Immersive projection and displays and social distancing.

In the foreseeable future we have to expect social distancing rules.
Immersive display technology has by default a social distancing aspect, since the projection or display material surrounding the view, creates a type of shield. But that of course is only valid in non-contact applications.

Immersive displays can be used for a very wide range of applications.

Here are some examples:
- Relaxation during massage
- Relaxation during lengthy medical treatments
- Information immersion with products and services, such as
    Car sales, training, travel
- As medical treatment to reduce anciety and stress
- Stress relieve
- Water treatments

As said, some of these may not involve personal contact and the surrounding of images allows the participant feel connected or transported.

What is immersive display technology and how does it works?

Essentially this is not new and has been used for many years. Any classical dome and curved screen projection is immersive. The viewer or participant is surrounded by images, at least to the edge of his/her visual periphery.

Content may also be displayed above or below.

The visual content may be of either relaxing or informative nature and may even create the desire to explore.

How does it work?

We need or create an environment which allows visual content to be displayed on at least two sides. Other sides may actually be mirrored images. This depends on the subject. The environment can be an existing space, a room or a set-up of projection screens or digital displays.

Projection is ideal, because the image control is better and the visual content may not appear to be so intrusive. But there is nor reason why not LCD monitors can be used. Ultimately it is a question of budget, facility and desired outcome.

Usually the content is displayed in a wrap around panorama arrangement. But again, it is possible to have different content on different display areas. This can get as complex as one likes.

Very typical immersive environments are the Mori Digital Art Museum in Japan or the Ocean by Naked display in Yokohama, just to mention a few. While these set-up’s use up to hundres of projectors, an immersive environment may even use just one projector.   

Content can also be interactive with each other.

How expensive?

A combination of projector, screen and mirror surfaces can be relative inexpensive. In particular if relaxation is desired, whereby the room is darkened and the image not very bright. Larger spaces of course require brighter projectors as will spaces with lots of ambient light.

What about content?

Content for Immersive applications must be carefully selected. Since imagery appears 'all-around' the viewer, the content should be slow paced. Dramatic movements in video content could cause a type of motion sickness. Large scale panoramas must be of high resolution, in particular if the viewing distances are very short.

Video content should be at least 4K shot, so that it can be split across several screens.

Audio?

Normal Mono or stereo sound could be sufficient. Spatial audio can create interesting effects and may lead to viewers attention. Depending of the screen surface material audio bounce needs to be considered. For soothing audio the installation of ceiling speakers may be effective so that the audio appears non-directional.

Technical concerns?

Any immersive installation must be carefully planned. Please note that white projection surfaces may create cross reflection which can be very strong in corners, but also from wall to wall, reducing brillance. Use of black surfaces or projection paint may be a good option.

More information and consulting:

itiav.info@iti-imagegroup.com.au

Newsletter 1, 2020

Newsletter 1, 2020

Welcome to our first 2020 newsletter and a Happy New Year to all of you, may this year give you good health, lots of enjoyment and success.

This morning, when I came out of the house, I noted that the pathway was wet. It rained over night and the dark clouds on the sky indicates it will rain more. This is good news, since the council and grass strip in front of our house was bone dry and a pale brown in colour. But, with the little rain we have had, the first, green shoots of grass are appearing.

Why is this important? It shows us how resilient nature can be and that, in particular after all these devastating bushfires, we need a nature which can grow back fast and restore itself.
It can not bring back what is lost, but new life can start and new beginnings, for all species are possible.

I think this is great news and also a great lesson for us humans. Any disaster and any devastation offers us the opportunity to start again. As long as we put the effort in.

That is, if we manage to keep the weeds down, which may try to overpower the slower growing plants or in a human perspective, to overcome the naysayer and negative thinkers.

I am personally look forward working with you again in 2020 and like to thank all of our customers for their continuous support in a very tough 2019.

Norbert Schmiedeberg





Screenline Screens

A few years back we added Screenline Projection screens to our range, because we needed motorised products and some installation type screen, which our then supplier did not have or did not want to supply to Australia.

