3D Perception had a demonstration that used an NBox multichannel processor for six channels of high end simulation in a 4K 120Hz configuration. The company has a system that puts hardware sensors into domes and other projection surfaces. A special pattern is then shown, which is detected by the sensors which can identify exactly what part of the image they are seeing, down to individual pixel level. Once the pixel is identified, that data is used along with some basic dimensions that are fed into the software (and captured using a theodolite) to completely calibrate the installation. A three channel system can be completely calibrated in 30 seconds.
Most of the company’s work is in the military arena, but it has also made installations in applications including planetariums, which are apparently very, very fussy about precise alignment. The company can make systems of ‘any size’.
Barco was at the show with Antycip, that we reported on from the Laval event. We have an invitation to Antycip’s UK office to see more of what they do and we’re trying to arrange that for the ‘between shows’ part of the summer.
Digital Projection attended with a partner, Olmos Technology, which is an image generator specialist, but had nothing new on display.
HP was at the show for the first time and was showing its Windows Mixed Reality headset, which is now being marketed through the commercial HP sales groups as well as through the consumer division. There were the backpack PCs that we have seen before and an area of the booth was devoted to VR 3D content creation using HP workstations. HP was at the show with a partner, Disti, which can offer software solutions and training so that the companies can offer a ‘one stop shop’ based on HP hardware.
Project Syntropy and Dome Projection (which share common ownership) were at the show with a dome demonstration but told us that not much was new since last year. Last year, optical blending solutions were being highlighted, but we didn’t spot them this time. (Of course, we only remember that we had seen them last year after we had left the show, so didn’t get a chance to ask them about the development of the system, which was under development last year). Domeprojection Uses Analysis for Blend Masks
Rockwell Collins, of course, has a big presence in military simulation but had no new hardware although it makes a wide range of products from high end collimated systems to portable systems. It has been developing its SpectraVue products in recent years, which use GRP domes and COTS (Commercial ‘Off the Shelf’) projectors. It has been winning good business for the F35 and also the F16 flight simulators. The company has its own special four panel projector which has been long established (No upgrade in near term). The company continues to look at ways to improve the black levels of its simulation projectors.
Rockwell Collins booth at ITEC 2018. Image:Meko
