Doing projection right means taking into consideration onsite conditions. Light levels, room shape and size, and projector are just some of the variables to consider when focusing in on the right screen solution.
Draper’s Projection Planner has always provided the levels of sophistication and accuracy necessary to not only calculate projection system brightness, but also system contrast. Seating distance, image size, the type of information being projected, ambient light levels at the screen and in the room, and the projector’s format, lumens, contrast ratio, and throw distance were used to build a complete system profile.
Now, Projection Planner 2.0 has been updated using the latest InfoComm standards and best practices to help you identify the best projection viewing surfaces for your specific application.
Calculations using the AVIXA Projected Image System Contrast Ratio (PISCR) Standard help balance projector brightness, room lighting, and screen surface for a clear image with good contrast. Calculations using the AVIXA Display Image Size for 2D Content in Audiovisual Systems (DISCAS) Standard define the optimum screen size for the application.
“The two AVIXA image standards are some of the most important planning tools for the AV industry,” said Joel Silver, CEO and lead developer for the Imaging Science Foundation. “The Draper Projection Planner 2.0 is unique because it supports both standards and helps create effective installations.”
Here are some of the major improvements we’ve made:
- You can now enter the maximum off-axis viewing angle.
- Image size recommendations are based on the AVIXA DISCAS standard (calculated to nearest 0.25”).
- Element height as a percentage of overall height is now considered.
- If you don’t know the element height percentage, we make a recommendation.
- Focuses exclusively on AVIXA PISCR viewing categories.
- If your projector isn’t bright enough, 2.0 will tell you how bright it needs to be (how many lumens are required).
- Distance to projector now includes calculations for ultra-short throw projection.
- Blending, rear projection, and acoustical-transparency applications can also be calculated.
- New TecVision ambient light rejection surfaces have been added.
- Built-in calculation data and trip points have been updated.
- You no longer must be registered for our Pro Portal to use this tool. We now provide access through our guest portal, with no registration required.
Some of the best parts of the original are still here, too. Ambient light calculations are made based on room measurements, but we still provide examples of typical room ambient light levels if you don’t have a measurement.
We don’t place a cap on foot lamberts of light reflected from the screen. This allows 2.0 to recommend a surface when using a projector in “Eco” mode to extend light engine life.
While we have attempted to make this powerful tool informative and easy to use, it cannot replace the expertise of a Draper representative. Please contact us if you have any questions.
To check out 2.0 for yourself, click here.
