Like many movie goers, and video enthusiasts, you would like to have a home theater, but realize that your floor plan is missing the square footage you need. So you dream of putting a big screen in the living room, but how will you get around all the obstacles? First off you think to yourself, the Mrs. is not going to like a 80+" screen on her living room wall, and more than likely won't let you get away with painting the walls black. Then there's those pesky windows letting in all that light, which will washout your beautiful image. How can I please the Mrs., and get away with a front projection image with brightly lit windows to boot? Allow me to introduce to you the Black Diamond II screen from SI Screens. SI Screens (formerly Screen Innovations) a local Austin screen manufacturer have taken the front projection market out of the dark, and into the light. They have created the Black Diamond II screen to absorb ambient light that is above, below, and even in the path of the projector, allowing the screen to maintain and preserve the projectors contrast. Only the projectors light is reflected back into the viewers eyes creating over 300% more contrast compared to all other screens. So this takes care of the windows issue, but what of the wall color? Traditional white screens actually cause an effect called light scatter, which is the screen will actually reflect the light from the projector back in the room and on the walls. This has two negative affects:
One is it brightens up the room affecting the perceived contrast of the image. Two is that light will actually reflect back off the walls and onto the screen, which can actually tint the color of the screen. So if you have blue walls your image will be tinted blue. This is why most theater walls are painted black, 99.99% of living room walls are not usually black and in this case the Black Diamond II triumphs. Since it actually absorbs light instead of reflecting it, this effect known as light scatter is dramatically reduced by over 75%, increasing viewer immersion and contrast. So now we have solved the issues of having a bright room, and saved the walls from a black dismal gloom, but what about that 80+" white eye sore of a screen? Well the Black Diamond II has two things going for it in this area. The first is that if you have to use a fixed screen that mounts to the wall, the actual screen material is black and not bright white. So it will look similar to a flat panel TV on the wall, only twice as big. Secondly SI Screens has just demonstrated it's Black Diamond II screen at CEDIA in a motorized drop down version. What this means for you is that now the entire screen can be hidden in the ceiling and drop out only when its movie time. Or if having it recessed in the ceiling is not an option, then it also comes in a sleek on wall mount that is unobtrusive. Another very noteworthy aspect of the Black Diamond II is it's durability. The frame is wrapped with microfiber which is washable with soap and water. The screen material can be wiped down with water as well, or if you decide to do an outdoor theater by the pool just hose it off. So now that we have eliminated all the obstacles that have prevented you from bringing the big screen into a living room near you, come see us at Fentronics and let us show you how easy a living room media room can be. For more information on the Black Diamond II Screen visit siscreens.com. To see other ways we can make your Audio Video system more aesthetically pleasing without sacrifice call or visit Fentronics for a free A/V consultation. Remember Fentronics is your Austin home theater company. We have many happy clients in and around Austin, enjoying their Home Theaters, or living room style media rooms.
