Waranty
Summary, Pros, Cons

I certainly am much better set up to review projectors than screens, however, I do believe I'm getting the hang of reviewing projector screens.
Until 2007, I've been doing barely more than 2 screen reviews a year, but that's about to change, starting with the Elite CineTension projector screen, and I'm following that immediately, with the "high priced spread"; the latest version of the Firehawk, (the G3) from Stewart. I'm also planning in to bring in screens from Grandview, Da-lite, etc.

So I'll have two projector screen reviews done this year - before Superbowl. Plans call for doing at least a half dozen more thoughout the year.

A bit of background on Elite Screens

Here's the scoop on Elite. I've previously reviewed two of their screens (the first in 2005), although, I took a 2nd look at their ezFrame when they changed the screen surface. The other was their first motorized screen, the Home Series.

Here's the big thing about Elite Screens: Elite is probably best described as the "low cost leader". They haven't necessarily had many major categories of screens on the market long enough to establish themselves as the equal to established brands such as Da-Lite or Drape. And they definitely aren't ready to challenge high end projector screen manufacturers like Stewart FilmScreen. That said, to date they have proven to, provide a very respectable product from a performance standpoint. Their pricing advantage, no doubt comes from being a Taiwanese company that controls it's manufacturing in China.

When we reviewed their first screen, we were impressed with the price, so far below the competition, that it had no competition. While it was a decent screen, it left plenty of room for improvement. By comparison, our most recent review of their ezFrame HC Gray surface, proved to be far more impressive, not only still very affordable, but with good build quality, and the kind of general image performance that I would describe as good, or typical of mid-range major brand manufacturers.

So that brings us to this review - the Elite CineTension projector screen. This screen came with their matte white finish. (which made sense to me since I recently reviewed their HC gray surface). You can get the CineTension with 3 difference surfaces, the Matte white tested here, the "Tension Grey" which I believe is the exact same surface as in their fixed frame screens.

I was especially interested in the CineTension because it does seem to be by far, the least expensive motorized screen with tensioning. For those of you not familiar, motorized and pull-down screens, if not immediately, then over time, tend to stop being flat when lowered for use. The waves and/or creases they develop (more likely on larger surfaces, say at least 100" diagonal and up) very quickly become both visible, and very annoying. The problems are most visible when what you are watching includes some slow panning of a scene. A few years ago I had a large motorized screen, that after about 2 years had serious waves (and no tensioning). Ultimately I replaced it because of the waves (as well as looking for some different performance - but it was the waves that really made me "pull the trigger".

So, finally here is an affordable motorized screen, that comes not only with remote controls (yes, both infra-red and RF - choose the one you like), but tab tensioning to keep it flat.

So, what does one cost?

Elite primarily sells through dealers, so MSRP isn't going to help you much. Let's just say that discounting out there is significant, and 20% off would not be shocking. (But don't forget - freight on screens will eat up some of those savings).

Here are a few MSRP prices, to give you a rough idea of what an Elite CineTension will set you back. These prices are for 16:9 aspect ratio projector screens:

84 inch: $699
92 inch: $889
100 inch: $949
106 inch: $999
120 inch: $1199
135 inch: $1299
150 inch: $1499

Now, to put that in perspective, a quick look at my Da-lite catalog (it's a 2005 catalog, but prices on screens don't change much) shows a price for Da-lite's Cosmopolitan Electrol Tensioned 106" 16:9 diagonal of $2107, and then, you have to pay extra to equip it with a remote control. Now, that's a pretty substantial difference! - More than twice the price even when the Da-lite isn't equipped witha remote control. It's possible that Da-lite may now have a lower cost line of tensioned designed for the home, but to the best of my knowlegde, the "Cosmo Electrol Tensioned" is their lowest cost.

Perhaps more to the point, is the pricing of the Elite CineTension compared to a non tensioned motorized screen from Da-lite and others. Again, I consult my old Da-lite catalog.

The Da-lite Cosmo 106" 16:9 projector screen base price (no remote, matte white surface), is $997 MSRP, so basically (assuming similar discounting) the Elite provides you a tensioned screen with remote control for the same price as a Da-lite without tensioning or remote. BTW last I heard, all Da-lite screens are US manufactured.

The projector screen I received from Elite, for this review is the 92" variety. (The part number is the TE92HW1).

