CLR or Frensel
When buying an ultra short throw projector, the question sooner or later arises: is the wall enough or do I need a screen? Well, that's where we come in. For an ultra short throw projector, it is sooner or later essential to use a screen, as the image is significantly improved with it. There are many terms on the internet, ALR , CLR , Fresnel , etc.
CLR: Ceiling Light Reduction. This cloth blocks the light that comes from above, from the top and from the sides above the bottom edge of the screen. These screens usually have a surface structure consisting of horizontal slats. These slats are light/white on the bottom and dark/black on the top. So light that comes from below (where the ultra-short-throw projector is) is mainly reflected and light that comes from the side/above is mainly blocked. See picture:
ALR
Ambient Light Reduction means reducing ambient light. What I mean here is a screen that reduces the ambient light. So ALR screens also include CLR. ALR screens are also Fresnel screens. ALR is therefore an umbrella term for screens that reduce "external light".
Fresnel screen
Fresnel screens are screens that are also ALR screens. These Fresnel screens also block/reduce extraneous light that shines on the screen. However, there is an "imprint" in the form of a Fresnel lens on the screen, which reflects the light from the projector (bottom center) well and the ambient light less. See image:
Now the question is, which of the so-called cloths, I would call them more like screens, is suitable for me?
I took photos here in direct comparison during the day and in the dark.
First of all: The strip slightly to the left in the middle is the CLR cloth and on the left and right is a 100 inch Fresnel screen cloth.
Daytime photos:
During the day:
The black level of the Fresnel is noticeably better than that of the CLR. Both cloths are clearly visible during the day, but the Fresnel is better. Clearly visible in the pictures, also confirming my subjective impression
this.
In the dark:
Amazingly, the effect is exactly the opposite in the dark. This means that the black level of the CLR is noticeably better than that of the Fresnel. This is clearly visible in the pictures, and my subjective impression also confirms this.
Conclusion for me in summer:
Since watching films in the evening is much more important to me than watching the news during the day, I'll stick with a CLR screen, as this gives me the best possible quality for my application (large screen diagonal with max. 120"/150" and best picture in the evening). I can also watch the news on the CLR during the day. But if someone needs a screen for the office or for watching mostly in daylight, then they should choose the Fresnel.
Just my 2 cents
Michael Gradenegger (c)
