Borders

We've experimented with all kinds of paints and fabrics, and nothing gives you the light absorptive power of black velvet fabric.  While painted trims are the common solution and help the screen lay flatter, our black velvet fabric is so dark that you may need to put a piece of masking tape on the screen to see where the overscan pixels are.  Even ultra-flat black paints look grey in comparison to our black velvet fabric we sourced from Switzerland.  We have new techniques and patent pending tension features that allow the velvet borders to roll up flat with the screen material, giving you a very flat image surface and the sharp-edged, high- contrast image "pop" that only the best fixed frame screens can offer.  No other retractable projection screen in the world uses fabric velvet borders or comes even close to the image edge and contrast that our new design offers. The upper right photo shows with ambient light the difference in color between a painted border from a major screen company and the Center Stage velvet trim.  What does this do to your image when the lights are turned out?  The lower right photo shows the results in a darkened room with a projected white image and four pixels of overscan.  Note how the velvet soaks up the overscan, which gives your image a sharper, better defined border with improved dynamics.

Tab tensioning

Our patent pending stealth tab tensioning is a standard feature.  We stitch on a fabric velvet border which allows us to conceal the tension tab and tension cables behind the borders.  While the bottom corners at the weight bar and top near the case are visible, we've eliminated the ugly hourglass shape and huge width penalty of common tensioned designs.  Most importantly, we've eliminated the absurd price penalties that other companies charge for their tension designs.

Translucence

How light reflective are the surfaces behind your screen?  With the Center Stage retractable screen, it doesn't matter.  When you're done watching Dr. Phil on your TV and ready for a real movie experience, drop the Center Stage screen in front and don't worry about reflections from behind.  The black backing layer is a standard feature.  You won't want to have light sources behind the screen, however.  Window shades pay for themselves and keep your neighbors from seeing you play with your Wii.

Control options

Standard Gen4 motors  Our new standard Gen4 motors are faster, quieter, and have many more control options.  If you only want the simplest, least expensive method of retracting the screen, opt for our RF-only motor.  If you want to tie a Gen4 motor into a wall switch, IR control, or universal remote, then opt for the 4-wire version and add the extra components you need.  Either motor is included in the base electric screen prices.

Gen4 RF-only  The RF-only Gen4 motors come with two of these wall-mountable RF controls.  You don't have to aim the remotes at the screen, and the motors are quiet and reliable.  The limitation is that you cannot tie these motors into your universal remote or automation system.  Even universal remotes that have RF capability only use RF to transmit their codes.  We're not aware of any remotes that can learn RF signals. 

Gen4 4-wire  The 4-wire Gen4 motors come with separate power wires for the up or down positions.  You can directly wire these into our maintained paddle switch if you only want wall switch control.  If you want wall switch, IR and universal control, then get our Gen4 motor control box and any other necessary peripherals.

Maintained wall switch  Use this maintained-contact paddle switch if you are just wiring the switch directly to the motor and don't need any other control options.  They stay in the up or down position, routing power constantly to the 4-wire motor's up or down power wire.  The motor has built in mechanical limits, or the switch also has a center stop position.  These are 115Vac only and are available in ivory or white.

4-wire control box  If you want to control your Gen4 motor with a flexible combination of a wall switch, IR or universal remote, then you'll need this motor control box.  They are available for 115Vac or 230Vac and are white only.  The 115Vac comes with a 6' white power cord.

Momentary wall switch  Momentary-contact paddle switches are available in ivory or white to connect to the control box.  They spring back to center position, only providing a closed "dry" contact for the up or down terminals.  The motor control box only needs a 0.5 second or less closing of the dry contacts to function.

IR mini receiver  These mini IR receivers are available in 24" white or 72" in white or black.  They connect directly into the control box via a 6P4C line connector into the "eye" port.  While we have a generic IR remote if you need it, chances are it would be better to just download our IR files below.

IR wall mount receiver  Looking much like the Somfy IR receiver, this is also wall-mountable.

IR J-box receiver  If you want to hide the IR receiver in an electrical box with switches, this Decora-style IR receiver hides behind a violet lens cover.

IR remote  You should be able to download the IR codes directly into your universal remote by searching their library for an appliance control called "ESI" or directly download the codes below.  But if you can't, we do have an IR remote available.

RF receiver, RF 5-channel remote  If you want to add RF control to your 4-wire motor with control box package, you can simply plug this RF receiver into the "eye" port using a line cable, and use the 5-channel RF remote.  The remote will broadcast in channel 1 for the screen, channels 2, 3, or 4 if you need to control other product, or all five channels at the same time.  This is a great solution for those who like RF, but want more control options for their screens.

Special order  Less common modules we can special order include Z-wave, RS-232, USB to DE9 serial, and serial to Ethernet adapters.  Just in case you NEED to drop the screen using your iPod from work.

Premium Somfy® ILT motors  For those of you who are interested in a faster, quieter option, we offer the premium Somfy ILT motor.  These motors come with a short control cable attached with a 4P4C (telephone handset, commonly but incorrectly known as a RJ9, RJ10 or RJ22) connector on the end.  Our standard solution is to plug that control cable into the splitter and then connect things like the IR receiver and/or a wall switch.   You'll likely need us to include these, so let's explain your options in more detail.  The prices and part numbers are in a table on the store page "Somfy Motor Accessories."

4-Connector splitter  This handy device not only splits one control cable into three more 4P4C connectors, but also has connections for dry contact control (open/ close).  If you aren't just connecting a single wall switch or IR receiver, this is the economical hardwired control option.

IR receiver  If you want to control the screen using infrared commands, you'll first need this IR receiver.  This receiver can be mounted within line of sight to your transmitter using a nifty little screw. 

ILT wall switch  A nice hardwired control option is this wall switch.  Besides being the obvious, on the back are connectors for dry contact control (open/ close) and a limits programming switch.  The wall switch simply connects to the Somfy motor's control cable with the 4P4C connector.

IR remote  If you already have an IR file for a Somfy motor that you can drop into your universal remote, you won't need to buy this fugly remote.  Or, you can also buy it, program/ teach your universal remote, and then return it to us for full credit.

RF receiver  Plug the control cable into this and voilá - you almost have the ability to control the screen with an RF signal.  What more do you need?  Read on.

RF remote  Somfy's Telis RF remotes are available in three colors, black ("Lounge"), silver, and white ("Pure").  They're a bit large and expensive, but come with a nifty little hanging knob.  While the picture doesn't show it, the white remote's hanging knob is white.