Basically, in reviewing this projector screen, my primary concerns are:

Projector Screem Gain (brightness)
Color Accuracy (does the screen reflect back the same color balance as the light hitting the screen)
Effectiveness of the tensioning - does the screen lay completely flat)
Roll-off of brightness as you move to the sides, and is the image darker in the corners than the center, due to the angle)
Installation, Ease of Use

Elite CineTension Projector Screen: Gain

Elite rates this screen as having a gain of 1.1, fairly typical of matte white surfaces. While I don't have a really excellent scientific method of determining it, my basic measurements indicate that it is close to claim. I previously measured Carada's Brilliant White projector screen surface as being approximately 1.3 (they claim 1.4). I have the Carada mounted directly behind the Elite CineTension, and after adjusting for the slightly different distances (the Elite is 5 inches closer to the projector), I found the Elite to produce roughly 84% of the Carada. Multiply that by 1.3 and I get an approximate gain of about 1.09. Close enough!

In the image immediately below, the Elite surface is on the top, the Carada on the bottom, with a good monitor you can just barely detect a difference in brightness - although the difference is definitely slightly greater if you were standing in the room with me looking as I took this picture. Live you can not only pick up a slight difference in brightness, but also color.

Elite CineTension Projector Screen: Color Accuracy

This would be the Elite projector screen's weakness. For measurement purposes, I used the projector closest at hand. In my measurements with my Optic One pointing at the projector, the way it was set up, I measured white to have a color temperature of 7069K.

I then measured light reflected off the screen surface, and measured a color temperature of 7404K, slightly cooler (more bluish).

By comparison, I then measured the Carada, which came back with 6979K, definitely closer to the original direct from projector measurement. The Carada shifted warmer by a very insignificant 80K, while the Elite went the other way (cooler) by 345K. The other notworthy difference was measured green output. The Carada was just a tiny bit heavy on the green (less than 0.5%, while the Elite was 0.8%. In both cases those should be considered very good. Immediately below, both the Elite and Carada, with the Elite on the top. Very, very close. My camera does a less than perfect job here, but the point is, the color balance is still very close, (just not this close.) BTW, the yellows looked a lot better on the screens than in this photo! Also, live, in looking at a white image, as well as the color bars, you can see the slight difference in the color of these two screens, with the Elite being slightly bluer...

The important point to consider, is that if you are calibrating (even a basic calibration using a typical $40 - $50 disk like AVIA, or Video Essentials), you will be adjusting color based on the light reflected off of the projector screen surface. In other words, your adjustments will take into consideration any shift in color balance caused by the screen.

The image below (and you can click to enlarge, was shot with a 1080p projector Optoma's HD81, with the source being the Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player, and the disk, the HD-DVD of Phantom of the Opera:

Elite CineTension Projector Screen: Tensioning

I had the Elite screen mounted almost two months before I got around to doing this review. In that time frame, the projector screen was almost always in the closed (up) position. It was closed for the last 2 weeks before I started the review. Upon putting the projector screen down, I found the tensioning to be doing the job extremely well. The screen appeared almost perfectly flat. I noticed only a slight bit of curvature in the lower right corner when I first rolled it down, but most of that was in the border fabric, not the surface. By the time I put a full white image on the screen, or watched some slow pans, I could not detect any unevenness in lighting or distortion on as would be created by a non flat surface. The bottom line, therefore is that the tensioning works great. How well this will hold up after a year or three of use, I have no way of telling, but their tensioning system sure seems to work reasonably well. In addition, the tensioning is adjustable, although the manual warns to check with Elite tech support first, that the intial setting is ideal...

Note, in the image above, at the bottom right, you can make out the tension control nob.

Elite CineTension Projector Screen: Evenness of illumination and roll-off

No problems here, either. As you would expect from a matte white surface, the viewing angle is extremely wide. Even moving way outside the the edges of the screen, the image remained bright, and evenly illuminated. Any unevenness that I could see, was if not completely, almost certainly due to the inherent inability of projectors to provide even illumination to begin with. (Note: most projectors drop off 15 to 25% in brightness in the extreme corners. You can detect a lighter bar on the left, that is actually a reflection off of the glass doors to the room, as is a faint difference about 1/3 from the right, and also on the Carada screen behind the Elite.

Installing the Elite CineTension Projector Screen

I don't do my own installations - been there, done that. But I can appreciate the different ways manufacturers set up their screens for mounting. The Elite, like some, but not all, other motorized screens does a nice job of making it easy. First of all the brackets are fully slidable. This easily allows you to find the studs in the wall that you will be using, and then simply sliding the bracket to where it needs to be. Some screens only have as little of 6 inches of adjustment side to side, which can make lining it up with the studs a real bitch.

