Cineversum Announces New Generation of BlackWing HD Projectors With 2D & 3D Capability

Paris, France – March 30, 2011 — Cineversum, a cutting-edge brand of video products for the residential market, has announced the immediate availability of the company’s new BlackWing MK2011 Series digital video projectors worldwide. The BlackWings are state-of-the-art home cinema full-HD 1080P digital projectors and integrate the latest technologies available on the market such as three LCoS panels at a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, HDMI 1.4 connections and much anticipated active 3D projection.

The BlackWing One, Two and Three MK2011 replace the previous BlackWing MK2010 models that have been acclaimed and awarded around the globe, improving 2D performance and picture quality and adding 3D functionality.

Exclusive North American distributor, StJohn Group, Inc’s Sales Director and Co-Founder, John Caldwell asserted, "The new BlackWing MK2011 series provides our specialty dealers and their discerning clients with much needed solutions for some very challenging problems that our competitors still struggle with; namely, the ability to interface anamorphic lenses for constant height, 2.35 cinemascope viewing with 3D material. But perhaps the most compelling reason to own a new BlackWing MK2011 is its unique ability to reconcile both 2D and 3D performance. There are no compromises. You sacrifice nothing in performance."

The ultra quiet, projector (<19dB) is housed inside a futuristic deep metallic-black ABS plastic chassis designed by the famed French designer Antoine Béon. The design celebrates the concept of speed and precision with an unforgettable futuristic shape reminiscent of the Stealth Fighter; hence, the name BlackWing.

3D projection was obviously the most awaited feature of the new BlackWing Series. The Cineversum engineers have worked tirelessly do 3D right, while not sacrificing the performance with regular 2D content. Proprietary software enables such unique performance.

As a result, the Cineversum 3D active-shutter glasses benefit from the latest ergonomic innovations and technologies. Fast-response liquid crystal lenses create the best image quality without ghosting, wherever you sit, and provide higher brightness, more natural colors and great durability. Weighing only 58 gr (2 oz), the ergonomic design offers optimal comfort for everyone.

The supplied 3D emitter allows easy integration into the theater space in only a few minutes time.All in all, the BlackWing MK2011 projectors and the Cineversum 3D Kit are definitely the best combination on the marketplace for picture quality, brightness/colors and comfort.

Custom in-field calibration and automation is made available for qualified installing specialists via the BlackWing Two and Three's RS232 communication port.

The Crystal Motion® algorithm is a frame interpolation method which brings an immersive experience to sport, concerts, TV shows. The picture becomes dramatically realistic and three-dimensional, without motion blur or artifacts.

BlackWing One comes with 7 preset Picture Modes that the installer or the user can modify according to their taste. On BlackWing Two and Three, an eighth Picture Mode, TH-PRO, has been added and optimized for movie watching in a dedicated dark cinema room. An Expert Calibration Menu (via RS232) and CMS functions (Color Management System for color calibration) are accessible for advanced installers of BlackWing Two/Three.

Engineered by Cineversum in Paris, France, every single projector is also carefully tested and hand-calibrated individually by the company’s highly experienced video engineers to their European CRT-like tuning standards. The color temperatures and the white field uniformity are optimized to provide very natural picture quality with HD sources like Blu Ray and broadcast HD.

By means of superior components, the new BlackWing Series creates new standards in terms of contrast ratio (up to 100,000:1 on BlackWing Three), black levels and picture quality.

Thanks to the new True Cinema Black process in the BlackWing Two and Three, dark scenes still remain very detailed and balanced, despite the amazing level of contrast.

Installation Versatility
In addition to being a top-notch performer, the BlackWing Series are extremely easy to install. The 2x (1.4-2.8:1 throw ratio) makes it compatible with virtually any kind of room. The vertical and horizontal lens shift capability can address any challenging configuration. Zoom, focus and shift are motorized, making installation easier and faster. With the keystone correction, it is child’s play to adjust the projector for the most razor-sharp picture.

