![]() VMAX2 120" ELITE Electric projection Screen, 16:9 Aspect Ratio (Max White) |
Elite Projector Screen Surfaces for any media presentation application
As we have already highlighted that Elite Screens product line comprises an extensive range of screen surfaces to suit any media presentation environment.
In the first part, we have discussed three of these projection screen surfaces, namely the StarBright series with its StarBright 4 and StarBright 7 ultra-high gain screens for high ambient light environments, and Elite AcousticPro1080, Elite's acoustic transparent high definition screens for the home theater.
However, these are among the most specialized projector screen surfaces available from Elite Screens.
Instead, the rest of Elite Screens projection fabric lineup are more readily available on various projection arrays.
These screen fabrics may very well serve their purpose in various media projection applications.
Among the most common Elite screen surfaces, one finds the CineGrey - a tensioned fabric with a fine-textured high contrast gray surface designed for low contrast DLP and LCD home cinema projectors having a contrast ratio of less than 2000:1. The combination of a high contrast screen surface with these projectors helps render an improved picture with deeper blacks while minimizing loss in color reproduction. The CineGrey comes with a screen gain is 1.0 and a supported viewing cone of 160 degrees.
If your video projector comes with a higher rated contrast ratio, then a more suitable Elite projector screen surface is the CineWhite. Like the CineGrey, the CineWhite is fine-textured surface and comes as a tensioned surface - meaning that it provides superior flatness for improved image presentation. Manufactured from multi-layer PVC, this screen surface has a screen gain of 1.1 and a video cone of 160 degrees.
Similar to the CineWhite is a non-tensioned white surface - MaxWhite. This comes in three versions, the standard MaxWhite, MaxWhite FG - which is a fiber glass backed surface for added stiffness and better flatness, and MaxWhite Plus - a seamless 5-meter wide projection screen fabric designed for ultra-big commercial screen sizes up to 400-inch diagonal. These screen surfaces come with a projection screen gain of 1.1 and a supported viewing cone of 160-degrees.
For those surfaces where it is not possible to obtain total control over the ambient light in the room, there is the PowerGain Elite projection screen surface. This is a fine-textured pearlescent screen with 0.3mm perforations made from multi-layer PVC and includes the necessary black backing to block the projector light from behind the screen. Despite its higher screen gain of 1.8, this Elite projector screen surface still supports a relatively wide viewing cone of 160 degrees.
Note that while PowerGain comes as a perforated surface, this PVC projection screen surface is not recommend for use as an acoustically transparent screen especially with today's high definition video projectors. As expressed in one of our projection screen guides, PVC perforated screens tend to produce moiré artifices and would normally require the use of low pass filtering to remove. But the use of low pass filtering will lower the projected image resolution.
There is also the Wraith Veil Elite projector screen surface but unlike the rest of screen fabrics, the Wraith Veil is a rear projection screen material and is mainly designed for the commercial environment.
All of these Elite projector screen fabrics are mildew resistant and are characterized by simple maintenance'; all that is required to keep these Elite screens clean and in best condition is a regular wipe with a moist cotton cloth. Regular cleaning is important to ensure that your projection screen would be able to deliver the best in image quality year after year.
Innovative Projection Screen Solutions from Elite Screens
As we have highlighted in our introduction to Elite Projector Screens, Elite Screens have an extensive range of projection screen arrays, yet the most appropriate Elite Screen series for the home theater and home entertainment market are their:
Manual/Manual SRM series,
Home series,
VMAX series, and
Elite Screens Cinema series.
Elite Manual/Manual SRM Series
The Manual Series of Elite projector screens represents the perfect solution for the budget restricted home theater or conference room application. The Manual SRM - available on a number of Elite projector screens is basically the same standard manual screen array but includes a slow release mechanism that forces the screen to retract slowly into its housing after releasing the handle.
