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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCREEN RESEARCH INTRODUCES NEW ACOUSTICALLY TRANSPARENT
FABRIC FOR FIXED FRAME HOME THEATER SCREENS
New Value-Engineered Material for Screens up to 100″ Wide
Allows Correct Center Channel Speaker Placement
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February 23, 2005 — Bellingham, WA – Screen Research, makers of high-quality acoustically transparent (AT) and acoustically neutral home theater projection screens, has announced availability of a new screen formulation — ClearPix1, or CP1 microfiber fabric. It is available immediately through their North American distributor, StJohn Group — http://www.stjohngroup.com/.
The new fabric has been released as a non-certified material for the value-conscious consumer who appreciates the well-documented benefits of locating the center channel behind the screen. It can be used on all Screen Research fixed frames — Supreme, Classic, and the new integrator frames, the I-frame and J-frame.
Pricing now lines up with most non-AT screens on the market, making an AT screen an affordable option for any home cinema. Entry-level integrator frames start at $925 MSRP. Standard frame models start at $1,225.
CP1 COLOR BALANCE
John Caldwell, sales director for StJohn Group, said, “Like our current top-of-the-line CP2, CP1 is also a unity gain screen material, but because of its color balance, it will appear MUCH brighter to a viewer, due to the blue tint in the fabric. With CP1, there is no hot spotting that comes de facto from a brighter than 1.0 gain screen. Increased blue color balance is universally perceived as being brighter.
“A good analogy would be comparing the CP1 to 9300 Kelvin color temperature versus 6500 color temperature of CP2. You get brighter whites with CP1, but CP2 is technically more accurate. But some viewers prefer a 9300 Kelvin picture!
“So,” Caldwell continued, “CP1 is not going to be ISF certified for flat spectral response like CP2. It just means the installer will now have the option of either using the CP1 fabric “as is” for the client who likes whiter whites, or to calibrate a little at the projector. Not a big deal for most projectors today, but you would typically scrub off some lumens using this fabric if you want perfect color.”
CP1 AUDIO CHARACTERISTICS
On the audio side the screen is virtually as acoustically neutral as the company’s CP2 formulation. The frequency response curve is practically flat to 20kHz. There is no audio comb filter effect and no EQ required — a persistent problem with common perforated screens.
SIZES & OPTIONS
CP1 material is available on fixed screen sizes starting at 50″ wide (viewable area) up to 100″ wide in 16:9 format and 130″ wide in 2.35:1 format.
Specially developed acoustically transparent black backing material is also available as an option with CP1 screens. This added layer prevents any light that gets through the screen from reflecting off of objects behind the screen, and back into the viewer’s eyes. When used in combination with the CP1 screen material, one need only to increase the center channel’s gain by approximately 1 dB. No need for expensive re-equing where results are dubious.
CP1 TALKING POINTS
– Excellent audio neutrality. No need for re-EQing. Approx. 1 dB of attenuation above 2 kHz.
– Excellent rejection of video moire patterns at ANY size.
– NO loss of video resolution – vital as we enter the era of High Def DVD later this year with formats like Sony Blu Ray and HD DVD.
– Unity gain 0.95. No hot spotting. Excellent off axis viewing.
– Significantly lower cost than CP2. When combined with the new, low-cost I- and J-frame options, pricing on CP1 screens is comparable to non-perforated screens from other manufacturers.
There is no longer a reason NOT to purchase an acoustically transparent screen and put speakers where they belong — behind the screen.
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BACKGROUND
PROJECTION SCREEN MATERIAL
All Screen Research screens are available with THX ULTRA and ISF Certified ClearPix2 projection screen material for unmatched video and audio performance. Unlike common perforated screens, the acoustically transparent ClearPix screens do not introduce the comb filtering associated with perforations and as such require no compensation equalization for speakers placed behind them.
In addition, the absence of perforations eliminates the moire interference patterns that plague perforated screens when they are used with fixed-pixel projectors (DLP, LCD, LCOS). As a result, home theater designers who use these popular projectors can now place the center loudspeaker where it belongs — behind the screen and at the proper height for optimum sound and image coherence.
FIXED AND RETRACTABLE MODELS, MOTORIZED AND FIXED MASKING SYSTEMS, & LE WING
Screen Research offers the ClearPix2 fabric in fixed and electric retractable models, in standard and custom widths, and in matte white (0.95 gain) or pearl grey (0.75 gain). The fixed models employ a patented frame design. Instead of using snaps or Velcro, the screen fabric is stretched evenly via a self-tensioning system. A spring tension insert grabs the fabric and locks it firmly into the frame with no bowing or creasing. The Supreme frame’s luxurious velour finish eliminates distracting stray light reflections.
The Classic — a black anodized aluminum frame – offers a lower cost option than the Supreme velour frame. And two new integrator frames — the I-frame and the J-frame — offer even lower cost options for installers integrating Screen Research screen material into existing frames or custom-built framing.
Screen Research also offers a full complement of motorized screens with masking, professional-grade fixed masking systems — called XMask — and Le Wing, the world’s first integrated, fully retractable motorized screen and speaker system.
BROCHURE AND HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHY
This press release, along with product literature and high-resolution photos are available for downloading from the StJohn Group web site. The Screen Research web site contains detailed product and technical information as well.
AVAILABLE NOW
Designed and engineered in France, Screen Research screens and masking systems are distributed and marketed in the Western Hemisphere by StJohn Group, Inc. Qualified consumers who wish to purchase will be directed to an authorized dealer. Contact StJohn Group for details.
ABOUT SCREEN RESEARCH
Screen Research is a company made up of scientists and business professionals with years of experience in technology and A/V design. Its main goal is to provide solutions to unresolved technical problems in the projection video screen market.
It has specialized in acoustically transparent video-projection screens of the highest quality, specifically designed for today’s modern fixed pixel projectors (LCD, DLP, L-COS, etc.). Its products are distributed worldwide and have been quickly recognized and awarded for bringing significant improvements to existing screen and projection technologies.
ABOUT STJOHN GROUP
StJohn Group is a distribution and marketing company specializing in products and services for the custom integration (CI) market. The company currently is the exclusive North American distributor and marketer of Screen Research acoustically transparent projection screens and Artcoustic on-wall loudspeakers.
The company’s two founding partners — industry veterans John Caldwell and Kevin Leja — together have more than 50 years experience in virtually every facet of the consumer electronics industry. StJohn Group is pioneering a New School approach to products and marketing strategies — one that will help move CI dealers closer to the mainstream of the home design market.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Sales:
John Caldwell
Phone: 805-647-3779 • Fax: 805-856-2212
E-mail: john@stjohngroup.com
Administration:
4396 Saddlestone Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: 360-756-2205 • Fax: 360-647-1087
E-mail: info@stjohngroup.com
Web sites:
http://www.stjohngroup.com
http://www.cebiz.net
http://www.artcousticusa.com/
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