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NothingProjector 100″ ALR screen (front projection): test/review

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Published on: 27-09-2025 / Modified: 27-09-2025
Until now, NothingProjector has marketed screens for ultra-short-throw projectors, but this new screen is the first projector designed for front projection that I've had the opportunity to test. This screen is designed to facilitate the use of your projector in a brightly lit room, its structure absorbing the light and concentrating it towards the viewer. NothingProjector has so far scored well on all my criteria, so let's see what this new model can do for you

Where to buy?

This screen is available from NothingProjector for around €1,000 at the time of writing. You can get a 10% discount with the code NUPCL

To activate the code automatically:

Activate promo -10%

This link will redirect you to the NothingProjector home page, where you'll see the promo appear in your shopping cart

To buy the screen:

NothingProjector ALR screen

Mounting the screen

Mounting this screen is no different from any other NothingProjector projector. Assembling the frame is straightforward, simply snap the various components together and tighten the screws. Placing the fabric isn't too complicated either, you just need to make sure you follow the order to install the springs

This screen uses a spring system to avoid any form of folding on the fabric. This system works quite well, and as there are so many springs, you also have plenty of options for adapting the pressure. For each spring you can choose between two levels of pressure, and there are two spouts in the frame that allow you to increase or decrease the pressure.

I'm used to mounting screens and I do it myself. It took me just over an hour to assemble this screen. If you're not used to this kind of set-up, you'll probably need a little more time.

NothingProjector screens often emit a chemical odor that can linger in your projection room for a few days, but that's not the case with this screen. There is a slight chemical odor, but it dissipates fairly quickly.

Screen test: white

To analyze white rendition, I measure the white at the projector outlet to obtain the delta E, the proportion of red/blue/green and the white temperature. I then take a measurement on a neutral surface to finally measure the impact of this screen on white fidelity.

Screens of this type tend to accentuate the coldness of the image, with a drop in red and an increase in blue in the RGB proportions of the white. The following graph shows that this is also the case for this screen:

Here are the values to compare:

Neutral surface:

Red 96.2%

Green: 100.3%

Blue: 107.8%

White temperature: 7010K

NothingProjector screen:

Red: 90.3%

Green: 101.3%

Blue: 115.7%

White temperature: 7683K

To calibrate your projector on this type of screen, you'll need to reduce the proportion of blue quite significantly to return to a warmer color temperature. Red may also need to be compensated for a little. These corrections are often available in most high-brightness projectors

Screen test: colors

After measuring a deviation on white, I logically measure a deviation on colors too, which results in a delta E deviation of 1.5. It's a larger deviation than I've measured on other screens, but a delta E of 1.5 is quite catchable with an adjustment at projector level.

If I look at each color, I see the following impact on colors:

Red: -1.3

Yellow: -0.9

Cyan: -2

Magenta: -1.1

The other colors show negligible deviations. If you have the opportunity, you should work on these colors first.

Screen test: gray

The measurements follow on from each other with the same observation, which is logical given that the deviation of the white will lead to a deviation in everything else. This can also be seen in the grays, which will visibly decrease. If you correct the white, the greys will follow the same path. All results are interrelated. The advantage is that you don't have to work on the grays; if you set the white correctly, that should be enough.

Screen test: contrast

I regularly receive questions from people who have bought a low-contrast projector asking whether using an ALR screen can improve the situation. The answer I give them in most cases is no. Why not? Screens that offer a significant gain in contrast are quite rare, and that gain is never going to turn a low-contrast projector into a high-contrast one. If your goal is to increase contrast, I'd advise you not to waste your money on such a screen

I measured almost unchanged contrast between the reference surface and the NothingProjector screen. It therefore ranks fairly well in the classification. It's its impact on the black that's most important to look at, as this is what will give the image greater depth

Here's a video to illustrate the difference between a lit room and a dark room:



There's clearly a loss of contrast in the lit room, but it's unavoidable. The image, on the other hand, is quite watchable with the lighting just above the projector.

Brightness Gain/Loss

Light is the projector's enemy. Projectors aren't designed to be used in daylight, but fortunately, screens like this one allow you to find a compromise. You still won't get the same result as a television, but this will enable you to use your projector in a well-lit room. There will of course be a loss of contrast, but it will be much more limited than on a white screen or wall.

This type of screen has the effect of lowering the overall brightness of the image to bring the black down to a deeper black. This means you need a very bright projector to enjoy this screen. NothingProjector advertises on its site that you need a projector with at least 2000 lumens to be able to enjoy it.

I compared the brightness of a neutral surface with the brightness of this screen, and there was quite a discrepancy: the brightness was divided by 3. This is not an abnormal result at all, but you should be aware of it before investing your money in this screen or another of the same type.

I used a Valerion VisionMaster Plus 2 projector for this test, which is very bright and makes full use of this type of screen. The JMGO N1 Ultra could also be a candidate. However, you shouldn't use an ultra-short-throw projector, because although the image will be watchable, the loss of brightness will be even greater, and you'll lose the benefit of light management.

Screen material

I haven't received any technical details on this canvas from NothingProjector. I can say, however, that it's totally different in nature from what I've tested so far. The canvas is stiffer than the BlackSeries, and is noticeably smoother, with an almost glazed surface. The texture of the canvas is visible with a glossy effect that's quite discreet when you're watching a film.

In the following image, you can see the impact of viewing angle on brightness, but also the impact on texture:



This type of screen always has a more limited viewing angle than a white screen, but if you have 3 or 4 adults sitting next to each other, each adult should benefit from a good supply of light

This fabric is normally designed to limit laser speckle. I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Plus 2 and found no speckle

Maintenance of this type of fabric should be easier than that of a UST fabric, as the surface is totally smooth.

Methodology

Comparison

I've tested a number of screens using the same test protocol to create an objective comparison to guide you towards the type of screen best suited to your situation.

More info?
Projection screen comparison

Conclusion / My opinion?

The aim of a screen of this type is to concentrate ambient light forwards, so that you can use your projector in daylight. This screen fulfills this mission very well, but to take full advantage of it, you need to be aware of a number of factors. The first, and probably most important, is to use a very bright projector (2000 lumens), otherwise your image may be too dark. This screen will lower the luminosity enough to bring the black closer to a true black and increase the depth of the image. I measured a black of less than 0.05 cd/m², even less than the NothingProjector 120" motorized screen I tested a few weeks ago. The viewing angle is wide enough to be 3 or 4 adults sitting next to each other before starting to see serious brightness degradation

Using a screen of this type also causes color fading. ALR screens tend to cool the image, giving it a bluer tint. This screen accentuates the blue and diminishes the red, so a correction will be necessary. When you opt for a screen of this type, you're going to have to adjust the settings anyway, or go through calibration. In this case, you'll need to correct the blue a little more than the average. This deviation in the proportion of blue and red affects virtually all colors. In principle, most bright projectors have settings to restore the correct color balance. ALR screens are not neutral; they will always require adjustment

Contrary to the perception of many users, ALR screens do not necessarily increase contrast, and when they do, they will not transform a low-contrast projector into a high-contrast one. This screen has almost no impact on contrast, in fact it rarely does, and NothingProjector hasn't made this a selling point

Mounting this screen is easy, and the numerous springs make it possible to adjust the tension of the fabric more precisely.
I've mainly tested screens for ultra-short focal lengths, so I don't have many points of comparison with this screen. It requires a little more correction, but the light management is of a good standard

Strengths

Light management

Viewing angle

Depth of black

Ease of mounting

Uniformity

Limits speckle

Weaknesses

No contrast gain

Increased blue, decreased red

Requires very bright projector

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