I am looking for a motorized curtain system for the front of my theater. I want to use some black curtains and I would like them to be able to completely close and cover the whole screen as well as do side masking for my soon to be 2.35:1 set-up. I am looking for the best bang for my buck. I am going to use very lightweight material, so I don't think the motor would have to be too powerful. They need to be remote controlled in some way, and ideally some way to do pre-set stops would be great, otherwise can be worked around with macros in my pronto remote as long as they have the ability to stop with a stop button or something. I have poked around the internet and the site some, but I wanted to see if anyone had any other recommendations.... and what has worked well for you.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!!

http://www.htiq.com/motorizeddrapery.php

http://www.remotecontrolcurtain.com/

The guys at HTIQ never responded to my email inquiry. I will try the phone next time but why have a contact me, if you never get back?

Anyone have any experiance with this one? http://0063da9.netsolhost.com/product1_800.html

Especially with getting it to stop at different points accurately, like with macros in a remote?

I guess I could also put some kind of marks on the ceiling or something marking the stop points for different screen sizes....

Anyone who has used this system, would love to hear how it worked out.

It seems the best bang for the buck...

THANKS!

I just bought one off Ebay, it seems like it will do OK. The directions are terrible, I can not for the life of me figure out how the wall brackets work. It is made by Kallox.

YT74;
Please let us know how it works. I am in particularly interested in how exact one can stop at defined positions, e.g. 4:3 or 16:9. I want to use such masking/curtain system as masking for my CIH setup. I have done quite a bit of research over the past 1/2 year and the results have been very disappointing thus far. They are either
- pure DIY projects (bear a high risk for me of not getting it to work they way I want it after spending lots of time and effort),
- top of the line custom installer solutions (very expensive) or
- turn out to be nothing more than vaporware (you can find a few examples here in the forum).

So I am still looking.... If this system could be up-fitted with pre-sets, not just full open/close, I would be all over it....
____
Axel

The unit in the link I posted above is able to stop in any position you would like it to. I don't have a link but another user had used one and said it was accarute and responsive enough to be added to a macro start and stop on most remotes.

The unit in the link I posted above is able to stop in any position you would like it to. I don't have a link but another user had used one and said it was accarute and responsive enough to be added to a macro start and stop on most remotes.

I would love to be proven wrong but I doubt that one can get the desired positioning accuracy of let's say << 1/2 inch with a time based macro, unless this screen moves extremely slow, which I doubt it does. Again, I would love to be proven wrong here. Maybe someone who has tried it could chime in.
____
Axel

Axel,
I don't think one can get that precise either. Mine are like an inch or so. Quite good for accent but not for masking.

Art

There is a company called Park Wylie in Baltimore that sells them. They can get the BTX Motordrape System or Makita Automatic Drapery Control which both seem nice.

Here's the e-mail:
parkwylie@att.net

Has anyone used the add-a-motor system: http://www.add-a-motor.com/Add-a-Motor%20Model%201100%20Remote%20Control%20Drapery%20Track.ht m

It says it can stop at different positions, is this a stop button like the other or some other pre-set system?

Any other ideas? I would love full control, but I don't want to pay $900 for it....

Has anyone used the add-a-motor system: http://www.add-a-motor.com/Add-a-Motor%20Model%201100%20Remote%20Control%20Drapery%20Track.ht m

It says it can stop at different positions, is this a stop button like the other or some other pre-set system?

Any other ideas? I would love full control, but I don't want to pay $900 for it....

Unfortunately, from what I understand it's only a stop button.

What is really missing for this market a 'simple' motorized, IR controllable curtain system like the one above, but with a few additional presets for different aspect ratios.

Brian, please let me know where one can find a system for $900 that is actually available for immediate purchase and delivery?

Thanks!
____
Axel

http://www.htiq.com/motorizeddrapery.php

the one with the pre-sets is $900....

I think $300 is close to the top of what I want to pay for curtain control....

