INTRODUCTION

    Even though for most people I know LCD TVs of up to 55-65 inches are more than just enough if you happen to really enjoy watching movies (or sports) on the big screen then even 100 inches might not be quite big for you. Well, to go well over 100 inches today there's but only one option and that's to pair a projector, regardless of type (normal, short, ultra short throw) either with a projection screen or a flat wall (preferably painted with a projection friendly paint). Last year I had the chance to test VIVIDSTORM's 100-inch S ALR motorized tension floor rising obsidian projector screen for use with normal throw projectors (review here) which produced very good results across the board. Since then, many of you have asked for a review of VIVIDSTORM's 120-inch S PRO P Motorized Tension Floor Rising UST ALR Perforated Projector screen and well that's exactly what I've been using for many months now.

    VIVID STORM SINCE 2004, referred to as "VIVIDSTORM", belongs to the brand of HUIZHOU VIVIDSTORM FILM AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. The predecessor of the company is Shenzhen Grand Precision Motor Co., Ltd., which was founded in June 2004. It has been committed to the research and development of tubular motors, projection screens, and screen accessories production, independent research and development and mold opening of various new products. VIVIDSTORM is a technology product brand focusing on the field of film and television equipment. The brand provides high-quality film and television equipment products such as high-quality conference projection screens, home theaters, school teaching, training venues, and event sites to our customers.

    Ideally UST (ultra short throw) projectors need to be paired with a different kind of screen compared to normal throw ones and well, this is where the S PRO P motorized tension floor rising UST ALR perforated projector screens come in. The main difference between these types of screens is that ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) ones aimed for use with UST projectors are designed with tiny, angled rows of ridges which on one hand reflect the image coming from the projector (placed inches away from the screen) while on the other they absorb ambient light coming from above (ceiling lights - not however from the sides or below). This means that UST ALR screens not only mitigate glare and enhance contrast and black levels, but they can also produce very good image quality even in well-lit rooms (although this is not something I'd do when watching a movie, it does work if the light source is over the screen). The S PRO P line of UST ALR perforated screens by VIVIDSTORM is available in 72/84/92/100/110/120 inches, both in black and white colors, is aimed for UST projectors with 1800 ANSI lumen and above and once again its strongest selling point is the floor rising feature which allows the end user to fully extend/rise and retract/lower the screen in under 30 seconds (5 different control methods as of the time of this review - RF remote, IR remote, physical switch, wireless projector trigger and smartphone app). Unfortunately, the smartphone app control feature (automatic height adjustment included) was introduced just over a month after our sample arrived, so this isn't something I'll be covering in this review.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The screen arrived placed inside several pieces of cardboard and wrapped inside thick plastic film.

Removing the plastic film reveals that the screen is also protected on all corners by pieces of plastic.

Several pieces of foam envelop the screen to provide total protection during shipping.

The S PRO P 120" screen arrived with two power cords (EU/UK), RF remote with a wall mount, IR remote with a wall mount and an IR adapter, height adjustment plastic rods (default height is max), wireless projection trigger with its manual (still in beta phase - you can plug that into your projector so when it turns on/off the screen automatically extends/retracts), 4 screws (for the 4 legs of the base if you need to further secure it), cleaning brush, thank you note and the user manual.

VIVIDSTORM also included their waterproof dust cover the exterior of which seems to be made of leatherette (soft fabric on the interior).

THE S PRO P 120"

Retracted the S PRO P motorized tension floor rising UST ALR perforated projector screen (metal housing) measures 287cm in length, 16cm in width and 12cm in height.

The IR received, height adjustment hole and the power port are located on the left side but if left is a no go for you then you can order the screen with them on the right where the company logo is.

When fully risen the S PRO P ALR screen measures roughly 291cm in length (power cord included) and 189cm in height and well, it's almost enough to cover the entire wall (the effective - grey - part of screen measures 266cm in length and 150cm in height).

By default, the screen has a total of 23cm at the bottom which are not part of the screen and instead is where you'd place the soundbar behind and are of course meant for people who may need to lower the screen (and thus not lose inches from the main part).

Practically everything is made of aluminum, yes, even the tension brackets and the arms.

Thanks to the two pull wires placed on the sides the surface is flat and doesn't curl and/or wrinkle.

The leatherette cover provided by VIVIDSTORM is the ideal solution for people who want to keep their motorized screen free of dust (and if you have pets like I do, lots of hair).

Watching effects-rich movies like Avengers Endgame on a 120-inch UST ALR screen (let alone even larger ones) from the comfort of your living room is a different feeling compared to regular TVs (short clip is as always available in both TikTok and YouTube - since my smartphones aren't cutting it, any recommendations for low light video recording are welcome).

CONCLUSION

    Having already used the S PRO P UST ALR motorized screen in previous UST projector reviews means some of you have already seen it in "action". Still, a proper presentation/review on my part was in order and well, it's finally here. The S PRO P is the 7th screen I've used to date (2nd most expensive one as of now) and well, it does great when paired with an UST projector. Colors are vivid, blacks are deep and detail, well, let’s just say it’s better compared to regular throw models. Unfortunately, the lights where I test all screens are not directly above them (rather 2 meters away, again on the ceiling) so when turned on you can't really watch a movie on the S PRO P (which is why I skip showcasing picture quality with the lights on). What really makes such screens stand out however is undoubtedly their motorized function since not only does that save you a considerable amount of space compared to regular screens, but you can have paintings hanged onto a wall and just have the screen rise in front of them without issue. Height adjustment on my sample was manual (instead of the automatic function of the Bluetooth enabled model) but once again that’s not hard to do manually (just open the rubber cover, insert the plastic rod and adjust height according to your needs – automatic function may gain you a couple of cm however). What I really wanted to see is a 150 inch variant (I'd also like to see a speaker enabled model but that's probably easier said than done) but due to the fact that there are still UST projectors out there which can’t (or to be more precise it’s not recommended) go that high it’s a given that most manufacturers will expand their lines once this is no longer the case.

    As I type these lines the 120-inch S PRO P motorized tension floor rising UST ALR perforated projector screen by VIVIDSTORM retails for USD2369 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 2299Euros inside the EU (VIVIDSTORM) so it’s not quite what many people would call affordable. Still, it’s certainly worth pointing out that UST projectors pretty much start from that price point and extend to many times that so this clearly isn’t a product made for everyone. Overall, there’s nothing else this screen could provide that it already doesn’t, picture quality is excellent, the motorized function is very convenient, and the range of available accessories is certainly not something you’ll find anywhere else and so the Platinum award is in order.

PROS

- Excellent Image Quality
- ALR Material
- Motorized Floor Rising Model
- Build Quality
- 5 Different Controls
- Available in Black & White Colors
- Available Inches (72 through 120)
- Adjustable Screen Height

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- UST Projectors Only (Compatibility)
- Base Length & Weight