Front Projection Vs Rear Projection: All The Insights You Need

Introduction

You might have heard about front projection and rear projection and wondered which one you should use. 

The truth is, they both do the job but require very different setups. Rear projection looks sleek but needs more room and equipment behind the screen. Front projection, on the other hand, works well in smaller spaces and allows for quick setups, making it the more popular option for most events and meetings.

But who knows? The first one might be what you need instead. We'll talk you through the details about both so you can decide.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Front Projection?

Front projection is just the normal projection.

You place the projector in front of the screen or a blank wall. It throws the image forward, and you sit behind it to watch. Most use DLP or LCD technology, projecting from a small light source through a lens.

Meetings are so much easier with such a projection; you can set the projector on a table targeting the screen or front wall. With 2,000 to 4,000 lumens, clear images and data are visible even in well-lit rooms.

Movie nights at home are just as easy. You can place the projector on a stack of books or mount it on the ceiling. Most models have 1080p or 4K resolution to make everything come together, along with short-throw options that are great for smaller rooms.

The setup is simple and short. Just make sure the surface is flat, and you have the right throw distance to focus the lens. It works in most rooms without much effort.

2. What Is Rear Projection?

The projector hides behind the screen and beams the image through it, using a special rear-projection screen that diffuses light toward the people watching.

It’s the same concept, just reversed. 

Instead of projecting light toward you, it pushes it through the screen so the image shows up in front. These setups also use DLP or LCD projectors with mirrors or short-throw lenses to manage space behind the screen.

You’ve probably seen this at trade shows or exhibits, where there’s a big screen but no visible projector. Or on stages, where someone can walk in front of the image without casting shadows.

The whole setup looks clean. No wires in front, no shadows, and no risk of someone tripping over a projector. But there’s a trade-off. You need space behind the screen for the projector and proper ventilation. That makes it less preferable for small or crowded rooms.

Figure1-Rear Projection  Image Source: Wikipedia

3. Rear-projection Vs. Front-projection: What Is The Difference?

There are more differences than you’d think. Here’s a detailed look.

Screen Material

Front projection needs a screen that reflects light. It bounces the image back toward the people watching. Most of the time, you’ll see matte white screens, but there are ones with higher gain too, which make the image look brighter, very handy if there’s light in the room. 

Can you just use a wall? Sure, but a real screen makes a big difference.

Rear projection is different. The screen needs to let light pass through it. It’s made from a special material that spreads the light evenly, so it looks right on the front. 

You can’t just hang a bedsheet and hope for the best. Rear screens are semi-transparent and diffuse the image so it doesn’t look weird or uneven.

Projection Setup 

Front projectors sit out in the open, between you and the screen. That means you’ve got to think about where to put them, somewhere people won’t walk in front of the beam or knock them over. 

A table works, but mounting it to the ceiling is cleaner. Just make sure you’ve got enough throw distance in different room dimensions, which is how far it needs to be to get the image size you want.

Rear projectors go behind the screen and stay out of sight. It looks great up front, with no shadows or clutter. But you do need some space back there, at least a few feet, depending on the projector. 

Sometimes they use mirrors to save space, but it still doesn’t work well in tight rooms. Also, keep it ventilated, since these things get hot.

Flexibility

Front projectors are easy. You can move them around and set them up in minutes. Great for movie night, meetings, whatever. Just plug it in, point it at a wall or screen, and you’re good to go.

Rear setups, not so much. Once you’ve got the projector and screen aligned behind the wall, you don’t want to mess with it again. It’s more of a permanent setup, better for stages, showrooms, or any place where you want it to look clean and stay put.

A quick comparison table:

4. Which Projection Is Right For Your Event?

Ask yourself these quick questions:

• Do you have a small space? Go with front projection. Rear setups just won’t fit.

• Do you care if the projector is visible? If yes, rear might be better, but only if you have the room.

• Are people going to walk around near the screen? If so, rear projection avoids awkward shadow puppets.

• Are you setting this up for just one event? Front projectors win for quick setups and portability.

5. How To Choose A Front Projector?

That’s what we make for the most part, so we’ll share some advice we have after making so many of them.

• Brightness (ANSI lumens): You’ll need more brightness if you’re not using the projector in the dark, so 2,000 ANSI lumens is a good starting point.

• Resolution: A projector with 1080p will give you clear images, and anything below that will start to look dated.

• Sound: For solo use, the built-in speakers will be fine, but for groups, you’ll probably want more power.

• Connections: Wireless will make things way easier when you’re switching devices or moving rooms.

• Auto-adjustments: These will save you from having to adjust focus and angles every time you turn it on.

• Noise Level: If it gets too loud, it’ll be a pain (especially if you're doing a presentation at a meeting), so under 30 dB is what you’ll want.

6. Front Projector Recommended For Meeting Room: CZUR StarryHub

If you want a front projector built for work, the CZUR StarryHub is a great option to go for. It takes care of all the small things that usually cause headaches during meetings.

Figure2-all in one solution for meeting

• Super Bright (2200 ANSI lumens): Even in daytime or well-lit meeting rooms, you can see the projected image without turning off the lights.

• Sharp And Wide Camera (1080p with 120° view): Everyone in the room will appear clearly during remote calls.

• Six Mics With Noise Filtering: It will keep out echoes and background sounds like the AC.

• No More Pain Of Wires: Supports Miracast, Chromecast, AirPlay, and DLNA. You can connect multiple devices wirelessly.

• Quiet As A Mouse: It runs below 24 dB, so it won’t disrupt the presentation.

• Portable (just over 3 kg): You can carry it around to any room easily. Also good for travel, for those special meetings in different venues.

• TouchBoard Controller: You can control the meeting from a wireless panel instead of fumbling with remotes.

7. FAQs

Now, here are some common questions regarding the issue: 

1. Can I use a front projector in a bright room?

Yes, if it has enough brightness. A proper screen will help, though.

2. Will I see shadows with front projection?

If someone walks in front of the beam, yes. But good room setup can avoid this.

3. Is rear projection of better quality?

Not necessarily. Both can look great, it’s more about layout and use case than picture quality.

4. Can one projector handle meetings and movies?

Totally. Many projectors, like the StarryHub, work well for both.

Parting Thoughts

You don’t need a perfect setup, only one that works for your space, your event, and your goals. Front projection is the easier choice for most people. It’s flexible and inexpensive. If you do it right, you can make things look amazing.

Rear projection is better for a permanent setup, and also good if you just want a clean, minimalistic stage with no tech in sight. 

Either way, pick a projector that works smoothly in your room with your devices, instead of just one that looks impressive on paper. There are plenty of bad high-end options for both.