For projection on cinemascope aspect ratio screens the BlackWing projectors can also be easily retrofitted with their proprietary CineTwist kit. Thanks to a bespoke motorized anamorphic system, the user will be able to effortlessly switch from the classic 16:9 aspect ratio to a breathtaking Cinemascope format for both 2D and 3D content. The exclusive Cineversum Theatre Mode makes this possible.

The BlackWing MK2011 models are available to order now, starting at under $9,600 MSRP.

They will be demonstrated in world premiere near Bologne - Italy during the AudioGamma Days (7-8 April 2011) organized by AudioQuality, the Cineversum Expert in Bologne region.

Key BlackWing Features:

-3-chip LCOS, 0.7" panel. Full-HD 1920x1080
- Screen size: 60" to 240" diagonal.
- 3D projection capability. Frame sequential (with active shutter glasses) Frame Packing, Side by side and Above-Below.
- 1080p24 format compatible: "cinema-like" motion.
- Optimized out-of-the-box settings and pre-calibrated for D65.
- Full-glass fully-motorized Pro Grade Lens™ for variable electronic aperture control for optimizing brightness and contrast according to room light levels.
- 50 000:1 native contrast ratio BlackWing One / 70 000:1 BlackWing Two / 100 000:1 BlackWing Three.
- +/- 80% vertical, +/- 34% horizontal Lens shift
- Installer-friendly 2x Zoom (1.4-2.8:1 throw ratio)
- 2x HDMI 1.4 inputs, 1x PC VGA (only on BlackWing Two and Three),1x Component input
- Internal video processor/scaler that adapts for wide range of film and video cadences plus enhances the input signal and removes video noise.
- Ultra-Silent work (< 19 dB)
- Color Management System (7-axis gain and saturation) on BlackWing Two/Three.
- Discrete IRE range RGB gamma
- New lamp with longer lifetime (up to 3,000 hours in normal mode) and more power (brightness, 1300 ansi lumens, increased by 50% over the MK2010 models)
- Home Automation friendly (RS232 via D-sub 9)
- Keystone correction
- 12V trigger for controlling a screen or a motorized cinemascope kit
- Can be upgraded with the motorized anamorphic CineTwist kit for Cinemascope, 2.35:1 viewing
- Optional dedicated Ceiling Mount Kit
- Elegant French design

About Cineversum
Cineversum initially was conceived as the dedicated consumer brand for famed Belgian video manufacturer Barco. In September 2004, Technic Electronic Conseil (T.E.C.) took over worldwide distribution of Barco’s home theater business, including the Cineversum name. T.E.C. is based in the Montmartre district of Paris, France.

Led by French industry pioneer Jean-Claude Younes, T.E.C. has successfully developed the Cineversum Home Cinema Concept. In close cooperation with partners such as Barco, Cineversum has steadily built a range of cutting-edge video products for the professional home theater market and are distributing them worldwide through a network of specialist distributors.

The BlackWing line, dedicated to the professional A/V installer, was awarded the prestigious Product of the Year 2008 award by Electronic House magazine.

About StJohn Group
StJohn Group, Inc. is not a typical American distributor. Only representing lines offering exclusive North American distribution opportunity allows the company to closely work with its partners on a holistic approach to brand development. Unlike most U.S. distributors, StJohn Group handles all facets of sales and marketing, including literature and collateral creative and production, advertising creative and buys, public relations, web sites, business development and long range market planning.

Based in Bellingham, WA with a satellite office in Scottsdale, AZ, StJohn Group works with numerous regional representative firms and an active roster of more than 800 specialty A/V dealers.

StJohn Group specializes in products and services for the custom integration (CI) market – both residential and commercial – and represents Artcoustic Loudspeakers, Cineversum HD projectors, and IMAGE Screens in North America and the Caribbean, and Cabasse Loudspeakers in the U.S. & Caribbean only.