Thanks!

I contacted hTIQ again and they failed to respond again after a 2nd reply email.

Nice professional website, seems to be run by "this is my 2nd or 3rd job" folk. Too bad, looks like a quality product,

I talked to the HTIQ guy the other day. He said they are coming out with a new system with presets sometime in July that is much more robust than the current one. It will cost more money too. I think he said that it would start at $1000.00.

http://www.htiq.com/motorizeddrapery.php

the one with the pre-sets is $900....

I think $300 is close to the top of what I want to pay for curtain control....

Thanks!

Whoops, I was just about to mention Goelst. After lots of searching their motorized curtain system seems the best I've seen - fine control, up to 5 pre-sets for curtain positions (or is it 6?), remote controlled/IR or RF...very customizable and they've been very helpful with me concerning how I will use their system. Unfortunately for you they are likely more than you wanted to spend. But just in case, here is their web-site:

http://www.goelstamerica.com/products-mot.htm

Those look good. How much do they cost though? I couldn't find pricing on the site.

Those look good. How much do they cost though? I couldn't find pricing on the site.
I would also like to know. Maybe someone can post some guideline or MSRP pricing..
____
Axel

Ditto. I wouldn't be having this conversation though is HTIQ was responsive...!

elmalloc,

So what is your budget for curtain control?

Under $1500 for horizontal masking of 1.78 to 2.35.

I have not decided a budget for curtains yet but that will come later this year.

I was hoping much cheaper than that, but if there is something that works for me I will go for it. I already have my 1st prototype (possible production release) masking panels finished. The are wood frames with black GOM AT FR701 black. If it doesn't mask well enough at the main edge, I will put Fidelio Black triple velvet on the edge too. So far it has looked dang good just holding it up at the screen though. I guess I will just have to see. I have thought about buying a standard traverse rod and making my own motor controller for it. I have some high torque slow moving car window motors that could do the trick.

Now if I could get the $375 add-a-motor job to work for me, that would save alot of hassle. It doesn't look like it will have the exact control that I want though. :(

I was quoted something around $1,500 for a 160" motorized panel system. Decent price, actually, considering what you get and considering prices of competitors. I'll let people know how it turns out.

Too

So that comes with the panels too? Not bad really. Yeah let us know.

Ummm when will you know? I thought you were months off.

It's been brutal simply trying to get locked designs on my room and all the items needed to be built...and pinning down any tradesmen to do it is very tough these days. I've already had one guy who was supposed to do my project go AWOL on me, so I'm on to getting quotes from the next contractor.

Wow. Around here since the new housing marked crashed, the contractors are a desparate to get work. Their prices didn't really go down, but now you can at least get them to come over and do the work. Give it another 6 months here going the same and prices will start dropping.

I started messing around with my cheap o Kallox from Ebay today. There are no presets. It is in the Harmony database, so there may be hope yet. I just got it for curtains anyway, but it is pretty cheaply made and the directions are even worse than I thought, the English reads like a Chinese take out menu. :D

YT74 - Keep us updated on how it works out. I still haven't purchased anything yet and am anxious to see how these cheaper systems work out....

YT74 - Keep us updated on how it works out. .........

Yes please!
____
Axel

Yeah let us know how accurate you can get the sucker!

I have a brand new unit sitting in a closet. I had bought it, and then hired an interior designer, and ended up going with a different electric curtain configuration altogether. I never took it out of the packaging. I tried to sell it on AVSForum a while back but no takers. Here are the details and what I paid for it (I think it is a white in color). I think it can be cut shorter, but may require a reseller to do it. If any interest, let me know.

