FAQ : ACOUSTICALLY TRANSPARENT SCREENS

Since the very first movie with sound, cinemas have used acoustically transparent screens to ensure both image and sound are seamlessly synchronised. If image and sound are perceived as originating from different locations the film illusion breaks down.

The whole technical edge of the cinematic art is focused on credibility, it is often called the suspension of disbelief. If you set up an Audio Visual system with a standard screen, the centre channel speaker will need to be located above or below the image. This out of alignment positioning will create an Audio + Video system, almost irrespective of screen size and you will be constantly aware that the film is being made of the two elements. This is fundamentally different to a cinema where sound and image combine into a complete audiovisual experience.

Until very recently, A.T. screens suffered limitation in both Audio reproduction and video image quality.

• The screen fabric acted as an acoustical filter, inducing losses and distortion due to rear wall and speakers front panels reflections.
• 10 years ago, when most projectors were much larger CRT type, a perforated or micro-perforated AT screen could be used without obvious image distortion. More recently video technology has evolved towards the use of digital fixed-pixel. These design, whilst offering the desired performance and features, induced severe image distortion when used with perforated or micro-perforated screens, such as the moiré effect.
• It is only very recently that these sound and image flaws have been totally eradicated, with Screen Excellence woven fabric technology.

Many of the highest quality solid screens provide an image gain of 1.0. Essentially light input from the projector equals reflected light output from the screen.

Screen Excellence screens, using the Enlightor fabric provide a gain of 0.95, which is a negligible loss. Enlightor also affords images absolute colour purity conforming to SMTP colour balance guidelines.

In many home environment A.T. screens allow light, reflected from the rear wall, to appear through the screen. This has significant implications in the image contrast and precision. All Screen Excellence ATFF and ATES screens are fitted with an acoustically transparent rear black layer which totally absorbs light reflections. This noticeably enhances black levels and hence overall contrast ratio, as image definition.

Acoustic absorption, which never exceeds 3dB, is evenly spread over 4 octaves. No EQ adjustment or minimum speaker distances are required. As there is no reflection on the rear of the fabric itself, no distortion is created. Further information can be found in the Enlightor section of the products page.

With so many advanced features the manufacturing costs are higher than entry-level basic screens. However, in comparison with many other screens, their cost remains affordable. Compared to the benefit of having the sound origin located in the proper location and the dramatic improvement it brings to a Home Cinema installation, it is well worth the minor extra cost.

• Exclusive Enlightor fabric- Uncompromised image and sound quality
• No moiré effect-Ideal for use with all fixed pixel projectors
• AT woven black backing fabric-Eliminates rear wall reflections
• Adjustable top border-Position motorised screen at the exact height
• Wide black borders- Accurate imaging and optimum contrast
• Build quality- All screens are manufactured to the highest standards