KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER GUIDE
MODEL:
VP-790
Blending Projected Images on a
Curved Screen
P/N: 2900-300214 Rev 1
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Introduction
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providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of
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This online guide describes how to blend two projected images accurately onto a
curved screen via the Kramer VP-790 Warp Generator application software.
VP-790 Blending Images – Introduction
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2
Setting the Basic System
VP-790 units and output to two identical projectors.
Figure 1: Basic Setup
One video source is distributed to both VP-790 units via a distribution
amplifier (for example, the Kramer VM-2Hxl).
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Each VP-790 unit outputs the signal to a separate projector.
To successfully blend two or more projections:
•
•
•
•
Each projector should be of the same manufacture and of the same model
The projector lamps should be of the same age
DLP color wheels should be designed for video
The ‘dynamic gamma’ and ‘dynamic contrast’ applications should be set to off
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VP-790 Blending Images - Setting the Basic System
2.1
Optical Alignment
Figure 2 shows an example of the two 4:3 projectors being used to project a single
16:9 image.
Figure 2: Image Projection
Set the projectors so that the light from both projectors covers the whole screen
area.
Use the VP-790 built-in test patterns to adjust the position, zoom and focus of both
projectors.
VP-790 Blending Images – Setting the Basic System
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2.1.1
Setting the VP-790 Functions
Set the VP-790 functions via the OSD menu as follows:
•
Select Setup, Control Setup and then set the Menu Timeout to Infinite to turn
off the menu timeout
•
Select Output, then select Resolution to set the output resolution to the native
resolution of your projector to enable the VP-790 to scale the image
Setting the output resolution to a resolution other than the native resolution would result
in the projector re-scaling the image!
•
Select Output, then select Aspect Ratio to fit the aspect ratio to the display’s
natural aspect ratio
•
•
Select Setup, Frame Lock and select Source
Select Output, Frame Rate and select Auto
2.1.2
Setting Multiple Units Matrix
Set both VP-790 units as follows:
1. Select Input, Source and then Test Pattern.
Figure 3: Input Screen
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VP-790 Blending Images - Setting the Basic System
2. Select the horizontal grey bars test pattern in one of the two following ways:
.
Exit the OSD menu and use the up/down arrow buttons on the front
panel to cycle through the available patterns
.
In the top OSD menu select Input, and then Test Pattern Setup and Test
Pattern. Select Grey H Bars
2.1.3
Setting the Position in the Matrix
Define the position of each VP-790 unit in the matrix:
1. From the Setup menu, set the Operation Mode to Multiunit.
Figure 4: Multiunit Screen
2. Set a 2 x 1 matrix system:
.
.
Set Units Wide to 2
Set Units High to 1
3. Define the position of each VP-790 unit separately:
.
Select the H-Position on the VP-790 unit connected to the left hand
projector to 0
.
Select the H-Position on the VP-790 unit connected to the right hand
projector to 1
VP-790 Blending Images – Setting the Basic System
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4. Define the blend region for the VP-790 units:
.
In the Multiunit menu, select Blend Width and set the overlap region to
Right on the left hand VP-790 unit and Left to the right hand unit
5. Set Auto zoom to ON.
Figure 5: Two Overlapping Images on a Screen
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VP-790 Blending Images - Setting the Basic System
3
Setting Blend Width
In the Multiunit menu:
1. Select Blend Curve Type and select Align Pattern to turn on the Blend Width
alignment tool.
The align pattern displays a sharp border of the blend and non-blend regions, making it
easier to determine the width of the blend and control of the 4-corner set-up.
Figure 6: Two Projected Images Displaying the Horizontal Bar Test Pattern
Figure 6 shows two projections side-by-side displaying the grey H Bars test pattern
with the Blend Width alignment tool.
2. Select the Blend Width item.
3. Adjust the number of pixels to equal the optical overlap, using the alignment
pattern.
