Video Processing and Blend Management

InA addition to physically aligning the projectors, a blendedwidescreen projection system needsrequires aboth wayproper toimage distributedistribution and projector edge blending. While these functions work together, they serve different purposes.

Video Processing and Image Overlap

A video processor or playback system is responsible for distributing the correct portions of the overall image to each projectorprojector, and manageincluding the overlappingshared areas.content in the overlap region.

ThisDepending canon the system, this may be accomplished through dedicated video processing hardware, playback software, or the projectors' built-in blending capabilities.

Some of the systems we may use include:using:

• Barco ImagePRO / ImagePRO Dual: Used for signal scaling, routing, and distributing portions of a larger image to multiple projectors. The exact overlap and blending capabilities depend on the model and system configuration.Dual

• Pixelhue Processors: Can be used to configure widescreen canvases, manage multiple projector outputs, and, on supported models, apply edge blending adjustments.processors

• Resolume Arena: Uses Advanced Output to divide a composition into multiple slices, map those slices to individual projectors, and apply edge blending.Arena

• ProPresenter:ProPresenter

  Supports

blended audience

These screens,systems allowingare used to establish the overall image canvas, configure output resolutions, and position the content toso span multiplethe projectors withdisplay adjustablethe correct portions of the image.

The overlap must be accounted for when calculating the total image resolution. The overlapping pixels are shared between adjacent projectors and do not contribute additional width to the final image.

Projector Edge Blending and Feathering

Once the images are properly positioned and aligned, the actual edge blending is performed within the projectors.

Each projector's internal blending controls are used to gradually reduce its light contribution across the overlapping area. This process, commonly called feathering, allows the two projected images to transition smoothly into one another without creating a noticeably brighter band.

Proper blending requires:

Accurate physical alignment of the projected images

Matching content in the overlap region

Correct blend region dimensions and positioning

Proper adjustment of the projector's internal blend curves

Brightness, color, and black-level matching as needed

The video processor establishes what each projector displays, while the projector's internal blending controls determine how the overlapping images transition into one another.

Although some processing and playback systems offer software-based blending, the standard workflow described here uses the projectors' internal edge-blending capabilities for feathering and brightness compensation.

Regardless of which system is used, the basic requirements remain the same:

Each projector must receive the correct portion of the overall image.

The images must share the appropriate overlapping content.

The physical overlap and the content overlap must match.

The overlapping areas must be adjusted to produce a consistent image across the screen.

It is important to understand the difference between distributing an image across multiple outputs and actually blending those outputs. A processor may handle the image sizing and distribution while the projectors themselves perform the edge blending. Other systems can handle both functions.

The equipment being used will determine where these adjustments are made.