HD video projectors project a native 16:9 (1.78:1) image. The idea screen to start with would be the same aspect ratio as the projector which would be 16:9.

So lets say you have a 16:9 aspect ratio HD projector and a 16:9 aspect ratio projection screen. Most HDTV broadcasts will fill your 16:9 screen so you will be fine if you are only going to watch those few channels or few movies that will fill your screen.

However, if you plan on watching any major released movies they are most likely going to be in a 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio. This means the projected image is now wider than your conventional 16:9 projection screen. You are now going to have black or dark grey projected bars above and below your projected image due to sizing the 2.35:1 AR projected image inside a 16:9 AR screen.

Now lets say you want to watch standard definition television or DVD's that are in the 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio. Now your 4:3 projected image is not as wide as your conventional 16:9 aspect ratio screen and you are now going to have black or grey bars on the sides of your projected Image.

The PROMASK-QUAD eliminates those annoying black and grey bars by masking off those un-used areas. The PROMASK-QUAD masking panels are a true-black hole audio transparent velvet that match the hand upholstered frame of the of the PROMASK-QUAD. The matching panels give every aspect ratio you project on your screen a perfectly sized masked frame.

Because the dark black frame and mask around your viewable screen perceives increased contrast and makes the projected image appear to float off the screen. The masks also give you a sharp black border around your projected image. So the blacker the frame/mask material the higher perceived contrast.

Each masking panel in the PROMASK-QUAD is independently controlled. This allows the end user endless flexibility in masking. With the PROMASK-QUAD, you can mask for off centered projected images (horizontally and vertically) with simple ease. You can also independently drop the bottom mask to view subtitles and menus while maintaining the other masks in their position.

Other masking systems are huge and bulky robbing valuable wall space from your theater and sometimes compromising your viewable screen size

due to wall space limitations. The PROMASK-QUAD masking system frame measures a sleek 8" wide x 4" deep.

For your room design convenience, the PROMASK-QUAD is available with four different frame trim profiles. Choose from our standard flat face frame, radius beveled face frame, straight beveled face frame or flush aperture mounted frame.

The PROMASK-QUAD integrates into all automation systems with I/O technology including Crestron, AMX, Lutron, etc. The PROMASK-QUAD can also be controlled via IR and RF remote controls as well as IP, rs232, dry contact and wall switches. You can also use your scaler to mask with the PROMASK-QUAD. Other integration options are also available, please inquire if you have a specific request.

The PROMASK-QUAD accommodates all our solid and audio transparent projection screen materials. The projector screen material attaches to the PROMASK-QUAD with a modified lace and grommet method.

The PROMASK-QUAD masking system can ship fully assembled or partially assembled. It comes in a large wood crate by freight delivery in the USA. The PROMASK-QUAD comes with everything necessary to make assembly and installation an ease.

Our PROMASK-QUAD masking systems range in sizes from 80" wide up to 20' wide. Since every PROMASK-QUAD is custom made to order, custom sizes and configurations are quickly and easily produced.

SmX is proud to offer the absolute blackest light absorbing mask panels in the industry.

As previously mentioned, the purpose of a masking system is to mask off those annoying black bars or the unused portion of your projection screen while viewing projected content. It is extremely important to have the absolute blackest masking to do the job and here is why.

When you are watching dark projected content such as night scenes and space scenes in movies or television that is masked off, the lighter colored mask panels (shown below) are still visible. If the purpose of having a masking system is to mask of the projected black bars but you can still see them, then the masking system is not serving its purpose. Our black hole audio transparent and solid mask panels are completely non existent in dark scenes.

Why does this matter? The projectors unused projected black bars get masked off by these mask panels. Even though the projector is not suppose to be projecting light in this unused black area, light still gets through. In order to effectively take advantage of the perceived increase of contrast that masking offers, the mask panels need to completely absorb that strayed light and disappear.

The following unaltered picture shows the mask panels from SmX, Stewart and Screen Research all laid out side by side and were shot outdoors on a bright sunny afternoon in direct light to show you what happens when direct light hits the masking panels.

Click the Image below to enlarge

Our acoustically transparent Mask Panels are not only the blackest in the industry but are also the most audio transparent with only a 1.5 db roll off at 20kHz unlike other masking panels that have a 4 - 5 db roll off at 20 kHz.

The following measurements were conducted in a anechoic chamber specifically designed for testing acoustically transparent materials. An Earthworks M-30 Microphone was positioned 27" from the test subject. The speaker baffle of a Genelec 1031A was positioned on the opposite side 12.3" from the test subject. This totaled 1 meter between the speaker baffle and the microphone. Each mask panel was tested under exacting conditions.

Click the Image below to enlarge.

Most other screen companies use cheap black flock as the black masking trim on their frames. The PROMASK-QUAD frame comes hand upholstered with our specially formulated True Black-Hole velvet to ensure a true to life black hole frame around your projection screen.

We don't use a regular off the shelf velvet, our velvet has no sheen to it like conventional velvets do. Not having a sheen, means not having the ability to reflect light. When you over-scan your projected image and mask it, you want to make sure the masking trim absorbs all light hitting it. The SmX true black hole velvet trim makes all the other screen companies flocked trim look grey in comparison.

In a dark room with no light hitting the trims, the following trims below look pretty close to the same. However, once light hits the trims below, the leading screen companies black flock turns grey while our true black hole velvet stays black. Remember, you want the blackest possible masking around your projected image to improve perceived contrast.

The following comparison picture was shot with a camera and flash. The SmX true black-hole velvet (on the left side) and the leading screen companies black flock trim (on the right side) were side by side when the picture was shot.

SMX TRUE BLACK VELVET TRIM LEADING SCREEN COMPANY BLACK FLOCK TRIM

Notice how the leading screen companies flock trim reflects all the light from the camera flash and turns it grey, however the SmX true velvet trim absorbs all the light from the camera flash due to it's lack of sheen.

Do you want a grey trimmed frame around your screen or a true black one? Besides our true black hole velvet, SmX also offers exotic wood veneered finished frames as well as other colored velvets.

The SmX PROMASK-QUAD masking system is backed with a 5 year warranty against manufacturer defects.

Here at SmX we listen to what enthusiasts like yourself are saying about our products on public forums. There are many forums/message boards in many languages discussing the greatness of the SmX products. A simple Google search using "smxscreen" will bring up many results.

There is currently an official SmX Screen thread at the worlds largest A/V website/forum called AVS. To read what real live enthusiasts are saying about our products, CLICK HERE.

From $13,775.00 MSRP
For questions on pricing, please EMAIL US or call us toll free at (888) 810-6906