In addition the Elite projector screen, comes ready to mount either to a wall or from the ceiling.

One word of caution. Upon initial mounting, the screen mount was not level - that is the top surface was not perfectly parallel with the ceiling, but rather tilted forward slightly. The screen still dropped and closed without a problem, however, upon initially hitting the down button, the screen made a loud clang like sound (the housing and the bottom of the screen frame are both metal. It made a similar loud clang as the bottom of the screen retracted into the housing.

Once I adjusted the screen on the bracket so that it was correctly parallel to the ceiling, the clang went away. Although that banging in its own right doesn't mean there is any issue with the screen's performance, I imagine that if you have it much more off angle than I did, that the surface of the screen may rub against the opening in the housing as it goes up or down, and that can't be a good thing!

This should certainly be easily avoidable, especially since you have been "warned." Adjusting it was easy.

I should note that the documentation for installing is pretty basic, but enough for anyone who has any idea of how to hang heavy things. The kit that comes with the projector screen has both masonary anchors and drywall anchors, so you should have whatever you need to do a normal mounting. The Extruded Hanger (bracket) shown on the screen above, is designed for either wall mount or ceiling mounting. I have this Elite Screens model mounted to my wall.

The CineTension projector screens have 16 inches of drop when fully extended. This is a good amount, making it easier to ceiling mount and still have the surface fabric hang down low where you want it. You can control the drop on the projector screen as well, so if you don't need all 16" exposed, you can have the screen not come as far down. You can set a stop, so it remembers where to stop.

Elite CineTension Projector Screen: Remotes, Power, etc.

First of all, the CineTension projector screen is a "plug and play" it comes with a standard AC cord for those that just want to hang it and use it, and not run the power through the walls. (Of course you can, if that is your plan.) There is also a small box that is the receiver for both the IR and RF remote controls (use whichever works best for you). You'll have to figure out where you want to put that.

Image above: IR and RF receiver for the CineTension remotes

There is also a wall mount to control the projector screen (up, down, stop) I decided not to use that in my room, relying instead on the RF remote.

If you want to use the IR remote, you'll have to make the small box visible so the line of sight IR transmitter in the remote can reach the receiver's sensor. If you want to hide the box, you will be best served with the RF remote, since it doesn't require line of site. You don't have to choose only one, however, both are active at the same time.

BTW, both remotes look essentially the same. Shown here, is the RF remote control.

I should note that the manual very cleverly, provides the IR codes, for those of you programming a room controller or multi-function learning remote.

Warranty

Elite provides a 1 year parts and labor warranty on their motorized screens. Contact their tech support with any issues, or for return authorization, if there is an issue.

Projector s creens under warranty, ship back to their So. California facility for repair or replacement depending on the problem.

Summary, Pros, Cons

The Elite CineTension projector screen earns our Hot Product Award for Value. I found no real issues, with the screen, with perhaps the biggest "failing" being the slight shift in color temperature, but then, first, its a small shift, and two, it's easily correctable with a basic user calibration disk.

The image above shows the Elite CineTension 92" projector screen in the down position. You can see the Carada Brilliant White Criterion fixed wall screen (106") behind it.

What I really liked was the cost proposition - These Elite tensioned screens basically cost half or less of the "big name" brands like Da-lite and Draper, and far less than Stewart.

For many, they may choose to buy the Elite, with tensioning, for about the same price as a motorized Da-lite screen with similar surface, but no tensioning at all.

One key point - the purpose of a tab-tensioned screen is to maintain a very flat surface without waves or creases, on motorized or pull-down screen after years of opening and closing. Of course, I have no way to really test how the tensioning will hold up over several years, but I am heartened to know that the tensioning is adjustable.

Also, as mentioned, I had for the most part, left the screen in the up position for most of 2 months, and the screen exhibited no unevenness issues once I started using it for this review.

In addition to affordability, the Elite CineTension projector screens come with two remotes - who could ask for anything more, and with 16" of drop, above the screen surface, it will work in most rooms.

If there is one downside to Elite screens, it is that, to my knowledge, they are not customizable. That means, if you really need 22 inches of drop, you are out of luck, or if you need exactly a 112" screen, and not one of the many precut sizes, also, no way to special order. On that note, I am surprised that, so far, Elite offers many sizes, but not the popular 110" diagonal 16:9. If you need a custom size or drop, you will have to look elsewhere, to companies like Da-lite, Stewart, Draper, etc. (I don't mention Carada, because they do not make motorized screens, only fixed wall.)

