Christie Mirage M Series User manual

Using 3D in Mirage
013-100195

Christie Digital Systems Inc. Using 3D in Mirage i
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2005 Christie Digital Systems, Inc.
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including, but not limited to, implied warranties of fitness for a particular
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indicators, screens, and maintenance drawings are provided to enhance
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Christie Digital Systems Inc. Using 3D in Mirage iii
Table of Contents
ABOUT THIS GUIDE 1
1. OVERVIEW 3
1.1. What Do I Need for Stereo 3D? 3
2. QUICK START – BASIC SETUP 5
3. MIRAGE 3D STEREO SYNC CABLE 7
3.1. Active and Passive Stereo 3D Configurations 8
4. STEREO 3D SETUP AND OPTIMIZATION 11
4.1. Stereo 3D Setup Options 11
4.2. Setup Diagrams 12
Basic Setup 12
Basic Setup with CRT Monitor 13
High Performance Setup 13
High performance Setup with CRT Monitor 14
4.3. Optimization Procedures 14
Navigating to the Simulation 3D Submenu 15
3D Stereo Sync Locking Options 15
Enable Frame Lock 16
Display the Test Pattern 16
Match the Projector to the CRT Monitor 16
Optimize the Frame Delay 16
Optimize the Stereo Sync Delay 17
Optimize the Stereo Dark Interval 18
5. 3D SOURCE REQUIREMENTS 19
APPENDIX A: TROUBLESHOOTING 21
APPENDIX B: UNDERSTANDING THE PROJECTOR
ADJUSTMENTS 22
APPENDIX C: VRCO TEST PATTERN SOFTWARE SETUP 27
5.1. Download the CAVELib_EOE software 27
5.2. Unix Installation 27
Install CAVELib_EOE 27
Install Christie-Supplied Program Scripts 28
Test the Test Pattern 28
5.3. Windows Installation 29
Install CAVELib_EOE 29
Install Christie-Supplied Program Scripts 29
Test the Test Pattern 30
INDEX 35

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Christie Digital Systems Inc. Using 3D in Mirage 1
About This Guide
This guide describes the setup and operation of 3D Stereo displays using
Christie’s Mirage projectors. It explains the various functions of the display
solution and points to additional information in related manuals.
You will also find information about optimizing 3D stereo separation for the
left and right eyes using CAVELIB_EOE software test utility from VRCO.
• Overview
• Quick Start
• Mirage 3D Stereo Sync Cable
• Stereo 3D Setup and Optimization
• 3D Source Requirements
• Appendix A: Troubleshooting
• Appendix B: Understanding the Projector Adjustments
• Appendix C: VRCO Test Pattern Software Setup
• Contact and Support Information

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Christie Digital Systems Inc. Using 3D in Mirage 3
1. Overview
A single Mirage projector can automatically display stereographic 3D images
as described below. Such images require a specialized video signal source as
well as additional hardware and software in order to be displayed and
interpreted correctly in a typical 3D stereo viewing environment.
In simple terms, images generated from a stereo 3D-video source consist of a
series of images (frames or fields) that alternate quickly between two slightly
different viewpoints corresponding to our left and right eyes. When these
frames are displayed fast enough and viewed with special stereo glasses
synchronized to the left/right (L/R) changes, the resulting perceived image
can appear with the same depth and perspective we sense in the real world.
NOTE: The type of special glasses can be active stereo or passive stereo glasses
depending on the type of stereo controllers and screen used.
1.1. What Do I Need for Stereo 3D?
Stereo 3D applications require a stereo 3D-capable source, few special
hardware/software setups described here, and the Mirage projector’s 3D
Simulation submenu options to control the projector’s processing,
synchronizing and displaying of your stereographic 3D source material.
Note: Christie’s Stereo 3D™ Interface Module used with earlier SXGA Mirage
2000/4000/5000/6000 models is not compatible with Mirage S+ models.
Note: Mirage projectors support plug ‘n play graphics cards through EDI-D
functionality as described in the Roadster/Mirage S+ User’s Manual.
HARDWARE:
• Christie’s Mirage S+ projector
• Christie’s 3D Stereo Sync Cable (recommended; ensures minimum
frame delay). This GPIO cable is standard with all Mirage
projectors.
• A source, usually a computer with a stereo 3D graphics card capable
of displaying progressive scan (alternating frames) of OpenGL
(quadbufffered) stereo 3D applications (suggested cards include
ATI’s FireGL, nVIDIA’s QuadroFX, SGI InfiniteReality, and
others), and running under Windows (2000, XP), Linux, IRIX, HPUX,
OSX or Solaris operating systems.
• Stereo-sync emitter for controlling active shutter glasses such as
those by StereoGraphics, NuVision or equivalent.
or
StereoGraphics Z-screen equipment consisting of a polarizing
preserving screen and Z-screen eyewear.
SOFTWARE:
• VRCO CAVELIB_EOE software or similar. See Appendix C for
more information.

