Madrigal Imaging MP-9 - Manual (Page 10)

Figure 2-2. Audience Coverage with Curved Screen
Curved screens have gains larger than 1 and viewing angles much less than
180°. Most curved screens have different horizontal and vertical viewing
angles. Incident light does not reflect equally in all directions. The reflected
light concentrates in a conical volume or “viewing cone”. Audiences within
the viewing cone see a brighter image than that from an equal area on a flat
screen. Audiences outside the viewing cone see a dimmer image.
To summarize, curved screens are better suited for brightly lit rooms where
the audience is situated within the viewing cone. Flat screens are best suited
when a wide viewing angle is required and ambient room lighting (near the
screen) is low.
Note: Screen Gain is defined in Appendix A, Glossary.
Rear Screen Installations
There are two basic types of rear screens: diffused and optical. A diffused
screen has a surface which spreads the light striking it. Purely diffused
screens have a gain of less than 1. The main advantage of the diffused
screen is its wide viewing angle, similar to that of a flat screen for front
screen projection.
Optical screens take light from the projector and redirect it to increase the
light intensity at the front of the screen. This reduces it in other areas. A
viewing cone, similar to that of a curved front screen installation, is created.
To summarize, optical screens are better suited for brightly lit rooms where
the audience is situated within the viewing cone. Diffused screens are best
suited when a wide viewing angle is required but there is low ambient
room lighting.
Curved
Screen
(gain >1)
Audience Coverage
INSTALLATION & SETUP
2.4