One VERY exciting software program

Also works with VLC and QuickTime Player

steve

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Originally Posted by superconnie

Since the Connie has relatively small windows, I would like to have one projector and a curved screen. The goal is to get to 180 deg view as close as possible. 140deg would also be sufficient and I think that has already been done with 1 beamer.
My cockpit should also be transportable, that's another reason for a 1 projector setup... it's easier to move and install.

A colleague who's working with me had a completely different idea to use the Sol7 software.... a home planetarium! A hemispheric ceiling and the beamer projecting upright. Maybe with more than 1 beamer.
Andy should also contact some hobby astronomist forums, I think they will like the software too :-)

Christian

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Hey Christian.

I am using one Projector as well, but I think you will be lucky to get 100 - 120 degrees with a single projector. The image would be enormously distorted if you were able to stretch it to 180. But fundamentally the projector itself just won't be able to through 180 degrees of image.

Let us know how you progress.

Trev

Yeah, I agree with Trev... to more you spread the picture, the bigger the projector pixels get. So you're screen will become a bunch of lighted dots.

I know that 180deg is not possible but 120 is also not too bad... I have to build a bigger screen and then do some experimenting.

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Originally Posted by Trevor Hale

Hey Christian.

I am using one Projector as well, but I think you will be lucky to get 100 - 120 degrees with a single projector. The image would be enormously distorted if you were able to stretch it to 180. But fundamentally the projector itself just won't be able to through 180 degrees of image.

Let us know how you progress.

Trev

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I know SoftTH actually allows you to set some sort of FOV correction. Makes me wonder if vert and horiz FOV manual settings could not be added into Sol7 too. Only issue I see is you will lose a lot of resolution detail if you stretch too much.

You can buy 2 HD pj's now for what the price of one average PJ used to cost. 2 can get 180degrees no problem.

Here are some tentative drawings for 9ft diameter semi-circular screen:

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6...escreenrx3.gif

Tentative layout for 2 11.25 degree 3.75ft tall modular pieces, 8 4x4ft sheets to be cut out on waterjet pro:
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5...5layoutxn7.gif

Sol7 should work great for pre-warping in this 3 projector setup. Need 3 projectors and SoftTH. My hope would be that Sol7 would encorporate SoftTH functionality into it so I could do this. My plan is to run the 16:9 projectors rotated 90 degrees for 720x1280x3. I get a 7.5ft projection height with a 9ft diameter semi-circle that way. 2160x1280 resolution.

What is nice about this idea is you could add a few more of these modules and keep on adding projectors in the future as you can afford. Start out with maybe 2 projectors, then pick up another projector when you see a good deal on eBay. This current design is for 16:9 projectors to maximize projection screen use.

My only confusion right now is finding a sheet material that'll handle being in the waterjet well and is dirt cheap 4x8ft. Wonder if .25" marine plywood would be ok. Or .25" marine treated MDF sheeting. I can cut this stuff very accurate and fast with the waterjet, but I don't want the wood warping and soaking up water.

Sounds like a great set-up Brad.

Just a couple of things I would consider before embarking on final screen sizes;
- Not all DLP projectors like being mounted on their side so it might be worth checking with the manufacturer.
- Buying different projectors would more than likely result in different throw distances and hence possible awkward mounting positions.
- Also, using projectors with different lamp life can cause brightness, hot spotting and color issues (which could be compensated for in Sol7 in the future!), so if possible I would use the same brand and model.
- Whether you intend to use edge blending as that will effect the screen size because of the overlap regions.

Hope that provides some points to think about if you've not already.

I have 3 InFocus SP5000. I tried one yesterday at that 90 degree orientation and it overheated. No damage to the projector, It just went into overheat mode and turned off the bulb. Good call on checking that before I got too far on that design. I'm going to modify the design for 2 projectors instead. I should get almost the same screen coverage with 2 16:9. I just lose a bit of resolution when going from 3 to 2 projectors. It shouldn't be that big of a deal because I'm used to watching 720p TV with full wall projection, so the resolution would be about the same. My projectors are a bit older. They're 720p LCD technology not DLP. :)

Going with 2 projectors over 3 has many logistical advantages. Less consumables costs on bulbs, no TH2G box, one less projector to buy. Just have to horizontal-span the 2 projectors on a single video card in the nVidia control panel. Running 2 screens of 1280x720 is not going to significantly tax a modern high end single video card like the 8800 series. I'm used to running an 8800GTX 320 in triple-head, so dropping down to just 2 screens will be even better performance. This 2 projector type of setup will work more universally (transparently) on anything 3D, vs. the 3 projector setup I had in mind. It would also probably be ideal for use with Sol7 without any modifications. I'll test it out later this week projecting on the wall. I think I'm several steps closer to nailing down what design I'll end up with.

All are great points Brad. The only disadvantage with going 2x 16:9 as apposed to 3x 4:3/16:9 is that the join (in edge butted applications) and the blend (in edge blended applications) is in the center of the view.