Purchased from Houston Automated Shade
www.automatedshade.com
BTX Motordrape 1000
154" total width
Center Split
Wall mount Brackets
$619.00

Subtotal $619.00
Credits $30.00 - Sample package
Shipping $40.00

Total $629.00

Shake1

I have a brand new unit sitting in a closet. I had bought it, and then hired an interior designer, and ended up going with a different electric curtain configuration altogether. I never took it out of the packaging. I tried to sell it on AVSForum a while back but no takers. Here are the details and what I paid for it (I think it is a white in color). I think it can be cut shorter, but may require a reseller to do it. If any interest, let me know.

Purchased from Houston Automated Shade
www.automatedshade.com (http://www.automatedshade.com)
BTX Motordrape 1000
154" total width
Center Split
Wall mount Brackets
$619.00

Subtotal $619.00
Credits $30.00 - Sample package
Shipping $40.00

Total $629.00

Shake1

Unfortunately that's not wide enough for me.

In any case, does this BTX system offer presets? If so, how many?
What kind of interface for the controls comes with it? IR, RS232, ?
How would you rate the overall manufacturing quality of such a unit?

Thanks much!
_____
Axel

BTX makes many models. I ended up going with custom made, high end BTX model. As this was a couple of years ago, I do not remember what this model offers so you would need to call BTX and ask them, or a reseller, or google it. I know there are a few sites out there with the manual in electronic format.

Unfortunately that's not wide enough for me.

In any case, does this BTX system offer presets? If so, how many?
What kind of interface for the controls comes with it? IR, RS232, ?
How would you rate the overall manufacturing quality of such a unit?

Thanks much!
_____
Axel

I spoke with someone at BTX - this unit does not have pre-set stop points, you can only stop it with the remote.

I don't like that.

Is there any motorized system that anyone knows about that has pre-set stop points costing even in the $600 or $700 range? $1500 just seems like a lot of money to move curtains back and forth....

Thanks!!

I am wondering if you can use a timer macro in the Pronto, to auto stop the curtains at certain intervals for each desired aspect ratio - if the curtain control system does not support preset stops.

For electric curtains, here are draper rod links I have to share:

http://www.motorizedsolutions.com
http://www.btxinc.com
http://www.automatedshade.com
http://www.silentgliss-usa.com
http://www.smarthome.com/_/Somfy/_/1t5/nav.aspx?Ne=265
http://www.smarthome.com/3151.HTML
http://www.htmarket.com/lighting--signs--decor---carpeting-home-theater-drapes-curtain-rods.html
http://www.remotecontrolcurtain.com/

Shake1

Thanks for the links! How is your install coming?

Brian D gerat question, seems nobody can answer it though.

Thanks for the links! How is your install coming?

Going well! I am almost 100% finished (if there ever is such a thing). I bought this house 5 years ago, with an existing dedicated media room in it. I've been chipping away at this project over the years, buying stuff as I came up with the funds. I only have a couple of things that I'm working on. I still need a subwoofer; and I need to finish up programming the macros in the URC MX-3000 remote.

Here are some pics of my curtain configuration. The curtain rod is a BTX, and custom built for my room (their platinum color). This curtain rod was very expensive, more than I wanted to spend, but I think it was worth it in the long run. I had the curtains made by a local custom drapery lady. When open, the curtains "stack" on the side walls. The wall where the curtains are located is 13' wide. I do not use the curtains for anything other covering the wall where the screen is hanging.

Shake1

Brian D gerat question, seems nobody can answer it though.

I am not sure how many folks use an electric curtain to mask screens for AR, so it may be hard to find these answers via individuals. BrianD will need to call the manufacturers and ask them about their products and features.

FYI - most of these products can be purchased through drapery companies / individuals, at significantly less cost.

Thank you shake.

Shake1,

Your room width is almost the same as mine (mine is 160"). I'm curious: When your curtains stack to the side of the screen, how wide is that stack? I'm just wondering how much room to each side of the screen is needed for the stacking of a similar length of curtains covering my screen.

Thanks.

I did not have a tape measure with me, but the wrap around to the side walls is about 3.5' to 4'. Per the pictures, you can tell that I have the stop set just to the outside of the screen border (left / right edges). the curtain track is curved in each of the corners.

