Motorised Screens

Motorised Screen Buying Guide 2026: the right choice in five steps

Five criteria determine the right motorised screen: size & format · fabric · control · tension · case & looks. The most important is the fabric – it determines how the picture looks in your room. The following overview matches the most common applications directly to a recommendation; after that, we explain each criterion in detail.

Not sure which size suits your room and seating distance? Our screen buying guide provides size and distance advice covering all designs.

Need a custom-made screen? Is even a 4.50 m image width not enough, or do you have special requirements? Whether an exact custom size for your wall, a particularly long black top drop for high ceilings, a specific case colour (such as black instead of white) or a special fabric and format variant right up to CinemaScope: our projector specialists will be happy to check what can be done for your room. Request a custom-made screen →

1. Size & format – seating distance first

The right image size depends primarily on the seating distance – but how large it can ultimately be is also a question of content and personal preference. As a rough rule of thumb for home cinema, the distance to the first row of seats should be around 1.5 times the image width; with a 4K signal, you can sit closer without seeing individual pixels. A few guide values:

• 2.5 m seating distance → approx. 160 to 180 cm image width
• 3.0 m seating distance → approx. 200 cm image width
• 4.0 m seating distance → approx. 250 to 270 cm image width

In the office and conference room, what counts is not the cinema feeling but legibility right to the back row: here it is better to go one size larger and keep an eye on the distance from the rearmost seats to the screen, so that text and tables remain clearly legible from there too. For very large rooms such as halls or auditoriums, the XL versions go up to around 4 m image width. Our size and seating distance advice calculates which size suits your room. For home cinema, feel free to go one size larger, as long as the seating distance fits.

When it comes to format, your content decides: 16:9 is the standard for film and streaming, 16:10 also covers classic presentation formats, and 4:3 is still common in classrooms and with older document cameras. An example for an image width of around 3 m: in 16:9, the surface measures approx. 300 × 169 cm (approx. 131 inches) for home cinema, in 4:3 around 300 × 225 cm, and in 1:1 300 × 300 cm for format-flexible presentations. Many motorised screens can be programmed via an adjustable limit switch to a fixed drop height that is always the same.

2. Fabric – matte white, contrast or acoustically transparent

More and more home cinemas are moving into the bright living room rather than a darkened room and replacing the TV there – whether for film, streaming or gaming on the big screen. Large TVs are becoming ever more affordable, but when switched off they hang on the wall as a large dark panel, while the motorised screen only appears when you need it.

The fabric determines how the picture looks in your room:

• Matte white: the all-rounder for darkened and normally lit rooms. It diffuses light evenly, delivers natural colours and a wide viewing angle. The right choice for the classic home cinema and the conference room.
• Contrast / ALR fabric: for rooms with light walls and ceilings that reflect projector light back onto the screen. These surfaces reduce distracting stray light and make blacks look darker than on a matte white fabric. Important: an ALR fabric does not help against every kind of light – window or lamp light falling directly onto the screen remains critical. Examples of coated high-contrast fabrics are the celexon DARKVISION (lamp, LED, single or dual laser) and, for triple-laser projectors, the diffuse celexon GREYVISION; you will find the full selection in the guide Daylight & contrast screens.
• Acoustically transparent: if the centre speaker is to be placed behind the screen. The sound plays through the micro-perforated fabric, as with the celexon SOUNDVISION; more under acoustically transparent motorised screens.

Ultra short throw and laser TV projectors are a special case: a normal motorised screen is usually not ideal for them, because with the steep projection angle even small waves and the wrong fabric texture become visible. For laser TV/UST, you should choose a CLR screen specifically designed for this purpose – which we also offer as a motorised CLR tensioned screen if you want to combine your laser TV projector with the convenience of a motorised screen. Our guide Laser TV & CLR screens offers advice on this.

Many motorised screens also have a black back, side masking borders and a black top drop: the coated back absorbs stray light from behind and reduces show-through, so contrast and black level remain stable. The side masking borders frame the picture neatly and make it look clearly defined. The black top drop (the section of fabric above the image area) also has a practical benefit: with mounting close to the ceiling, it lets the picture "drop" lower so that it sits at a comfortable eye level instead of sticking to the ceiling.

3. Control – remote control, wall switch or trigger

The motorised screen can be operated by IR remote control, a permanently installed wall switch or a wired remote control. Check the scope of delivery: not every model comes with a remote control – suitable triggers, remote controls and screen controllers can be retrofitted. Two things are practical for permanent installation: the end position can usually be set to the millimetre, and many models can also stop at intermediate positions, for example to use the same fabric for 16:9 and 16:10.

A trigger makes it particularly convenient: it links the screen to the projector, so it automatically lowers as soon as you switch on the projector and retracts again when it switches off – provided the projector and screen have a suitable 12 V trigger connection. The signal is transmitted either by a cable or, if there is no cable to the projector, wirelessly by a radio trigger. Combined with a projector ceiling lift, the projector itself also disappears out of sight at the push of a button. In permanently installed media rooms, the screen is often operated via an installed wall control or the central media control system rather than a remote control; via the volt-free switching contact, it can also be integrated into a room or home automation system, for example so that a single "cinema scene" starts the screen, projector and lighting together.

