Fulldome Projection. ZEISS VELVET 1600 Digital Video Projector for Planetariums

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1 Fulldome Projection ZEISS VELVET 1600 Digital Video Projector for Planetariums Issue: 2017

2 The Companion to the Planetarium Tailor-made for star theaters Perhaps you can recall the time when slides were masked with Kodalith and lacquer to prevent the supposedly black but actually gray image background from spoiling the brilliance of the starry sky. In the age of digital dome projection, the problem of the brightened background unfortunately persists. However, there is a better solution today a solution developed by ZEISS: the VELVET projector, which delivers an absolutely black image background. No matter whether you show digital stars or the firmament projected by an optical-mechanical planetarium machine, VELVET will not brighten up the artificial night sky, and the stars will stand out against a velvety black backdrop as in reality. After all, the realistic simulation of the night sky is what planetariums are made for. The typical presentations of constellation figures, grids, planets, moons, nebulae, galaxies etc. require projections of high contrast. VELVET guarantees undisturbed superimposition of the analog night sky and digital video projection. Worldwide, VELVET is the only digital projector uncompromisingly and in every respect designed for use in planetariums. In every respect means: DLP technology for pin-sharp pixels and excellent pixel contrast; absolutely black image background comparable to that of ZEISS glass-fiber star projection; high resolution for images exceptionally rich in detail; visibility of finest structures and color shades; wide color space adapted to the DCI (Digital Cinema Initiative) standard; high brightness for all planetarium applications; invisible blending zones between image channels; VELVET Projector in the Munich German Museum SKYMASTER VELVET in the Laupheim Planetarium (10-m dome). Photos: ZEISS 2

3 Planetary Nebula NGC 2818, credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) edge blending computations without loss of gray levels; non-use of mechanical masks, for improved edge blending quality, less proneness to maladjustment, and avoidance of dust accumulation in front of the objectives; color stability and homogeneity for many years; specially corrected objectives, with allowance made for the curved projection surface; optimized image quality thanks to extremely high transmission and color purity; virtually no vignetting; imager matrix transmitted with minimum modulation loss: homogeneous, pixel-precise imaging free of distortion and chromatic aberration; virtually no stray light in the projector and the objective; no light leaking from any part of the projector housing; low noise thanks to efficient ventilation; extra-stable mounting frame; easy adjustability; long lamp life; quick and easy lamp change; maintenance service guaranteed for at least 10 years; log files with remote access for fast, efficient servicing; matched projector and fulldome configuration from a single supplier; many configuration and installation varieties for horizontal and tilted domes, including off-center projection; full scope of calibration facilities (geometry, brightness, colors). High image definition and stability thanks to DLP chip technology Our sensory perception is largely affected by what our eyes actually see. Pale or blurred fulldome projections, visible blending zones, and brightness and color differences between the channels contravene our experience in looking at reality and take the viewer s attention away from the projected content much to the disappointment of planetarium visitors. With VELVET projectors, you can offer your visitors a projection quality that is visibly superior to that of commercial projectors. You meet your audiences expectations of a modern visual experience; they automatically concentrate on the subject matter and will gladly come again. Compared to the first and second generations, the present VELVET projectors boast a 24% brightness increase, thanks to their optimized optical design. The proprietary»true Black Projection Technology«developed by ZEISS is based on DMD imagers from Texas Instruments. The DLP technology offers decisive advantages over other video technologies. Arguably the greatest merit: the image remains stable for many years. Unlike other technologies, where images suffer losses in color saturation and homogeneity after a few thousand operating hours, VELVET lets you and your audience take pleasure in your imagery for a substantially longer time. With many technical and structural solutions, our projectors are designed to last for a service life of 15 years and more, plus at comparatively much lower operating expenses. Customized system configurations High resolution fulldome projection is a matter for two or more projectors, the fulldome image being assembled from partial images, whose borders are invisible. With two VELVET projectors, you achieve a magnificent dome image in domes of up to about 12 m diameter. The projectors are placed at the dome center close to a star projector such as the SKYMASTER ZKP 4. Alternatively, you can generate a fulldome image with VELVET projectors located in opposite positions on the dome periphery. VEL- VET systems with five or more channels deliver high-resolution (4k to 6k*) fulldome images, and configurations with a central star projector are possible as well. The fulldome images are projected past the star projector sides, i.e. free of shadows. * Called 8k systems on the market. 3