The curtains are made a heavy material.

It might be helpful to know that the industry standard for stack is 1/3 of the total. As an example, if your curtain width on one side is 100 inches, then your stack space would be about 33 inches. Measure the distance from the center of your rod (center of screen) to where the end of the rod will be.

While this is an industry standard calculation, in actual practice I find it runs very slightly less required stack space.

Another thing to know is that screen curtains shouldn't be lined. No need. You're not stopping any sunlight. Not lining them cuts down the stack space a little, and also makes them less bulky and stiff. It also lowers the cost.

Another useful formula for figuring stack space if you're going wall to wall is to divide the total width by 6. Example: 200 inches wall to wall, divided by 6 gives you about 33 inches of stack on each side of the screen. If you want, take that number times 4 and you get the screen opening. Example: 33 x 4 = 132" screen opening. Double checking: 132"+33"+33"= 198". That's less than the 200 because I rounded the numbers with each calculation.

Screen curtains do not need to be more than 1.5 times fullness, not the usual 2 to 3 times fullness often employed on window draperies. Cuts down stack a tiny bit, save a bit on fabric, and looks fine.

I am starting to feel like this is going to be like everything else with my theater.... I am going to spend a lot more than planned....

Shake1 - how much did you spend on just the curved motorized track system? I think that is going to be the way I need to go... do you have multiple pre-set stopping point options or is it just open and close?

Thanks!!

BrianD,

The curved BTX curtain rod was around $2,500 (I cannot exactly recall). I purchased the rod via the custom drapery person I contracted with. I do not think my rod supports multiple stopping points (BTX model 5060). You would need to call BTX to ask, and maybe ask which of their models have that feature.

The draperies were around 2x that price (labor and materials). If you've ever purchased custom curtains for a house, you will know that they can easily be one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make. Fabric is unbelievably expensive! But, they can have a huge impact on the room's looks. It ended up being a lot more than I planned / wanted to spend, but I am happy that I did. Looks very, very nice and the wife loves them.

For my HT, I spent more of my budget on the aesthetics for the room (paint, draperies, furnishings, etc.). I believe this is where most of the "Wow!" factor happens when friends and family come over to visit. Most people I know cannot tell the difference between DVD and Blu-Ray, and they really don't care. Remember, these are one time investments in the room, whereas technology changes regularly and is often replaced. I have nice equipment too, but I would say that I am a middle of the road kind of HT technology consumer.

I have an audiophile friend, who has a HT setup as well (FP & screen). He has spent tens of thousands of dollars on the equipment, the best you can buy (literally). His HT room is a converted spare bedroom room and looks like crap. And although "he" enjoys his gear, no one else shares in his appreciation. What they see is his HT room, and there is no "Wow!". If he invested more into his room's aesthetics, and put it on par with his gear, he would knock it out of the park.

Yeah making the room nice is definitely part of the balance. It is definitely something that makes the whole experience better for me.

Sadly, BTX does not have any motorized rods with intermediate stops. Only programmable open and closed positions. You can stop them at any location, however, with the remote.

The 5060 is an outstanding rod and the best one they make.

Another motorized curtain supplier...
http://www.blindshademotors.com

Mostly Somfy. Good luck.

Deane Johnson,

Thank you for the contribution. Very helpful.

Deane Johnson,

Thank you for the contribution. Very helpful.

If you run slightly short of stack room, there are some tricks that will help. If this is the case, contact me and I'll detail them to you. It's kind of difficult to make generalizations, or else I would just post them.

Deane,

Do you know of any motor systems that can be stopped in various places?

Deane,

Do you know of any motor systems that can be stopped in various places?
I do not, and I try to check out everything I come across, though I certainly don't know about all of them. It is my belief that there is nothing on the market with programmable mid stops. Most will stop anywhere with the remote, but are not programmable to do that.

