ZEISS VELVET 1600Digital Video Projector for PlanetariumsIssue: 2016

Fulldome Projection

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The Companion to the Planetarium

VELVET Projector in the Munich German Museum

Tailor-made for star theaters

Perhaps you can recall the time when

slides were masked with Kodalith and

lacquer to prevent the supposedly

black but actually gray image back-

ground from spoiling the brilliance

of the starry sky. In the age of digital

dome projection, the problem of the

brightened background unfortunately

persists. However, there is a better

solution today – a solution developed

by ZEISS: the VELVET projector, which

delivers an absolutely black image

background. No matter whether you

show digital stars or the firmament

projected by an optical-mechanical

planetarium machine, VELVET will not

brighten up the artificial night sky,

and the stars will stand out against a

velvety black backdrop as in reality.

After all, the realistic simulation of

the night sky is what planetariums are

made for. The typical presentations of

constellation figures, grids, planets,

moons, nebulae, galaxies etc. require

projections of high contrast. VELVET

guarantees undisturbed superimpositi-

on of the analog night sky and digital

video projection. Worldwide, VELVET is

the only digital projector uncompromi-

singly and in every respect designed for

use in planetariums.

In every respect means:

• DLP technology for pin-sharp pixels

and excellent pixel contrast;

• absolutely black image background

comparable to that of ZEISS glass-fiber

star projection;

• high resolution for images exceptio-

nally rich in detail;

• visibility of finest structures and color

shades;

• wide color space adapted to the DCI

(Digital Cinema Initiative) standard;

• high brightness for all planetarium

applications;

• invisible blending zones between

image channels;

SKYMASTER VELVET in the Laupheim Planetarium (10-m dome). Photos: ZEISS

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• many configuration and installation

varieties for horizontal and tilted do-

mes, including off-center projection;

• full scope of calibration facilities

(geometry, brightness, colors).

High image definition and stability

thanks to DLP chip technology

Our sensory perception is largely affec-

ted by what our eyes actually see. Pale

or blurred fulldome projections, visible

blending zones, and brightness and

color differences between the channels

contravene our experience in looking at

reality and take the viewer‘s attention

away from the projected content –

much to the disappointment of plane-

tarium visitors. With VELVET projectors,

you can offer your visitors a projection

quality that is visibly superior to that of

commercial projectors. You meet your

audiences‘ expectations of a modern

visual experience; they automatically

concentrate on the subject matter and

will gladly come again.

Compared to the first and second ge-

nerations, the present VELVET projec-

tors boast a 24% brightness increase,

thanks to their optimized optical

design.

The proprietary »True Black Projection

Technology« developed by ZEISS is

based on DMD imagers from Texas Ins-

truments. The DLP® technology offers

decisive advantages over other video

technologies. Arguably the greatest

merit: the image remains stable for

many years. Unlike other technologies,

where images suffer losses in color

saturation and homogeneity after a

few thousand operating hours, VELVET

lets you and your audience take plea-

sure in your imagery for a substantially

longer time. With many technical and

structural solutions, our projectors are

designed to last for a service life of 15

years and more, plus at comparatively

much lower operating expenses.

Customized system configurations

High resolution fulldome projection is

a matter for two or more projectors,

the fulldome image being assembled

from partial images, whose borders are

invisible. With two VELVET projectors,

you achieve a magnificent dome image

in domes of up to about 12 m diameter.

The projectors are placed at the dome

center close to a star projector such as

the SKYMASTER ZKP 4. Alternatively,

you can generate a fulldome image with

VELVET projectors located in opposite

positions on the dome periphery. VEL-

VET systems with five or more channels

deliver high-resolution (4k to 6k) full-

dome images, and configurations with

a central star projector are possible as

well. The fulldome images are projected

past the star projector sides, i.e. free of

shadows.

• edge blending computations without

loss of gray levels;

• non-use of mechanical masks, for

improved edge blending quality, less

proneness to maladjustment, and avoi-

dance of dust accumulation in front of

the objectives;

• color stability and homogeneity for

many years;

• specially corrected objectives, with

allowance made for the curved projec-

tion surface;

• optimized image quality thanks to

extremely high transmission and color

purity;

• virtually no vignetting;

• imager matrix transmitted with mini-

mum modulation loss: homogeneous,

pixel-precise imaging free of distortion

and chromatic aberration;

• virtually no stray light in the projector

and the objective;

• no light leaking from any part of the

projector housing;

• low noise thanks to efficient ventila-

tion;

• extra-stable mounting frame;

• easy adjustability;

• long lamp life;

• quick and easy lamp change;

• maintenance service guaranteed for

more than 15 years;

• log files with remote access for fast,

efficient servicing;

• matched projector and fulldome con-

figuration from a single supplier;

Planetary Nebula NGC 2818, credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

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Design, manufacturing and installa-

tion from a single supplier

Although VELVET is not made in large

lots, the projector is no oddity. It is

a mature, tried-and-tested product.

