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The Portable Folding Frame screen material is folded so that it can fit into a smaller package to decrease freight cost. If you notice crease lines on the material upon opening the box, there are a couple of things that can be done to alleviate them. The easiest method would be to allow the material to stretch on the frame. Over time, the creases will alleviate to a minimal.

If after a few days you do not see any improvement, the second method in alleviating them would be the use of a hairdryer. Set the dryer on medium heat and blow on the material from its back side from about 3 feet away, concentrating only on the crease lines. Do not apply excessive heat as this will cause for the material to deform. You may need to repeat this process for a couple of consecutive days depending on the severity of the creases.


Material when first unpackaged

Material when fully tensioned on frame

Curling is commonly caused when a non-tensioned screen is in a room temperature below 65°F, but will maintain a relative state of flatness between 65-85°F (18.33°C-29.44°C). Curling does not distort the image.

Although matte white materials such as CineWhite UHD-B® are ideal for environments where room lighting can be controlled, the image is easily washed out by ambient light. Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) materials such as the CineGrey 3D®  are suitable for environments where there are high levels of indirect (ambient) light. This material trades off on the wide diffusion uniformity of white materials in favor of a brighter (angular reflective) image. AKIA’s CineGrey 3D® incorporates a diffusion layer over a highly reflective surface which scatters ambient light while improving picture performance with a brighter image. This includes color neutrality with enhanced black levels and improvement over Active 3D presentations.

Some materials are prone to minor non-permanent imprinting. This is normal and is due to the materials edge causing a minor bump while being rolled onto its tube for storage and shipping. This sometimes causes a minor line every 5″ to 8″ when rolled out, these lines should disappear once fully stretched and should not affect your viewing experience.

The material is folded to allow the full product to ship in small package.  The crease and lines will go away once fully stretched on the frame.  

​See picture below of actual before and after result of a material with crease and wrinkles.

Before

Before


After
After

After
After


  • There are a few good options for you to use in your conference room and yes, there is a general guideline to follow that makes selecting the screen a fairly easy task. Remember the acronym. PEG or (Purpose – Environment - Gear). Let’s use PEG to answer your question.
  • Purpose – This will be a business environment with a focus on color reproduction. AKIA has a selection of matte white or ambient light rejecting materials that are ISF certified. However, even our non ISF materials can help you achieve that superb picture quality as long as the projector is properly calibrated. Depending on preference, either a fixed-frame or retractable screen would be appropriate.
  • Environment – If the environment has full control over ambient lighting, a matte white material will work well. Most business environments have overhead lighting (ceiling light) or simply put, making the whole place dark for any reason is just inconvenient.  For this matter, an ambient light rejecting screen material is appropriate. Ask about AKIA’s variety of ALR (ambient light rejecting)  or CRL® (ceiling light rejecting®) material options.
  • Gear – Since projection is a 2-piece video display, it is essential that the projector and screen’s performance specs complement one another.  The projector and screen should have the same aspect ratio (screen or image shape). If the projector is a standard “long” throw, short throw “ST”, or ultra-short throw “UST”, there is a specific screen material that is best suited for your specific projector.

​In the question above, it must reject overhead (ceiling light) while maintaining excellent picture/color performance I a bright room. We have a few screens that can handle this but since you are considering a UST projector, I recommend the Aeon CLR® since it is designed specifically for use with ultra-short throw projectors. If you have a preference for a motorized variety, we are intending to launch a motorized “roll-up” version next year (2019).  We also have motorized ALR/CLR® variants for our standard long-throw projectors available now.

Although there are many manufacturers that cover a variety of retail and integrator sales channels, product quality, features and pricing are still the driving critera for increased projection screen sales. The general pricing matrix that most follow is that  a good projection screen equates to roughly 1/3 to ½ of the cost of a projector.  Comparative features include the screen’s ability to provide clear color reproduction, contrast and a level of brightness that is suitable to the environment in which it will be used. Equally important is the product’s overall flawless quality and reliability as well as included features such as IR/RF and Ethernet controls  along with other accessories.

The best way to do it is to make sure the screen's diagonal size matches the distance to you first row of seating.  There is not set standard size for a room, just consider the seating location of you and your guests.  Your material should allow everyone to comfortably sit and watch without craning their necks back or shifting their eyes from side to side. Generally, 84" - 120" diagonal sizes are appropriate for your typical residential setup.​

 It depends entirely what your intentions are but here are the general format uses to help you out.