The closest possibility is the Makita, which I have no experience with, but understand it has some sort of mechanical device you can attach to stop it mid-stream. However, I think to fully open or close, you would need to ratchet through these stops, something that wouldn't look very professional, if even possible. Makita builds good stuff, but for some reason most distributors and retailers have dropped them. I am told it's because they are a pain to deal with.

The programmable mid-stop thing would not be difficult for a manufacturer. The old discontinued DrapeBoss system had them.

What I would do today if I were building from scratch to get side masking would be to use two motorized rods, one for masking, one for the curtains. I'd program the masking rod to close to the proper location and stop, and open to the proper location and stop. This would give me 4:3 masking and full screen width masking. Wouldn't work for someone needing more than two stop locations such as the guys doing constant height variable width. One would need to be sure the rod was programmable and not one that simply stops when it comes to the end of travel and can go no further. I suppose the way around that might be to experiment with clamping something to the rod that fooled it into thinking it had reached the end of travel.

One other option (and I am not kidding <grin>), is to go to a local electronics store, and get some names of folks that do small projects (e.g tinkerers, guys that want to earn extra money, etc.).

If you can do the mechanical portion of securing a motor to a curtain rod, I am sure you could find someone to make a controller and motor setup for you. Would require a stepper motor, an IR interface and a circuit to control the stepper motor stop / start, with small amount of programmable memory. Most of this stuff, if not all, a tinkerer will have access to via sidewalk meets and flea markets. This stuff can be salvaged out of old junk very easily.

Key components will be a good stepper motor and a curtain rod that is capable of holding the weight of your drapes. I would recommend a curtain rod that has some sort of ball bearing rollers, to reduce the drag once it has a load on it.

About twenty years ago, I used to do a lot of this stuff myself, and had all kinds of this stuff laying around. A project like this would not have been too difficult to build.

As I've mentioned a number of times, the automated curtain/roller panel system from Goelst has up to 5 programmable stopping points, which is why I'm going with this system:

http://www.goelstamerica.com/products-mot.htm

Info on their remote control system:

http://www.goelstamerica.com/product-pdfs/Connect%20and%20Control.pdf

They are into remote control integration and I believe the remotes can be either IR or RF, and learnable by universal remotes.

Deane Johnson outlined a system that is very close to what I'm going to do.
I've decided on using the Goelst roller panel system instead of the curtains, as the roller panel system will allow for a more clean, discrete set-up in my room.

Here are some very crude Google Sketchup images to give the general idea of what I plan. The colors are not accurate, just there so you can easily discern the panel system.

Two panel systems will be employed, fit into a valance over the screen. The first "inner" panel system will be black panels, used for masking the image with various pre-set stopping points (I plan to use the "zoom" method).

Here's a crude top view of the masking panel track:

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/586/screenmaskpanelsorientadn7.jpg

Here's the MASKING system in "action":

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6351/roommaskingpanelstosideip8.jpg

Closed:

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/1681/roommaskingpanelsdeployoa1.jpg

The masking panels will be hidden behind the longer, outer panel system, which will be a more soothing color and cover the entire screen wall when not in use:

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5065/roompanelsstackedtosidezl3.jpg

Closing:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5581/roompanelsclosingto0.jpg

R Harkness - I have an e-mail into goelstamerica.com - thanks for the link. How wide is your track/screen and what did they quote you for price?

THanks!

Just a bit more from the Goelst Brochures:

Both the automated curtain and automated panel-moving tracks use the "6000" series tracks, and hence both have the remote controlled features discussed from these exerpts of the brochure:




G-Rail series 6000 electrically operated curtain tracks with
‘built-in’ CAN-BUS switching allows for stand alone programming
and control or integration with most Home Automation systems.
Infrared remote control is supplied as standard with all 6000 series
electrically operated curtain tracks.
Optional manual switching and wireless radio control (RF) are available
allowing multi-control options.


