Screen Research: Theatercurve™ Acoustically Transparent Projection Screen

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2006 - Nantes, France – Screen Research, industry leader in acoustically transparent, acoustically neutral projection screens for the home and commercial markets, has announced a new range of curved 1.78 and 2.35 aspect ratio models called TheaterCurve™. Available now in a wide range of sizes in both fixed frame and fixed frame with lateral masking panels, the curved design ensures a projection image without distortion while creating a cinematic impression of being surrounded by the projected image.

Available in screen widths from 50" to 270" wide, all TheaterCurve™ models feature Screen Research's award winning ClearPix™ acoustically transparent screen formulations. ClearPix is the first and only acoustically transparent screen material that has been certified THX and ISF for its sound transparency and outstanding image qualities.

ClearPix2 is fast becoming recognized as the optimal acoustically transparent projection screen fabric for use in residential (home theater) applications, post-production facilities, screening rooms, dance clubs, recording studios, worship houses, and other small to medium commercial venues because of its lack of visual moiré and audio degradation effects typically found with common vinyl-perforated screens (i.e., comb filtering and high frequency loss). Speakers can be placed without compromise, where the sound designer or movie's director intended them to be - behind the screen, at the actor's lips or where the action takes place. Video quality is uncompromised as well, with no appreciable loss in resolution compared to perforated screens.

Yves Trelohan, CEO for Screen Research asserted, "TheaterCurve projection screens are the ideal match for today's digital projectors with anamorphic lenses. The slightly curved screen corresponds exactly to the curve of the anamorphic lens. The image in 2.35 ratio is perfectly balanced. TheaterCurve screens are a hand-in-glove fit with the growing movement of constant height 2.35 projection technologies like CineWide™ by Runco and Vidikron and TheaterScope™ by DPI."

"In response to the growing demand by our cutting-edge dealers who are pushing the envelope from home theater into "home cinema" for their clients, the arrival of TheaterCurve™ screens rounds out what is now the most complete line of 2.35 screen options in the home theater industry" said John Caldwell, Director of Sales for StJohn Group, Inc., Screen Research's exclusive North American distributor. "The constant height, 2.35 theater architecture is arguably the cutting edge of technology for entertainment. Screen Research has been positioned from the outset as a brand at the forefront for rectifying the worlds of video and audio performance. TheaterCurve is an amazing experience in either 16:9 or 2.35, and a natural extension of Screen Research's engineering expertise."

Screen Research's new TheaterCurve offerings eliminate the pin-cushioning effects that may be present in short focal distance applications of some anamorphic lenses. Another major benefit of TheaterCurve is its ability to eliminate the "audio hot-spotting" effect caused by solid, non-acoustically transparent curved screens. Traditional solid screen approaches to curved screens results in the creation of a large parabolic reflector in the room, thus focusing reflected acoustical energy into a narrow hot spot in the middle of the listening area. With TheaterCurve, the audio passes right through the screen unabated and any reflected energy from the back wall can pass through the screen and be absorbed by acoustic treatment placed behind the screen.

TheaterCurve fixed frame models start at $2,700 MSRP. TheaterCurve XMask masking screens with unique lateral masking panels that can be made in solid or acoustically neutral masking material, start at $16,500 MSRP.

Screen Research's line of 1.33, 1.78 and 2.35 screens now includes hundreds of models of flat fixed screens, TheaterCurve fixed, TheaterCurve XMask Cinescope with lateral masking, CMask fixed masking systems, motorized screens, and in-ceiling motorized screens with masking. Custom sizes, aspect ratios and models are also available.

WHAT IS CONSTANT HEIGHT 2.35 THEATER ARCHITECTURE?
Constant height 2.35 system architecture maintains the same vertical picture height at all times and uses all of the projector's vertical array of pixels at all times. In combination with the proper video scaler and anamorphic lens that moves into position when Cinescope material is present, there will be no annoying grey bars at the top and bottom of the picture There is no loss in vertical pixel count, thus maximum video resolution and picture brightness is maintained regardless of the source material's aspect ratio.