ThrowCalc

Projector Setup, Solved

Will that projector fit your room? ThrowCalc provides the ultimate toolset for planning your home theater or media room. Instead of guessing about placement, you can enter your screen size to find exactly how far the projector must sit from the screen—then pick a model for its real numbers and the right ALR/CLR screen matching.

How Projector Placement Works

Throw distance is the one number that decides where a projector can sit. Understanding these technical specifications is crucial for your setup.

Throw ratio is defined as the lens-to-screen distance divided by the image width. For example, a 16:9 100-inch screen is approximately 87 inches wide; a 1.2-throw projector would sit about 8.7 feet back from that screen.

Choosing Your Projector Type

Depending on your room layout and furniture, you can choose between different throw types:

• Ultra-short-throw (UST): These have a ~0.2 throw ratio and sit on a console inches below the screen. They are ideal for living rooms with no room to mount across the room.
• Standard Throw: These typically have a 1.1–2.2 throw ratio and can be sit several feet back or be ceiling-mounted. They offer more flexibility on screens but require sufficient room depth.
• Zoom Lenses: Many projectors include zoom lenses that allow you to fine-tune your placement within a specific range (e.g., 1.32–2.15).

Matching the Right Screen

In any room with ambient light, the screen matters as much as the projector. Mismatching hardware can cause hotspotting and washed-out contrast.

Typical screen types include:

• CLR (Fresnel) Screens: Specifically built for UST projectors to reject overhead light.
• Standard ALR Screens: Suitable for long-throw projectors in moderate light environments.
• Matte-White Screens: Provide the most accurate color in the most dark rooms.
• Note: Mismatching these types can lead to poor image quality and washed-out contrast.

How to Use ThrowCalc

To ensure your home theater setup is perfect, follow these steps:

1. Enter your desired screen size (diagonal inches) in the calculator.
2. Identify the throw distance range for your specific room dimensions.
3. Browse our database of over 110 projectors and select a model to see its exact throw distance at your chosen screen size.
4. Verify the specs, including lumens and throw ratio, of the projector you are interested in buying.
5. Match your projector type (UST vs Standard) with the correct screen technology (CLR vs ALR).
6. Achieve a perfect projection setup without the guesswork.