This move angered our that time supplier and possibly was a contributing factor for the subsequent change of their distribution policy for Australia.

Initially we never felt that Screenline could replace the Stumpfl MonoBlox range and it still can not in the foldable screen range.     

But Screenline NewBigFrame and NewOnlyWhite-bordeless, together with their Fashion and ProFrame installation range, provide the market with a high quality and one can say, engineering excellence product range.
We had Screenline now for 3 years and found the product of consistently high quality and very reliable.
Screenline has further listened to us and made changes, which benefits our customers.

For example, the initial screens were very heavy. On our advise the factory changed the steel inserts to aluminium ones and at the same time re-designed the corner surface attachment. I find it great that a manufacturer listens and make changes, even it it inconveniences them initially.

But let me point out to you some specific product features:

The NewBigFrame and the NewOnlyWhite-borderless screens share the same frame segments. This provides a great flexibility for the rental and venue operators, which can or do not want to afford separate screens for individual applications.
The NewBigFrame can be used with black border Front or Rear projection material and with an additional small frame insert can also be used as a borderless screen. This of course also works the other way around.

The frame segment is 12 cm wide and 1.2m long and shaped in a way that it is very difficult to bend and warp. The frame is much stiffer than the usual 32x64mm block type frame, which we also have in the EIKON V64 range.

Unfortunately, due to surface manufacturing constraints, Screenline can only make 15-16m wide screens. But then NewOnlyWide frames can easily be joined by pre-fab brackets to create large panorama screens or creative stage set-up’s.

Because of this flexibility, we call these screens also 3-in-1.

These frames use an Arrow surface attachment without press studs. Despite some nay sayers, this system has proven to be very resilient, even in the rental market, helped by the fact that there are no press studs which can be ripped off.

So, why don’t you give Screenline a try in 2020? We are sure you will like the brand and when you travel to Italy next time, visit them.


EIKON:

Our EIKON screen brand was born at the beginning of last year, replacing the Stumpfl product in our line-up.

After some kicking and screaming and some slaps to the bottom, we finally got the product where we want it to be. Here are some of the key improvements we achieved in the last 12 months:

1) Much improved manufacturing consistence compared to Series 1 screens.
2) Changing the large 64 type frames from a 2 part to a 4 part design for better handling.
3) Improving the frame part connection in the 64 range folding + modular screens.
4) Improving the surface manufacturing and adjusting the sizes to suit our climate.
5) Improving the outer edge welding and cutting.
6) Having substantially improved cases.

Yes, EIKON is still a China manufactured screen, but believe me, the factory is making great efforts to supply a good quality product at a good price.
This has much to do with the fact that the factory is Hong Kong controlled by people, who understand Western quality and service requirements.
In fact I am most impressed by the service and the fact that surfaces, which had size and border cutting issues, were replaced without much fuss.
Since the factory is much closer to Australia, we are able to import at an improved timeframes over the European supply, both in respect to sea and airfreight.

Talking about this. Recently we supplied 3 x 12x6.7m Matt White EIKON surfaces for an outdoor application. Initially the client bought only one surface, but they are so happy with the quality, that they ordered 2 more and these had to be supplied at short notice.

We also noted that the MattWhite surface, despite having similar gain factors as our European screens, have a great reflectivity, which copes even with some ambient light. We found this out, when we had to set up a screen at the recent Flight Simulator Expo and found that there was no black out. Despite this, the projected image from a 3500 lumen short throw projector looked acceptable.

We have EIKON 32 and 64 in stock, including the 20’ size.




VNS GeoBox is becoming very successful around the world.

All current models  include 8K1K/30 input capability and of course 4K2K/60. Output is usually FHD/60 on the HDMI ports. The 4K output version is expected this month and will most likely been demonstrated at ISE.

GeoBox is available in videowall and blending systems. Of course the blending units can be used for videowall work as well.

GeoBox has also single channel versions, which can add adjustment capabilities to projectors.

Here in Australia, we have GeoBox operators, who use these units in their rental pool for LCD and LED wall control.