The default blend width is 200 pixels
4. Keep the Blend Offset value 0.
VP-790 Blending Images – Setting Blend Width
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The two vertical lighter stripes near the center of the screen are the blend width
alignment tool. This is a visible cursor which will move as the blend width is
adjusted:
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•
•
•
Line 1 is the left hand edge of the right hand projection
Line 2 is the right hand edge of the left projection blend region
Line 3 is the left hand edge of the right projection’s blend region
Line 4 is the right hand edge of the left hand projection
With reference to Figure 6 above on page 7, adjust line 3 to meet line 1 and adjust
line 2 to meet line 4. This adjusts the blend width of each projector so that the
shadowed alignment area is equal to the optical overlap.
Figure 7 shows the left hand blend width correctly adjusted:
Figure 7: Left Hand Blend Width Correctly Adjusted
Figure 8 shows the view when the blend widths on both Scalers are adjusted
correctly.
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VP-790 Blending Images - Setting Blend Width
Figure 8: Blend Width Correctly Adjusted on both Scalers
You must set the number of blend width pixels to the same number
for both processors. The blend will work properly even if the lines in
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Figure 8 do not align completely and even if the lines do not exactly
match the overlap for one projector this just indicates that the optical
zoom of the projectors is not matched.
VP-790 Blending Images – Setting Blend Width
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4
Warp Adjustment
The images from both processors/projectors must be geometrically corrected to fit
the screen and the overlapped regions must be set to align accurately. This is
achieved by warping (changing the shape) the image.
1. Change the test pattern to the Warp Adjust (F) pattern.
The left hand pattern is green and the right hand pattern is magenta
intentionally.
Figure 9: The Cross Hatch (F) Warp Pattern
The color is set automatically when the position information is entered. The
alternating colors help in two ways:
•
•
To clearly see each projection separately
When the geometry adjustment is complete, the parts of the pattern in the
overlapping blend region will be super-imposed and appear white
Inaccurate adjustment can be clearly seen as a colored fringe around the white.
4.1
Warp the Projection Image on to a Curved Screen
For curved and irregular shaped screens, use the VP-790 Warp Generator
application which calculates warp maps to be uploaded to memories built-in to the
VP-790.
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VP-790 Blending Images - Warp Adjustment
4.1.1
Downloading and Installing the Warp Generator
To download, install and use the VP-790 Warp Generator software,
refer to the VP-790 Warp Generator online guide.
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Connect your PC to both VP-790 units via a LAN connection (refer to the VP-790
Warp Generator online guide); use a change-over cable to connect to one unit at a
time or use both at once via an Ethernet switch or network.
Double-click the VP-790 Warp Generator icon. The main window opens. This
section defines the Warp Generator main window:
Figure 10: VP-790 Warp Generator Main Window
VP-790 Blending Images – Warp Adjustment
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2. Click the Connect button on the top left corner of the screen.
One of two connection windows appears:
.
The Auto Connect window to reconnect to a previously connected unit
.
The Connect to Unit window if you need to enter a new IP address (see
Figure 11: Auto Connect Window
Figure 12: Connect to Unit Window
3. Connect to the unit.
The following window appears:
Figure 13: A New 2x2 Grid
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VP-790 Blending Images - Warp Adjustment
4. Resample the grid to start with a grid mesh of nine points.
Figure 14: Setting a Grid Mesh of Nine Points
5. Check the Mirror and Snap boxes in the Evaluator Control window to turn
them off.
6. Adjust the position of the nodes with either the mouse or the arrow keys to a
position that will bring the test pattern correctly onto your screen.
7. Click the SEND button and wait for the result to be seen on the screen and
the comment Warp Success to appear in the Send Warp area.
Figure 15: Setting the Warp
VP-790 Blending Images – Warp Adjustment
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even across the whole screen. The linearity needs adjustment.
Linearity is achieved by adjusting the center positions as indicated in Figure 16.
Note the relative sizes of the red rectangles, these should be equal sizes. If they are
not equal as in the example below the linearity will be poor.
Figure 16: Adjusting the Linearity
Continue the adjustment looking to achieve an even size of test pattern squares
across the whole screen and the overlapping area as closely aligned as possible.
When the Green and Magenta Test pattern lines are correctly over-laid, their
Increase the number of nodes to give a more detailed adjustment
only when you have made all the adjustments you can with the
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coarse setting.
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VP-790 Blending Images - Warp Adjustment
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