A plain wall might be good enough, but a screen can take the experience up several levels.

You have two main options for a standalone screen: grey and white.

The main advantage of a grey screen over a white one is that the darker color absorbs more light.

A drive-in movie theater

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This feature maintains a better contrast (the difference between white and black) in the picture.

The screen’s ability to grab more light doesn’t just apply to the beam from your projector.

It also reflects less of the light within your room.

This older screen technology also reflects more light, affecting the picture.

A white surface can decrease the contrast of the projected image in all but the most high-end projectors.

A white screen outdoes a grey one in a room with absolute light control.

So What’s the Best Color for Your Projector Screen?

Its increased light absorption will give you greater contrast and, therefore, a better picture.

For a completely dark space, however, you’ll want to go with white.

Its reflectivity in these circumstances becomes a benefit by creating a brighter, sharper image.

The less ambient light you have in the room, the less the advantages of a gray screen matter.

Newer projectors can make which screen color you choose irrelevant.

A projector screen has two sides: A shiny side and a dull side.

The shiny side should face the wall, and the dull or matte side should face the projector.