As we are learning more about the product and taking a leaf out of the application book of the European distributor, we will be providing you with many more application ideas from single display to multi-multi projectors set-up.

By the way, we will make some of our unit available for rental to the Australian  rental companies, since it may not always pay for you to buy a unit, just for one job.

But I am sure you are going to love the technology, in particular, since GeoBox is a great extension to media server, such as Watchout, Wings, Arcaos, etc., allowing the extension of output channels without having to purchase extra software licences and expensive computer upgrades.

GeoBox also works extremely well with the IDAL and Brightsign players, but more about this another time.



What about VIOSO? Isn’t GeoBox clashing with VIOSO?

This question has been asked and the answer is, in our view, No.

Why? First of all there is a significant price difference between both technologies. GeoBox is a hardware, non-pc based blending, warping and videowall controller, while VIOSO is PC based.

Secondly, there are different price breaks between both systems.

Third, the VIOSO system includes automated, camera supported image and blending calibration and therefore is faster and more convenient in the set-up, in particular of multi-display applications.

Fourth, VIOSO has easy re-calibration capabilities, which are a great bonus for installations with untrained or unexperienced staff or for display critical applications or installations which require frequent or even daily re-calibration. One typical one is the use of inflatable domes.

Fifth, GeoBox takes media from any server or external player, while VIOSO has its own player as part of the software, or uses the players or applications, which are part of the Windows environment.

For me, my favourite VIOSO product for multi-display projection or curved screen - immersive projection is VIOSO Player.
A lower cost software, which can easily be installed into a homegrown computer with less demanding graphic cards.
Player makes a fantastic Video Playback system.

On the other end of the scale are Anyblend and Blackbox for blended and warped desktop applications or captured image data streams.

So in summary, these two brand do not clash. In fact they complement each other, whereby GeoBox offers the added versatility of videowall control and matrix switching.





Fujifilm Z5000

Last year we got involved with the introduction of the Fujifilm Z5000 projector.
This is a great projector with fantastic short throw capabilities and a high quality image.

Its shift capabilities can overcome many set-up problems, both in rental and permanent installation.
Combining the projector with the GeoBox G116, even warping adjustments can be added and overcome some of the issues inderent with super wide angle projector installations.

Over the holiday break I have had the opportunity to work with the unit and the adjustment capabilities are just fantastic. I could move the image virtually over one screen width (1/2 screen width either side) and completely of the screen vertically in both direction, with the typical horizontal projector set-up.

Due to the rotation lens, the projector can be set-up vertically, having a smaller footprint and project also vertically, if needed, without having to worry about the projector stability.

Some of the customers we visited have asked for some additional features and I have been told that these will be progressively implemented.

By the way, the white unit is now available and looks great. It will blend in well, both in professional and home theatre environments.


Protection for LCD screens in rental.

Recently I have been asked for the supply of protection foils for LCD rental screens to avoid scratches.

Initially I though that the anti-glare screen would be a solution, but I found that the image sharpness is affected using these foils.

But our foil manufacturer showed me some ‘security’ foil’, which is designed to make it difficult to break through glass. These foils are self adhesive and transparent.

They are available in different thickness and work well on LCD screens. A 4micron film appears to be most suitable, but there are thicker ones available as well.

Unfortunately these films they do add a small amount of glossiness to the screen. But it is not as bad, as the high gloss consumer LED screens have sometimes.

Initially we will sell these rolls in 30m rolls at about 1.04m wide. Once we have a better understanding about demand, we may offer the foils also in 10m rolls.





Norbert Schmiedeberg
Managing Director
January 2020

Contact: P.O.Box 3159, Asquith NSW 2077
E: itiav.info@iti-imagegroup.com.au
P: +61 (02) 94775709

Flight Simulation blending and warping

Airbus A300 cockpit at Airbus Museum, Tolouse

Being a pilot in an 'real' aircraft may be a desirable job, many would like to reach, but for most of us, this is not possible.
But flying a virtual aircraft is much more easily achievable.
From the humble Microsoft Flight simulator to highly advanced simulation systems, there is a wide scope available.
Real enthusiasts, build their own cockpits and advanced displays.

