Frequently Asked Questions
These are the top 25 typical questions people ask us everyday.
What size screen should I do for my theater?
This all depends on the individual and the room size.
Using an audio transparent screen such as the CineWeave™ HD allows people with narrow rooms to place all three front speakers behind the screen. A person may have a 10 foot wide room and with a solid screen would have to compromise screen size and do a 7 foot wide solid screen in the room to place the speakers at the sides of the screen. With an audio transparent screen you could go as wide as the room permits and place all 3 speakers behind the screen.
If you do not have any width limitations in your theater, you can go as wide as you want. There are allot of rules out there specing how big a screen should be from seating distance. Allot of this has changed over the past few years with higher resolution projectors now on the market. Before, you use to have to sit a minimum distance away from the screen to not see any artifacts, pixels and screen door effects (SDE).
If you are a person that likes to follow the rules, here is a calculator to help you decide what screen size
and viewing distance SMPTE recommends your room
SCREEN SIZE CALCULATOR
What aspect ratio (AR) screen is better for me?
This is really all up to what you watch more of.
If you watch more HDTV/sports than movies than a 16:9 (1.78) aspect ratio screen may be right for you.
If you watch more movies than HDTV than maybe a 2.35:1 may be better for you.
Watching 2.35:1 aspect ratio movies on a 16:9 projection screen is going to give you black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. Watching HDTV on a 2.35:1 screen is going to give you black bars on the sides of the screen if you don't use a scaler and anamorphic lens. Also, when switching between 2.35:1 and 1.78 content on a 2.35:1 projection screen requires zooming in and out with a projector when you are not using a scaler and anamorphic lens.
To see how many DVD's are in which aspect ratio, check out http://imdb.com/Sections/DVDs/AspectRatios/
For more info about scalers and anamorphic lenses, please read the next few questions.
What is constant height?
Constant height also known as (CH) is the ability to watch 2.35 material in full resolution and with the full width just as the director intended. In a constant height setup, 2.35 movies take up the whole screen without any black bars above or below the feature. Because you are using the projectors full panel to display the 2.35 image, there is a 33% increase in resolution. The light output is also about 20% more than the same size picture without an anamorphic lens. This results in a smoother more film like image that has allot more depth and punch to it.
Some other benefits of constant height also include more immersion for 2.35 films due to the extra width and no more annoying black bars. And also easier masking options.
A constant height set up requires an anamorphic lens and a scaler or HTPC to do the scaling along with a 2.35:1 screen.
You use the anamorphic adaptable lens to stretch the image wide or tall and a scaler to correct the distortion on a 2.35:1 projection screen.
Here are some anamorphic lenses people use:
http://www.iscooptic.de/isco_new_e/home_cinema_e.html (High end lens with option of motorized)
http://www.prismasonic.com/english/specs.shtml (Horizontal/ Vertical with option of motorized)
http://www.panamorph.com/Products.html Vertical or Horizontal
For scalers check out:
http://www.lumagen.com/
http://www.crystalio.com/
http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/systems/
Here are some links that go into more detail about 2.35:1:
http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15649
http://www.videophile.info/Screen/Page_01.htm
http://www.mindspring.com/~zyber/cinema-screen.html
Additional reading:
http://www.brooklyncenter.com/cinema/scope/articles/about_cinemascope.htm
http://www.thecinemalaser.com/anamorphic-enhancement-support-page.htm
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/index.html
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/aspectratios/widescreenorama.html
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=39384
Thanks to Tukkis from AVS for supplying most of this info.
What is a masking system?
A masking system is when you use black panels to mask off the un-used portions of your projection screen while viewing projected content. Some masking systems are manual and others are motorized. Motorized masking systems can be capable of automatic 4 way motorized masking and can mask your screen for every aspect ratio available.
Do you offer a masking system?
Yes, we are first introducing a constant height motorized masking system that adapts to the SmX Pro-Line projection screen frame. Four way masking systems will follow shortly after as well as curved masking systems.
Do I need a curved screen and will it make the picture better?
A curved screen with the SmX CineWeave will not improve your projected image or brightness. However, a curved screen will help correct distortion caused from an anamorphic lens. A curved screen can also help keep light off the side walls in your theater and help draw you more into the movie by surrounding the movie around you. Curved screens are more-so intended for higher gain screens to help focus more light back to the center of the audience and help reduce hot-spotting.
Do you offer curved screens?
Yes. We offer curve screens in 3 different radius's. 18', 30' and 40' radius's.
What are the latest developments for SmX?
You can see our recent news and developments at:
http://www.smxscreen.com/smx-news.html
http://www.smxscreen.com/products.html and
http://www.smxscreen.com/forum/
Are there any reviews, testimonials or feedback from existing users of SmX products?
There are many testimonials and plenty of feedback from real users all over the net
one place to check out is the largest Audio/Video forums in the world, AVS.
Go to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ and do a search for SmX we also have many real life
testimonials right here in our forums as well.
Do I need an acoustically transparent screen?
It depends on your requirements. An acoustically transparent projection screen localizes audio so it comes from the actors mouth, not from above or below the screen. A true movie theater is suppose to have an audio transparent projection screen but some people do not have enough room to place their speakers behind the screens so the compromise sound using a solid projection screen.
How do I get my speakers behind an audio transparent screen?
Most people build a false framed wall to mount the projection screen on and place the speakers behind. This false wall is usually about 18" - 24" minimum from the real wall. Other people use stands, ceiling mounted methods, poles, etc. People that don't have the space to build a screen wall but still want the audio to come from behind the screen use in-wall speakers. Triad and Klipsch THX Ultra 2 are a couple companies that make high quality in-wall speakers.
