Starling Tab-Tension 2 CineGrey 5D® Series

No, the ZSP-TR03 is not compatible with the Starling or the Starling Tension.

The difference between the Starling Tab-Tension and Starling Tab-Tension 2 is that motor on the Starling Tab-Tension 2 series has been upgraded from a synchronous motor to a tubular motor. The tubular motor provides twice the operating rise/drop speed than that of a synchronous motor of the Starling Tab-Tension series.   Additionally, the tubular motor’s more powerful design allows for superior weight tolerance and an extensive operational lifespan.

The Tension cords on the side of the screen do perform its pull effect to reduce side curving/curling, but Starling Tab-Tension, Saker Tab-Tension and Spectrum Tab-Tension use a weaved fabric. Unlike a flexible PVC fabric that allows for stretching and pulls to create a flat and taut projection surface, such as the one used on our CineTension B Series.

The ZIW In-Wall switch is compatible with all of Elite’s electric retractable floor rising, wall/ceiling and in-ceiling/recessed screens, EXCEPT for the VMAX Dual®, VMAX Tab-Tension Dual, Starling, Starling 2, Starling Tab-Tension and the Starling Tab-Tension 2 Series.

The CineGrey 3D® (AT)/CineGrey 4D (AT)/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.


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. 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



Image shows how good a performance can be obtained using a standard throw projector with ceiling lights above

Elite Screens’ CineGrey 3D® (AT)/4D (AT)/5D® 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

No, ultra-short and short-throw projectors are not compatible with CineGrey 3D® (AT)/CineGrey 4D (AT)/5D® angular-reflective materials.

“Yes they can be used with Active 3D projectors.”

The CineGrey 5D®/CineGrey 3D® (AT)/CineGrey 4D (AT) are great for dark room environment also, but we must understand its limitations. First of all, both materials have narrow viewing angles. So if you wish to have a wide seating arrangement after 80 degrees, you will notice a drop in brightness. Second, because they are higher gain screens they reflect more projector brightness. This may tire your eyes, so we recommend using a less brighter mode if your projector has a such setting. If that is not a problem, then these materials will work. And the best thing is, because they are angular reflective material, the projector’s light will not diffuse in all directions like a matte white material. Meaning that they will not scatter the projector’s light and create side lighting. Thus, eliminating the need to absorb it with black velvet or paint a room really dark. Third, because both of these materials are made with a neutral gray substrate, the color balance and temperature will be exceptional. The dark gray also enhances contrast and great color saturation.

Projecting on a matte white screen material in a dedicated Home Cinema, typically requires a dark room environment for a great theatrical experience. Matte White materials diffuse light in all directions since that is their nature. This means that light will scatter everywhere in the room. That is why a dedicated Home Cinema room should try to have as much black walls and light absorbing materials to reduce the amount of scattered light. This scattered light eventually reflects back to the projection image and degrading the contrast ratio, color, and black levels which affect the fidelity of the picture. The CineGrey 5D’s CLR/ALR technology allows the projector’s light to reflect back at the mirror opposite end. This greatly reduces the amount of light scatter and instead focuses the light to the viewer’s sweet spot. In addition, the black microscopic layers improve black levels and color purity to increase the contrast ratio vs a matte white screen material.

CLR®/CLR®2/CLR®3 and CineGrey 3D/5D are Ceiling Ambient Light Rejection Screen fabrics, however the CLR fabrics are especially designed for Ultra Short Throw (UST) Projectors to reject ambient light. The CineGrey 3D/5D are typically made for standard “long-throw” projectors and require the projected light (angle in) to reflect (angle out) at the same angle to the viewer’s eyes, “sweet spot”.

Ceiling mounted UST projectors will not even work with Starbright CLR® materials because the material is specifically orientated to reject “ceiling light” or any type of lighting from above. This means that the screen will reject any overhead light, even from a compatible projector. Theoretically, you could invert the Starbright CLR® material to match with an inverted UST projector but the alignment will still not likely align properly with the human eye to deliver the ideal “sweet-spot” picture performance.

