DreamScreen 4K & HD FAQ

Q: What kind or type of LEDs are used in the Flex strips?

Q: Will the flex LEDs provide accurate colors and whites? Will the LEDs be able to re-produce approx. 6500K color temp (white)?

Q: How are the Flex corners installed? Or how do the Flex corners work? (in the video, it shows the strips are cut with a scissor, but it doesn't show the final corner installation)

Q: Does the splitter or video pass through from either type of DreamScreen unit (old or new) add any input lag to the video signal?

Q: With the change over to Wi-fi connectivity for the new hardware, is Bluetooth being totally phased out or is there still a Bluetooth radio installed in the new units?

I demoed the new DreamScreen Wi-fi Application this evening for Android. It looks very nice!
I noticed an application permission for Location access (Location; approximate location (network-based)) that the older application did not have. A necessary change over required for the switch from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi?


Q: Can you elaborate on what the location access request is for? And maybe more precisely you could identify what data is/isn't being utilized? Thanks!
(Could it be for a secondary application like Tasker to recognize you are at home and within your Wi-fi range so that your DreamScreen application or TV with DS unit can be powered on automatically for you?)

Q: (With regards to the new Android app) Can you elaborate on what the location access request is for? And maybe more precisely you could identify what data is/isn't being utilized? Thanks!

A: During initial setup, the DreamScreens and SideKicks have the ability to create their own access points (wifi networks). The Android app scans all available wifi networks, looking for any of these access points. To use the wifi-scanning api call, a coarse-location permission is required because it may be possible to determine the current location of the device based upon what wifi networks are currently available. Specifically the app is only utilizing the name and the frequency (2.4 or 5 ghz) of the networks from the scan results, and nothing is ever stored on the app. This location permission as well as having the accompanying Location Services enabled is only required for initial setup, and both can be disabled afterwards if wished.



Q: With the change over to Wi-fi connectivity for the new hardware, is Bluetooth being totally phased out or is there still a Bluetooth radio installed in the new units?

A: The new hardware will only be wifi. However we are exploring a wifi/bluetooth solution for other hardware later this year.

1. See also the current Kickstarter campaign:
DreamScreen HD & 4K Kickstarter Camaign

The DreamScreen HD version supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p and 720i HDMI resolutions, at 60Hz, 50Hz and 24Hz (in other words, the maximum resolution it supports is 1080p at 60Hz). DreamScreen HD is HDMI 1.4 capable and works with HDCP (1.4)-encrypted content. DreamScreen HD will also pass through 3D content.
DreamScreen HD supports a total TMDS throughput of 10.2GBit/s

The DreamScreen 4K version supports 4K2K, 1080p, 1080i, 720p and 720i HDMI resolutions. It supports frame rates of 60Hz, 50Hz and 24Hz. The hub supports HDMI 1.4b and HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 1.4/2.2. The video passthrough will support 12-bit Deep Full HD, Full 3D and HDR.
DreamScreen 4K supports TMDS per channel of 6GBit/s allowing for total throughput of 18GBit/s.

2. Yes, as you can see in the above specifications, the 4K version can handle everything that the HD version can handle, and more.

They have a phone app ("DreamsScreen TV" on Android or iOS) that you can use to control the DreamScreen HD or 4K device (over WiFi). You can already check out the demo version of the app in the app store. According to the app, you can set it to "CEC Input Port Switching" (automatic) or you can manually switch to the HDMI input that you want to use.

They said that they're planning to also release some info (later this year) so that you can send your own control commands over WiFi to the device... for example for use with home automation systems.

This is what I gathered from the DreamScreen team's comments on the Kickstarter section:

FLEX vs Classic/Mega/Xtreme LED sets:
- "The Flex LEDs are nearly the same brightness as the originals. The only difference is that the Flex LEDs are more densly populated in the same area."
- "The Flex LEDs offer a slightly higher density, meaning higher brightness and LED backlighting resolution."
- The Flex LED strips have 30 LEDs/meter.

DIY:
The DIY WS2812B or SK6812 strip have an even higher density of 60LEDS/meter (this can be useful for smaller TVs, such as 24 inch)
"If you get the DIY option, we do not ship LEDs, but you can use WS2812B, SK6812 or APA104 LEDs that are available for attractive prices on ebay or Amazon. They are very easy to use and can be screwed into the screw terminal of DIY connector."
"The SK6812 has slightly better performance than the WS2812B. If you are choosing between the two for your DIY, we suggest the SK6812 version."

adhesive:
The adhesive for LED strips on the original (classic) DreamScreen had some issues; several people reported it letting loose. They have made some improvements there, both for the new LED sets and for the FLEX. Of the two, apparently the FLEX LEDs "use a stronger VHB adhesive made by 3M."
Should you still have issues with the LED strips letting loose, it's fairly easy to fix...

"The LED tape we use is 3M 300 LSE. It is 8mm wide and readily available on Amazon or Ebay."
or
"double sided tape ( amzn.to/2qboiZP ) can be used."
or just use a drop of hot glue on the weak spots.

I hope that answers your questions.

Hello, Looks to be a fantastic product. Just confirming my understanding prior to purchase - The DreamScreen 4k supports 16:9 formats only, meaning 4K2K (3840 × 2160), 1080, 720 - but would NOT support full 4K (4096 × 2160)... Correct?