OpenTube

Fresnel vs CLR/ALR Screen – The Shootout

ProjectorJunkies

46,442 views

In this video, we compare a Fresnel screen and a CLR/ALR screen to help you understand which option performs better with ultra short throw (UST) projectors.

Both screen types are popular choices for UST setups, but they behave very differently when it comes to brightness, contrast, ambient light rejection, viewing angles, and overall performance. Using real-world observations and side-by-side comparisons, I explain the strengths and weaknesses of each technology, without marketing hype, just practical knowledge.

If you are considering a Fresnel screen or a CLR/ALR screen for your home theater or living room setup, this video will help you decide which screen actually makes sense for your room and your usage.

Here are the links (not affiliate!) to the screens, in case you want to check them out :

ΝothingProjector Fresnel Screen - https://global.nothingprojector.com/p...

NothingProjector Black Series CLR Screen - https://global.nothingprojector.com/p...

00:00 Intro
01:02 CLR / ALR Screen
02:07 Fresnel Screen
03:17 Screen Assembly
03:49 Measurements
04:36 The Shootout
07:29 Final Conclusion
08:33 Try Not to Laugh 😄

20 Comments

@V--N 7 months ago

The main problem of the Fresnel screen - is a hotspot at the lower central point. It can be seen clearly at 5:15 and nothing can be done about that. Thanks for review!

@fredlar9421 5 months ago (edited)

Fresnel screen has a hot spot issue at the bottom center exclusively. It becomes very noticeable while watching a bright white scene, for example, snowing.
But you won't notice it most of the time.

@Pierre-l8z5i 4 months ago

You did a great job with the video, you explain really well the technical differences

@t-rex1480 8 months ago (edited)

Great comparison! Also, very informative for people unfamiliar with each screen technology. The video shows each technology in a very clear and simple way which is great, nice job!

@jeffchen-g4h 7 months ago (edited)

Fresnel is a good fabric on light rejection (Circle structure), but very narrow angle, if you seat at right front, very good, but once move seat to 45% angle, brightness reduce to 50%, not really suitable for people seat around the screen. the CLR (hor. structure), you can seat around the screen and still provide same brightness, excellent image. As room light are mainly from ceiling or table light, CLR provide equal performance at wide view angle, I had one Fresnel screen before, and return it. if you have narrow living room, Fresnel is good, but if standard living room, CLR is better.

@ke5943 8 months ago

fantastic work!

@guillermofernandovaronhern1112 4 months ago

Excelente revisión. Por fin tengo clara la diferencia entre estas dos pantallas. Y, gracias por utilizar la opción de doblaje al idioma español de YouTube. Ya me suscribí a tu canal. Saludos desde Bogotá D. C., Colombia. Recibe un gran abrazo

@Mort-h3s 3 months ago

Great explanations! Thank you.

@blueshift22 8 months ago

Great video. Thank you!

@chucknorris8704 8 months ago

What a fantastic test. Thank you for this!!!

@Kaotech1 8 months ago

Top work !

@FenderTelecast 8 months ago

Fantastic video, thanks

@DanelX90 5 months ago

Thank you for your video

@FscreenFresnelProjectionScreen 7 months ago

Nice work.😍

@ma3nni689 8 months ago

Well made comparison...thx

@RedRidingHood-b7k 3 weeks ago

Wow you helped me alot. Fresnel it will be. But what is a alr screen? Greetings from Sweden

@Eng.Garin. 7 months ago

Thank for your review for UST. What would you say about NothingProjector Lenticular for Long Throw? Especially for 3-laser projectors like Valerion or alike. What about laser speckle in said screen? Does it benefit in dark room with black treated walls and ceiling?

@George-lk4gf 8 months ago

Very informative video Nikos. Do you have in mind maybe making the same type of video for long throw projection screens? I would love to see the difference in simple ALR and fresnel lt screens. If not how does long throw alr handle hot-spotting because this is a problem with my ALR, apart from the speckle. Thanks a lot!

@yusuf6778 7 months ago

@ projectorjunkies planning to purchase one over the other through the link you provided. My concern is viewing angle. I like the Fresnel, but I'm concerned about the viewing angle. How bad it really is. I have three sofas. One in the middle and one couch on each side. Can everyone sit down and be able to watch from all three couches?. Absolutely great video. Thank you. 🎉

@mauriciob8260 8 months ago

I owned before a 135 inches Fresnel ALR screen for long Thrown projector for my Vidda C3 ultra , compare to my other regular alr and white regular screen the black and contrast and bright was so good , the only issue I have with this screen is the speckles that was ver annoying for me .Finally a found the perfect screen for my vidda c3 ultra triple lass projector is a special alr grey material screen design to eliminate the speckles and maintain the blacks , contrast ,and viewing angle and really works!!