4 Design, manufacturing and installation from a single supplier Although VELVET is not made in large lots, the projector is no oddity. It is a mature, tried-and-tested product. On average, four to five units of the currently third VELVET generation leave the shop floor per week. Their merits are appreciated by planetarians, but also by pilots. Several hundred projectors are in continuous use in flight and driving simulators and, of course, in many planetariums. As designers and manufacturers of VELVET, we can guarantee after-sales service until far into the future, providing long-term protection of your investment. This does not apply to projectors made by third-party suppliers, for obvious reasons. It takes the lens to complete the picture The best chip and projection technology will not create an excellent image on the dome unless it comes with an outstanding projection lens. VELVET projectors come with high-performance lenses of the ZEISS DIGIGON series. ZEISS DIGIGON 178 VELVET wide angle lens Their ray tracing has been specially performed for dome projection, and they convince by their higher-than-average imaging quality. They ensure that every single pixel contributes to the pin-sharp picture on the dome. Neither chromatic abberation nor optical distortions spoil the image quality. In the projected image, VELVET with its DIGIGON lens shows its strong points, compared to a commercial projector for fulldome projection. VELVET is a leading-edge ZEISS digital projection system, the best you can have for astronomical applications. Stars on a non-brightened background are sharp from one edge of the image to the other. Constellation overlays, coordinate lines and celestial objects fascinate by clearness. Segment of projected image, VELVET/DIGIGON /11.4 (test image) Definition: excellent distinct pixel separation; exposure data: Canon EOS 5D Mk II, ZEISS Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 1/4s. Segment of projected image, F35/NAVITAR HM117/11.7 (test image) Definition: mediocre pixels blurred; exposure data: Canon EOS 5D Mk II, ZEISS Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 1/8s. Segment of projected image, VELVET/DIGIGON /11.4 (test image) Lateral color: negliable less than 1/4 pixel width; exposure data: Canon EOS 5D Mk II, ZEISS Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 0.4s. Segment of projected image, F35/NAVITAR HM117/11.7 (test image) Lateral color: clearly visible 2 to 3 pixel widths; exposure data: Canon EOS 5D Mk II, ZEISS Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 1/13s. 4

5 Confidence in Quality UNIVERSARIUM VELVET in the Bochum Zeiss Planetarium (20-m dome) University of Applied Sciences Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Zeiss Planetarium Foerster Observatory Zeiss-Großplanetarium Zeiss Planetarium Public Observatory and Zeiss-Planetarium Planetário Rubens de Azevedo Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre (ESO) House of Astronomy Observatory and Planetarium Jakarta Planetarium Zeiss-Planetarium Cabinet of Astronomy and Physics M.P. Birla Planetarium Planetarium and Observatory Zeiss-Planetarium Civico Planetario Mannheim Planetarium Modesto Junior College, Great Valley Museum German Museum Private Planetarium ZEISS Forum and Museum of Optics Planetario de la Universidad Planetário do São Luís Carl-Zeiss-Planetarium Tenggarong Planetarium Zeiss-Planetarium Wolfsburg Planetarium Aalen, Germany* Bangalore, India Berlin, Germany Berlin, Germany Bochum, Germany Drebach, Germany Fortaleza, Brazil Garching, Germany Heidelberg, Germany Hradec Králové, Czech Republic Jakarta, Indonesia Jena, Germany Kassel, Germany Kolkata, India Kreuzlingen, Switzerland Laupheim, Germany Milan, Italy* Mannheim, Germany Modesto CA, USA Munich, Germany n.n. Oberkochen, Germany Santiago de Chile, Chile São Luís, Brazil Stuttgart, Germany Tenggarong, Indonesia Vienna, Austria Wolfsburg, Germany * no fulldome The challenge was to find a high-resolution projection system that would not compromise on contrast and retain the deep black background for star projection. Our experience with the installation and start-up of the ZEISS VELVET system was a pleasant surprise. After almost 30 years of using the analog system, we now experience a quantum leap. Haydée Domic T., Directora Ejacutiva, Fundación Planetario Santiago de Chile. The projection quality of the VELVET system is unique. Blending between the projectors is seamless, color and brightness remain stable all the time. Werner Kiesle, Laupheim Planetarium. The installation of the VELVET System from ZEISS represents a quantum leap in design for the Mannheim Planetarium. State-of-the-art image and system quality and diverse production possibilities in and in front of the dome inspire and amaze our visitors and the ambitious planetarium team. With this modernization, we are wellequipped to ensure our establishment s future. Dr. Christian Theis, Director Mannheim Planetarium. 5