On average, four to five units of the

currently third VELVET generation leave

the shop floor per week. Their merits

are appreciated by planetarians, but

also by pilots. Several hundred projec-

tors are in continuous use in flight and

driving simulators and, of course, in

many planetariums.

As designers and manufacturers of

VELVET, we can guarantee after-sales

service until far into the future, pro-

viding long-term protection of your

investment. This does not apply to pro-

jectors made by third-party suppliers,

for obvious reasons.

It takes the lens to complete the

picture

The best chip and projection techno-

logy will not create an excellent image

on the dome unless it comes with an

outstanding projection lens. VELVET

projectors come with high-performance

lenses of the ZEISS DIGIGON series.

Their ray tracing has been specially per-

formed for dome projection, and they

convince by their higher-than-average

imaging quality. They ensure that every

single pixel contributes to the pin-sharp

picture on the dome. Neither chromatic

abberation nor optical distortions spoil

the image quality.

In the projected image, VELVET with its

DIGIGON lens shows its strong points,

compared to a commercial projector

for fulldome projection.

VELVET is a leading-edge ZEISS digital

projection system, the best you can

have for astronomical applications.

Stars on a non-brightened background

are sharp from one edge of the image

to the other. Constellation overlays,

coordinate lines and celestial objects

fascinate by clearness.

ZEISS DIGIGON 178 VELVET wide angle lens

Segment of projected image, VELVET/DIGIGON 108 2.4/11.4 (test image)

Definition: excellent – distinct pixel separation; exposure data: Canon EOS 5D

Mk II, ZEISS Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 1/4s.

Segment of projected image, F35/NAVITAR HM117/11.7 – (test image)

Definition: mediocre – pixels blurred; exposure data: Canon EOS 5D Mk II, ZEISS

Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 1/8s.

Segment of projected image, VELVET/DIGIGON 108 2.4/11.4 (test image)

Lateral color: negliable – less than 1/4 pixel width; exposure data: Canon

EOS 5D Mk II, ZEISS Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 0.4s.

Segment of projected image, F35/NAVITAR HM117/11.7 – (test image)

Lateral color: clearly visible – 2 to 3 pixel widths; exposure data: Canon EOS 5D

Mk II, ZEISS Macro-Planar 2/100, ISO 800, f/2, 1/13s.

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“The challenge was to find a high-res-

olution projection system that would

not compromise on contrast and retain

the deep black background for star

projection. Our experience with the

installation and start-up of the ZEISS

VELVET system was a pleasant surprise.

After almost 30 years of using the

analog system, we now experience a

quantum leap.” Haydée Domic T., Di-

rectora Ejacutiva, Fundación Planetario

Santiago de Chile.

“The projection quality of the VELVET

system is unique. Blending between

the projectors is seamless, color and

brightness remain stable all the time.”

Werner Kiesle, Laupheim Planetarium.

“The installation of the VELVET System

from ZEISS represents a quantum

leap in design for the Mannheim

Planetarium. State-of-the-art image

and system quality and diverse produc-

tion possibilities in and in front of the

dome inspire and amaze our visitors

and the ambitious planetarium team.

With this modernization, we are well-

equipped to ensure our establishment‘s

future.” Dr. Christian Theis, Director

Mannheim Planetarium.

Confidence in Quality

University of Applied Sciences Aalen, Germany*

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Bangalore, India

Zeiss Planetarium Foerster Observatory Berlin, Germany

Zeiss-Großplanetarium Berlin, Germany

Zeiss Planetarium Bochum, Germany

Public Observatory and Zeiss-Planetarium Drebach, Germany

Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre (ESO) Garching, Germany

House of Astronomy Heidelberg, Germany

Observatory and Planetarium Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

Jakarta Planetarium Jakarta, Indonesia

Zeiss-Planetarium Jena, Germany

Cabinet of Astronomy and Physics Kassel, Germany

M.P. Birla Planetarium Kolkata, India

Planetarium and Observatory Kreuzlingen, Switzerland

Zeiss-Planetarium Laupheim, Germany

Civico Planetario Milan, Italy*

Mannheim Planetarium Mannheim, Germany

Modesto Junior College, Great Valley Museum Modesto CA, USA

German Museum Munich, Germany

Private Planetarium n.n.

