Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Barco "Alchemy" integrated ICP & server

This is topic Barco "Alchemy" integrated ICP & server in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 03-24-2014, 02:58 PM:

Barco's website has changed rather dramatically. All cinema projectors are now called "Alchemy" projectors, and feature the "Barco Alchemy integrated ICP and cinema server"... although you can get them with a normal ICP for an IMB or other IMS, or even presumably with the Enigma input board.
Also the Communicator touchpanel now comes with a second program that looks to be for Alchemy server configuration.
Data is a bit sparse though, no product documentation or software I can find.
This website update looks to be coincidental with CinemaCon so I assume there was a big announcement and demo there... does anyone that attended have any more information?

Posted by Jay Glaus (Member # 6011) on 03-24-2014, 04:11 PM:

I'd be interested to know as well. I noticed that on their page. I didn't make it to CinemaCon this year, so maybe someone can fill us in?

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-24-2014, 06:32 PM:

I quoted the press release here:

http://www.film-tech.com/ubb/f16/t001434.html

Basically, it is Barcos first own IMS, and it's the first implementation of 4k/3D and 4k/60fps in a series II DLP. The projector base is still the same, Barcos new electronics implements an IMS + a beefed up ICP in one module, supporting frame rates that were not possible previously in 4k.

The same IMS is also available for 2k machines, in that case offering a greater variety of modernized IO, like USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.

They also offer a web based configuration utility, as is already available in the DP2K-10Sx and 8Sx.

Existing Barco series II machines can be upgraded with the new electronics. Previous configurations with HD-SDI/Enigma, Doremi IMB or IMS are still available.

This technology will also be part of Barcos IMAX laser projectors.

- Carsten

Posted by Mattias Mattsson (Member # 4308) on 06-17-2014, 04:48 AM:

I have now installed one of these (one more later today). Seems to be running quite well.

One thing came as a bit of a surprise though. If you install the ICMP module in a B- or C- series projector, there is currently no way to use the DVI inputs on the Cinema controller board.

Also, as of now you have to use a currently unreleased Barco software version (v.1.12.157) otherwise the projector won't recognise the Alchemy module.

Posted by Anders Nordentoft-Madsen (Member # 3334) on 02-04-2015, 07:06 AM:

Have the DVI input thing been resolved in newer updates?

Posted by Edgar Prass (Member # 7558) on 02-04-2015, 07:28 AM:

On our Alchemy DVI inputs work and according to latest ICMP software version 1.1.5.13 release notes HDMI should work as well.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 02-04-2015, 12:13 PM:

quote: Edgar Prass
On our Alchemy DVI inputs work and according to latest ICMP software version 1.1.5.13 release notes HDMI should work as well.

Edgar did your projector come stock with the Alchemy board.
In my case it was added to a DP4K 23B. The HDMI inputs "were" working but the latest update disabled the HDMI ports I had revert back to the previous version.
DVI inputs remain not working. There are scaling issues and color space issues as well. On the upside updates are posted at least once or twice a month.
Here is a video about the board.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qbvGBqNkfA#t=15

Posted by Anders Nordentoft-Madsen (Member # 3334) on 02-05-2015, 04:43 AM:

How about transfer speeds via network (FTP)? The module i'm currently testing seems to be quiet slow (14-15 MB/s), are anyone else having this issue?

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 02-05-2015, 04:51 AM:

it's a known issue, documented on the release notes. you should be able to improve it by enabling jumbo frames, if your network supports them.

Posted by Edgar Prass (Member # 7558) on 02-05-2015, 06:05 AM:

quote: Alan Gouger
Edgar did your projector come stock with the Alchemy board.

Yes, it did.

And transfer speeds over FTP are slow indeed. Haven't tried enabling jumbo frames yet.

EDIT: Just enabled Jumbo frames (MTU 9000) on our Synology server. Switch also supports jumbo frames. So with next ingest I will give it a try.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 02-05-2015, 07:08 AM:

You'll have to set the MTU to 9000 on the alchemy as well if not mistaken.
Please note I don't know the alchemy at all, just stumbled in the release notes.