While the development and set-up of such sophisticated display system may be part of the satisfaction for some, for others this may just be a necessary evil.

So why not combine your flight simulation processor with image processing systems, which can make the whole display job so much easier.

Take the GeoBox M800 series for example. Take the output of your computer system and distribute it to the various monitors or projectors.

With 8K1K input at 30 fps, high quality content can easily be distributed. The dual output allows content to be send as duplicate to a second set of projectors/ displays.

To create a correct perspective and field on vision, the image can be freely rotated on some of the GeoBox systems and allows angled displays to provide a correct horizon.


True flight simulators use projection, since the eyepoint can be better adjusted. To facilitate easy projection lineup and blending, the VIOSO Anyblend system is ideal for this task.

Anyblend allows Windows desktop blending and uses a camera-based auto calibration to achieve perfect blending. Each and every time.

There are myriads of projectors available. One unit recently released is the Fijifilm Z5000. This projector has a unique lens rotation, making set-up easy, even in cramped spaces. a 6m wide image can be achieved from just 2.5m distance. Fujifilm is renown as one of the best lens manufacturer for broadcast with experience in 8K lenses. This projector will be ideal for the home and commercial simulation projection, albeit at a price. But then, some people spend hundred of thousands on their sport or racing cars, so why not on a simulation system where the viewer spends hours looking at the screen.

But other brand short and Ultra short throw projectors are equally suited. An important aspect using all of these type of projectors is the careful image adjustment, since distortions can make long term viewing very stressful for the eyes. Both GeoBox and VIOSO allow corrections, with VIOSO right down to pixel level.

Connecting your simulator?

There are three approaches.

If you use GeoBox, you connect your computer graphic output to the GeoBox input via HDMI or DP (depends on the model). The GeoBox does the image splitting. Using the processors control, blending, warping, corrections, gamma can be adjusted via the on-board menu or via free-PC software. In this case your simulation processor is totally independent.

If you use VIOSO, you have two options.
A - You install Anyblend on to your simulation computer. You use the supplied VIOSO Core calibration engine, connect a camera and let the auto calibration run its course. This takes just a few minutes. You need a multi-header graphics card from NVIDIA or AMD. Once the calibration is done, you save it and start Anyblend. Anyblend now takes the calibration, embeds it into Windows and makes Windows to understand the size of the complete screen and the devices attached. Anyblend then  stays in the background. You start your simulator as usual the the output is now blended over the full screen/ projectors.

B - You install Anyblend into a separate PC, which is fitted with a capture card. Your Simulation PC is separate, just as with the GeoBox. You run the calibration as under point A. Once all set-up and the image is correctly displayed, just start the capture facility and your simulation data is displayed correctly.

Separation of cockpit display and outside imagery.

While may lower end flight simulators have everything on just one display, sophisticated set-up would separate this. So you have an instrument display, which may appear on a separate monitor and a scenery projection.  This can be achieved by assigning the output display display of your computer accordingly. In this case the blending and warping is only done on the scenery output with either GeoBox or VIOSO.

What is the better option:
Ultimately it depends on budget and what you want to achieve, plus your technical expertise. VIOSO is very convenient with the camera based calibration, in particular if curved screens or domes are being used.

The screen:
Ideally a curved surface should be used, because this is how we see the world. If you have the budget, a curved screen from Screenline would be ideal. It really wraps the image around. Screenline Arena are custom made for your environment.

Of course lower cost options could be a plywood base which is painted with projection paint. Black is ideal, because it increases the contrast and reduces cross reflections. The same applies for the Arena screen, which should have a high contrast grey surface. 

By the way, front or rear projection is possible.

Projector mounting:
Best would be to mount the projectors on the ceiling. Most projector mounts have very crude adjustments. Add the EUROMET Arakno mount, makes adjustments easy.

This is of course only a summary. For details and consultation contact us.
itiav.info@iti-imagegroup.com.au

All products mentioned here are available though ITI-Image Group and our partner companies.