4. Tension – a flat surface completely free of waves

With larger fabrics, slight waves can form over time. A tensioned motorised screen tensions the fabric via lateral tensioning cords, achieving a much flatter surface. This is most noticeable with wide screens, with high-contrast ALR special fabrics that reveal every unevenness, and in home cinemas with slow camera pans. Smaller matte white screens for the office lie flat even in the standard version – there, tension is the comfort upgrade for maximum flatness. If you are looking for a matte white reference fabric for colour-accurate, calibrated reproduction, you will find it in the Premium Plus tension line such as the celexon 4K Pro MWHT. The full selection is under tensioned motorised screens for flat image surfaces.

5. Case & build quality – looks and durability

For the picture, the fabric is what matters most (step 2). The case, on the other hand, is less about picture quality and more about looks in the room, build quality and durability – and, for very large formats, the necessary stability. Broadly speaking, there are three levels:

• Entry level: slim case, standard matte white fabric, excellent value for money – ideal for the office, classroom or as an entry into home cinema.
• Installation class: more solid case with metal end caps and a thicker, heavier fabric that hangs flatter. Designed for permanent fixed installation.
• Premium/large-format class: sturdy aluminium cases, finely textured fabric surfaces for 4K projection and the large formats for halls and auditoriums.

In our range, you will find these levels in the celexon Economy, Professional, Professional Plus and Expert series, among others; for living spaces, the HomeCinema versions have a discreet design.

Frequently asked questions about motorised screens

Motorised screen or manual pull-down screen – which is better?

The only difference is the drive. A manual pull-down screen is pulled out of the case by hand and held in place by a locking mechanism: inexpensive, no power connection needed, with freely selectable formats. A motorised screen is lowered and raised electrically by remote control or switch. This can be gentler on the fabric and mechanism, as the movement is smoother and without jerky pulling. However, it requires a power connection and working motor and control technology. You will find the more affordable alternative under manual pull-down screens.

Retractable, automatic, drop-down screen – are they the same thing?

Yes. Retractable screen, automatic screen, drop-down screen and electric projector screen are common terms for the same design: the motorised screen, which is lowered out of the case by a motor. A power connection is essential; a trigger can optionally be added to link it to the projector.

Which size and format should I choose?

The size follows the seating distance (rule of thumb for home cinema: distance ≈ 1.5 × image width), the format follows the content (16:9 for film, 16:10 for the office, 4:3 for the classroom). Specific distance and size tables are provided in our size and seating distance advice.

Which motorised screen for 150 inches?

A 150-inch motorised screen (around 332 cm image width in 16:9 format) suits large living rooms, home cinemas and meeting rooms with sufficient seating distance – for home cinema, that is roughly 5 m to the first row. In this size, mainly the XL and premium contrast lines (e.g. celexon DARKVISION) are available. With this image width, pay particular attention to a sturdy case and, for a flat surface, a tensioning system.

Do I need tension on a motorised screen?

A tensioning system pulls the fabric taut at the sides, ensuring a particularly flat, steady image surface. This is most noticeable with large image widths, high-contrast ALR fabrics and in home cinemas with slow camera pans, where even the slightest unevenness would be noticeable. Smaller matte white screens for the office lie flat even in the standard version – if you also value maximum flatness and premium quality, choose the tensioned version.

Which motorised screen is suitable for bright rooms?

A matte white motorised screen delivers a very good picture with normal light control (curtains or blinds closed). For rooms with light walls or permanent ambient light, there are motorised screens with contrast or ALR fabric that filters stray light and improves the black level (e.g. contrast fabrics such as celexon DARKVISION). Details can be found in the guide Daylight & contrast screens.

Can I link the motorised screen to the projector?

Yes – via a trigger, provided the projector and screen have a suitable 12 V trigger connection. It automatically lowers the screen when the projector is switched on and retracts it again when it is switched off. Triggers and other screen controllers are available for retrofitting; if you have questions about the combination, our projector specialists will be happy to help.

How is a motorised screen installed – is recessed ceiling installation possible?

Most motorised screens can be mounted flexibly on the wall or ceiling; all you need is a power connection at the installation site. A few points are worth considering in advance: the case is wider than the image area itself (masking and motor sit at the sides), and tensioned screens need a few extra centimetres for the tensioning mechanism, so plan the wall width with some margin. Check the load-bearing capacity of the wall or ceiling, decide on the desired image height in advance (it depends on seating position and taste) and have the power outlet installed close to the end of the screen where the connection is located. If the technology is to remain completely invisible, a recessed ceiling motorised screen disappears flush into the ceiling. For the projector, a matching projector ceiling mount or projector ceiling lift completes the setup.

What if there is no power supply at the installation site?

Then a battery-powered motorised screen is the solution. It lowers and raises just as conveniently by remote control, but draws its power from an integrated rechargeable battery instead of the mains socket. This means it can also be mounted where no power cable can be laid, and the location remains flexible. You will find the selection under battery-powered screens.

Buying a motorised screen – what should I look out for?

Above all, the fabric to match the lighting conditions (matte white, contrast/ALR or acoustically transparent), as it determines the picture. In addition, size & format to suit the seating distance, the control (remote control, switch, trigger), a tensioning system for a flat surface in a premium home cinema, and the case depending on your demands in terms of looks and build quality (Economy to Expert). Also check the scope of delivery, as not every model comes with a remote control.

Buy your motorised screen at Beamer-Discount

From a single motorised screen to a complete projection solution: our projector specialists match projector, screen and installation as a complete system to your room, lighting conditions and usage – and can also check custom sizes if required.