Projectors & Screens

Best Projector and Projector Screen Buying Guide

Projector screens are a great way to present movies, video games, TV shows, and business presentations. Their quality, versatility, and (in some cases) portability make projector screens a great option, whether you want a large TV alternative, home theater, or a great presentation to clients.

When picking a projector screen, you need to decide what is valuable to you and what kind of projector screen you need. We've made this buying guide to help.

What is a Projector?

A projector takes an input of videos or images from a computer, media player, camera or TV and shines a light with those images and videos against a projector screen or wall.

What is a projector screen?

A projector screen is a white surface upon which a projector shines its videos or images. For example, you might see one in a home theatre. Or it could be a pull-down screen from the ceiling.

Why do I need a projector and a screen?

• Screen size: Projectors and screens offer a great way to watch high-quality video on a huge scale. Imagine turning your wall into an 80-inch TV with a projector and screen.
• Portability: Feel like watching a classic movie under the night stars? Unlike a TV, projectors and screens can be portable for your convenience.
• Price: Especially when it comes to buying for a home theater or home cinema, HDTVs can become more expensive than a projector screen on major scales.

Where can I buy a projector and screen a budget?

SamsClub.com offers a variety of options on projection screens and projectors from top brands such as Epson and LG.

What Different Types of Projectors Are There?

Home Theater

Home theater projectors (or home cinema projectors) are used to recreate the viewing experience you have when you go to the movies. If you're a movie buff, having a home theater projector and an elite screen is the best way to watch films in your home.

Business

Business projectors are great for presentations at the office. Their vibrant light is great for showing illustrations and graphics on projection screens, keeping your clients and coworkers engaged.

DLP

DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. DLP projectors use light to reflect off of a chip with lots of tiny mirrors on it. These tiny mirrors enable the projector to produce a sharper image on your projection screen.

LCD

LCD stands for Liquid-Crystal Display. LCD projectors show vibrant colors in high definition when displayed on a projection screen.

What Different Types of Projector Screens Are There?

Electric Projector Screens

Electric projector screens are a common screen type. They use a motor that can automatically roll-down screens for viewing and then roll-up afterward. When it's not in use, the screen rolls up into its casing and the area the screen used to occupy can be used for other things.

Manual Projector Screens

Manual projector screens have to be pulled open manually. It will probably be a manual pull-down screen that starts at the ceiling and is released with a handle. Or, you may have to pull up the projection screen from a floor mount. Manual projector screens are often less expensive than electric projector screens.

Fixed Frame Projector Screens

Fixed frame projector screens can offer an elite screen to watch movies or television. Fixed frame projector screens are intended to be mounted on a wall permanently, be it in a home theater, auditorium, bedrooms or large board rooms.

Portable Projector Screens

Portable projector screens let you take your videos or presentations wherever you need to show them. Some portable projection screens are suitable for outdoor movies, while others make more sense to bring into a conference room. With portable projector screens, ambient light has to be a consideration to make sure your projector images are as clear as possible.

Projector Screen Paint

Projector screen paint is used like any other normal paint. In short, you're painting your projection screen on a flat wall. Projector screen paint can be used when you have a flat, smooth surface.

Wall or Ceiling Mounted Projector Screens

Wall or ceiling mounted projector screens are projection screens that are attached to either a ceiling or a wall. They are not portable.

Ceiling Recessed Projector Screens

Ceiling recessed projector screens are mounted within the ceiling. When they're not in use, the projection screen retracts into a section of the ceiling, hiding the projector from view.

What to Consider When Buying Projectors and Screens

What size screen do I need?

The size of your screen will largely depend on the aspect ratio you choose and the size of your wall. If you want a cinematic feel to your home theatre, screens can get bigger than 100 inches diagonal. But portable projector screens will often be smaller.

What will I primarily watch on my projector and screen?

Projector screens are great because of their versatility. You can watch live TV, stream shows and movies, invite friends over to watch the big game, play video games on a huge scale or present a deck to your business partners.

Where will I put my projector?

Often times, projectors are mounted on a wall or hung from the ceiling. Sometimes they can be placed on a conference table in a boardroom. There are also portable projectors that can be used on the go.

What is my budget?

You can buy a high-quality projector screen for well under $1,000, including members-only prices on projector screens on SamsClub.com. SamsClub.com also offers exclusive members-only prices on projectors, too. Prices for projectors will be higher than the screens.

What Features Should I Consider in a Projector?

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the width of a video image compared to its height. Most HDTVs and HD projectors have an aspect ratio of 16:9. Videos can differ greatly in aspect ratio. Most modern films have an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 17:9, while older TV shows are 5:4.

Zoom range

Zoom range determines how big or small your projector's image will be. Bigger zoom ranges can give you more flexibility on how far you will place your projector from your screen. But the image may be less bright if you use the farthest zoom setting on your projector.

Resolution

Resolution determines how many pixels are in the image you're projecting. The more pixels, the higher the resolution, the sharper the image or video you're viewing.

Brightness

Your projector and projector screen's brightness depends largely on two things:

• The light output of the lightbulb in the projector
• How the projector screen reflects light and how it deals with ambient light

Portability

Projectors that aren't mounted to a wall or ceiling can sometimes be portable. Portable projectors allow you to project images on the go.

Connectivity

Projectors often enable you to connect different devices to them. Some common connections projectors have are:

• VGA
• HDMI
• USB
• DisplayPort
• Component

What Brands of Projectors and Screens Does Sam's Club Sell?

Sam's Club offers projectors and projector screens from brands including:

• Epson
• Quartet
• Apollo
• Del
• Kensington
• LG
• Logitech

FAQ - Projectors and Screens

What's the best place to install a projector and screen at home?

The best place to install a projector and a projector screen at home is in a cool, dark room like a home theatre.

Is a projector better than an LED TV?

This may depend on your budget. While LED TVs are much brighter than projectors, LED TVs get expensive for massive, wall-sized screens. For huge, cinematic viewing experiences, a projector may be your best bet.

Do I need a screen with my projector?

While projectors can work with most flat surfaces, using projector screen paint would make the image brighter and clearer. Using a screen, though, is the best way to watch a projector.

Are projectors better for your eyes?

Video projectors can be better for your eyes because bigger screens tend to have less strain on your eyes than smaller ones.

Do I need a special screen for a 4K projector?

Having a large enough screen to see all the sharp details 4K ultra HD images have is important.

What accessories should I get for my projector and screen?

SamsClub.com offers some exciting accessories for projectors and screens, including tripods and laser pointers.

Will Sam's Club install my projector?

No. Sam's Club will not install your projector.