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Should laser TV choose a Black Grid Screen or a Fresnel Screen?

Should laser TV choose a Black Grid Screen or a Fresnel Screen?

UST Projectors or Laser TV need a professional anti-light screen:

Why are such Projection Screens necessary?

They enhance for a greater viewing experience. In this article, we will look into details on the screens' functionalities as to which kind of projection screen would be the best option.


Generally there are two kinds of screens: Black Grid Screen or a Fresnel Screen. Although the two kinds of screens have different structures, they can both be used with ultra-short throw focus projectors, and both rely on special optical structures to achieve directional reflections and anti-light effects.

We will share more about the principles of these two structures.

Principles of the Laser TV Screen

(1) Black grid structure (aka Lenticular Screen)
The principle in this structure uses the special technology to make the cross- section of the zigzag screen liken to a sawtool. As illustrated below in the picture:

The black grid screen uses black and white prisms to absorb interference light while reflecting projection light. The white slant is known as a reflecting layer. The light from the projector is projected from bottom to top on the white reflecting layer and then reflected into our eyes. The interference light from above will be absorbed by the black parallel layer.

(2) Fresnel structure
In order for a clearer explanation, imagine a flashlight luminescence: the light bulb uses the convergence of the concave reflector in the front of the flashlight to gather the light, so that the light beam can be projected out bright and straight. 

Similarly, the Fresnel structure uses the convergence principle of the concave mirror. It divides the concave mirror into a circle of circular structure and puts it on a single plane, allowing the light to be focused on a single point. This reduces a lot of redundant spaces.

We included some research images below to help you understand better.

In this way, the concave surface becomes a plane structure, but its function is the same as the concave mirror, below is an example of the screen behind the Fresnel technology.

A fresnel projector screen uses the concave structure divided into semicircles. The screen surface is full of semi-circular lines from large to small. This semi-circular structure is only sensitive to the projection light below the center of the circle, that is, it only reflects the light projected from the projector position. Thus if the Fresnel screen wants to achieve the desired effect, the center point of the circle has to be aligned with the lens of the projector as far as possible, so that an anti-reflection can be achieved. The light emitted is focused within a certain range, thus enhancing the brightness of the picture.

Contrast of Projection Effects

Different structures will naturally bring different effects, as such a phenomenon appears where “Fresnel” and “Black Grid” each have their own loyal “advocates”. What are the projection differences between them?

Brightness of Screen

Generally, the gain of screen with black-grid structure is 0.4-0.5. Some brands carry out coating processing on the basis of the original black-grid screen, which not only corrects the color temperature of the original coating, but also makes the screen gain reach to a higher point of 0.8, such as Focusview.

Gain of a 0.8 focusview black grid screen

Fresnel’s unique semi-circle structure can effectively focus the reflected light, thus enhancing the brightness of the picture, making the gain factor one of the best angle of view as it increases to 1.0 with an excellent brightness effect.

 Fresnel Screen with gain 1.0

Compared the brightness levels, the brightness of the black grid screen is usually lower as compared to that of a Fresnel screen. Many people who like Fresnel screen favour its high brightness.

Visual Angle

The structure of black grid screen is a parallel prism structure.

Black Grid Screen

The advantage of this black grid parallel prism structure is that it offers a near 180 degree visual angle.

Frontal angle of the black grid screen

Side angle of the black grid structure
No matter where you sit, the brightness of the screen remains the same, which greatly increases the viewing area.

Fresnel Screen

Fresnel’s semi-circular structure, on the other hand, due to the concave mirror principle, it can only let the brightness focus in a certain range, that is, the front position of the screen. (Imagine the Flashlight beam.)

Frontal angle of fresnel screen

Side angle of the fresnel structure
Once deviated from the middle position, the optimal viewing angle is compromised and the brightness will be seriously attenuated, narrowing the viewing angle.

Screen structure and reflection

The sawtooth structure of the black grid screen is located on the surface of the screen. This way can achieve better imaging and anti-light. The overall picture effect is clean with no reflection. The existence of the sawtooth structure can be felt by touching the screen surface gently with hands. 

The Fresnel structure is located behind the resin layer on the screen, which can effectively protect the structure from damage and increases its durability. It is also closer to the surface appearance of LCD TV. 

The screen of Fresnel structure is mostly hard screen, because the special optical structure can not be made into sox screen. While the black grid structure is both sox screen and hard screen, it meets the needs of different consumers.

Screen sizing

Currently, the maximum size of the Fresnel structure can only be 100 inches, while the maximum size of the conventional black grid can be up to 120 inches.

Note: The screen for Laser TV or ultra short throw projector, can not be used for common home projector. Now that we know the differences and pros and cons of black grid screen and fresnel screen, what is your choice of screen? 

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