Our CineWhite® material is an excellent screen material that is highly recommended when you have either a really high output (+3000 lumens projector) and/or are able to control the light in your media room (i.e. a dedicated home theater). However, under conditions when a lower output projector, uncontrolled ambient light, or light colored walls and/or ceiling, the CineGrey 5D® has four key features that result in a better overall viewing experience. Video review of the CineGrey 5D® by AV expert Andrew Robinson

A brighter projector (higher lumens) will help with image brightness but it does not help with color contrast or black levels. Since the projected image performance is important here, a contrast-enhancing material such as CineGrey 5D® is essential. White materials will reflect all of the light in the room; the projected light, indoor lighting, and sunlight through windows and doorways, everything. Because of this, the ambient lighting will still spoil image performance even with a bright projector. Ambient light rejecting (ALR) screens such as CineGrey 5D® filter out indirect light allowing your projected image to be what your audience will see instead of the extra glare. In addition to that, the screen’s filter layers enhance black levels and color contrast. This means that shadows, textures and slight variations in color shading in the projected image can be easily seen. Without an ALR material, such detail and clarity will not be visible. As you can see from the photos below, a bright projector does not enhance contrast.

For a complete side-by-side comparison, please Click Here.

Although matte white materials such as CineWhite® 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 5D® 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. Elite’s CineGrey 5D® 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.

Matte grey was an earlier effort by projection screen manufacturers to enhance projector performance when projectors had limited performance ranges in need of a little help. Matte grey materials added a darker shade to projected images that would enhance black levels to a degree. The down side is that a projector with a high lumens output and interior light control was required. The next generation materials we offer now are CineGrey 3D / CineGrey 5D. The CineGray materials are ambient light rejecting. This means that the new materials will give you flat panel display brightness even with high levels of interior lighting. The old matte grey materials are washed out by interior lighting. Also, the Cinegrey series of ALR and ceiling light rejecting (CLR) screen materials give reference grade quality that is world class certified by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) for its professional grade abilities to provide accurate color rendition, contrast, and black/white dynamic range. The CineGrey 3D® has a wider diffusion range while the CineGrey 5D® is brighter. Comparing either CineGrey 3D/5D materials to the old matte grey is like comparing a couple of souped-up Ford Mustangs to a Model T.

Elite provides binary codes for the IR remote, see below.

Please see this chart.
Note: These measurements are accurate for USA only, other countries may be equipped with different lengths for each model.

Yes, please click HERE for a diagram to achieve a direct control (dry contact).

By exposing the red and green wires of the provided trigger, connect a 9-volt battery to the bare wires according to their polarity with the screen plugged in to the wall outlet. Once the wires make contact with the battery’s terminals, the screen will drop. Releasing the voltage from the battery will make the screen rise automatically. This indicates that the trigger and screen are functioning properly. Please check with your power source’s manufacturer for further assistance.   If the screen does not drop when applying the voltage with the battery, the next step would be to test the screen’s circuit board. Do this by plugging in the provided wall box and pressing the DOWN button. If the screen drops, then you may need a replacement trigger. Please contact Elite’s service department for support by sending an email to [email protected].

Since the Spectrum’s Infrared (IR) Sensor is hidden within the ceiling, there are a few options in which to control a ceiling installed Spectrum Screen:

For the instructional guide (PDF) on synchronizing the ZU12V, please click here.
To watch the instructional video

Yes. This device goes between the projector and plug. It is designed for projector w/o low voltage trigger port to work with Elite Screen motorized screen.

Check your projector’s documentation to find out if your projector has a 5 volt or 12 volt trigger output. If it does then the ZSP-TR03 is compatible with your projector.

No, the ZPM-RT2 only works on the Spectrum 2 series.
Note: Compatible only with Spectrum 2 Series with serial number 198Exxxxx and after.  Example. 198E00497

Most of Elite’s electric screen products are compatible with Harmony remotes and are in their database. The only electric screens series that are not compatible with Harmony remotes are the Starling and Starling Tab-Tension Series (Versions 1 and 2). New Elite Screens series may not appear in the Harmony database, but you can simply select the VMAX2 series as the IR codes are identical for all series. Click here to visit the Harmony website for further assistance with programming your remote with our electric screens.

