High Contrast Da-Mat Obsolescence 

Frequently Asked Questions 

High Contrast Da-Mat will be discontinued effective December 31, 2020. Following are some helpful recommendations for familiarizing yourself with manufacturer-suggested replacements – high resolution screen surfaces ideal for when contrast is needed. 

What is High Contrast Da-Mat? 

High Contrast Da-Mat® is a standard resolution vinyl surface that features a dark gray base for deeper reproductions of black, which improves the perception of contrast. Best in environments with a high output projector and completely controlled ambient light. Seamless in any width up to 16' H.

When is the surface officially removed from the portfolio? 

December 31, 2020 

What is the last day for purchase orders? 

December 31, 2020 

What is the direct replacement surface recommendation? 

Parallax Stratos 1.0 

Parallax® Stratos 1.0 is a Contrast Based, 80% ALR surface engineered for high value, large scale projects. This high resolution surface is available up to 16' H in a variety of products, including Da-Lite’s core lineup of electric screens and fixed frames to expand your product portfolio and installation applications. Appropriate for standard throw projection (1.0:1 or greater).

What is an additional replacement surface option? 

HD Progressive 0.6 

Ideal for high output projectors or applications where projector brightness and screen size require low gain, the gray surface compensates for a brightly lit environment so that image contrast is preserved. In low ambient light, HD Progressive 0.6 provides deep contrast for a rich enhanced image and is typically used with video. Seamless in any width up to 16' in height. Appropriate for ultra-short throw projection as well as standard throw high resolution projection.

See How These Surfaces Stack Up 

New to selecting screen surfaces?

Perhaps you’re new to the industry…Or you specify screen surfaces irregularly…Maybe you’re just new to the ALR conversation…You simply want to double-check your AV math…One NEW tool from Da-Lite answers all these user needs to get a projection system right – from your trusted source. With only a few critical inputs – room size, screen dimensions and projector details, see how these values impact screen surface selection in a specific environment and ultimately, the end users viewing experience when considering the Da-Lite screen surface technology catalog. 

Visit the Screen Surface Selection Calculator now.

Compare all our Screen Surface features in this single-page technology chart.

Why High Resolution Screen Surfaces?

Choosing a projection screen product is only part of the equation. We need to talk about high resolution screen surfaces. Get the most out of your projector with high-resolution surfaces that feature a smooth surface free of microscopic peaks and valleys. This ensures every pixel of 4K, 8K and even 16K resolution (yeah, we’re ready for that!) remain completely intact and visible to the viewer.  

As we forge ahead towards an era of 8K and 16K resolution, there is a way to ensure you will remain satisfied with image quality for years to come. When choosing the latest and greatest high-resolution projector, the best way to guarantee return on investment is pairing it with a projection surface designed to enhance the image as much as the projector.   

Learn more about lost pixels here.

Learn how to Maximize Image Quality (and ROI) with Projection here.

Da-Lite high-resolution surfaces, like HD Progressive, ensure an even distribution of projected light for ideal image uniformity. The projected light will look evenly bright on any area of the projection screen to create a well-illuminated and detailed image for the audience. We also test and color measure each surface to preserve the true color of the projector. 

Explore all our HD Progressive Screen Surfaces below:  

• HD Progressive 1.1 Perf
• HD Progressive 0.6
• HD Progressive 0.9
• HD Progressive 1.1
• HD Progressive 1.1 Contrast
• HD Progressive 1.3

Check out our latest online training course in AV University called: Why High Resolution Screen Surfaces

How do ambient light rejecting screen surfaces expand your portfolio and installation opportunities? 

Totally darkened rooms are hard to come by outside of a theater environment. Ambient light is almost always a part of the projection equation. Physics teaches us that ambient light comes with two variables: intensity and direction. Depending on the levels of each, the ambient light that falls on a projection screen will wash out image contrast, color saturation and dynamic range. 

This has been a major projection impediment… until recently.

When dull washed out images are a concern for high ambient light environments, consider Parallax® – Da-Lite’s premium family of ambient light rejection screen surfaces in a variety of gains and rejecting up to 96% of ambient light. 

What is Contrast Based ALR? 

Gray projection screens increase image contrast, particularly in a room that is not completely dark. These are also known as Contrast Based Ambient Light Rejecting screens. The gray color of the screen absorbs some of the ambient light rather than reflecting it. The same image in that space might appear washed out on a white screen, whereas the gray screen maintains and enhances contrast for viewers. Contrast Based ALR screens are single layer surfaces. 

See Da-Lite’s Contrast-Based ALR Screen Surface below: 

Parallax Stratos 1.0

What is True Optical ALR? 

True Optical Ambient Light Rejecting screens are specifically designed to reject higher levels of ambient light from specific angles in a room. This makes the image brighter than Contrast Based ALR. Light in the room is not reflected in the image, preserving contrast, color saturation and dynamic range.

True Optical ALR screens consist of a series of optical layers rather than a single layer like Contrast Based ALR screens. There is a highly reflective base layer. On top of that a micro-layered optical lens surface absorbs light. This optical lens surface is itself made of two layers. One special layer is shaped like a microscopic saw-tooth that blocks light from above, and the second is a diffusion layer that filters out off-axis lighting.

This results in high-contrast, bright images in well-lit environments. However, screen size is limited to 120” diagonal in 16:9 fixed frame and electric products. See Parallax Stratos 1.0 for an ALR surface, seamless in any width up to 16' in height.

See Da-Lite’s True Optical ALR Screen Surfaces below: 

• Parallax Pure 0.8
• Parallax Pure 2.3
• Parallax Pure UST 0.45

Need a Quick Guide to Selecting ALR Screens? Check it out. 

Download our ALR brochure here.