In the process of creating an engaging and meaningful atmosphere for your congregation, of course you have considered the comfort of the venue, a configuration that promotes unity, and creating an environment with inspiring surroundings.

Even when it comes to using multimedia as a dynamic method of engaging the group, the comfort of the viewers will impact the overall effectiveness of communicating the audiovisual presentation. After all, you know that all eyes will ultimately look to the projection screen for the visual representation of the message. That's why asking yourself a few key questions is pivotal in making the best screen selection for achieving exceptional viewing comfort in your venue.

What is the size of your congregation?
Are your gatherings for 30 people in a retreat setting, or are you hosting thousands of people for larger services? With gatherings ranging from a small intimate service to a large group that fills an arena, it's important to have the option of selecting from standard sizes and portable screen solutions to custom screens that are built to any specifications. 

Most likely, you are managing a variety of circumstances that require your media display to be adaptable for varying audience sizes. Nevertheless, be prepared to share this information with your screen provider. Try to give them a good sense of audience size. A screen provider that offers a broad range of solutions allows them to recommend the best screen solution for your specific application.

What is the proposed placement for the projection screen(s) in relation to the audience? 
To determine the best screen for your application, your screen provider will consider the viewing angles between the audience seating areas and the screen placement. When possible, it would be best to provide your screen partner with a technical drawing of the venue layout so that optimal viewing angles and sightlines can be adequately assessed. In addition, it will be important to determine early in the process if the screens need to be wall mounted, flown, or if they will be freestanding.  The position of the screen directly relates to the material selection for the screen's surface.

There is quite a bit of science involved with screen materials, so making the selection is never a nonchalant choice. Materials are available in different viewing angles and with a measurable number of degrees off of the center axis where the picture will maintain its image quality before falling off.  Based on factors like ambient light and projector lumen output, there are materials with more reflective values; some show brighter whites, while others display blacker blacks. Many factors converge in a delicate interplay once your image hits the screen surface. You are not expected to know which material will best suit your situation, but you are best served to work with a screen provider that is attentive to this and understands the science of the screen surface.

How many screens are needed?
Let's put the technical specs about viewing angles and reflective values to the side for a moment.  The number of screens needed really comes down to one thing—comfort. When screens are well-positioned, the audience should be comfortable. They should be able to readily see without straining their necks or squinting to read the content. Sometimes increasing the dimensions of a single screen can compensate for imagery that would otherwise be too small to be seen from remote seats in the venue. But even the best screen material can't give an audience the ability to effectively view content from the harshest angles. Before viewing becomes strained, the smart answer is to add more viewing surfaces. Based on experience, your screen provider can assess the seating conditions and number of attendees to make a suitable recommendation.

Will a front or rear projection configuration be needed?
In general, rear projection is the preferred method of image display—not only because it conceals unsightly equipment behind the screen, but it also limits the effect of ambient light on the projected image. Lighting can greatly affect image quality, particularly if the facility is subject to overhead or natural lighting, such as a gym, arena, or auditorium. Rear projection positions the projectors in back of the screen. A reversed image is projected onto the back of the surface so the audience (viewing the front of the screen) sees a properly oriented image under optimal projection conditions.

For rear projection to be possible, however, enough space behind the screen is necessary in order to position the projectors at a proper distance from the screen surface. Having the luxury of ample backstage space is not always possible, particularly in worship venues, or when multiple screens are required. When rear projection is not possible, front projection is a proven and effective method for display. 

Whichever projection method is implemented, it simply needs to be planned for so that optimal image quality is achieved.

What projectors (lumen output) are being used?
When creating the AV system for your venue, you will be faced with matching equipment from various providers and a multitude of factors that will ultimately affect the resulting display. For example, screens smaller than 10.5' x 14'commonly require projectors with an absolute minimum of 5,000 lumens to approximately 8,000 lumens. Larger screens will require 10,000 lumens and up. Lumen output is critical, particularly with larger screens when the throw distance is greater and ambient light becomes a factor. 

With so many variables, it would be best to ask your screen provider to work along with your systems integrators. Together, the screen provider and projector company can collaborate on addressing many of the issues that factor into optimal screen display. They can assess the venue conditions and engage with each other to choose the most complementary equipment, optimal projector placement, and symmetry between the projectors and screen surface.

What screen format is needed to support your content?
With the coming format standard for digital broadcasting, content is making a shift from the standard TV format to widescreen. As such, churches will face the question of selecting the format they need for displaying their content. Some churches create their own presentations, while others need the ability to display existing or archival materials in traditional formats.  Subsequently, a display mechanism is needed to optimize the content. Your screen provider can help you assess display formats as it impacts content and various source materials.

You might already have the answers for some of these questions, but since most of these factors have a degree of interplay with each condition affecting the next, it will be important to have a discussion with your projection screen professional to sort through the information. 

In cases when a technical drawing of the venue is available, it would be a great asset to share such information with your screen partner. They will be a tremendous asset in helping to connect the respective dots along the path to choosing the projection screen that will best serve your congregation.

This article is courtesy of David Hull with The Screen Works. With more than 28 years in the audiovisual industry, David has extensive experience working with venues to deliver screen solutions for wide-ranging applications, www.thescreenworks.com.