How far do I place my speakers behind the SmX CineWeave screen?
The speaker baffle can be 2" - 3" minimum up to 24" or more from the screen.
Will my speakers work with the SmX CineWeave screen?
All speakers work with the SmX CineWeave™ HD screen material.
Will placing my speakers behind the SmX CineWeave screen hurt the audio?
No, there is no audible distortion from placing your speakers behind the CineWeave™ HD.
Will I sacrifice picture quality using a SmX CineWeave screen?
This is a question that can be answered differently by different people. Some people have claimed that the SmX CineWeave was better than their previous solid screen solution. Others will argue that all audio transparent projection screens degrade the projected image to some degree. The SmX is a different beast than all other audio transparent screens. Yes there will be a slight loss of light (usually 6%) due to the audio transparency of the CineWeave screen material but the CineWeave is well known for sharpening your projected image and boast vibrant color and pop.
Is an audio transparent movie screen better than a solid movie screen?
A Huge misconception people have on Audio Transparent projection screens are related to the perforated audio transparent screens of the past. In the past years, a perforated screen would be a last resort due to loss of image quality and deterioration of sound caused by the perforations. All this has changed with the SmX CineWeave™ HD.
Here are a few real good reasons why an SmX audio transparent movie screen is favorable over a solid movie screen.
The first reason is speaker placement. With a solid movie screen, you have to put your main speakers on the left and right and the center channel on the top or bottom of the solid movie screen. This is known to cause an unwanted detectable top or bottom imaging of dialogue in movies. Other words, the dialogue coming from the center channel on the top or bottom of the solid screen sounds as if it's coming from the top or the bottom of the movie screen.
With an Audio Transparent screen, you can now place your main speakers and center channel directly behind the movie screen to get audio imaging the way it was intended to be from Hollywood. With your speakers behind the audio transparent movie screen, a persons dialogue in a movie is actually coming from the direction of their mouth opposed to coming from below or above the entire movie screen.
For people with limited space, a solid movie screen usually means having to sacrifice screen size due to having to place the speakers on the sides of the solid screen. An audio transparent movie screen gives you full flexibility to go as big as your room allows by being able to put all your front speakers behind the movie screen.
Another important reason why an SmX Audio transparent movie screen is favorable over a solid movie screen is audio reflections. A solid movie screen in front of your movie theater creates one unwanted large reflective wall for audio. Since the Solid Movie screen can not be treated with any acoustical treatments, it ends up being a solid wall you must have in your theater which can be really bad for audio. With an SmX Audio Transparent projection screen, your entire front wall behind the Audio Transparent movie screen can be acoustically treated giving you an optimum sounding room.
Perceived sharpness in video quality. The weave of the SmX gives your projected image a perceived sharper image. This works great for people with soft projecting projectors like CRT or LCOS technology.
Keeping your speakers behind the movie screen is the same method main stream public movie theaters use.
Why expect anything less in your home theater?
Do you have any SmX CineWeave™ HD screen shots available?
Yes, there are many screen shots on the SmX forums as well as here
http://www.smxscreen.com/screen-shots.html
Do you offer solid screens with higher gain?
Yes, we offer four solid screens with the Pro-Line frame in Matte, 1.4 gain, 1.8 gain and 2.4 gain (Silver Screen)
Will I see the perforations of the CineWeave™ HD from seating distance?
Just to give you an idea, a micro-perf was previously the worlds smallest perforated hole in a movie screen. So how does the SmX perforation (or sound hole) compare to the perforation of a micro-perf? Just so you know, a perforation in a micro-perf screen is about .02" which is extremely small.
The perforation in the SmX CineWeave™ HD is about 1/3rd the size of a micro-perf. In fact, for every 65 holes in a micro-perforated projection screen, the SMX CineWeave™ HD has 182 perforations/sound holes that are about 1/3rd the size of the micro-perf.
Here is a comparison of the differences of a perforated screen, and micro-perforated screen compared to the Smx CineWeave™ HD perforation. Keep in mind that the micro-perf is .02" in size.
The Smx CineWeave™ HD is in the middle.
Will moiré be an issue with my projector and the SmX CineWeave™ HD screen?
The nice thing about the SmX CineWeave™ HD and the Pro-Line frame is the ability to rid moiré is moiré is present. With today's high res projectors and other audio transparent projection screens moiré is most likely going to be an issue. The SmX CineWeave™ HD with the Pro-Line frame guaranty's No Moiré.
Is my projector bright enough for the SmX CineWeave™ HD screen?
It all depends on the screen size, light control of the room and calibrated lumens of the projector you are using. This is a question that needs to be individually answered.
There is a great projector and screen size calculator located at :
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm
How long does it usually take before you ship my order?
We try to ship all Orders within 3-5 business days.
Ship times can vary depending on how busy we are. Please email us for current ship times.
Do you accept returns?
Yes, on standard size screens if the screen is returned in the same condition it was shipped with all the same parts.
Custom screens will be subject to a restocking fee.
How do I contact SmX?
By Phone:
Toll Free: (888) 810-6906
Local: (954) 780-9757
Fax: (866) 310-1580
Our office hours are: 10am - 6pm EST
email: support@smxscreen.com
By postal mail:
SmX Theater Solutions, LLC
6601 Lyons Road - Building E-4
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
Do you offer online technical support?
Yes. support@smxscreen.com
and also our forums at: http://www.smxscreen.com/forum/
