The PanoMaker® V is the fifth generation of Panoram's world-renown Video Panoram® edge blending processors and is the first product in Panoram's new "Pure Digital I/O" Digital Image Processors.

The PanoMaker V is a 2-RU high rack unit that sits between the source switcher and the projectors. Using an Ethernet hub, an unlimited number of channels can be controlled with an external PC with each PanoMaker V unit IP addressable.

The PanoMaker V performs all the functions of Panoram's previous PanoMaker Series, but adds the very important capability of distortion correction and image warping to allow for curve screen applications using DLP and other non-CRT projectors. This same geometry engine is also critical for non-curve applications to adjust overlap region aberrations caused by lens distortion or imperfect projector placement.

Another key feature is the incorporation of Panoram's unique Black Level Technology to handle the dark image areas in the overlap region. The Black Level Technology raises the black levels in the non-overlap areas of the array to make them match the brighter overlap region caused by residual light spill out of the projectors. Once the black level of the entire array is uniform, a neutral density filter can be placed in front of the lens of each projector to darken the overall black level. Although this reduces the overall contrast of the projector, the new generation of DLP and other non-CRT devices, have plenty of light output to spare.

The incredible bandwidth of the device is designed to handle to most advanced stereographic computer signals with the ability to handle SXGA (1280 X 1024) images at up to 120 frames per second. Dynamically allocated filtering has been incorporated to eliminated motion and line artifacts caused by the digital image processing and warping.

If only 60 frames per second are needed, we have provided the ability to divide the PanoMaker's processing power, plus we've added the extra inputs and outputs to let a single rack frame operate as a two channel system - a significant savings.

Having a separate external warping and blending device is far superior to built-in solutions that limit which projector models and brands you can choose from. Upgrades allow for the next generation of projector without replacing the processing electronics, and finally, the power and sophistication that can be built into a stand alone unit exceeds that which comes with built-ins. It's a little like hifi equipment, the component solutions are invariably better performing than the combos.

The geometry engine in the PanoMaker V uses sophisticated Very Large Instruction Word processors that are so powerful that in combination, they would be analogous to a 3 gigaflop computer.

The PanoMaker V sets a new standard and benchmark for arrayed image processing and will be incorporated into all of Panoram's large-scale projection systems including the GVR-X, FFP-X and PanoWall-X Series.