PROJECTED IMAGE QUALITY - how to specify, assess & measure front & rear projection quality
A resource which shares up-to-date papers & spreadsheets for all levels of specifier & user.
Did you know that normal front projection in a normal meeting room will typically only deliver between 2:1 and 10:1 ANSI contrast ratio (no matter if the projector is rated 1000:1 or 1,000,000:1!)?
Problems such as this led to the formation of an international committee of consultants and engineers at an inaugural meeting hosted by dnp denmark A/S in Copenhagen in 2004. However the ongoing support of InfoComm has been crucial in driving this project forward.
InfoComm is now an accredited Standards Development Organisation with ANSI (American National Standards Institute). All the current work here is authored by Paradigm’s Greg Jeffreys. Greg sits on InfoComm's Performance Standards Planning Committee. He is also a working member of the Task Group working towards a new ANSI standard on projected image contrast ratios.
The papers and work below are part of this larger overall project. We hope you find them helpful and of interest. The materials apply to all screens - not just those that Paradigm sell!
How bright does my image need to be? What should the contrast be? This is an easy-to-read explanation. Once you have read this, you may want to read the more in-depth documents below on this page.
The best practice main paper on specifying projected images – front & rear projection. There is a full description of how to measure them after installation. There are guidelines and some practical advice.
An Excel spreadsheet front projection calculator allowing you to input simple key data (projector lumens, ambient light levels, screen area & gain) and allowing you to predict image luminance (‘brightness’) and contrast ratio.
An advanced version of the above spreadsheet. It also allows you to compare front & rear projection performance for the same installation – plus a ‘reality factor’ by adding in your actual projector ANSI contrast ratio. Read the ‘read me’ tab first!
This is the short version of the main Best Practice paper (above, first item). Look at the main paper for all the background. Use this paper for a quick guide and reference.
This PowerPoint file provides all the test materials needed for the tests described in the Best Practice paper via PC input to your projector (white field; grey scale; contrast checker board etc).
