Ultra short throw (UST) projectors are changing how homeowners approach home theater setup, and those who take the extra step to pair their projector with an Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen are best able to achieve a true cinematic experience.
When designing your dream media room, you’re likely excited about the sleekness and quality that a UST projector can provide. But the screen you choose is just as important as the projector itself, especially if you're in a space that's difficult to darken during the daylight. ALR screens are specially designed to combat ambient light, providing brighter, sharper images that preserve the cinematic feel you’re aiming for. Without one, your projecting experience simply won't be the same.
Why UST Projectors and ALR Screens Go Hand-in-Hand
UST projectors work by projecting images upward at an angle onto a screen, versus across the length of a room. While this innovative design is great for saving space, it also introduces some challenges. As with all theater projectors, the presence of ambient light in the room—whether from windows, lamps, or even overhead ceiling lighting—can wash out the image, making colors look dull and details harder to see. This is where ALR theater projection screens shine.
"If you want to make the most of your viewing experience with an UST projector, I’d definitely recommend using an ALR screen," shares Lydia Cho, Head of TV Product Marketing, Samsung. "They help you get the best possible picture quality with improved color and brightness by minimizing ambient light." From a technological standpoint, the advanced materials and directional technology selectively reflect the projector’s light toward the viewer while rejecting light from other sources. This means you're better able to enjoy high-contrast, vibrant images, even in well-lit spaces. Whether you’re watching a movie during the day or gaming at night, an ALR retractable screen helps guarantee that you'll have consistent picture quality to transform your media room into a true entertainment hub.
Benefits of Using an ALR Screen
- Brighter Images: The ALR screen material enhances brightness, making images pop even in daylight or brightly lit rooms.
- Better Contrast: Darker blacks and brighter whites bring depth and realism to your home theater projector screen.
- Wide Viewing Angles: Everyone in the room gets a clear view, no matter if they're by a window or at a greater viewing distance.
- Reduces Eye Strain: A clearer visual experience helps avoid the strain caused by squinting at washed-out images.
Choosing Products for a Better Picture
If you’re planning a media room, chances are you want an immersive experience that rivals—or even surpasses—the local cinema. While it might be tempting to use a standard white wall or a budget white screen with any standard projector, image quality is at stake. "Brightness and ambient lighting certainly play a role here," highlights Cho. "We recommend keeping an eye out for projectors that have higher lumens, better resolution, and better color accuracy to really help you maximize every detail on screen."
"Picture quality goes beyond brightness, too," she notes, speaking of the brand's high-end projectors including The Premiere 9 which features 3450 ISO lumens and delivers 4K resolution. The product also utilizes triple laser technology for vibrant colors that offer 154% in color gamut (in the DCI-P3 color space). "We’ve intentionally designed our Premiere projectors with advanced AI features that help do all of the hard work for you to optimize what you’re seeing on the screen. This includes AI upscaling which can reimagine even lower res, SD/HD content into brilliant 4K."
She adds, "And, we offer a feature called Vision Booster which can automatically adjust brightness and contrast in various lighting conditions – so you really get the best in picture quality."
So, if you’re serious about designing a media room that wows your guests and enhances your personal entertainment, don’t overlook the importance of your projection screen and the type of projector you choose.
Don't Forget About Audio Quality
While all of Samsung's UST projectors come with Dolby Atmos, Cho also highlights details that distinguish them from other products. "We also use Object Tracking Sound (OTS) to make audio feel like it is coming directly from the screen. And, we offer a feature called AVA Pro to amplify the important sounds in the content (like a person’s voice) from any background noise. Having that great sound gives an UST projector that theatre quality immersive sound experience."
