Can You Use Ultra Short Throw Projectors with Stewart Screens?

The difference in a projector’s throw distance is decided by the type of lens it uses. Short throw projection is perfect for presentation as well as for square footage-challenged homes, apartments, or other limited space viewing areas.

Throw distance is the measured expanse that the light must travel from the projector lens to the screen’s surface. Standard throw projectors can typically create a 100 inch (16:9) image from about 10 feet of throw distance. Short throw projectors can create the same sized image from approximate 3 to 4 feet. Ultra short throw projectors will put up the same size image from as close as 15” away.

Installation for a short throw projector may require slightly more work than a standard projector. If the screen surface has slight waves this may present a “ladder” effect from the short throw projector, therefore a tab tensioned or fixed frame screen is strongly recommended.

With short and ultra short throw projectors, the lens is very close to the screen and the projecting angle is very steep. For this application, we would most likely recommend our SnoMatte 100 or GrayMatte 70 fabrics.