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2. Quick Start – Basic Setup
If a 2-frame delay or more is acceptable for your application, the 3D Stereo
Sync Cable may not be needed. Instead, connect your video source’s stereo
3D sync output directly to your emitter or Z-screen PZE device.
Note: This basic setup is recommended only for 2 or more frame delay immersive
systems. For alternative setups, see 4.1.
Figure 1. Quick start configuration, no cable, CRT
This quick start configuration requires the following Simulation 3D submenu
adjustments:
• Set 3D Stereo Sync Locking to Off.
• Adjust Dark Interval to overcome the shutter speed difference
between the projector and the LCD glasses.
• Adjust Frame Delay if the L/R frames are inverted.

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3. Mirage 3D Stereo Sync Cable
Most applications produce the best stereo 3D results when using the 3D
Stereo Sync Cable provided with your Mirage projector (see below). This
GPIO cable provides the means for synchronizing the various components in
your 3D system with a guarantee of minimum frame delay. Your source,
projector display output, and emitters or Z-screens can then operate together
with precision to minimize cross-talk and color artifacts. Typically one 3D
Stereo Sync Cable can synchronize all glasses or gating devices in a
projection array. Connect as shown below.
Figure 2 Mirage 3D Stereo Sync Cable
TWO STEREO 3D SYNC INPUTS Connect your video card’s stereo 3D sync
cable to either INPUT A or INPUT B on the 3D Stereo Sync Cable. These
inputs are identical and allow you to connect two different Stereo 3D sources
and conveniently switch the display back-and-forth between them.
ONE STEREO 3D SYNC OUTPUT Connect the 3D Stereo Sync Cable output to
your stereo 3D sync emitter or Z-screen PZE device. The L/R switching of
the device can then be synchronized according to the controlling signal of
choice—either the source input signal or the projector’s output signal—as set
in the projector’s Simulation 3D menu.
The Stereo cable is required if your configuration includes one of the
following factors:
• Synchronizing to a PC monitor.
• Synchronizing multiple projectors for a blended screen.

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Notes: 1) If a 2-frame delay (or more) is acceptable for your application, or if your
graphics card or application support eye reversal, the 3D Stereo Sync Cable is not
needed. Instead connect your video source’s stereo 3D sync output directly to your
emitter or Z-screen PZE device. 2) In earlier units, cable may not be exactly as
shown.
3.1. Active and Passive Stereo 3D Configurations
Typical hardware configurations for active and passive Stereo 3D systems
are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. Full hardware descriptions follow the
illustrations.
Figure 3. Typical Stereo 3D Configuration: With Active Glasses
Figure 4. Typical Stereo 3D Configuration: With Passive Glasses

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APPROPRIATE STEREO 3D SOURCE: Use stereo 3D application software with
your 3D video source (usually a workstation or PC). The source must also
provide a separate stereo 3D synchronization signal that precisely controls
when left/right fields are visible through the viewer’s glasses (usually a
VESA 3-pin connector port).
3D STEREO SYNC CABLE: Since the projector has a variable delay, using a
simple inverter is not required. Instead, use the projector’s 3D Simulation
submenu to adjust the stereo sync delay to match the latency through the
projector. Connect the 3D Stereo Sync Cable and choose the proper setting in
the projector’s 3D Simulation submenu.
Stereo 3D displays will usually require adjustment of Frame Delay, which
can be approximately 1-3 frames set in 1-line increments. If the delay is 1
frame or 3 frames, it needs correction (i.e., reversal of frames), otherwise
image display intended for one eye would be fully delayed and seen by the
other—images would lose their perspective and stereo 3D quality. If your
stereo 3D source cannot invert the signal, thereby synchronizing the left/right
(L/R) shutters in your 3D glasses or z-screen with the corresponding images
displayed by the projector, you can invert by using the 3D Stereo Sync Cable
and the proper 3D Stereo Sync Lock setting in the 3D Simulation submenu.
Either configuration ensures that shutter changes in the glasses or z-screen
allow each eye to receive the image data intended for it, regaining the stereo
3D effect in the display. You can lock the R/L signal to either the input or the
output, inverted or not.
IR EMITTER: In response to an incoming sync signal, this device emits L/R
infrared signals to a receiver in active 3D shutter glasses, causing their L/R
shutters to alternately open and close for active stereo 3D applications.
Connecting one of the 3D Stereo Sync Cable outputs to an emitter allows you
to synchronize the emitter’s IR signal with your stereo 3D display.
GLASSES (ACTIVE/PASSIVE): Active glasses differ in speed/performance—
consult the documentation for your glasses and keep their specifications in
mind when reconfiguring your source signal. The input signal must be
optimized for the available shutter speed in order to prevent obvious
“ghosting” of image content (known as cross-talk in stereo 3D applications)
as well as other more subtle color artifacts. Such problems indicate that the
eyes are detecting portions of the opposing frame due to an “out-of-sync”
system, and can occur in either active or passive stereo 3D configurations.
Adjust the Dark Interval setting to reduce ghosting.
In the Simulation 3D menu, the correct “3D Stereo Sync Delay” setting
should help to synchronize glasses with the displayed images. See also
Appendix B: Understanding the Projector Adjustments for examples of well-
synchronized systems.
NOTE: In a passive system, where glasses do not have shutters and instead depend
on the speed and accuracy of the Pi Cell polarizer (z-screen), the signal must be
synchronized to the projector via the 3D Stereo Sync Cable.

