I finally found the projector screen of my cinematic dreams

If you’re going to invest in a high-quality projector for your home entertainment setup, then you’re also going to need to find the right screen. While it’s important to find the right projector for your needs and arrange it in the ideal environment, a proper screen also plays a big factor in the quality of what you’re watching.

Over a few weeks, I tested out Valerion’s premium projector screen, a Fresnel ambient light-rejecting model designed to serve serious home entertainment enthusiasts. Here’s what I found.

Price, availability, and specs

This high-quality projector screen features a 16:9 aspect ratio with a 1.8 screen gain that makes the image quite bright. While I tested out the 100-inch screen, it’s also available in a more sizable 120-inch model as well. The projector arrived rolled and dissembled, and includes everything you need to put it together. It is designed to support up to 8K resolution and a wide-viewing angle.

It is available from Amazon and directly from Valerion, and costs $1,000.

What I liked about the Valerion Fresnel Projector Screen

Impressive bright images in light and dark spaces

This is a serious, high-quality projector screen, and it’s easy to instantly see the difference using this versus, say, a white sheet or a flat wall. The smooth, clean, reflective surface provided a bright and colorful image that didn’t seem to lose any quality. While I tried out a variety of media on the screen, two recent titles that stood out were an animated movie and a darkly-lit sci-fi show. Indeed, both Kpop Demon Hunters and Alien: Earth look spectacular, with vivid colors showing off in the former and details in the shadows popping up in the latter.

I didn’t notice any bright spots or flare-ups, even when watching some more colorful and dynamic Marvel movies. Everything seemed pretty uniform, with no one part of the screen overpowering the others. I took note of deep blacks as well, with no loss of quality when watching certain titles that spend a lot of time in darker scenes. While I most often watched in a dark room without any ambient light, I was surprised at how well the screen held up when I turned on overhead lights. Admittedly, I don’t have the widest space for viewing, but sitting as far off to the side as possible, I didn’t notice a loss of brightness or color on the screen.

It does help to pair with the right projector; there’s only so much a screen can do without a proper projector that holds up its end of the equation. With the screen, I tested out Valerion’s VisionMaster Pro2, an equally robust projector that is designed to replace a smart TV and serve serious entertainment-goers. The result of using both together in a dark room was an impressive visual experience, one that rivals my OLED TV.

The size worked well for my space, as the 100-inch serve was more than suitable for my viewing experience. Of course, that also allows for a smaller size if you need it, and in a dark room, there isn’t any distraction from the extra, unused portion of the screen surrounding it. And as much as a screen can look good when it’s not in use, this model does offer a theater feel depending on the space it’s being used in. A black frame gives it a more professional feel; it’s designed to be mounted, so I think there’s plenty you can do to make sure you’ve it set up in a way that feels natural.

What I didn’t like about the Valerion Fresnel Projector Screen

Assembly takes plenty of care and patience

The main issue with the projector involves its lengthy and tedious setup and installation. It’s not so much a drawback if you’re prepared, but it’s worth noting you should make sure you have a lot of space, plenty of time, and definitely another person to help you out.

The projector is smartly packed, but as you open up all the various parts, the endeavor can be overwhelming. Firstly, consider where the screen is going before you start putting it together, and make sure you have enough space for the screen to spread out on a floor and for you to move around it easily. Installation basically requires the assembly of a pair of frames, but every piece needs to be carefully and thoughtfully put together.

After you put the inner frame together, comprising six large pieces and a variety of screws, you’ll be draping the delicate screen around it, and then securing it in place with the outer frame. That final arrangement can be tricky if every step before isn’t properly executed. You might find yourself pinching a corner of the screen or trying to force in a screw that doesn’t quite fit. It’s worth taking a lot of time to slowly and methodically piece the screen together. I did struggle a bit at times, and a couple of mistakes did end up with some imperfections around the edge of the screen, although fortunately it didn’t impact viewing.

The physical included instructions can be a bit arcane at times, although the company’s YouTube installation guide is much more helpful; I’d recommend following the video over the paper guide. I’d also recommend wearing gloves when assembling the unit. Not only are there a lot of screws and metal pieces, but some of the materials can be irritating to the skin after a while. The screen is also designed to be mounted, so be sure you have space for that as well.

Should you buy the Valerion Fresnel Projector Screen?

If you’re serious about a home theater projector set up, then you’ll need to invest in not only a quality projector, but also a quality screen that supplements it. The Valerion Fresnel Projector Screen is certainly designed for a large home theater, providing a bright and colorful image in both a light room and a dark environment.

Of course, investing in a quality screen requires a bit of money upfront as well as some lengthy assembly. This is not a screen you’ll be moving around frequently. It will, however, set you up for the present and future, complementing a premium projector for years to come.