6 Configuration Examples 2-channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome center 3D view Projection fields, non-overlapping Dome diameter: 8 m to 12 m (26 ft to 40 ft) Planetarium projector: SKYMASTER ZKP 4, ZKP 3 and others Lens: DIGIGON channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome periphery 3D view Projection fields, non-overlapping Dome diameter: 4.5 m to 12 m (15 ft to 40 ft) Planetarium projector: none Lens: DIGIGON 108 6

7 5-channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome periphery 3D view Projection fields, non-overlapping Dome diameter: Planetarium projector: Lens: 12 m to 18 m (40 ft to 60 ft) none DIGIGON Vario 8-channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome periphery, off-center projection 3D view Projection fields, non-overlapping Dome diameter: Planetarium projector: Lens: 18 m to 25 m (60 ft to 82 ft) STARMASTER ZMP, UNIVERSARIUM Modell IX and others DIGIGON Vario 7

8 Technical Data VELVET projector Image format / Resolution Display technology Brightness WQXGA / x 1 600, native LVDS DMD with DarkChip3 ZEISS True Black Projection Technology lm Contrast ratio (on-off, static) : 1 Color rendition Width x height x depth 30 bit RGB (3x 10 bit) approx. 674 mm x 729 mm x 500 mm, incl. lens and mount Lamps 2x 330 W P-P-VIP, 1500 h (nominal life time, eco-mode 2000 h) Inputs DisplayPort digital RGB (no internal scaler), RJ45 TCP/IP network VELVET fulldome system Projection field Dome reflectivity 360 x 180 (± approx.15 ) 30% bis 60% recommended (project specific) Dome diameter Configuration examples 1) 4.5 m to 12 m Dome diameter 8 m to 12 m 4.5 m to 12 m Star projector 2) no yes Number of projectors 2 2 Projector arrangement periphery center Dome tilt Dome resolution (approx.) 2.6 k 2.6 k Pixel size in arcmin (approx.) m to 18 m Dome diameter 12 m to 18 m 12 m to 18 m Star projector 3) no yes Number of projectors 5 6 Projector arrangement periphery periphery Dome tilt Dome resolution (approx.) 4.5 k 4.7 k Pixel size in arcmin (approx.) m bis 25 m Dome diameter 18 m to 23 m 18 m to 23 m 20 m to 25 m 20 m to 25 m Star projector 3) no yes no yes Number of projectors Projector arrangement periphery periphery periphery periphery Dome tilt Dome resolution (approx.) 5 k 5 k 5.7 k 5.7 k 5.7 k 6 k 4) Pixel size in arcmin (approx.) ) Recommendations, other configurations with additional projectors for higher resolution and brightness possible in coordination with ZEISS. 2) If a two-channel VELVET system is intended to be combined with a planetarium projector (i.e. an optical-mechanical star projector), the VELVET projectors will be installed at the dome center rather than at the periphery. 3) For a combination of a multichannel VELVET system with a star projector, the number of VELVET projectors needed increases (as a rule, by one more projector). 4) Called 8k system on the market. EN_58_010_374VII Printed in Germany ZEISS 2017 The product described herein is subject to upgrading and other changes in design and/or scope of delivery. Carl Zeiss AG Planetarium Division JENA, GERMANY Phone: Fax: planetarium@zeiss.com Image on front page: Planetary nebula NGC 6302, courtesy of: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team (STScI ). 8