Successful projection in large multipurpose auditoriums, often called gymnatoriums or cafetoriums, requires careful planning. It requires the right projector and screen viewing surface to best fit the lighting and space configuration.
These multi-use spaces are typically large and flooded with both natural and artificial ambient light. They often also have bright white walls and ceilings.
Even though the combination of uncontrolled natural and artificial light and wide viewing angles isn’t the best environment for projection, you can design a successful projection experience that meets the needs of those using the space and provides enough contrast to allow people to see and understand what is on the screen.
Important Considerations for Projection in Gymnatoriums and Cafetoriums:
- How bright is the projector?
- What content will be projected?
- Are there windows, and are there operable shades?
- Is artificial lighting easily controlled?
- What is the facility use: Interactive activities, immersive learning, events and presentations? Digital signage?
- What is the size of the space and location of the screen?
Tips for Choosing a Screen Surface
- A white screen (or a matte grey screen) will be nearly useless in an extremely bright space without light control.
- For ambient light rejection (ALR) screens, the more ambient light that is rejected, the narrower the viewing area will be.
- A grey screen surface is not automatically an ALR surface. Grey only improves contrast.
- An ALR surface uses specular reflective elements in the screen formulation to reflect off-axis ambient light away from viewers.
- If the screen surface is low gain, a brighter projector is necessary.
Basic Recommendations for Gymnatoriums and Cafetoriums:
Typically, ambient light cannot be controlled in these spaces, so an Ambient Light Rejection (ALR) surface is the only option.
For typical projector placement (away from the screen)
- Total or excellent ambient light control:
- TecVision XT1000X White
- Little to moderate ambient light control:
- TecVision XH900X ALR
- No Ambient Light Control: Consider adding shades and/or lighting controls (consult Draper Pro Planner 2.0 linked below for specific room recommendations)
For Ultra-Short Throw projectors (very close to the screen)
- Total or excellent ambient light control: TecVision XT1000X White
- Little to moderate ambient light control: TecVision XH700X Grey
- No Ambient Light Control: Consider adding shades and/or lighting controls (consult Draper Pro Planner 2.0 linked below for specific room recommendations)
Your Next Step
The above recommendations are very general in nature.
- Choose a screen surface for typical gymnatorium or cafetorium spaces: use the Draper Screen Surface Selector.
- Choose the right viewing surface for your specific space: Use Projection Planner 2.0. When you enter key information such as viewer location, ambient light, and other information, the Pro Planner will recommend the best options for your specific application.
Got Questions?
Download “How Ambient Light Rejection Works”
Download “Projection Screen Surface Performance in Ambient Light”
