Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Projector Auto Alignment

This is topic Projector Auto Alignment in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Andrew Carr (Member # 9264) on 06-12-2017, 01:19 PM:

Hello, I wanted to ask here how many of you are using auto projection alignment systems for your theaters?
What systems do you use/recommend? We're currently looking at options to deploy in our theaters.
Most of our installs use dual projector, 3D Christie projection and their AutoCal systems are pretty costly...

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 06-12-2017, 05:10 PM:

Which systems actually do exist besides Christe Duo? IMAX and Sony DS use them, but they are fully proprietary anyway...

- Carsten

Posted by Andrew Carr (Member # 9264) on 06-15-2017, 11:21 AM:

Well I'e been looking at ScalableDisplay, Vioso, Qalif and a couple of others.
Most of the solutions out there are software based systems that run on PC based servers so I'm not sure what folks would used with Series 2 setups.

Posted by Harold Hallikainen (Member # 5405) on 06-15-2017, 11:44 AM:

I wonder about the need for "automatic projector alignment." Such a system assumes that the sensing equipment is more stable than the projector, which may or may not be the case. I think projection systems (including sound) are pretty stable, but they eventually drift or fail, so the trick is to catch the drift or failure without having to visit the site and make measurements. That's the idea behind the LSS-100P (latest manual at http://ftp.uslinc.com/ftp/Products/LSS-100P/Software/Firmware/beta/LSS-100P_UserManual_160817.pdf ). A test show is run causing a measurement script to run that captures screen luminance and chromaticity and SPL on each speaker (or array for surround arrays). Data can be viewed directly on the LSS using a web browser. It can also be posted to a central database for further analysis.

There are, of course, similar systems out there with different feature sets. I'm just most familiar with this one since I designed it.

Harold

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 06-15-2017, 05:21 PM:

quote: Andrew Carr
Well I'e been looking at ScalableDisplay, Vioso, Qalif and a couple of others.

But none of them work on DCI machines, so...?

quote: Andrew Carr
auto projection alignment systems

Maybe I misunderstood your question, assuming you were after an automatic dual projection geometry alignment system like Christie Duo...? If you are after automatic calibration cinema/DCI systems, I don't think any systems are available. These systems are calibrated or QC checked in certain intervals. That's it. I don't think Christies AutoCal works with their DCI systems - it's for a different market/application. And, just like Harold, I question the need for an automatic calibration in the cinema.

If you are looking for automated QC in a DCI/cinema environment, USLs LSS-100P, as quoted by Harold, may indeed be the best you can get.

- Carsten

Posted by Tammo Buhren (Member # 5888) on 06-16-2017, 03:47 AM:

Qalif is exactly what you need. It does a fully automated alignment of your projectors including Dual-Projector, Colors, Focus etc.
Have a look at the website of Harkness.
Harkness Qalif

It uses Test-Pattern-DCPs coming with the product.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 06-16-2017, 06:20 AM:

Thanks Tammo, missed this.

- Carsten

Posted by Harold Hallikainen (Member # 5405) on 06-16-2017, 02:44 PM:

Thanks for posting that info! That's more detail than I had previously seen. Is any pricing info available?

Thanks!

Harold

Posted by Andrew Carr (Member # 9264) on 06-23-2017, 10:28 AM:

Thanks for the info! We are looking at getting a demo unit from Qalif for evaluation. I'll report back once we've had a chance to play with it.

Posted by Mattias Mattsson (Member # 4308) on 03-15-2018, 10:15 PM:

quote: Andrew Carr
We are looking at getting a demo unit from Qalif for evaluation. I'll report back once we've had a chance to play with it.

Really interested to hear about this. Did you have the chance to test it?

Posted by Andrew Carr (Member # 9264) on 03-26-2018, 10:31 AM:

Not yet, it's on the to-do list!