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Topic: Barco Series 4

Tom Bert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 134
From: Belgium
Registered: Apr 2010

posted 11-05-2019 11:08 AM

The first major update to Web Analyzer was released today. Our online diagnostics tool for Barco Series4 projectors now also visualises data on board swap history, firmware update history and the so-called projector Bio Log.

https://webanalyser.proj.barco.com/

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Ioannis Syrogiannis
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 147
From: Reykjavík, Iceland
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 11-08-2019 07:37 AM

I am all in for advancements on tools for analysis.
Yet, I am a bit disappointed that one now needs an account to have access to the tool.
With earlier generations of systems, where you could have tools offline (essential when you are somewhere where the so called booth still resembles to bricks and mortar put together and cell signal is scarce, meaning no internet granted), you could share info with users. Meaning, supply them with troubleshooting options and ask of them to come back to you with specific data from the logs.

With this tool, even though I love its system-blind capacity, all data need to be handled by the support provider.
Or, all users need to create and account on Barco and log-in.
I do know that it is a rather simple procedure, but it makes things more complicated and time consuming on a time (where you need the log-analytics) that promptness is of the essence.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-08-2019 08:51 AM

I know at least one major chain here in the USA that is converting to all laser projection as I type this. They are installing all Barco Series 4 where they have compatible Barco pedestals or Christie laser where they have Christie pedestals. That is well over 5000 new projectors being installed over the next two years! Something like this ought to start bringing laser prices down a bit.

Mark

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Tom Bert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 134
From: Belgium
Registered: Apr 2010

posted 11-08-2019 09:21 AM

quote: Ioannis Syrogiannis
I am all in for advancements on tools for analysis.
Yet, I am a bit disappointed that one now needs an account to have access to the tool.
With earlier generations of systems, where you could have tools offline (essential when you are somewhere where the so called booth still resembles to bricks and mortar put together and cell signal is scarce, meaning no internet granted), you could share info with users. Meaning, supply them with troubleshooting options and ask of them to come back to you with specific data from the logs.

All the information you had in Series2, should be available in the Series4 package and "processable" offline. The added value of the Web Analyzer online tool is on:
- its graphical visualisation and advances filtering, sorting, searching, ... root cause analysis
- accessing the new "lifetime data" that is in the S4 package

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Ioannis Syrogiannis
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 147
From: Reykjavík, Iceland
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 11-10-2019 05:54 AM

quote: Tom Bert
The added value of the Web Analyzer online tool is on:
- its graphical visualisation and advances filtering, sorting, searching, ... root cause analysis

That exactly is what I am trying to say.
The added value is added for me online and not for the user (on-line or off-line).
Thus, the added (value) data needs to pass through me in all cases, where before I could get support from a projectionist or manager that was able to do some basic search, sorting etc.
The more precise a user/customer is in their report, the faster and better one can help them.

So, on one hand, we have added value to help that and on the other, user restrictions to oppose it.

I would really like it if anyone could use the tool and also share the link to the analysis with another, so to not need to forward the same file, upload etc.

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Alan Gouger
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 11-27-2019 01:45 AM

The typical back focal length adjustments are lacking on the new series 4 lens mount. Is there a workaround?

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Frederick Lanoy
Film Handler

Posts: 88
From: North of France
Registered: Aug 2009

posted 11-27-2019 06:44 AM

quote: Alan Gouger
The typical back focal length adjustments are lacking on the new series 4 lens mount. Is there a workaround?

You can use the three Scheimpflug adjustment points using a 5 mm allen key. If you move the 3 adjustements points equally, you have your back focal alignment.

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Leo Enticknap
Film God

Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 11-27-2019 11:14 AM

The procedure I was taught at the Barco school for the SP4K is as follows:

- Unlock the outer set screws with the 8mm Allen
- Using the 5mm Allen, screw all three adjusters down until they're just snug
- Back them off 1.5 turns
- Try to focus using the touch screen buttons for both flat and scope; if you can, then back focus adjustment is done. If you can’t, do a "home and return to mid," then turn the adjusters further, but EQUALLY, as necessary.
- Once you have sharp focus at least somewhere, Scheimpflug is then done by differentially adjusting the three adjusters as necessary.
- When focus uniformity is good, lock the outer set screws.

