Fredrik Svahnberg

Read projection designer Daniel Brodie's in-depth review of Dataton WATCHOUT version 5, currently headlining on the LiveDesign website. Great reading for both afficionados and newcomers to WATCHOUT! http://livedesignonline.com/gear/projection/1013_dataton_watchout_5/

Hi Rogier! You can "build-in" the alpha-channel in your flash file. This is supported in the Dynamic Image Server just as with any other type of media in WATCHOUT. Best regards, Fredrik SVahnberg Dataton

Please send an email to support@dataton.com and we will provide all the details. Best regards, Fredrik Svahnberg Dataton

WATCHOUT 4.5.1 can be used with either version 4 or version 5 license keys. Version 4 license keys can't be upgraded by software to version 5. They must be physically replaced with newer keys. This version allows you to continue using version 4 after upgrading your license keys to v5. Available for download from the support center at www.dataton.com/watchout

Similar for the inside, yes. But as I wrote, the pre-mapping of media is important, depending on the content and if your audience "viewing focus" is closer to the "pole" or to the "equator" of your dome. Best regards, Fredrik Svahnberg Dataton

Hi Ian! WATCHOUT has built -in geometry correction, which is great for many off-axis and curved screen applications but when you want to project on a dome or a sphere, for example, the overlapping and edge-blending becomes very complex. And it is not only that, when you do not have a flat screen anymore, there might also be special requirements for the media content. Another important factor for a successful dome-project is a well designed set-up for the projectors and a good choice of optics. Please find my recommendation, for different types of WATCHOUT projection applications using geometry correction, below: 1) Keystone correction - The most basic form of geometry correction. Built-into most standard projectors. Typically compensates for off-axis projection on a flat screen. WATCHOUT's geometry correction is great for this. It even has a special mode for accurate "perspective-correction". 2) Curved screens - Typical examples include curved 180 and 360 degree screens. WATCHOUT's geometry correction is great for this as you only have the curvature in one direction. One axis is still straight and it is very easy to get a perfect alignment with manual geometry correction. No "pre-distorted/warped/mapped" media is required for "single-curved" screen projection. 3) Dome and sphere projection - This represent projection on any geometrically well-defined round or semi-round surface. For this we recommend to use a camera based auto-calibration system for measuring and feeding geometry, edge-blend and masking data into WATCHOUT. The solution require an external auto-calibration system but the process is automated. When you use auto-calibration with WATCHOUT the manual geometry correction and edge-blend functions are disabled but all other good features are working as you would expect. Projecting a 2-dimensional image on a 3-dimensional dome however requires "pre-mapped" media, such as polar-images, for example. Which "pre-mapping" (planar, cylindrical, spherical etc) should be chosen depends on the shape and on the "viewing focus" of your audience. 4) Projection mapping - Projected 3D mapping on buildings, cars, models or any arbitrary shape. Although the geometry correction and edge-blending for these type of projects can be well achieved with an auto-calibration system (adjustments can even be achieved with WATCHOUT's manual geometry correction), the advanced motion effects has to be "pre-mapped" in standard 3D or video post-production tools, The media content has to be produced in alignment with the template created from the actual projection surface or object. Apart from playback, synchronization and all the other good features in WATCHOUT, producers of 3D mapping projects often praises WATCHOUT for its ability to make final adjustments (of both media and geometry) in realtime. I hope this somewhat clarifies our position on this rather complex topic. Feedback and suggestions are most welcome. If you are intreated in the auto-calibration solution I mention above, please feel free contact me off-forum. Best regards, Fredrik Svahnberg Dataton

No, either of those tricks can be achieved with an Aux Timeline set to “Above Edge-blend”. Best regards, Fredrik Svahnberg Dataton

Jim Kellner is usually always right on the money. Bt this time around I wonder if he did not get it wrong.... You still have the "Above Edge-blend" in v5. It is now located in the Aux timeline settings. Best regards, Fredrik Svahnberg Dataton

Yes, there is a v4.5 in the pipe which will address this issue. It is currently in beta and will be released shortly Best regards, Fredrik Svahnberg Dataton

I did record Fredrik's presentation at InfoComm 2011, but I was hesitantto post it because, on screen, it was a 3D presentation. So that effectwill be lost, and that effect is important in understanding just whatWatchout Vers. 5 will be able to do. Also, there were so many peoplearound the booth watching/talking, that it is tough to hear the audio. But, if you still want to see it, go here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZvvDE1g6f0 Exciting times!John Lloyd Stewart

Don't miss Monday nights NHL finals between Boston and Vancouver. Vancouver leads 2-0 and is only two games away to win the Stanley cup for the first time in the clubs history, very much thanks to the glimmer twins from Sweden, Daniel and Henrik Sedin. The pre-match entertainment on the ice is produced by Dangers Inc. from Montreal, using another glimmering Swedish export product. Take a look at this clip from ABC News. http://www.dataton.com/youtube Best regards, Fredrik Svahnberg Dataton