of the most critical factors for any projector screen. It not only decides your visual experience but also decides the clarity you will get. When you are deciding which the best color for a projector screen is, then it is vital to consider reflectiveness as there is a massive difference in the properties.
As you already know, that white screen throws back a lot of light falling on it where a black screen absorbs a large part of the incident light. The high reflectiveness rate allows the white screen to offer a clear view almost from every angle. Even if you sit at an extreme angle, you won’t get a faded view and enjoy a good view of the content. The high reflection rate makes them a default choice for a large classroom, meeting room, and auditorium where there is a large gathering.
Since it reflects a lot of light, the image loses a certain amount of detail and a lot of contrast. Even though you place them in a dark room, it would be hard for you to get a high contrast visual to heighten your visual experience. Another major problem with white screens is that they reflect the light on nearby things like walls and ceiling, so it becomes difficult to get a clear view in a bright room. The high reflection rate requires you to use a powerful lamp to get a clear and bright image.
However, the problems you will face while using a white screen get highly minimized when you start using a black screen. Unlike white screens, a good amount of light is absorbed by the black screen. Due to the low reflection rate, it doesn’t reflect a lot of light and gets you a high contrast image that is vital for an outstanding visual treatment to the eye.
Most importantly, it helps the projector retain the details and lets you enjoy the high-resolution visual. With this color screen type, you can easily get a clear view without darkening your while enjoying your favorite movie. A little bit of ambient light won’t hamper the image quality, and clarity like it happens with the white screen. For backyard movies and small outdoor movie sessions, nowadays, many people prefer to use a black screen as it doesn’t get much affected by other ambient light.
However, like every screen color, it is not devoid of any cons, and the major disadvantage is that you have to stay in front of the screen. As it has a high absorption rate so if you sit at an extreme angle, you won’t get a clear view of the content on the screen. Even if the screen has a wide-angle view, you need to sit inside a specific viewing angle. Due to poor viewing angles, they have limited usage, and hardly anyone uses them in large spaces.
Color Output
Even though there is a disparity in their contrast output, they offer a terrific color quality in proper lighting conditions. However, if you want to get the best color quality in your visuals, then the black screen gets the preference. Since it retains most of the contrast, it pops out all the color in the content and treats you with incredible color output. Moreover, the bright color also looks marvelous on the black screen, so it ultimately makes the textures in the visuals much more realistic.
The black portion on the screen looks much more profound, which is essential when you are watching high-resolution movies or playing single-player games. On the other hand, a white screen doesn’t offer a deep color quality as a lot of light colors are lost in the way. Even though it gives out a bright picture, you lose a good amount of detail which ultimately degrades the image quality. Plus, the black in the frames appears faded and gives you an ordinary visual output even when you are using it. However, we are not saying that it is the best color for a projector screen, but it serves as a better option than white. With that being said, black screens also come with drawbacks when it comes to color output.
Rainbow or shimmering effect is a common problem faced by many users when you go for a black screen, especially in a dark room. However, the shimmering effect doesn’t appear in all situations, and specific lighting conditions trigger this effect. Sometimes you will get areas that are a lot brighter than others, meaning you will have hot spots on the screen. The hot spots will not only ruin your visual experience but will color flaky. However, you can control these issues by changing the brightness level of the projector. The difference is not only limited to screen but when you compare the color in the context of projector screen vs. wall, the differences are still applicable.
Availability and Pricing
In the technical aspect, a black projector screen serves as a better option than white color. But when it comes to availability and pricing, a white projector screen comes victorious. Despite black being a better option, you will see that white screens are still considered the standard option. The main reason behind its popularity is the availability of different types of options related to the white screen.
White screens have been present in the market for decades, and numerous brands have come in a wide variety of sizes. Moreover, there are different types of white projector screens so you can choose the screen according to your requirement. However, you can’t say the same thing about the black projector screen that has arrived on the market a few years ago. Since it is relatively new in the market so you have limited options available, and only a few manufacturers make this screen. Even though the number of options is increasing day by day but it is still no match to the market share that white screens have currently.
Another area where a black screen couldn’t compete with a white screen is the availability of screen sizes, and you will find only some popular options. White screens also come with some special features that you will hardly find in the black segment. Importantly, you will also find many modern techs associated with the white segment that you won’t get black units. This is the reason that many users prefer to have a white screen rather than a black screen for their projectors.
The pricing difference is another reason that people often opt for white when it comes to black or white projector screens for their needs. White screens are available in almost all price ranges so that a user won’t have a problem owning one according to their budget. However, black screens are currently not available in the budget range, and it would be hard for you to find them under the $1000 range. Most of the black projector screens are made by top-end brands with high-quality materials, so you will have to shell out a considerable amount of money to own them.
Gray Screen as an Alternative
If you are still confused between black and white projector screens and want to go beyond these color options, then a gray projector screen can be a plausible choice. It is also known as a high contrast screen because it gives you an incredible image quality with a contrast level similar to the black projector screen. Another great thing about a gray projector screen is that the black levels are also excellent, and they are far better than what you would get on a white screen.
However, the black level isn’t as good as that of the black screen, and this is the reason many experts consider them as a sweet spot between black and white projector screens. This screen type can be an excellent option for users who have a low lumens projector and want to make the most out of it. They work in most lighting conditions and give you a decent visual performance whether you want to watch movies, play games, or give presentations. However, the major con associated with this screen color is they produce a grayish tint, and it is hard to overcome even if you adjust the brightness.
The grayish tint won’t be visible throughout the screen, and it pops out in the light section of an image. Despite this significant setback, if you consider a white or gray projector screen for different situations, we will recommend you to get a gray screen as it will give you better color, contrast, and clarity. Moreover, they come in wide price ranges and don’t come with an expensive price tag as a black screen. Although you won’t have a wide variety like white screens, they come in all popular sizes.
Final Verdict
Now it is up to which color you want to choose when it comes to black projector screen vs. white as both their own perks. A black screen would give you better clarity and color quality than a white screen even when you use them in a room with ambient light.
The image tends to remain sharp even when you use them in daylight conditions. Plus, it has a low reflection rate, so it doesn’t brighten the room and ruin your visual experience. So if you are looking for a projector screen that can offer excellent visual quality in your living room, then a black screen should be your choice.
However, you can’t discard white screens as they offer you a wide variety of choices and display bright images. If you want a screen with a wide viewing angle, then you have to go for white units as you can get a clear view from almost every angle. You can get some advanced features that are designed to make your visual experience much more beautiful. Plus, they are highly affordable and come in wide price ranges. White projector screen paints are also easier to find in hardware stores.
So which one will be suitable for you entirely depends upon your preferences. With this guide, we have explained all the major differences between black and white projector screens so that you can decide which one you should get.
My name is Henry Larson and I have been associated with research and development of projectors throughout my professional career. I used all my experience and expertise to create this blog so that I can guide people to get the best projector of their choice. For any further assistance, you can get in touch with me through email or comments.