Trac Associates Projection Screen News

Everyone knows “content” is king, no matter what display technology you choose to bring the content to the public eyes.  TRaC and A.R.T have worked together to couple each of our company core capabilities to provide some of the best digital signage solutions into the market.

TRaC Associates has succeeded in bringing to the market some of the best valued, most innovative and unique projection screen materials that move projection out of the class room or board room into the retail, commercial and entertainment markets.

TRaC Associates is a supreme leader in understanding the projection screen materials and how to match the right screen to the application.  We offer a broad assortment of the best projection screen materials available and the consultation of what would work in the “where and when” of the installation site and within the budget constraints.  TRaC can become a partner in your design and your client’s desires, in order to ensure a vivid projected image.

A.R.T. can provide the expertise for content creation and distribution of the content to the best viewable display technology, whether it is projection, LCD’s or alternative display technologies.

Below is a clip of Artistic Resources Technologies web site.

“Whether you need full-package signage solutions or individual components for an existing signage project, call us today. We have expert knowledge using REAR PROJECTION FILM SOLUTIONS (including window films, daylight viewable, 2-Way and high gain screens) along with assessing proper projector needs.

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For further information on unique projection screen materials, contact us at this web site or call TRaC Associates toll free at (877) 382-8948.

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Please contact A.R.T. toll-free at 877-ARTDART for detailed information on content creation and distribution or at their web site shown below.

www.tracassociaties.com

www.artdart.com

Small projection panels have been used for years by traveling salesmen, trainers and presenters in trade shows, corporate events, conference rooms and class rooms when a light weight, durable projection screen needs to be held in a vertical fashion on a flat surface. Today’s lightweight and bright projectors couple beautifully with small format screens allowing presentations to be used in even the smallest rooms. Portability is essential and the screen set up and take down needs to be quick and easy.

TRaC offers light weight, clear acrylic table feet that are suitable for projection screen panels (front or rear) in varying thicknesses from 3/16” to ¼”. The panels are slipped into the panel slots, stand firmly upright and are extremely stable. Weighing only a few ounces and measuring only 8” x 1 ¾” x 1”, the feet can be tucked away into the projector case with other accessories.

Contact TRaC Associates for information.

A projection digital signage system using TRaC Associates window films are impervious to the high radiant daylight temperatures reached on window fronts, provide crisp clear signage images and save on maintenance costs.

A recent discussion with a realtor on the east coast highlights the issue. They had installed an LCD digital signage system in their store front window to promote their business and properties. Within the first 6 months, the unit failed, and within the second 6 months, the replacement LCD unit failed too, even though both LCD panels were proclaimed by the manufacturer to be high temperature tolerant.

Heat is the primary killer of electronics. That’s why great efforts are made by manufacturers to include fans and other cooling techniques to moderate the heat build up inside electronic display housings. However, most digital signage LCD and Plasma units are designed to be used indoors, in controlled temperature environments.

Placing them close to a sun lit window could be courting trouble… Sunshine includes radiant heat. In a window location, this radiant heat source raises the temperature of the electronic display to phenomenal temperatures. The whole external casing and the internal components heat up, similar to a warming oven. The internal fans just can’t keep up with the heat build up and the electronics suffer, causing premature device failure.

Surprisingly, turning off the LCD or Plasma unit doesn’t help. The units just heat up faster and to a higher temperature because the internal fans aren’t operating to assist in cooling the device. The electronic components get temperature cycled between the hot day time hours and the cooler night temperatures which shorten their operating life.

A projection window screen system is a solution to the problem. TRaC’s window screen materials are “passive” non-electrical components in the overall digital signage projection system. The screens are not affected by the radiant heat, UV or IR elements of sunlight and will last trouble free for years and years.

Additionally, the projector is usually ceiling mounted 6’ to 20’ back inside the store front. Projectors have fans too, but the unit is operating in the “human friendly” temperature controlled room, not in the hot show case display area around the store front window. So they can operate as per the manufacturer’s specifications and your expectations.

