Somfy System's Business Development Manager, Steve Iommi, talks with CE Pro's Lisa Montgomery about how Somfy motors and motorized window treatments integrate as a part of an energy management solution in a home automation system


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Panamorphs's VP of Sales and Marketing, John Schuermann talks with CE Pro's Lisa Montgomery about how dealers can differentiate themselves by offering anamorphic lenses and screens.


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SmX Cinema Solutions has quickly made a name for itself in the projection screen category. That name stems from “SandmanX,” the AV Science Forum username of Ruben Ortiz, who founded the company shortly after completing his own home theater construction in 2006.

What started as a business with followers mainly from the do-it-yourself crowd that followed Ortiz’s 100-plus-page build thread on AVS now caters to the pro dealer, with almost 300 dealers in the United States and 70 international. The company has partnered with SIM2 for European distribution, Ortiz notes, and an appearance at CEDIA Expo (booth No. 6235) is sure to drum up more integrator enthusiasm.

“We probably do more commercial than residential, maybe a 60/40 split, and we do products that are pretty universal for both,” says Ortiz. “We do stadiums, museums, Hollywood post-production, mastering labs, residential, exhibits, restaurants, bars.”

Ortiz has a post-production background, and developed a…

SI showed its new screen tension system on the first day of CEDIA Expo 2008.

The new tension system uses small bungee cables fed through small eyes and secured to a tab. SI says the tension system should help installers shorten the time of the screen installation.

Screen Research, one of SI's competitors, introduced a new snap-based screen tension system that also expedites the install process.

Screen Research also showed its new Solid Pix screen material and customizable X-Masking system, which enables consumers to choose their own photos to cover the screens when it's not in use.

Aton Shows Digi-5 Products

Aton touted its DH44 Digi-5 multiroom audio system, which incorporates OLED keypads with 30-watt-per-channel Class D amplifiers.

Aton also showed its HDR44 dual Cat-5-based video distribution system. The HDR44 distributes multiple 1080i component video sources, IR, digital and…

dnp Denmark's new Supernova Epic Screen provides widescreen reproduction of movies in all aspect ratios, displaying high-contrast images in 100 percent neutral color.

The screen, which will be displayed at CEDIA Expo 2008 (booth 357), is available in standard sizes up to 156 inches. Its motorized masking system is fully adjustable from closed to 2.40:1 settings.

When used with a projector that has an anamorphic lens, the screen maintains full image height and unwanted black bars on the top and bottom are eliminated.

It has electronically controlled curtains that mask the unused portions of the screen, while maintaining constant image height. The curtains glide fully closed when the movie is over.

The Supernova Epic features a curved screen surface that enhances perceived depth and uniformity of the image.

The Supernova Epic features high-contrast filters that enable the projected image to be optimally reflected from the screen. With its advanced layer…

Elite Screens is introducing its Raptor projection screen, an electric floor-rising screen that conceals itself in a furniture cabinet.

The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio and will be available in three sizes: 72, 84 and 100 inches.

Elite Screens will showcase the Raptor Screen at its booth (955) at CEDIA Expo 2008.

The motorized cross-rising system has variable height settings to accommodate different viewing environments.

It also features Elite's MaxWhite FG fiberglass-backed material for a flat surface in 1.1 gain.

"It is ideal for hidden theater environments or executive conference rooms," says Elite Screens marketing manager David Rodgers.

"With the touch of a button, both screen and projector appear like magic."

Each screen has a built-in 5-12V trigger for drop/rise synchronization with the projector's power cycle along with IR/RF receivers for wireless operation.

Both an RF remote and ZR800D IR…

SI says it will ship the Reference Motorized projector screen before CEDIA Expo 2008.

The motorized screen comes in sizes from 80-160 inches with all "Reference Series" screen materials available.

Screen formats available include: 2.35:1, 16:9 and 4:3. There's 24 inches of extra black on the top of the screen with custom options.

The screen, which has 12v trigger, IR and RF options, can be mounted to the wall, ceiling or flush in-ceiling.

"This elegant new design includes all the amenities along with the new Black Diamond screen technology," says SI CTO Aaron Reilly.

It also has a quiet motor producing just 43 dB from three feet, SI says.

SI will showcase the screen and other products at its booth (1056) CEDIA Expo 2008.

Pompano Beach, FL (August 30, 2007) -- Vutec Corporation, the world leader in video projection screen technology, announced that it will display its new silent motor at Cedia Expo 2007 in Denver Co, September 5th through 9th. The new silent motor is Vutec's latest high-tech product addition to its family of motorized video projection screens. The motor, featuring the latest noise reduction technology, as well as several additions to Vutec's rapidly-expanding product line can be seen at Cedia Expo, booth #442 at the Colorado Convention Center.

To be integrated into the Vutec Lectric Series and Vision X product line. The new silent motor is powered by 110V AC for both IR and RF remote control systems. Featuring optimized intermediate positions for increased control and viewing convenience, the new silent motor is fully compatible with control system interfaces by AMX, Crestron, Lexicon, as well as other manufacturers. The new silent motor is barely audible, testing at only 44db at 3ft., creating a noiseless environment for a variety of…

Press Release

(SPICELAND, IND)—Draper, Inc., has announced the addition of new controls and motor options for motorized projection screens.

In addition to external network communication via RS-232, dry contact, infrared remote control and other input devices to control the screen, Draper now offers screens with much of this capability built into the motor. The new motors with built-in low voltage controllers allow remote control capabilities without the need to add on external pieces and without adding to the length of the screen case.

Draper also now offers quiet motors and quiet motors with built-in low voltage controllers on several screen models. Quiet motors reduce the noise of motor operation by up to 30 percent.

The new options were announced with the release of the company’s 2007 price list, and will be exhibited at Draper’s CEDIA 2007 booth. For a demonstration of the new motors and controls, stop by booth 526 at CEDIA 2007, Sept. 5-9 in Denver, or…