New Moving Video Projection System

[Speng]

Check out the this bit of kit from Highend Lights: Catalyst (http://www.highend.com/products/catalyst/catalyst.html)
It allows you to project your image anywhere in three-dimensional space with it?s orbital movement system. Have a look at the website to find out more. This bit of kit is very expensive almost ?30,000 not including the projector needed to run it which will set you back about the same amount again. Take it from me that it is very impressive, I have seen 2 of them running at an event I was working at a little while ago.

[Speng]

I think they have been in the USA for more than a year but only made it over to the UK about 6 months ago. What do you mean by an A.E system?

[karmavideo]

I just had remembered the documentation I looked at when it was first released saying something about propritary after effects software but able to be controlled like a light

Here, from their web site....

Standard Features & Accessories for Catalyst?
FEATURES:
? Rack unit containing Apple Mac? G4 (with Catalyst software preloaded and configured) and interface hardware
? Smooth, micro-stepped 250? (axis 1) x 360? (axis 2) movement
? Connection to projector, video wall, and LED panels via BNC component video with integral distribution amplifier
? Still image and movie playback from hard drive
? DV input via Firewire interface, other external video using third-party format converters
? Content created in Final Cut Pro?, After Effects?, and Photoshop? can be input directly into Catalyst
? Uses Apple? Quicktime? technology for compatibility with a wide variety of image and movie formats
? Control using DMX512 from any moving light console
? Remote control of projector focus and zoom with optional accessories
? Adjustable beam shape
? Real-time control
? Rotation of image and movies in three planes
? Scaling of image and movies in three planes
? Visual effects: Invert, Wobble, and Tiling
? Adjustable masking effects
? Movie frame and playback direction controls
? Color mixing
? Gradient color (fountain fills)
? Includes image libraries:
- High End Systems? lithos
- DHA? gobos
- Artbeats? footage
- Digital Juice Ambient Loops

Would love to have one :nod:

[charlielangridge]

It is an interesting feature, but from chats with high-end, It's only for the barco series projctors, they may have updated it since plasa, but otherwise it's a very pricey option. Another system, which imho is more fun is the moving head projector from Amptown.

[Speng]

I have copied this from the Highend website:

Orbital Movement
1. What projectors can I use with the Catalyst mirror head?

Ideally, the Catalyst mirror head should be used with Rental/Staging projectors manufactured by Barco, Christie Digital, or Digital Projection. These manufacturers have mounting/rigging points on the projectors that facilitate mirror head mounting. Other projectors can be used, but a piece of box truss or creation of a custom mount might be required.

The following projectors have been successfully used with the Catalyst mirror head:

Barco

SLM G5

ELM R12

ELM R10

9300 Reality

Christie Digital - Note: you will need to use the hexagonal stand-offs provided in the hardware kit.

Roadie S6

Roadie S12

Digital Projection - Note: you will need to use the hexagonal stand-offs provided in the hardware kit.

Lighting 15 SX

[bluntfaktory]

i just went to an open house at a production company , and they showed that system your talking about . it pretty cool but the only really interesting thing it does is automatically adjust the keystone and focus as the image moves around the room. it works through an manual interface run through programming hooked up through a G4 tower . it was cool but the techy showing it was just a lighting guy with a new toy to add to his rig , sitting behind gear that cost stupid money . however , he had just finished doing the Peter Gabrielle world tour and that i heard was amazing . the "tip" was to just wait , in a few years , say 5 or so , and they'll be affordable versions out there .

[scopi]

the rental company i use has several catalyst units...

they can be controlled real time with a lighting desk via DMX and you don't have to use the G4 at all..

might get to play with them one day.. =)

[VjDeranged]

there used to be a video projetion system maybe 8-9 yrs ago called "THE THING" or something like that which had 3 mirrors on front of the lenses much like intellabeam lights...
dunno what happened to that

[bluntfaktory]

http://www.highend.com/products/catalyst/catalyst.html
this is the system i looked at , but you'll notice this it is run by a side mounted G4 , nicely boxed up in that control travel case . why would they include that on there web site if it wasn't needed to control it ? :smurf:

[Speng]

The computer is there to playback the video clips. There is the controll unit that is connected to the cumputer via its USB port. A DMX lighting desk is then connected to the controll unit which allows you to select video clips and add effects from the lighting desk. The desk is also used to controll the mirror head and keystone but you don't need to use the controller for this. So in theory you could have any computer etc feeding the projector and the lighting desk just used for controlling the mirror head and keystone.

[bluntfaktory]

does the computure need any specical software ? or does it just go with any video out signal ? :smurf: :smurf: :smurf:

[Woodyfang]

that Amptown system looks pretty cool, cheap & cheerfull! I found a PDF for anyone interested:

http://www.amptown-lichttechnik.de/ControLite/Moving_Yoke_Project2_e.pdf

Catalyst is very cool... I haven't used it but have done a fair bit of research on it.. There are various ways of controlling the system - It can be run directly from a computer, or a combination of lighting desk and computer, or combination of lighting desk & a rack unit (if i understand their literature correctly).
The ideal setup is using High End's Wholehog II/III lighing desk to control the unit (this desk is absolutely sick...), although as the desk costs some ?30k-?40k its fairly prohibitive

I would use Catalyst to project 3d moving images, where the movement of the beam is synced up with the movement of the animation to create a very realistic illusion of movement around the room.