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4. Stereo 3D Setup and Optimization
This chapter includes the following information:
• Stereo 3D Setup Options (Table)
• Setup Diagrams
• Optimization Procedures
4.1. Stereo 3D Setup Options
A basic setup without the Mirage 3D Stereo Sync cable will typically have
two or more frame delays. A high performance setup—with the Mirage 3D
Stereo Sync cable—allows you to set the projector as close to one frame
delay as possible.
Notes:1) Additional frame delay in basic setup can be avoided if either the graphics
card or software supports stereo eye reversal. 2)The projector’s frame delay cannot
be adjusted unless the Frame Lock Enable checkbox is checked.
Four sample options for setting up Stereo 3D on the Mirage projector are
outlined in the Table below. Diagrams for these setup options follow the
Table, in section 4.2. Setup Diagrams. Instructions for each optimization
“step” are detailed in 4.3. Optimization Procedures.
Component
Connections
Frame
Delay on
CRT
Frame Delay on
Projector
Dark Interval GPIO (3D
Stereo Sync
Locking)
Additional Information
Basic Setup – quick setup, high latency
Basic (no GPIO, no
CRT). See Figure 5
below.
Step 1a. Adjust if
L/R frames are
inverted.
Step 1b. Optimize
with test pattern.
Step 2. Adjust to
overcome speed
difference
between
projector and
LCD glasses
Default: Off No emitter control.
Non-optimized stereo,
optimization may not
remove all ghosting.
Higher latency.
Not recommended for
immersive or simulation
environments.1
Basic Setup with CRT (optimizing with CRT always increases the frame delay, use these option only when necessary)
Basic plus CRT2(No
GPIO). See Figure 6
below.
Step 1.
Match
Projector to
CRT
Step 2. Adjust to
reduce ghosting
Default: Off High latency, due to
matching to CRT.
Non-optimized stereo,
optimization may not
remove all ghosting.
1Optimization in an immersive environment will generally not use an auxiliary CRT. CRT
automatically increases the display latency by as much as 1 frame.
2A monitor used for optimizing must be a CRT. LCD monitors generally are not fast enough
to display stereo 3D.

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Component
Connections
Frame
Delay on
CRT
Frame Delay on
Projector
Dark Interval GPIO (3D
Stereo Sync
Locking)
Additional Information
High Performance
Basic plus GPIO
cable (no CRT). See
Figure 7 below.
Step 2. Optimize
with test pattern.
Step 3. Adjust
for interaction
with stereo
shutter glasses
or z-screen
Step 1. Select
option 3, sync
to vertical
output, locked
and inverted
High performance, less
latency or delay.
High Performance, increased latency due to CRT
Basic plus CRT and
GPIO. See Figure 8
below.
Step 2.
Match
projector to
CRT
Step 4. Optimize
with test pattern
Step 3. Adjust to
reduce ghosting
Step 1. Select
option 5, sync
to input signal,
unlocked and
inverted
High performance,
increased latency due to
optimization with CRT
Multiple projectors
1. When working with multiple projectors and a blended display, set up the master projector using one of the High
Performance options noted above.
2. Slave projectors can be set up using the Basic method. Essentially, once the master projector is set up, set the frame
delay to match, and then fine tune these settings as necessary.
4.2. Setup Diagrams
Basic Setup
Figure 5. Basic setup

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Basic Setup with CRT Monitor
Figure 6. Basic setup with CRT monitor
High Performance Setup
This setup requires the use of the Mirage 3D Stereo Sync cable.
Figure 7. High performance setup

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High performance Setup with CRT Monitor
This setup requires the use of the Mirage 3D Stereo Sync cable.
Figure 8. High performance setup with CRT Monitor
4.3. Optimization Procedures
The optimization steps outlined in this section are all performed with a stereo
3D test pattern. For best results, refer to the Setup Options table on page 11
to determine which steps to complete and in what order. Each step in the
table has a corresponding short procedure in this section.
This section includes the following procedures:
• Navigating to the Simulation 3D submenu
• 3D Stereo Sync Locking Options
• Enable Frame Lock.
• Display the Test Pattern
• Match projector to CRT
• Optimize the Frame Delay
• Optimize the Stereo Sync Delay
• Optimize the Dark Interval.