I found it a helluva lot easier to set back focus and Scheimpflug than on a B or C series, and an order of magnitude easier than on a Series 1.

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Alan Gouger
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 501
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 11-28-2019 02:30 AM

Thank you Frederick and Leo, that did the trick.

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Tom Bert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 134
From: Belgium
Registered: Apr 2010

posted 11-29-2019 01:51 AM

Happy to announce that 4 months after the official release of our Series 4 cinema projectors, we have published the first major new software release on my.barco.com.

Version 1.1.4 contains:
- support for 4 new languages: Spanish, Chinese, Russian & Korean
- a new theater dashboard functionality to give the show manager an at-a-glance view of all his projectors
- small UI improvements around 3D configuration and lens file management
- a bug fix for the signal pin on the 3D connector
- support for the system configuration with ICP-D

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Leo Enticknap
Film God

Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 11-29-2019 10:20 AM

What about projector self-tests? We were told at the training that these would be added to a software update shortly. This is an extremely useful troubleshooting tool (and planned maintenance tool, to confirm that there isn't a fault with a rarely-used feature that might have been missed) in Series 2 Communicator, and I'd like to see it in the SP4K UI.

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Tom Bert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 134
From: Belgium
Registered: Apr 2010

posted 12-01-2019 02:27 AM

quote: Leo Enticknap
What about projector self-tests? We were told at the training that these would be added to a software update shortly. This is an extremely useful troubleshooting tool (and planned maintenance tool, to confirm that there isn't a fault with a rarely-used feature that might have been missed) in Series 2 Communicator, and I'd like to see it in the SP4K UI.

That is planned for our next release (Q1 2020). We had to leave some room for dessert after the 1.1.4 release [Big Grin]

#HappyThanksgiving

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Leo Enticknap
Film God

Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 12-01-2019 09:57 AM

Thanks Tom. That feature proved its usefulness again only yesterday. Had to replace a pump on a DP2K-20C; after reassembling everything, refilling and confirming that the liquid cooling system was fixed, I ran the self-tests to check that there were no other faults. The lens zoom motor failed - turned out that the multi-pin connector on the lens hadn't quite seated properly. That is why I do the tests immediately after finishing any maintenance or repair to a Series 2 Barco - they are a big help in catching that sort of thing.

Another item on the Christmas list would be either to add an full scale SP4K-style web UI to the Series 2 projectors, or to add at functionality for the SP4K to Barco Communicator. I have heard from a number of potential customers that the SP4K having a completely different, and incompatible, GUI from anything before it, is a dissuasion to this upgrade path.

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 12-01-2019 12:20 PM

I'll second Leo's comments about the value of the system self-tests. That said, on a C series projector, particularly with some Fujinon lens sizes, it is almost a guarantee that there will be a failure on horizontal lens shift (I believe it is when the lens bonks (a technical term) into the prism safety pressure switch). It would be nice if the self-tests would know which lenses are installed and test the limits accordingly.

-Steve

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Rick Cohen
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 102
From: Amherst, New York
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 12-07-2019 06:41 PM

We are considering upgrading one of our screens from Barco 2K-32B to Barco 4K-60L. This is a 100 foot wide drive-in screen, which is challenging to achieve 14 f/L with a 32B. The server being used is a Doremi ShowVault 4 with IMB.

The Barco 2K-32B has been through eight seasons, and has never really put out satisfactory light for the size of screen (100 feet wide) that it is assigned to. Our other four screens are only 60 feet wide, so the 32B is providing plenty of light on those.

My questions are:

1. Will the pre-existing Doremi ShowVault with IMB need to be replaced, or is it compatible with the Barco 4K-60L?

2. Is the Barco 4K-60L the brightest alternative available?

3. Is the Barco 4K-60L going to provide a 30 year lifespan in order to justify the cost of the upgrade?

4. Is there any technological reason to hold off for another year or two to upgrade to laser, other than the possibility of a price drop?

The screen is painted flat white, which I understand is ideal for laser applications to reduce speckle.

We believe that we will have little-to-no trouble with receiving the necessary FDA waiver, since the projector port is on the second floor, about 15 feet above the parking area, with a throw of around 400 feet to the screen which is about 17 feet above grade at the bottom.

Any feedback is appreciated.

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