GeoBox G-116 review

The benefits of the GeoBox G116.

 

At a price of about A$2500 ex GST, the GeoBox G116 is not necessarily cheap and it seems even more so, since it only has 1 processed HDMI output.

Actually, this is not totally true, since the unit also has 1 x HDMI loop output, which mirrors the HDMI input, but more about this later.

 

So, what do you get for the price and why would you use the product?

 

The feature list includes: 

1 x HMDI 2.0, 

1x  Display Port 1.2 and 

1 x VGA input. 

 

It has a 17x17 control point for warp and Geometry alignment, increasing to over 30 points if the free-of-charge Gwarp 3 software is used. 

It has creative video wall setting with Landscape and Portrait arrangement and provides PiP/ PoP capabilities. Functions such as Image rotation and flip to 90/180 and 270 degrees are also included as are image split.

 

With an input capability of 8K/1K at 3o fps or 4K/60 4:4:4 the unit can work well within any modern display set-up. 

 

But again, what do we use such a unit for.

 

One application is simple, it can be used as a cascade unit for other GeoBox units in videowall applications, expanding the number of outputs.

G-116 is ideal to be coupled with projectors, which do not have any warping and geometric alignment features.

Furthermore, there is the PiP or PoP function, which allows the insert of a second image at any flexible position.

G-116 can also be used to control the brightness of the projector.

 

G-116 can be RS232 or IR controlled and also has TCP/IP access, integration into more complex systems is easy.

 

G-116 will able to enable a cheaper projector with warping and geometric alignment, such as keystone, pincushioning or barrel adjustments (or distortion if required). These features are usually not build-in to these type of projectors.

The unit can be used to calibrate a single projector to an immersive curved screen or even a dome.

In a gallery or museum set-up, maybe even retail, mapping onto objects can be made easy with the wider adjustment capabilities.

 

Content selection and switching is another application. It is possible to switch between the three inputs, expanding the capabilities of the projector or digital display.

 

By the way, what use does the loop output have?

 

First, we can use it as a duplicate for the HDMI input. The signal can be routed to a control monitor or another display. The Loop output further functions as the output for cascading to other units.

The loop output could be used for some creative projection set-up, whereby the screen is in between two projectors. The scalability of the processed output allows for interesting image effects.

I think the options are plentiful and once you have the unit, you will discover many usages for it.

 

 Considering all this, the price is more then reasonable in particular that this unit can be used, even after the projector or video display has been exchanged.

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.