People who know motion pictures prefer Stewart projection screens because they want to enjoy the best possible picture—vibrant color, sharp contrast, and rich detail. In fact, filmmakers have long relied on Stewart screens in the making of their films—in special effects creation as well as in the editing and production processes. Studio screening rooms and film production houses around the globe trust Stewart screen quality to such an extent that it is the industry standard reference material for color balance, details, and textures. Filmmakers know that the secret to achieving the best possible image is to use the very best screen—an Academy Award®-winning Stewart projection screen. Even the home of Oscars®, the state-of-the-art Kodak Theater in Hollywood, uses Stewart screens. Your home theater can have a screen produced in the same way, by the same craftspeople, as the screens used by people who really know how a film should look.

Image quality depends on the screen

What makes a great image in any environment? High contrast—the difference between the brightest white and the deepest black on the screen. The wider the range, the better the image—saturated color, rich textures, and shadow details. That’s why theaters have traditionally been dark rooms—to keep the blacks black. Ambient light competes with projected light, washing out the image.

Thinking out of the “dark box”

Projectors today are powerful, producing a very bright image. Manufacturers specify a contrast ratio, say 800:1 (white:black). However, this contrast ratio is measured at the projector. What matters to you is the contrast ratio at the screen, since that’s what you see. Ambient light (from windows, lamps, or projected light bouncing off walls or other room surfaces) affects the contrast at the screen. A dark room built to eliminate ambient light has long been the way to ensure an optimal image. Now, Stewart screens with active reflective coatings allow home cinema enthusiasts to break out of the “dark box” theater and enjoy a vibrant image in any environment.

It’s in the screen

For environments with high ambient light, a gray screen enhances the deepness of the blacks, thereby improving the contrast. However, gray alone is not enough; you need Stewart’s special optical coating to achieve a full range of brightness and dynamic color range. In fact, the first Stewart screen to introduce this technology, FireHawk, won more international awards in one year than any other projection screen in history.

Where you can’t control the environment, control the contrast

There is no single magic screen material—each home cinema has unique demands. Selection of the right screen involves consideration of various factors such as projector type, fixed or retractable screen, viewing angles, ambient light conditions, seating layout, and screen size. Stewart offers a screen material for every environment. And we can help you determine the one that's best for you.

Screen chemistry

Any way you look at it, we’re different. To provide consistent quality and innovation year after year, you need the right ingredients. And you need to understand the science involved in perceiving projected images. That’s what we do. We make so many screens for special circumstances that we’re constantly thinking about the science and technology of projection screens. Each and every Stewart projection screen is custom-built by skilled craftspeople. One day a Stewart team might be building a screen for the hottest director, the next day, they are building yours. Same material, same process, same strict quality control. Our people are well-trained and experienced and know how to build in quality from beginning to end.

Service—we think about you, not just the screen

There is one more way we are unusual—our unsurpassed service. There’s a lot that goes in to choosing the right screen: things like ambient lighting, viewing angles, projector type. Based on our years of experience, we have the knowledge to help you or your dealer make the right choice for your individual needs. If you have questions on the use or maintenance of your screen, we’re here to help. Stewart’s superb customer service actually surprises people! Dealers have voted to give Stewart the Inside Track Award for Best Customer Service for several years running.

Superior quality control

Stewart achieves consistent top-of-the-line quality by controlling all critical steps in the screen production process. If you were to visit our facility, you would see something very unusual. We make the screen fabric from raw materials; we do not buy it ready-made. We make each and every frame to order, with the right mounting hardware for your installation. Your screen is inspected carefully every step of the way. Finally, your screen is packaged with extreme care for delivery.

A screen for every home

No two home cinemas are alike. Your cinema may be in a room that is used for more than one purpose, with lots of ambient light. For a multi-purpose room, a retractable screen might be your preferred option as the screen disappears when not in use. Or you may prefer a fixed screen for a dedicated home cinema, perfectly dark, re-creating the optimum theater experience (without the sticky floor).