ZEISS Forum and Museum of Optics Oberkochen, Germany

Planetario de la Universidad Santiago de Chile, Chile

Planetário do São Luís São Luís, Brazil

Carl-Zeiss-Planetarium Stuttgart, Germany

Tenggarong Planetarium Tenggarong, Indonesia

Zeiss-Planetarium Vienna, Austria*

Wolfsburg Planetarium Wolfsburg, Germany

UNIVERSARIUM VELVET in the Bochum Zeiss Planetarium (20-m dome)

* no fulldome

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Configuration Examples

2-channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome center

3D view

Projection fields, non-overlapping

Dome diameter: 8 m to 12 m (26 ft to 40 ft)

Planetarium projector: SKYMASTER ZKP 4, ZKP 3 and others

Lens: DIGIGON 178

2-channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome periphery

3D view Projection fields, non-overlapping

Dome diameter: 4.5 m to 12 m (15 ft to 40 ft)

Planetarium projector: none

Lens: DIGIGON 108

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5-channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome periphery

3D view Projection fields, non-overlapping

Dome diameter: 12 m to 18 m (40 ft to 60 ft)

Planetarium projector: none

Lens: DIGIGON 50-72.5 Vario

8-channel VELVET fulldome projection from the dome periphery, off-center projection

3D view Projection fields, non-overlapping

Dome diameter: 18 m to 25 m (60 ft to 82 ft)

Planetarium projector: STARMASTER ZMP, UNIVERSARIUM Modell IX and others

Lens: DIGIGON 50-72.5 Vario

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Carl Zeiss AGPlanetarium Division07740 JENA, GERMANY

Phone: +49 3641 642406 Fax: +49 3641 643023E-mail: planetarium@zeiss.com www.zeiss.com/planetariums

Technical Data

VELVET projector

Image format / Resolution WQXGA / 2 560 x 1 600, native

Display technology LVDS DMD™ with DarkChip3™ ZEISS True Black Projection Technology

Brightness 2 500 lm

Contrast ratio (on-off, static) 2 500 000 : 1

Color rendition 30 bit RGB (3x 10 bit)

Width x height x depth approx. 674 mm x 729 mm x 500 mm, incl. lens and mount

Lamps 2x 330 W P-P-VIP, 1500 h (nominal life time, eco-mode 2000 h)

Inputs DisplayPort digital RGB (no internal scaler), RJ45 TCP/IP network

VELVET fulldome system

Projection field 360° x 180° (± approx.15°)

Dome reflectivity 30% bis 60% recommended (project specific)

Dome diameter Configuration examples1)

4.5 m to 12 m Dome diameter 8 m to 12 m 4.5 m to 12 m

Star projector2) no yes

Number of projectors 2 2

Projector arrangement periphery center

Dome tilt 0° – 30° 0°

Dome resolution (approx.) 2.6 k 2.6 k

Pixel size in arcmin (approx.) 3.9 3.9

12 m to 18 m Dome diameter 12 m to 18 m 12 m to 18 m

Star projector3) no yes

Number of projectors 5 6

Projector arrangement periphery periphery

Dome tilt 0° – 30° 0° – 30°

Dome resolution (approx.) 4.5 k 4.7 k

Pixel size in arcmin (approx.) 2.3 2.2

18 m bis 25 m Dome diameter 18 m to 23 m 18 m to 23 m 20 m to 25 m 20 m to 25 m

Star projector3) no yes no yes

Number of projectors 7 8 | 9 9 9 | 10

Projector arrangement periphery periphery periphery periphery

Dome tilt 0° – 30° 0° – 30° 0° – 30° 0° – 30°

Dome resolution (approx.) 5 k 5 k | 5.7 k 5.7 k 5.7 k | 6 k

Pixel size in arcmin (approx.) 2.1 2.1 | 1.9 1.9 1.9 | 1.8

1) Recommendations, other configurations with additional projectors for higher resolution and brightness possible in coordination with ZEISS.2) If a two-channel VELVET system is intended to be combined with a planetarium projector (i.e. an optical-mechanical star projector), the VELVET

projectors will be installed at the dome center rather than at the periphery. 3) For a combination of a multichannel VELVET system with a star projector, the number of VELVET projectors needed increases (as a rule, by one

more projector).

Image on front page: Planetary nebula NGC 6302, courtesy of: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team (STScI-2009-25).