The picture of the remote shows 5 pre-set buttons, and this description:

programming function
- 24h timer functon
- 5 intermediate stop positions

More from the brochure on the automated curtain/panel system:


Special Qualities
> Silent Operation
> System suitable for all curtain weights and applications.
> Strong motor with low system resistance.
> Delivered pre-wired for simple 24-volt installation
> Easy control and setting of the system using infrared remote control
> In-built repeat timer function.
> up to 5 intermediate positions programmable.
> Colour co-ordinated components.
> Standard travel speed set at 15 cm / second.
> Variable speed motor facility, launching/docking speeds and distances
pre-programmed by Goelst or approved distributor.
> Standard IR control, optional momentary switch (code 6048-1001) RF
(radio frequency) is also available
> Integrated G-Rail ‘CAN-BUS’ system, allows group / individual control
of G-Rail electric curtain tracks
> Compatible with most existing BUS systems.
> Optional 6280-PRS Pilot Release system, allows curtains to be
operated by hand in the event of emergency, power failure and/or
product unfamiliarity.


One of the interesting things there is regard to the motor speeds. It appears to suggest that, should you wish to have the travel speed altered, you can ask them to do so at the factory, before they send it to you. This could be handy for some of us doing some variable width set ups in which a slow speed and fine control could be helpful.

i need horizontal motors htough

elmalloc,

The G-Rail series looks to be a horizontal curtain rail system ( <----><----> ). Are you wanting to build a vertical or horizontal masking system?

R Harkness - I heard back from Goelst and they said they are a manufacturer and do not sell to the public and gave me a local retailer's phone number. I contacted them and after a few days of wait I got a quote of $2800 just for the motorized system (no curtains) - this does have a 90 degree bend on each end of the 140" wide run but still seems a lot more than your $1500 quote for you 160" run. Can you tell me who you got your quote from?

thanks!

Shake,

I need Vertical masking system, as I utilize a 16x9 setup. Any ideas?

I know HTIQ offers one but I gave him 2 shots already and both times he ended up not replying to emails.

Who else offers it for $1000-15000 or less?

-ELmO

Your masking will come from top/bottom, correct?

If so, I would try to engineer something from an electric "shade" system (try eBay or CraigsList.org), or even by hiring an electronics guy for some after hours work to configure a controller for a stepper motor(s) and an IR interface.

wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with http://www.add-a-motor.com/?

They have a 10ft motorized track for less than $300 and a 20ft track for less than $500. Based on some of the pricing is this thread, I would not expect this to be and ultra quality system, but would at least like to get and idea on reliability, etc.


I'm looking to be able to move my backdrop that is fairly heavy - the 20ft track is rated at 100lbs. Until I weigh the backdrop I won't know if this will be sufficient for me - or if I need something more heavy duty - but any feedback on this system would be appreciated.

shaek1 I appreciate the help

Jeff, I have no actual experience with the Add-A-Motor, but over the past several years I have read a few posts from forum members who have used it. All reported it to be noisy and of poor build quality. Most said it broke after using it a while. The specific product I'm referring to is the one Smarthome sold that went on the cord. I haven't heard anything about any of their other products.

Has anyone used this (http://www.motorizedsolutions.com/shopsite/theater.html) system?

Has anyone used this (http://www.motorizedsolutions.com/shopsite/theater.html) system?
Those appear to be BTX motorized rods. The specs are identical.

So far I have gotten quotes of $1500 and $1700 from these two companies that will have programmable multiple stops and 90 degree bends on each end of my run.....

Electric Shade Company and motorizedsolutions.com

Haven't made any final decisions yet....

Thanks!!

Brian, be very clear with them that you want a rod with programmable multiple stops and what you mean by programmable. It would be easy for them to assume you mean you want to be able to stop it anywhere in the travel with the remote. Most will do that, it's nothing special. The programmable multiple stops is a rare item, as this thread has pointed out.

