FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCREEN
RESEARCH INTRODUCES "INTEGRATOR" FRAMES
I-frame and J-frame give installers more installation
options
at more competitive price points
March
17, 2005 – Bellingham, WA - Screen Research, makers of high-quality
acoustically transparent (AT) and acoustically neutral home theater
projection screens, has announced the availability of two new
frame styles – dubbed the I-frame and J-frame – designed
to give professional system integrators more flexibility in their
installations. They are also a lower cost option that makes Screen
Research’s patented micro-fiber based acoustically transparent
screens competitive with most solid screens on the market. These
new frames are available immediately through their North American
distributor, StJohn Group – http://www.stjohngroup.com/.
Screen
Research designs and supplies complete projection screen systems,
which require installation by a professional, in order to guarantee
the product’s reliability and performance for the customer.
Consequently, Screen Research does not provide its projection
screen material without the associated frames, cabinetry or adapted
structures.
However,
professional residential and commercial installers are increasingly
asked to tailor their designs to meet their customers’ particular
needs. To respond to this need, Screen Research has developed
these two new frames specifically for this purpose.
The
new frames can be used with both ClearPix1 and ClearPix 2 acoustically
transparent projection screen fabrics. Both also employ the use
of Screen Research's patented Pi-grip self-tensioning screen system,
which uses no snaps, grommets or Velcro® that can cause edge
distortion.
Pricing
for complete systems starts at $1,225 MSRP for the I-frame and
$925 MSRP for the J-frame.
I-FRAME
The I-frame is a durable aluminum extrusion over which the ClearPix
fabrics are stretched.
When
ordering, the installer specifies S for “shallow” or
D for “deep” orientation (“Deep” is shown
in photo below) and the frame and fabric are shipped ready to
assemble.
The
screen fabric is then fastened on the back of the extrusion with
the Pi-grip. Acoustically transparent and THX certified black
backing material specially designed to kill light leak and to
improve contrast ratio is also attached in this manner.
A
small “salesman’s sample” (a 16” x 9”
model) is shown below.
The I-frame would typically be used in situations where the installer
wants a completely frameless screen, that could be hung on the
wall like a picture frame, or mounted behind a proscenium, for
example.
J-FRAME
The J-frame is also an aluminum extrusion, but a much smaller
and simpler design. It is a holding channel for the ClearPix fabric
and Pi-grip and is intended to be screwed to an existing frame
(i.e. a home made wooden frame, a solid proscenium, or an existing
metal frame from some other screen supplier.)
Unlike the I-frame which comes cut to size, the J-frame comes
in lengths of 45.2” (1.15m) for the appropriate size of screen
that has been ordered. The installer must then cut the lengths
of J-frame to the exact size during installation and screw the
pieces to an existing frame of some sort.
The
J-frame is shown here attached to the back of a simple black oak
frame (not supplied).
If
acoustically transparent and THX certified black backing material
is required, for absorbing the 3% or less light leak, then dealers
order a kit with two rows of the J-frame extrusions.
I-FRAME
& J-FRAME TALKING POINTS
 |
Integrator
frames offer installers additional options for mounting ClearPix
acoustically transparent fabric. |
|
I-frame
allows frameless screen look and can be oriented two different
ways to accommodate installation demands. Comes cut to size. |
|
J-frame
is not self-supporting and must be attached to a wall or some
other structural member along its entire length. Extrusion
pieces are delivered as a batch of bars of similar length
and must be cut to exact size during installation. |
|
Significantly
lower cost than Screen Research’s Supreme and Classic
aluminum frames. Lower pricing offers the installer more flexibility
in bids or proposals. |
|
BOTTOM
LINE: With price points competitive with solid screens from
most manufacturers, there is no longer a reason not to purchase
an acoustically transparent screen and put speakers where
they belong – behind the screen. |
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 moiré
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.
New
ClearPix1 material is also available in all fixed screen models.
While it offers all the visual and aural benefits of ClearPix2
material, it is does not carry the THX or ISF certification, and
is designed for the value-conscious consumer who appreciates the
well-documented benefits of locating the center channel behind
the screen.
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.