Another advantage of a ceiling mounted projector is that it is out of harms way. It can’t get handled by a curious shopper or bumped by store cleaning crews. Power and video cables are above the ceiling, preventing them from getting snagged during normal store activities.

Today’s variety of projection films from Trac Associates include daylight viewable, high contrast, white and even transparent image options. So whether you need outside viewable signage or inside special effect images, you can design a system of high reliability, high visual impact and long life.

Contact TRaC Associates for assistance.

Interactive windows are forging ahead in the digital signage retail industry. TRaC Associates’ variety of film projection screen screens for windows and acrylic panels couple the projected image with the ViP interactive technology offered by Brookview Technologies.

Whether you are looking for high contrast images, bright colors or even transparent displays, TRaC offers a wide selection of options. Below is a brief explanation of BrookView Technologies interactive touch films and how they can be used with projection films.

Please contact TRaC for the projection films at this web site and Brookview Technologies for the interactive touch film capabilities.

Page from Brookview Technologies web site is shown below. Contact: Michael Gaffney at www.brookviewtechnologies.com

Interactivity Specification
Detection Method: Projected Capacitance technology using horizontal vertical wires

Position accuracy: Approximately 3 mm absolute, 1 mm relative. No drift

Alignment: Software drivers provide a calibration facility

Sensitivity: Adjustable by software. Can be programmed for different thickness of glass and even use with gloved hands. Functions with non-metalise, single construction glass 16mm thick.

Speed of response: Depends upon glass thickness. Typically 50 to 100ms

Output: RS232C communications to a 9 pin D female

Software Compatibility: Drivers are available for Windows Operating Systems

Temperature range: Better than -10 to +70°C

Humidity Controller: 0% to 95%. Unaffected by condensation

Light Transmission: Typically better than 85%.

Product Construction

TRaC Associates offers a wide option of window projection screen films and surfaces for digital signage. A.R.T. Dart in Seattle has incorporated these offerings into many of their digital signage solutions for their clients desiring to have active and interactive window displays for capturing the attention of retail customers.

Please contact TRaC on this web site for product descriptions or A.R.T. Dart in Seattle for comprehesive design assistance in developing a digital signage solution.

Below is a snap shot of A.R.T. Darts offerings on their web site.

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PROJECTOR DISPLAY SYSTEMS
DartVU (TM) projector-based display solutions offer vibrant and noticeable messaging and video via high-contrast, window-mountable display screens (combined with the playback vehicle of your choice and applicable projector–also available from A.R.T.). Lightweight and durable, these products are ideal for retail settings, trade shows, window displays, museum installations, and any other application where the attention of your audience is paramount. Free-standing, window, or ceiling-mount options are available in screen sizes from 40″ to 120″ (inquire for custom sizes).

GlassVu is the most advanced rear projection display available. With a contrast ratio of 500:1, the GlassVu offers unprecedented imagery in full daylight.

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TransVu is the newest in the DART line of high quality projection displays. With no distracting lines or pixels and available up to 100″, it is the premier transparent display on the market (available in transparencies of 25%, 50%, or 75%).

Artistic Resources & Technology, LLC
1900 W. Nickerson St., Suite 116-130
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 686-7879
Email: cs@artdart.com

Projection films for window signage, trade shows and special effects are becoming extremely popular. TRaC Associates offers four different versions (transparent, bright white, high contrast and 2-sided viewing) that have an adhesive backing for ease of installation. Mounting to glass or acrylic is as simple as applying a window treatment film.

Unlike glass, a clear acrylic substrate needs to be chosen with certain characteristics.

1) Acrylic Material

Not all acrylics should be used for the mounting of films. It is important is to choose a manufacturer and brand that is a cast acrylic (as opposed to extruded) for visual clarity and additionally, an acrylic that is fully “cured” or annealed.

Inexpensive acrylics are usually extruded, and the chemical components of the acrylic continue to leak or “outgas” from the acrylic over time. Even after you have mounted a film with its water activated adhesive to the acrylic surface and it looks perfect, air pockets can appear throughout the film, giving it a spotted appearance over a few hours or a couple of days.