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These screens can be either wall or ceiling mounted, and make use of the same MaxWhite 1.1 screen gain material as found on some VMAX Elite projector screens. This means they have the same high effective scatter screen angle for improved wider angle of view. The Elite Manual series includes advance 'Auto Level' / 'Lock' / 'Lock on' in any position mechanism which can be easily operated from floor level. |
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M120XWH 120-inch 16:9 Pull Down Manual Elite Projector Screen with a screen gain of 1.1 |
Though highly affordable, these screens come complete with black masking borders for increased perceived picture brightness and contrast, and are extremely durable and easy to clean - simply use a moist cotton cloth.
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Elite Home2(3) Series:
There is also included a standard IR remote control, a standard RF remote with 100 feet range, a 5-12 volt trigger synchronized with projector on/off power cycle, and a 3-way switch for 'up', 'down', and 'stop-in-any-position' switching.
These screens come in a heavy-duty aluminum housing with enamel coated case that is anti-rust & acid resistant, and that can be wall or ceiling mounted.
An interesting feature is the self-vertical position adjustment that makes it easy for the user to pre-set the screen highest and lowest positions.
These Elite projector screen arrays come either in MaxWhite FG 1.1 gain Fiberglass-backed for a stiff ultra flat surface with black backing, or AcousticPro1080 sound transparent screen material - with a screen gain of 1.0. Both surfaces support a wide viewing cone of 160 degrees.
Designed for daily use, these screens are durable and easy to clean. At the same time, Elite screens incorporate a luxury design that will surely fit any room decor.
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Elite VMAX2 Series
VMAX Elite projector screens use a synchronous motor instead of the tube motor setup - this is slower than the tube motor but at the same time, it is also quieter in operation.
While the Home series of Elite projector screens is available only in either MaxWhite FG or AcousticPro1080 projection screen fabrics, the VMAX series supports a wider range of screen surfaces. Besides the same screen surfaces as found on the Home series, the Elite VMAX array also comes with the SilverGrey 1.0 gain high contrast screen to help enhance the black levels when using low contrast video projectors.
In general, the VMAX is suitable for most applications and is cheaper than the Home Series of Elite projector screens for the same screen size, yet the Home Series includes a more luxurious design and feature easier installation and setup.
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Cinema Series
Elite Screens product portfolio includes three projection screen series specifically designed for the home theater and home entertainment. These are the CineTension2(3) series of electric screens, the ezCinema series of portable Elite projector screens, and the Cinema 235 series of fixed frame home theater screens.
The CineTension series of Elite electric projection screens features the widest range of projection screen fabrics. These include CineGrey, AcousticPro1080, and PowerGain (for rooms with a relatively high level of ambient light) and CineWhite with 1.1 screen gain.
The Cinema235 series represents Elite fixed-screen solution and as its name implies, comes in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The Cinema 235 aluminum black frame comes with Pro-Trim black velour surfacing both to enhance the appearance and absorb any light overshoot.
Installation is relatively easy - thanks to the use
of sliding wall mounts which ensure the projector screen is properly centered.
And for the ultimate in home theater experience, with screen sizes above 85-inch
diagonal, you can have the AcousticPro1080 acoustic transparent projection
screen fabric. As we have already stated in the first part of this Elite
projector screen guide, acoustic transparent projection screens helps render
a more immersive movie experience due to a surround soundfield that
better encompasses both the screen and the audience.
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Suggested Further Reading/References
Elite Screens Product Catalog:
EliteScreens.com
Looking for an affordable Elite Projection Screen?
Our favorite online source for Elite Screens is B & H Photo-Video. They cover possibly the most extensive range of Elite Projection Screens - including Elite Screens most specialized arrays such as the Raptor and the Osprey series referred to in the first part of this Elite Screens review.
Alternatively, amazon has one of the most complete ranges of projection screens from major brands - often at significantly reduced pricing. In addition, the various buying options available from the different retailers present on the amazon storefront make amazon one of the most comprehensive online sources in this respect. To search the amazon storefront without leaving our site, please use the amazon search box below:

























































