Visual Apex Projector 2019 – Reviews and Buying Guide
You’ve probably heard the saying “a team is only as strong as its weakest player”. In a similar manner, a projector is only as good as its screen.
There are those who invest in an expensive projector and mistakenly cut corners when purchasing a screen to shine it on.
It's very important to know your projection screen material. Poor quality screens can affect the clarity of projected images immensely.
Thus you owe it to yourself to set aside some time and carefully consider which projection screen will work best for you.
Quality Before Quantity
Visual Apex is a company that specializes in all products related to projection. They focus all of their efforts into this one area, and for this reason, they are a brand to be trusted.
Lots of electronics companies overstretch themselves by producing too many different kinds of products which end up being barely acceptable quality-wise.
Visual Apex hones in on this one area of the electronics sector (projection technology) and takes the time to make sure their products reach the highest standards.
Some of their most renowned products are their projection screens. They make many different kinds of them which suit different purposes and come in different sizes, and with so much to choose from, making a choice and distinction between each of them can sometimes be frustrating.
If you are new to this market and unsure how to go about picking the right screen, don’t worry; we’ve done the work for you. It's very important to know that it's not enough to have, for example, the best home theater projector if you don't have a suitable screen for projection.
Below is a guide to some of the various kinds of projection screens Visual Apex has to offer along with a commentary on why they may or may not be the perfect fit for you.
Most projector screens are found hanging on the walls of classrooms or church auditoriums. This is appropriate for settings where the screen will remain mostly stationary.
But, what if you need a screen you can move from place to place?
The ProjectoScreen144HD is designed for those needing a portable projector screen that can be set up, taken down, and stored away quickly and easily.
This screen set comes with the screen itself, a frame for the screen, a storage bag, ropes for extra stability, and optional legs that can be used to allow the screen to stand on its own.
Perfect for Backyard USe
The legs and anchor ropes make it perfect for use in a backyard. Or any other location where hanging a screen is not feasible.
In the case that you would prefer to hang the projector screen, it features grommets which make this possible. In that case check out our guide on how to hang a projection screen properly.
It’s also important to note the finer details of the ProjectoScreen. As far as the technical specifications, its aspect ratio is 16:9; therefore, it will support both standard and widescreen movies.
Additionally, the screen comes in a variety of sizes, allowing you to choose the size which best suits your purposes and the location you plan on using it in. The smallest is 100” while the largest is 144.”
Visual Apex has also taken measures to ensure the longevity of their screens. They use high-quality material that is UV protected, mildew resistant. Also it's washable in the event that it gets dirty.
And finally, an added bonus here is that the manufacturer has included a two-year warranty on your purchase. If anything does not hold up, you are able to easy get a replacement.
It might be the case that you need a projector screen to hang on a wall for long-term use. The Visual Apex VAPEX Standard Electric Screen is perfect for this type of situation, able to be mounted on a wall and rolled up and down via electronic means.
The fact that it can be rolled up and down is one of the greatest advantages of this type of screen, as fixed-frame screens do not have this option. You’ll often find these in classrooms hung above a chalkboard.
When the screen is not in use, it is rolled up and out of the way of the chalkboard. When it is needed, it is easily rolled down and used in conjunction with a projector.
Standard screens such as this one are much cheaper than tensioned screens but have a minor drawback that will bother some (but not all). As compared to tensioned screens, standard screens are not always wrinkle free.
Tensioned Screen is a Much Better Choice
Drafts or other disturbances can cause the screen to move or bend, obscuring whatever may be displayed on the screen from view. When watching a movie on this type of screen, this might not be a big inconvenience.
However, when using it to display spreadsheets or written content, this can make it difficult to read whatever is being shown.
Tensioned screens are definitely better in terms of quality and add more clarity to images than a standard screen. But if you can’t afford to break the bank, a standard screen is a cheaper alternative.
Anyway, these are definitely not the types of screens you'd want to use as outdoor movie screens.
Visual Apex’s standard projection screens feature the same quality build as their ProjectoScreens. They are made out of great material and meant to last a long time.
Even if things go awry, their standard screens are backed by a three-year warranty on both the parts and the electronics. You can rest easy knowing your investment will not instantly go down the drain.
Tensioned projector screens solve the wrinkling problem that standard screens sometimes encounter.
Because tensioned screens are connected to a frame that pulls the screen tight, it is able to remain flat. This ensures that any text being viewed is not crinkled and hard to read.
If you plan on screening outdoors, it's important for you to know which ones are the best materials for outdoor movie screens.
The wind will not cause the screen to ripple even in the slightest way. Thus the images being displayed appear much more crisp and clear.
Even if viewing text is not the goal, movies still also look much better shown on a tensioned screen; there is a more high-definition quality to them.
Electric and Can Be Rolled Up
Like the Visual Apex standard screens, though, this one is also electric and able to be rolled up and stored out of the way. Essentially, this is an upgrade to standard screens, and the price reflects that.
In some cases, you will end up paying more than double what a standard one would cost you for a tensioned one.
This may seem like a lot, but if the viewing experience is your primary concern and you want an electric system, this is the route to go. The higher price is well-deserved.
As mentioned above and made evident in the product titles, both Visual Apex’s tensioned and standard screens are able to be rolled up and down electronically.
The kits come with wall switches as well as remotes which allow easy control over the units.
And, like the standard screen, this tensioned one is made of the same sturdy materials and includes a three-year warranty to guarantee it operates as it should.
Visual Apex has projection screens designed to fit almost any type of situation and need. So far, we’ve looked at screens that are designed for portability and electric ones which are tailored to the needs of professional environments.
While these are great screens, they aren’t necessarily the best fit for home theaters.
The Visual Apex Pro Fixed-Frame Projection Screen is reasonably priced and works perfectly as a home theater solution. Similar to the ProjectoScreen, this screen is connected to a frame; however, while the ProjectoScreen’s frame is collapsible, this one isn’t.
These fixed-frame screens are meant to be hung on a wall for permanent usage. Because they are connected and pulled tightly across a frame, they stay taut and free of wrinkles like the tensioned screens mentioned above.
Wonderful Choice for Movies or Video Games
This makes them great for watching movies or playing video games on (if you're into video games, you should also check out our list of the best projectors for gaming), as the stable screen allows for the sharpest image possible.
Additionally, like all of the other Visual Apex screens, it is made with quality materials and comes in various sizes.
You get everything you would expect from a Visual Apex product but in a different, more theater-friendly style.
Keep in mind that this type of projection screen does not roll up and is not easy to put away for storage. Once it is hung on the wall, it is meant to stay there, and this is part of why it is one of the best options for those looking for a home theater screen.
It comes at a good price, and though it does not have the advanced features of other products, it doesn’t need them.
In Conclusion
Visual Apex makes projection screens for just about every occasion. One is not necessarily better than the other; it’s all a matter of where it will be placed and what it will be used for.
The ProjectoScreen is the best option for you if portability is your primary concern. On the other hand, their standard and tensioned screens work really well hung above chalkboards for lecturing and other classroom activities.
And finally, their fixed-frame screens work perfectly as a home theater screen to watch all of your media on.
Visual Apex gets awesome reviews from buyers, and the fact that they offer warranties on their products makes them well worth it.
It’s hard to find much better elsewhere. If you’re in the market for a projection screen, there is no need to keep searching. You’ve already found it here.
My name is Steve Scott. Father of 2 and owner of Outdoor Movie HQ. I’ve been involved in the A/V industry for most of my life and built this blog to help people better understand projector technology. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.