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1. What is a ClearPix™ screen?
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ClearPix™ is a projection screen made of a material that allows sound to pass through unaltered. This is a proprietary fabric, designed and trademarked by Screen Research™.
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2. Why should I use a ClearPix screen?
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For the most convincing Audio Visual experience, the sound and picture should come from the same place. Placing the front speakers behind the picture screen is the best way to achieve this. Movie theaters have taken this approach for years.
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3. I have heard that perforated screens are not suitable for DLP, LCD, and other fixed pixel projectors. Is this true? |
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Yes. The perforations in standard vinyl screens interfere with the pixel patterns of projectors. This results in a distracting effect called Moiré. The new Screen Research ClearPix products use fabrics woven from proprietary fibers to avoid this interference and to produce a moiré-free image. They are carefully designed and crafted for no-compromise video and audio performance.
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4. ClearPix screen fabrics are woven. Why?
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The specific weaves of the ClearPix fabrics - which are much more difficult to manufacture than simple perforations - provide acoustical transparency and eliminate the moiré effects caused by rows of visible holes.
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5. Why do some manufacturers recommend a grey screen for DLP projectors? |
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A gray screen helps reduce the visible black
level resolution limitations of DLP and LCD projectors. However,
projector technology is evolving and improving so quickly right
now that gray screens are rarely needed. In any case, products in
the ClearPix2 line are available in either white or grey.
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6. Are the ClearPix screens dedicated to CRTs, LCDs, or DLPs? |
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Our white screens are the best choice with newer high quality DLP projectors. They have a gain close to 1 to provide a high-contrast image in environments that are not totally dark. CRT projectors - which are now mainly reserved for high-end videophiles - provide sufficient light output to perfectly accommodate our white screen surfaces. Gray screens enhance the image of the LCD and some older or entry-level DLP projectors.
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7. Should I plan on a special speaker layout with ClearPix screens? |
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No. ClearPix products require no minimum distance between the speakers and screen. (Note that most of the other perforated vinyl plastic screens require at least 6 inches of clearance to minimize high-frequency sound interferences).
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8. Why is placing the speakers below or above the screen not acceptable? |
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Although a center channel loudspeaker positioned below or above the screen may seem acceptable at first, the lack of sound and image coherence reduces realism. Keep in mind that the vast majority of acoustic energy in a movie soundtrack actually emanates from the center loudspeaker, making its proper placement critical to home theater performance.
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9. Should I place all three front speakers behind a ClearPix screen? |
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This is one of the possible configurations, and it is used in movie theaters. It is also, in some cases, the most decorator-friendly. Another configuration is to place only the center channel behind the screen, with the left and right speakers flanking the screen to obtain a wider stereo image. This latter configuration is the one preferred by most audiophiles.
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10. Where should the center speaker be placed? |
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The center speaker should be positioned right behind the center of the screen, at the same height as the left and right speakers. Ideally, it should be at about the seated ear-height, so this is a useful cue for adjusting the screen height.
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11. How much do the ClearPix fabrics affect sound clarity? |
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1. Not at all. There is an even attenuation across all the frequencies of less than 2dB, with no additional loss of high frequency sounds. You simply compensate by setting the level of all speakers behind the screen about 2dB higher. No more messy compensation EQ boxes or muffled sounds. You can check the screen acoustic transparency response in the ClearPix fabrics technical specifications provided on this site.
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12. Perforated screens reflect some of the sounds back towards the speakers, blurring high-frequency detail. Is this also the case of Screen Research products? |
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No, the Screen Research ClearPix fabrics are woven. There is no acoustically reflective surface on the path of the acoustic wave, which also obviates the need for any acoustic treatment on the wall behind the screen.
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13. Will the screen flap with sound waves? |
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It shouldn’t visibly flap. However, a ported bass-reflex speaker or subwoofer placed behind any electric rolling screen might cause motion. Avoid close proximity of speaker ports to the screen material. There is no such concern with fixed-frame screens.
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14. What types of screen mounting can I get from Screen Research? |
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Screens are available in fixed frames, with or without a masking system and in electrical roll-down format (Supreme Motorized screen or Le Wing).
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15. What sizes are available? |
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The screens come standard as 16:9, 4:3 or 2.35:1 aspect ratios in sizes from 60” wide to 159.5” wide in 10” increments. You can also order them in any size and aspect ratio you wish for an additional custom fee.
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16. What size screen should I get? |
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It depends on how far you sit from the screen. Your sitting distance should be around 1.8 times the screen width.
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17. ClearPix2 fabrics exhibit a structure. Is it going to affect image quality? |
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No. The resolution limit is far beyond the capabilities of today’s best video projectors. The resolution limits range from more than 2000 horizontal pixels for a 70-inch screen to more than 3400 horizontal pixels for a 120-inch screen.
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18. How is the material attached to the fixed frame? |
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The frame makes use of very advanced patented design. Instead of using low-tech solutions like snaps or Velcro®, the screen material is stretched evenly through a self-tensioning V-grip® groove. A spring tension insert grabs the material and locks it firmly into the frame; there is no more bowing or creasing.
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19. I have never heard of Screen Research. |
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Screen Research is a recent company formed by scientists and business professionals with years of experience in technology and A/V design. The company's main goal is to provide solutions to unresolved technical problems in the projection video screen market.
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20. Why should I pay so much attention to my choice of projection screen? |
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The wrong choice of screen can severely compromise a home theater system, especially one using a fixed-pixel projector. Proper speaker location had not been achieved in a really satisfying way before Screen Research launched its ClearPix product line.
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21. How are Screen Research products distributed? |
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Screen Research products are distributed worldwide by a network of professionals who are totally devoted to quality service and customer satisfaction. See our "Sales" page.
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22. How do I know that these screens are really that good? |
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1. Don’t just take our word for it. Internationally renowned video expert Joe Kane has tested the materials and is scheduled to approve their picture performance. The engineers at THX Ltd. have tested and certified ClearPix2 for its audio performance. The prestigious Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) has also certified this video projection screen for the quality and the consistency of its image. What better pedigree could you expect? |