  • 1:1 format: If you use traditional Slideshow/OHP (Overhead Projector), Document Camera, and commercial projector presentations. These are most commonly used in schools, government facilities, and houses of worship.
  • 4:3 NTSC format: PC software, Commercial Presentations (if your projector is SVGA or XGA native resolution), Classroom Training, and Gaming.
  • 16:9 HDTV format: Home Theater Movies and Gaming
  • 16:10 format: PC software, video games, video editing, presentations from notebooks with WXGA or WUGA native output.
  • 2.35:1 Cinemascope format: Strictly Home Theater movies.

Ultra/Short-throw projectors require a flat projection surface since the projector’s light is closer to the material.  Non-tensioned screen materials may exhibit minor wave or curls which may be more pronounced if using an ultra/short-throw projector.

We recommend using a Fixed Frame Screen with PVC such as our CineWhite®UHD-B flexible material which will provide adequate tension throughout the entire projection surface. 

AKIA CLR®, EDGE FREE® CLR®3 and CLR®4,  Fixed Frame is recommended for table-top ultra-short throw projectors in an ambient light room environment. 

AKIA's non-tensioned screens are great with standard throw projectors, but just like any non-tensioned projector screen, we don’t recommend using it with an ultra/short throw projector.  Non-tensioned screens are not completely flat and while it may have little, if any, perceivable effect with a standard projector’s image, it can distort ultra/short throw imagery. We recommend purchasing AKIA's tab-tensioned screens utilizing the CineWhite® or CineWhite® UHD materials or any of AKIA's fixed frame screens if an ultra/short throw projector is required.

For the best possible results, an anamorphic lens is recommended.  However, it is possible to get a 2.35:1 screen format as long as you can live with the "black bars" created when a mismatched 16:9 native aspect ratio projecto is set up to fit a wider projection screen format.  It is simply a matter of personal preference.

As a rule, it is recommended to ensure that the center of the screen is in alignment with the eye level of those seated in the first row of a graduated Home Theater seating layout.  This will provide the best levels of ergonomic stability, and will not negatively affect the vantage point of the following rows as their increased distance from the screen will provide a comfortable viewing position as well.

  • ​Operating Temperature: +32°F to +113°F ( 0°C to +45°C)
  • Storage Temperature: -14°F to +158°F ( -10°C to +70°C).

No, your screen’s Top Black  border has been set to deploy to its full extent. Attempting to increase will damage the motor and void your warranty with AKIA Screens

The ratings on our electric screens vary from series based on the motor they utilize.

Please Click Here for 110v motor specifications.

Please Click Here for 220v motor specifications.

Check your projector’s documentation to find out if your projector has a 5 volt or 12 volt trigger output. If it does then it is compatible with your projector.

 Ceiling mounted UST projector will not work with CLR® 2/ CLR® 3/ CLR® 4 flipped upside down because the material is specifically oriented to reject “absorb” lighting from above.  In addition it is designed to properly accept tabletop mounted UST projector light and direct it to the viewer’s sweet spot. If the material is flipped upside down and there is overhead light, that light will not be rejected but instead reflected which would degrade the picture quality.

 

In addition, the ceiling mounted UST projector light will still not likely align properly with the human eye to deliver the ideal “sweet-spot” picture performance.

I have a ultra-short throw projector with your CLR/CLR 2/CLR 3 fixed frame screen and I see that the projector doesn't fill the screen completely with the screen totally flat.  One side edge appears to not fill correctly. I also really hate the halo of reflected light that surrounds the screen.

In our experience it has to do also with the flatness of the wall.  Not all walls are completely flat and the uneven side can cause the screen to pop out/stick out on the corner and not allow the projector to properly fill out the edges. Projector manufacturers usually have small legs at the bottom that allow the projector to adjust the projection image to offset this.

 

The halo effect is possibly normal but some projector manufacturers have a masking option in their menu to eliminate light bleed outside the area.

The steep light from an Ultra-Short Throw projector causes the halo effect and can spill light around the frame. There is no way to solve it, but it can be mitigated by painting your wall a darker color, or putting a velvet border around the screen frame.  

