Open Air Cinema Elite projection surfaces explained

Open Air Cinema Elite screens are our top-shelf lineup, designed specifically for the larger screen sizes and made from premium material. Available in 25′, 30′ and 40′ sizes, Elite inflatable screens offer multiple projection-surface types.

The origin of Elite projection surfaces

Designing an inflatable screen as huge as 40′ x 22.5′ is challenging, because there aren't many options for a projection surface made from a single piece of material. Many manufacturers cut corners here, using a surface made of several cloth pieces with seams that are visible — and distracting — during the screening.

Beyond finding a piece of cloth of sufficient size, the projection surface also needs to reflect light properly. We make no compromise here: the projection surfaces for Open Air Cinema Elite screens are made in Canada by a company that serves conventional movie theaters the world over, and our supplier designs them specifically for use with inflatable screen frames.

Front, rear and universal Elite projection surfaces

With Open Air Cinema Elite screens you get three options to meet your specific needs. The front-only projection surface provides the best image quality, with accurate colour and even brightness across a wide range of viewing angles. Its back is a dense black material welded to the white part, for perfect contrast and to block unwanted light from behind.

The rear projection surface is a dedicated solution for the best possible image during rear projection.

And the universal Elite projection surface lets you place your projector in front of or behind the screen while still getting good image quality.

We typically recommend a front-only surface for the best image quality, but for venues with limited space the rear-only surface is the best fit. And for travelling outdoor cinemas that change venues regularly, the universal Elite surface offers the most versatility.