Aluminum casings or “cans” are resilient to moisture and are generally used with higher quality screens.  They also have a sliding track for the hanging brackets to allow versatility with your installation. Steel casings have a more simplified design with fixed end cap attachments.  They provide excellent protection to you screen material but are geared for functionality without excessive spending.

It depends on how high you want to hang the screen. If you are planning on a high ceiling or in-ceiling installation, use a product with an extra black masking border like E24 (24″ drop) or E30 (30″ drop) model. Aside from that, our general product lines will accommodate your typical home or commercial presentation room ceiling heights.  All of our manual and electric screens are suitable for wall or ceiling installations.

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.

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: On Screen Itself:
Manual Screens : end cap and weight bar
Motorized/Electric Screens : end cap and weight bar
Tripod Screens : rear side of casing (left hand side)
Fixed frame Screens : rear side of frame (bottom frame)
Light-On Screens: Back of frame
QuickStand Screens: Back of Case
Yard Master Screens (Folding Frame) : rear side of frame
Floor Pull up Screens : end cap
Yard Master Sport : weight bar
Pico Screens: on screen case
Pop-Up Cinema : User guide bag and/or stitched inside carrying bag
DIY Projector Screens: on box label
 
On Outside box
 

Elite strongly recommends using either a standard surge protector or a power conditioner on all electric projection screens.

Check your projector’s manual to see if your projector has a 5-12 volt trigger output. If it does then your projector has the ability to synchronize with your CineTension 2.

Please click here for the motor information of your Elite electric screen.

Power cord for all the wall-mounted electric screens we produce will be on either left or right side depending on the series.

The reasons why a customer would prefer the slower synchronized motor over the tubular is as follows: The synchronized motors are silent. Many consumers prefer that all of their home theater gear operate silently. The synchronized motor consumes considerably less power per operation than a tubular motor making it more of a green-conscious product. Because the synchronized motor is produced at a lower cost than the tubular motor, we can forward the savings on to the consumer by providing a more aggressive price point. Because of its slow speed, the synchronized motor generates less heat allowing it to enjoy a long operational lifespan. Lastly, the synchronized motor has a drop speed that is roughly equal to a projector’s power cycle.

The ratings on our electric screens vary from series based on the motor they utilize. Please Click Herefor 110v motor specifications. Please Click Here for 220v motor specifications.

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 Elite Screens.

There are a few possible things you could check:

1. Make sure your wall plug has power and that the screen is properly plugged in.
2. If the screen works well with the wall switch but not with the remote controls, ensure that fresh alkaline batteries are installed in the remote controls.
3. Check your screen’s internal fuse. (Please call our Tech Support for location of fuse before tampering with the screen.)
4. Our Home2, CineTension2, Kestrel, Raptor and VMAX Plus 3/4 screens feature a tubular motor equipped with a Thermal Relay.  This feature will automatically shut off the screen should your motor become too hot, thus preventing overheating of the motor.  To correct this, simply leave the screen alone for 20-30 minutes and try again.

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 Elite 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 Elite 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.

Yes, your electric Elite Screen can be given an outsource command for deploy/retract via a 3rd party control relay or through IR commands. Please see the IR commands HERE   Please see the Direct Control PDF HERE

Tubular motors run faster and have a greater lift capacity. Synchronous motors are slower but are also quieter and more energy efficient.  Since synchronous motors are smaller, they also have less torque, so we only use them in our smaller standard priced models.

Yes there is. You will need to splice your USB cable with an RJ45 cable. A USB has 4 wires, but you will only need the red and black. Splice them to the RJ45 orange and green wires and connect the USB. See diagram below for reference. (Not Compatible with SWIFT-RC1 Control System which uses RJ50) NOTE: If you are using your own RJ45, please use Pin 7 and 8 (Brown Pair Wire).
Click here for Color Codes

Please click here to view the Electric Screens Accessories chart.

No, Elite manual and electric projection screens are not designed for use as a window curtain and should never be exposed to direct sunlight.  Prolonged exposure to solar radiation will destroy synthetic materials and such damage is not covered by our standard warranty.