Way ahead of you, was one of the 1st things I verified.... my exact question to them: "Will I be able to have pre-set stopping points with this system to allow different screen sizes? Not just hitting stop on a remote, but programmable stopping points."

Response from Electric Shade Company: The motor control board can be programmed at any pre-set stops on different channels of the receiver.

Response from Motorized Solutions: You will be able to pre-set stops as you desire.

Brian, have they be any chance given you a manufacturers brand name?

Deane,
thanks for the comments above. I was referring to the add a motor track system - but I need something with a span greater than 10 ft, so i'd have to go with the 20ft system.

YT74,
Any update on your Kallox system from ebay? can it be configured so the curtains move from one side to the other? basically the opposite of the split curtains that move to each side per the kallox gif.
Jeff

BrianD,

Fabric is unbelievably expensive! But, they can have a huge impact on the room's looks. It ended up being a lot more than I planned / wanted to spend, but I am happy that I did. Looks very, very nice and the wife loves them.

For my HT, I spent more of my budget on the aesthetics for the room (paint, draperies, furnishings, etc.). I believe this is where most of the "Wow!" factor happens when friends and family come over to visit. Most people I know cannot tell the difference between DVD and Blu-Ray, and they really don't care. Remember, these are one time investments in the room, whereas technology changes regularly and is often replaced. I have nice equipment too, but I would say that I am a middle of the road kind of HT technology consumer.Roger that, but I spent a lot on ACOUSTICAL improvements too, and for the same reason. People don't have a frickin' clue what the difference is between 5.1, and 7.1, or 2:35 vs 1:85, or HDMI vs DVI, or whatever, but they CAN HEAR what good acoustics sound like!!!

BrianD,
I have an audiophile friend, who has a HT setup as well (FP & screen). He has spent tens of thousands of dollars on the equipment, the best you can buy (literally). His HT room is a converted spare bedroom room and looks like crap. And although "he" enjoys his gear, no one else shares in his appreciation. What they see is his HT room, and there is no "Wow!". If he invested more into his room's aesthetics, and put it on par with his gear, he would knock it out of the park.
I know someone who spent >$50K, a LOT more :) (wow!!!) for his room, and while it looks STUNNINGLY beautiful, it can't even come CLOSE to what I have, sound wise, with what my acoustical treatments have done for me. He has a major "wow" factor when you "see" it, but when you "hear" it, the wow factor (for me) is more like "you need to see my acoustical guru!!"

Good post!
Best,
Tom
Chinaclipper

Now I know I should have ripped out that motor system and took down those taps in that closed down cinema 20 years ago too bad it’s a casino now because they had old dusty seats even a few parts left over in the projection booth. The cinema was at Yelverton Rd Bournemouth and the casino didn’t care for it now its been extended with the other part of the casino.

http://www.remotecontrolcurtain.com/

Hi "oman321"

Here is another link; Power Curtain # CL-800. Looks like the same product Remote Control Curtain is selling...
This link has some good photos of what is included;

http://www.powercurtain.com/product1_800.html


John

Has anyone purchased a rod from Goelst? I e-mailed them to ask about making a purchase and received a prompt response.

However, they gave me the name of a distributor. I called the distributor and gave them a list of what I wanted. They then told me that they only sell to dealers/reps and gave me a list of who to call as a local rep.

I have to believe that buying direct would save money as I am not interested in having someone come to my house, measure my screen and give me a quote for curtains (GOM that I already have) and installing a rod.

I was given a rough number quote from a local dealer located in Philadelphia and the price is coming in around $3000 for a straight rod with 14" of masking entering and leaving the screen area.

While the flexibility of the Goelst rod appears to be fantastic, the price of the CL-800 is very attractive.

Any help?

T.Wells

Curtains rule it’s the last part of presentation.

