Projection technology

DLP

Lens features

User adjustable focus and centering

User Interface

Most interaction with the projector is with a hand-held remote control, much like a TV remote. The primary remote is backlit for use in a dark dome, and buttons are labeled with icons. This remote controls all aspects of the sky, your settings, and multi-media display.

No keyboard, mouse, monitor, or laptop is required. Using a remote control, all commands are at your fingertips anywhere in the dome.

You can also use our Universal Console™ software for elegant system control from multiple computing devices, including the Apple iPad®. The Universal Console software is included with all fixed dome purchases and is available as an optional add on for portable systems.

Stars

Over 11.5 million (Nomad catalog)

Internal Storage

1 TB (1000 GB). Used to store images, videos, data sets, and scripts on the system for your convenience. The Digitarium CU-1 control unit currently supports an additional 3 TB for add on data sets.

Software

The planetarium software used is Nightshade, maintained by Digitalis. Please download a version if you are curious.

Our Digitarium software platform allows very flexible image and video display. Place media on the dome where you want it in real time and even mirror it for better audience visibility. All distortion correction is done on the fly so you can easily show regular "rectangular" media on the dome. And of course, playing fulldome videos is a breeze.

Underlying everything is the open source Linux operating system, although this is completely hidden from you. Source code for all open source software used in the system is available to our customers.

Also included is a 1 TB USB drive with images and videos which complement our free lesson plans.

Multimedia Support

For increased flexibility you can project your own video or images. Simply copy your files to a USB drive and plug it into the system. You can also copy files to the large internal drive. MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 are our best supported video formats, although other codecs may work. Most image formats are supported.

This feature opens up your dome to any topic you might want to explore, even other subject areas besides astronomy. Free videos and images on countless topics are available on many websites, and you can also purchase third party pre-recorded planetarium shows.

Systems using the Digitarium CU-1 control unit output audio (for video soundtracks) through three audio jacks for full 5.1 channel surround sound (when your video file supports this). You supply a speaker system of your choice. For fixed systems, we can offer professional audio systems through Bowen Technovation.

Portable systems using the smaller Digitarium CU-S control unit support stereo output.

A video-in port allows you to project from a separate computer should you need to. This gives you complete projection control if you have special requirements.