To avoid this, check with the manufacturer or their distributor to ensure the acrylic you are choosing is

a) cast

b)fully cured or annealed

c) will not outgas.

Need an easier approach? We have tested and recommend the following cast acrylic for the mounting of projection films. This manufacturer has distributors throughout the country.

Manufacturer: Cyro Industries Go to www.cyro.com to find a local distributor in your area.

Brand: Acrylite GP

2) Acrylic Size

Depending on your application, you may want to suspend or fly the acrylic with the projection film without a frame. This is easily done with a variety of hanging hardware elements from sources like Arakawa. So if you want the mounted film on the acrylic to appear to “float” in the air, plan to size the acrylic a little longer on one or more edges ( 1”-1 ½”) to leave room for the hanging grippers or hardware that you wish to use.

Secondly, it’s a good idea to oversize the acrylic slightly on all four sides so when the film is mounted to the acrylic, it is inset about 1/8” to 1/4 “ in from all the edges. This protects the edges of the film from being scraped or lifted off the acrylic when the acrylic projection screen panel is handled in installation or shipping.

3) Cleaning Acrylic and the Mounted TransVu film

Use soap and water to clean the acrylic and the mounted film if it gets fingerprints or smudges with a soft cloth. DO NOT use Alcohol based cleaners or Ammonia based cleaners. Both can damage the acrylic and/or the mounted film. Obviously, avoid abrasive cleaners too.

TRaC Associates is pleased to introduce a new version of the popular 2-Way projection screen that provides a projected image on both sides of the screen at the same time. The 2-Way is now available with an adhesive layer that simplifies mounting to glass or other clear substrates. This unique screen is popular in restaurants, night clubs and trade show venues.

This new versions allows clear panel screens to be suspended with a frameless, floating appearance. It is also available in pull down and motorized rolls. A perfect screen for showing video and entertainment content.

Call TRaC for more information

The GlassVu window film is unique and one of the best rear projection digital signage window screens on the market. Unlike other screens like the 3M Vikuiti which must be projected straight on, the GlassVu image brightness is optimized for a 21 to 31 degree projection angle. This allows the projector to be mounted on the store ceiling, out of reach of customers and saving valuable retail floor space.

The GlassVu film utilizes a patented “black shelf” technology that counters the wash out effects of bright daylight. Hundreds of horizontal tiny ridges block ambient light from mixing with the rear projected image. Its dark gray surface enhances contrast and provides bright and readable images to outside viewers.

The light weight, high contrast thin film can be mounted directly to the inside window surface or to an acrylic panel for ceiling suspension. It can also be custom cut and sized. Contact TRaC for additional product information.

TRaC Associates now offers a 2-Way projection foil (Lumin 2-Way) that provides a projected image on both sides of the foil with only one projector! Especially suited for entertainment or signage applications where you want to reach your target audience in a 360 degree viewing area. Restaurants, sports bars, casinos and discos have all found the merits of projecting vivid and dynamic videos for the entertainment pleasure of their clients.

The foil is thin and optimized for providing an image on both sides of the screen in almost an equal brightness. Unlike just front or rear projection screens that basically have only one sided viewing, this material allows double viewing coverage in areas where patrons could be seated.

It can easily be framed or attached to existing glass or clear substrates. Contact TRaC Associates for further information.

The new and improved TransVu 70 transparent window film dramatically improves the viewing angle of a projected image on the transparent substrate and also the visibility of the background. Almost holographic images are achievable without the exotic and expensive HoloPro or AirShow transparent substrates. This new TransVu version retains the easy to install water activated adhesive for mounting to glass or acrylic.

The viewing angle is increased to 120 degrees and the background vision is almost crystal clear. So you can now achieve transparent projection screens at greatly reduced cost. Ambient lighting should be controlled.

The film is especially designed for internal retail signage, museum displays and office lobbies where signage is a necessity without the visual perception of a hanging screen. White and high contrast translucent versions are also available.

Call or contact Trac Associates for more information on this new projection screen medium.