 I want to purchase an ultra-short throw projector. Your website says that CineGrey 3D®/CineGrey 5D® are not compatible with ultra-short throw projectors but it does not say what it will look like. Can you explain what this combination will look like and why it will not work? How noticeable is the difference in quality?


A. The CineGrey 3D®/CineGrey 5D® are angular reflective front projection materials that reflect at the mirror-opposite angle.  If an ultra-short throw projector is used, the material will reflect the steep narrow light and reflect it upwards instead of to the viewer’s eye level.  As you can see from the picture, the image looks foggy and unwatchable due to the projector’s light being reflected in the wrong direction.  The material is reflecting and absorbing and treating it as ambient light.


​This image shows how a UST projector with CineGrey 3D looks like in a room with ambient light.


​Image shows how a UST projector with CineGrey 3D® looks like in a room with lights turned off. The image appears to look good, but is still reflecting the projector light upwards and causing a hotspot in the middle of the image.


Image above shows how good a performance can be obtained using a standard throw projector with ceiling lights above: Overhead lights are being absorbed/reflected off the material while providing great color saturation, image brightness, and black levels for a contrast rich presentation.

Model# AR100DHD3 – CineGrey 3D® EDGE FREE 100” Diagonal 16:9 Fixed Frame with JVC LX-NZ3B 4K HDR Laser Projector


Akia Screens’ CineGrey 3D® is a color neutral smooth surface with sparkling elements to increase screen gain in an ambient light room environment. These special characteristics incorporates a diffusion layer over a highly reflective surface which scatters ambient light while improving picture performance with a brighter image.

The projector itself, however also plays a big part in creating a hot spot.  Projectors highest brightness levels are focused in the center, and only about 70% to 80% in the corners.  In other words, the uniformity itself is not spread entirely even across the screen, thus creating a brighter spot in the center area.

To combat this, we recommend the following.

  1. Reduce the projector’s light output by choosing an economy mode
  2. Install the projector further away from the screen, minimum of 1.5 x the image width
  3. Go with a lower gain screen

I'd like to buy an akia  CLR® 3/ CLR® 4 screen but my ust projector is 120 inches. I notice that your screens are oversized by a few inches such as 103” versus 100” or 123” vs 120”. In my case, for example, I do not want an empty screen section, but the image to go all the way to the border of the screen. Can you advise?

A: ​ Most ultra-short-throw projectors despite claiming they can go up to a certain size if they have a focus adjustment should be able to adjust the picture to 103” (if a 100” UST projector) or 123” (if a 120” UST projector) and fill in the entire screen area. 

In some cases, certain UST projectors that have a fixed focus lens can go up to 103” and 123” with minimal impact on the picture and allowing to fill in the screen size.

Most ultra-short throw projectors despite claiming they can go up to a certain size, if they have a focus adjustment should be able to adjust the picture to 103” (if a 100” UST projector) or 123” (if a 120” UST projector) and fill in the entire screen area. In some cases, certain UST projectors that have a fixed focus lens can go up to 103” and 123” with minimal impact on the picture and allowing to fill in the screen size.

​The frequency of the RF remote is 433MHz

If your RF remote control does not work with your screen, try the following to get in synced. See below for instructions.  

Make sure new batteries or working batteries are in your RF remote control before proceeding with the steps.

The output voltage is 3 volts and the wattage is 3 milliwatts

Check your projector’s documentation to find out if your projector has a 5 volt or 12 volt trigger output. If it does then it is compatible with your projector.

A: Please reference the circuit board layout below.

Circuit Board | ZRC1-CKT-X

  1. Connection port for 110V AC Power
  2. Connection port for electric screen tubular motor
  3. RJ50 port for connecting wall box controller
  4. Emergency stopper
  5. Infrared signal receiver
  6. Radio Frequency signal receiver
  7. Switch for selecting screen type
    • Position 1 (Right) = Down/UP Retractable Wall/Ceiling Screen
    • Position 2 (Left) = Up/Down Retractable Floor Screen

 

A: The effective beam range 20 ft (6 M) within a 30° angle.

A: The exact radio frequency range of the ZRC1-RF is 433.93 MHz.

A: Follow the directions below to synchronize/pair a new ZRC1-RF remote.
Note: The wall box controller is needed for this operation.

  1. Press & hold the “Programming Key”, then press the “Up Key” on the Wall box controller (wall-box LED indicator light flashes).