Screen sizes available (16:9), for the matte white and gray surface are currenly: 84", 92", 100", 106" 121", and 135" diagonal.

In addition there is a high gain surface (1.5 gain), but as of the Elite price list I have (about 5 months old, they were only offering the 1.5 gain in 84", 92", and 100", although I wouldn't be surprised, if they haven't added the larger sizes by now.

Personally I still slightly favor the Carada Brilliant White Criterion fixed wall screen mounted behind the Elite, primarily for its slightly higher gain, and the knowledge that it's colors are a touch more accurate, but then my fixed wall Carada, costs about as much as the Elite CineTension. Since I don't need a motorized screen in the testing room, the Carada works out just fine. Apples to Oranges. If, however I did need a motorized screen in the room, I would have to say at this point, I would probably be very happy with this Elite Screens, or, if I was feeling really rich, I'd opt for a motorized and tensioned Stewart Studiotek 130. Of course the Stewart would be more than three times the price.... Not a bad compromise!

With no real flaws, what appears to be good build quality, and all those extras, the Elite CineTension is going to be hard to beat for those wanting a screen (washable surface- I think I forgot to mention that, earlier), that should last for years, and stay nice and flat!

So, overall, I think Elite has done it again, provided a great value, and allowing people to have a very good screen at a price that lets them throw a lot more money toward their projector or other parts of their home theater. Just think - between the Elite, and brands like Da-lite, the savings are enough to buy you an HD-DVD player, and more than a dozen HD movies... Hmmm.... not bad.

PS. My thanks to Dave Rodgers from Elite Screens. He had been lobbying me to review the CineTension screen for many months - and I kept telling him I didn't have a good way to set up motorized screens easily for review.

Fortunately Dave doesn't live that far from here, he's the one that came down, and mounted the CineTension for me, in my Testing room. He installed all the brackets, etc. But, more to the point, he also set things up so I can easily take it down and put up other motorized screens - even from other manufacturers. I hope Da-lite and others appreciate his help, because, without it, it would be a much longer wait until I reviewed another motorized screen in the testing room. All that work makes for a pretty good bribe, and I promised him the CineTension would be the next screen reviewed! We're even now!

The next projector screen being reviewed (Which I was going to do before the CineTension), is my all time favorite screen, the motorized Stewart Firehawk G3 128" diagonal, which is now the permanent screen in my theater (referred to as the Viewing room in my reviews).

Commentary From Elite Screens Inc.
This review was based on a first generation Elite Tab-Tension Electric Screen sent in July of 2006. In our January 2007 newsletter, Elite Screens announced the release of the CineTension2 Series. This is the 2nd generation of our CineTension Tab-Tension Electric Screen. It features mechanical design enhancements that allow an even more simplified process of installation, setting and operation. Our intention is to always make our product as easy and reliable was we possibly can for the consumer and custom installer alike. The CineTension screen now has a 12V trigger attachment that allows the screen to be operated in sequence to the projector’s operational cycle. The CineTension2 Series also comes with 2 remote controls which operate on either an Infrared or Radio Frequency setting. One after-market alternative to the standard IR remote that we now provide is a Universal Learning Remote Control that can facilitate up to 8 devices allowing control over the entire media system with one hand held unit. The Radio Frequency Remote is included for screen control at greater distances. With a range of 55 ft., the RF remote is an ideal solution for large social gatherings or seminars where the direct the LOS control provided by an IR remote may be difficult to attain. A standard IR Eye-Sensor is also included to serve as an alternative receiver to the larger 3 way-wall box that is also included as a standard item. This addition of the eye receiver is intended to provide a clean profile to the screen casing by eliminating the presence of the control box and its wire attachments.

The CineTension2 series comes with three types of projection surfaces to choose from; Tension White (1.1 gain), High Gain White (1.8 Gain) and High Contrast Light Gray (1.0 Gain). This product has a residential line that comes formatted in 16:9 (HDTV) aspect Ratios for the Home Theater/Media Room. There is also a Commercial version made in 4:3 (NTSC) ratio for the educational/conference room environment. Both variants come in size ranges from size from 84” to 150” Diagonal screen sizes.

If you have any questions on CineTension2, please contact us at 877-511-1211,

David Rodgers
Marketing Manager