I don't have enough area to do a curtain that opens from the center to the sides so i'm planning to do a rollup shade type of curtain. we plan to use a painted backdrop rolled around a motorized up/down shade mechanism. I'm thinking about using a handpainted backdrop on muslim from backdrop.us

I'm looking for a good place to buy the motor, remote, etc. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks!

On the links above their are options for roller shades and roman shades which should fit your need.

Curtains rule it’s the last part of presentation.
Actually, the first and last. When people walk into one of these theaters, it's the screen curtain that draws the first WOW!

http://www.kathiejohnson.com/galleries/hometheater.shtml

Need to buy an electric curtain system as well. Has anyone here ever bought and installed a cheap 18' system? What would you recommend?

Surprised nobody has mentioned Somfy, for curtains.

I don't have enough area to do a curtain that opens from the center to the sides so i'm planning to do a rollup shade type of curtain.

If you are looking for a more traditional theater curtain, how about using a rising contour curtain or even fancier austrian puf curtain? Very classy and old world.

Austrian Puff Curtain:
http://www.teonline.com/articles/austrian-curtain.jpg


The contour curtain is just a regular pleated curtain with ring eyelets sewed on the back to guide the cords:
http://www.teonline.com/articles/stage_curtain.jpg
http://www.sewwhatinc.com/images/Curtain_Types/ContourLG.jpg

I don't have enough area to do a curtain that opens from the center to the sides so i'm planning to do a rollup shade type of curtain. we plan to use a painted backdrop rolled around a motorized up/down shade mechanism. I'm thinking about using a handpainted backdrop on muslim from backdrop.us

I'm looking for a good place to buy the motor, remote, etc. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks!
You could probably buy a BTX roller shade without the shade fabric and put your own on. Programmable stops at the top and bottom, plus you can stop it anywhere with the remote.

Surprised nobody has mentioned Somfy, for curtains.Yes, I think they do support setting a programmed intermediate stop position. At least one, maybe more. Their press release (http://draperyconnection.com/blog/?cat=36)mentions it. >>with encoder based technology, it’s possible to achieve an intermediate or favorite position at the press of a button.<<

I PURCHASED THE CURTAIN CALL. It works well. I did replace the steel cable with a nylon line. It was easier to work with and did not fray up like the steel cable does.

I PURCHASED THE CURTAIN CALL. It works well. I did replace the steel cable with a nylon line. It was easier to work with and did not fray up like the steel cable does.

Do you happen to buy the CL-800? If so, do you have the hex codes for the remote? Please PM me if you have the codes.

Thanks,
T.Wells

i purchased this one (http://www.stargatecinema.com/Remote-Control-Motorized-Curtain-System-pr-89544.html)

here are the codes i have:
close curtain
F43R1781815780AA16401616161616401616164016401616161616401640 161616401616161616411616161616411640161616161616164116401640 161616161641164116401616164116

open curtains
F43R1869815780AA16411616161616411616164116411616161616411641 161616411616161616411641161616411641161616161616164116161641 161616161641164116411616164116

Larryep,

What remote ctl system are you using & how do you input all those numbers ?

I use the remote that comes with the curtain call system.
I feed the ir codes into the computer using the usb-virt. A repeater from the ir distribution is transmited from the computer through the media software
xlobby.The front end software sets the codes to buttons to control the curtain rod.

I feed the ir codes into the computer using the usb-virt.

I believe he means ‘usb-uirt’

-Suntan

i purchased this one (http://www.stargatecinema.com/Remote-Control-Motorized-Curtain-System-pr-89544.html)

here are the codes i have:
close curtain
F43R1781815780AA16401616161616401616164016401616161616401640 161616401616161616411616161616411640161616161616164116401640 161616161641164116401616164116

open curtains
F43R1869815780AA16411616161616411616164116411616161616411641 161616411616161616411641161616411641161616161616164116161641 161616161641164116411616164116


I guess you have the single rod? I have the dual but I will give your codes a shot. I have one of my two working but the second is giving me fits.

Thanks,
T.Wells