Flat Panel or Projection: Which is right for your presentation space?
One of the first considerations that needs to be made when selecting which
presentation technology is appropriate for your space is going to be the use of the
space. For the purposes of this paper we will concentrate on applications geared
towards delivering presentations as opposed to film and video screening.
Flat panel displays will typically deliver a better quality image that a standard
business application projector. Most flat screen displays have a native 1920 x
1080 (full high-definition) resolution, a significantly higher contrast ratio and
ambient light is not as big of a problem. There are also advantages and
disadvantages of the various types of flat panel displays and in consumer vs.
professional models, but those have been discussed in another Tech Minute.
The biggest drawback to the use of a flat panel
display in your presentation space is that sizes are
limited. A little further down we will formulate the
criteria that you should use to determine the
correct size.
Pros
• Full high-definition resolution typically standard, with more 4k options
being offered
• Much higher contrast ratios
• Ambient lighting issues not as critical
Cons
• Limited to screen size
• Some models can have issues with reflection
Projector technology has continually advanced
throughout its existence. Standard level projectors
now offer feature sets which were only available on
very high-end projectors only a few years ago.
Models with full high-definition (1920 x 1080) and
WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolutions are readily
available from most manufacturers. Projectors now come with varying degrees of
brightness to suite design needs and budgets, and with the different projector
technologies available (LCD, Single-Chip DLP, Three-Chip DLP, laser hybrid)
projection selection can be tailored to the needs of the customer.
Ambient lighting concerns are still an issue and do need to be accounted for when
designing a system. The correct type of projector technology and screen
technology does need to be heavily considered for your application. The various
technologies have their pros and cons, and those will be discussed in another
Tech Minute.
The most obvious advantage to using a projected system is the ability overcome
one of the most crucial requirements of a presentation system...SIZE.
Pros
• Unlimited size
• A variety of technologies available to suite various needs
• Full high-definition and WUXGA resolutions readily available, with more 4k
options being offered
• Increased brightness means that you no longer have to turn all of the lights
out to view a high-quality image
Cons
• Contrast ratio not as high depending on the projection technology used
• Ambient lighting can cause significant adverse affects to contrast, perceived
brightness and overall image quality if not properly planned for.
So before you can ascertain which type of flat panel or which type of projection
system is right for your application and the design implication thereof, you must
first decide...
FLAT PANEL vs PROJECTION
One of the most crucial determinations in making the initial decision between a
flat panel display and a projection system is size! Luckily there are some
guidelines that are available to help with that decision.
The size of the display should primarily be determined by the dimension of the
audience area, most notably the distance from the display to the furthest viewer.
The goal is to make the screen large enough so those in the back row can read the
subject matter easily, but not so large as to overwhelm the closest viewer.
Height—Use the following formulas for calculating screen height for maximum
legibility.
• For 4:3 NTSC/PAL moving video and entertainment, screen height should
be at least 1/6 the distance from the screen to the furthest seat.
• For charts and data, as in a conference or lecture room, use 1/4 the
distance from the screen to the furthest seat.
• For complex graphics found in a command/control center, use ½ the
distance from the screen to the furthest seat.
• For HDTV projection (16:9), Widescreen, 16:10, or 15:9 formats, screen
height should equal or exceed 1/3 the distance from the screen to the
optimum seat.
Width—Screen width is determined by the height of the screen and the aspect
ratio to be used.
Therefore, in a typical conference room or classroom setting where charts and
data would be the most common items being displayed, the 1/4 rule would apply.
Using the 1/4 rule you can quickly and easily determine what size image would be
appropriate for your space based on the distance to the furthest viewer.
For instance: if your furthest viewer in 24’ from the displayed image, the image
should be 6’ tall so that it is legible to that viewer.
Using that formula we can also determine that even an 80” flat panel display
(with a vertical height of 43”) is effective and legible up to 172” or roughly 14’.
43"
172"
By using the recommended calculations it becomes apparent that any viewer
beyond 14 feet would be too far away to read text even on an 80” display.
For help designing your conference space and ensuring that best practices are
applied for your users’ benefit, please contact your IES sales rep.
Nick Folse npfolse@ies-llc.com or 504-729-6111 xt 115
Brian Egan began@ies-llc.com or 504-729-6111 xt 116
Scott Golden sgolden@ies-llc.com or 504-729-6111 xt 117
Ron Smith rsmith@ies-llc.com or 504-729-6111 xt 112