  2. Then press the “Up Key” on the RF remote



  3. The Wall box LED indicator light will flash 5 times to indicate the RF remote has been properly synchronized/paired.

A: Yes, the ZRC1-RF Radio Frequency remote can be programmed with its own unique code to control multiple screens by changing the RF code as described below.

How to change the RF code

  1. Remove the batteries
  2. Change the RF code switch
  3. Insert the batteries
  4. Synchronize it with the wall box controller


A: Yes, please follow the steps below to change the Radio Frequency code.

How to change the RF code

  1. Remove the batteries
  2. Change the RF code switch
  3. Insert the batteries
  4. Synchronize it with the wall box controller

 

A : The ZRC1-IR codes are as follows.

  • UP_KEY = 0x07ED112B
  • STOP_KEY = 0x07F519C3
  • DOWN_KEY = 0x07DD089B

How to use the wireless 5-12 volt trigger feature

Requires a 3.5mm to 3.5mm mono cable (not included).
The Radio Frequency (RF) remote control serves as a dual purpose, independently as a handheld remote control, or as a Wireless 12-volt trigger. The radio frequency technology sends a wireless signal that synchronizes the screen’s drop & rise with the projector’s power cycle.

Step 1: Connect one end of the 3.5 mm mono trigger cable to the RF remote.
Step 2: Connect the other 3.5 mm mono end of the cable to projector.

  • Projector on, screen drops
  • Projector off, screen raises

Please be aware, the projector on/off cycle may take longer to fully activate. It usually takes around 20- 30seconds for full off and on cycle each time.

Note: If the wireless trigger feature does not work, please resync the RF remote to the Wall box controller per the instructions in the Radio Frequency remote section.

To ensure that your projector can support a trigger application, please be sure to: 

  • a. Reviewing your projectors user manual.
  • b. Contact the manufacturer of your projector.

If you do find that your projector supports a trigger application, connect the AKIA Electric Screen Trigger Adapter cable from your Screen to your projector's trigger port (Please consult a professional installer for further details on wiring and installation). Since AKIA Screens only provides the screen 5-12 volt RJ-45 adaptor, you will need to contact your projectors manufacturer for the trigger adaptor of the projector. Most projector manufacturer trigger ports use a mini jack plug and adaptor that may be obtained at most local electronics stores. Please consult with your dealer or projector manufacturer for further details concerning this trigger adaptor and installation.

Center support bar for larger size fixed frame screens goes inside the top of the groove located on the back of the frame.

Unfortunately, we no longer provide limit switch adjustments. The screen is already deployed to its complete factory setting. We do not recommend making any vertical limit adjustments to the screen, as improper adjustments will affect the projection image, damage the unit and void your warranty. Over/false adjusting the drop will permanently damage the screen and will be unable to repair.

Our QC standard for matte white non-tensioned screens are as follows:

  • Turn the lights off and project an image
  •  Stand at the diagonal size viewing distance. For example, 120” diagonal screen = 10 ft.
  •  At this distance you should not see any waves or lines. Having the lights does not determine our QC standard. Lights that are on cause reflections/shadows which can easily be seen on the screen’s surface.
  • Non-tensioned screens can never be as flat as tab-tensioned screens. But with the lights off they can be sufficiently flat to produce a great image.

Below are some examples of how a non-tensioned matte white screen with the lights on reveals waves vs. lights off an no distracting waves on the image.


Lights on- Minor visible waves


Lights Off- No Visible waves

The material is well-made and designed to last so either storage method will work just fine. That said, make sure that the material is dry before packing it away so that the material won’t be imprinted and waterborne sediment won’t build up and soil the screen. Storing the material at an optimal room temperature will ensure that the screen will be suitably pliable enough to stretch onto the framework without much effort. Storing the screen in a cool place won’t hurt the material but it does make the material a little tougher to stretch over the frame when assembling.

Your serial number can be found on both ends of the packaging box stickers, as well as on the screen itself. Reference the list below on where to locate your serial number depending on the type of screen:

  • Manual Screens --> end cap and weight bar
  • Motorize Screens --> end cap and weight bar
  • Tripod Screens --> rear side of casing (left hand side)
  • Fixed frame Screens --> rear side of frame (bottom frame)
  • Indoor Outdoor Portable Fast Fold Screens --> rear side of frame
  • Tripod Lite --> weight bar