Barco’s proprietary all-dome digital projection system, the BarcoI-DOME™ takes charge of the complete visualization part of a planetarium and therefore considerably widens the scope for planetariums to engage in exciting new applications. The Barco I-DOME™ can project a wide range of content provided by real-time or pre-recorded sources and can be equipped with all three of Barco’s state-of-the-art projection technologies: CRT, LCD and DLP™.

　　One single huge hemispherical image, including the Zenith

　　The Barco I-DOME™ produces one single image that can cover up to 180 degrees of the hemispherewith a number of projectors located in the perimeter of the dome. The number of projectors and technology used can be custom adapted to dome size, light output, resolution needed and positioning possibilities, taking into account the budget available.

　　Barco’s I-DOME™ Planetarium technology is derived from Barco’s vast database of installed systems. This database enables the Barco engineering team to quickly and efficiently submit detailed studies that take into account the specific parameters of dome size, type of image generator and type of content to be shown for the total visualization system.

　　Proprietary Electronical and Optical blending

　　In the Barco I-DOME™ configuration CRT projectors incorporate extra digital electronics and real-time multi-facet SEMU™ hardware to realise the image blending and predistortion necessary to make multi-channel data result in one single huge hemispherical image.

　　If light valve projectors are used inthe I-DOME™ configuration, extra predistortion and extended blending capabilities are built in. Barco’s proprietary optical blend results in black level overlaps that equal that of the separate images, reaching excellent black levels very near to the soft edge overlap achieved through CRT projectors.

　　Especially impressive is the capability to project the Zenith part from a projector positioned in the perimeter of the planetarium, thus making room for extra visitor seats.

　　Accurate alignment

　　For accurate alignment of all projected images and easy maintenance, laser array alignment units are placed immediately underneath the projectors. The lasers project reference points on the dome, allowing for accurate adjustment and periodic realignment of the projection system.

　　Barco single-chip SIM 4 with proprietary optical blend and laser array alignment unit

　　Full versatility to project a wide range of shows

　　As the Barco I-DOME™ handles the complete visualization, including predistortion and blending of the images through dedicated electronics inside the Barco projectors, a correct geometry is achieved on the dome screen, without requiring external computational power. This encompasses that the I-DOME™ offers the flexibility to use high-end PC’s or other image generators and other formats in the future.

　　The Barco I-DOME™can project whatever content is provided by whatever image generating system. This sure will open new horizons for world class programs and various public outreach events.