GSCA International
Conference and Trade Show
Dome Day in Vancouver,
BC
September 13, 2019
CONTACT: Tammy
Seldon, Executive Director
Email: tammy@giantscreencinema.com
phone: 919.346.1123
Expression of Interest Due February 25, 2019
The GSCA’s 2019 Annual International Conference and Trade Show will be held in Victoria,
BC. One day at the conference will be set aside for the GSCA to address dome specific
content: “Dome Day” will be held at Science World at TELUS World of Science
(“Science World” for the remainder of this document) in Vancouver, BC.
The GSCA’s Technology Committee is considering whether to include the presentation
of technology options that are unique to the dome, at Dome Day 2019.
The GSCA is seeking
information from parties who are interested in showcasing their dome projection
technology at Dome Day. The stage is yours to share your company’s innovative
technology and presentations. One goal of Dome Day is to demonstrate a digital
dome system that meets the current or aspirational standards for excellence in
dome display, as specified by the GSCA’s Digital Immersive Giant Screen
Specification (DIGSS).
The technologies and
features we seek to include are listed below.
A. Technologies, Features & Content Desirable
to Present
1. Since 2014, the GSCA has been demonstrating
the latest in digital dome projection technology that has the potential to
replace a 15/70 film system. These demos have illustrated 6K and True8K
fulldome display systems and 3 projector partial dome ~6K systems using
lamp-based and laser-illuminated systems. It is the overarching intention of
the Technical Committee to present the latest technological developments in
this year’s demo and not to repeat what has been done in prior years. With so
many excellent presentations at past GSCA events, we are prepared to forego any digital dome technology presentation
at Dome Day 2019 if no proposal offers (i) a substantially improved
option compared to past years’ presentations and (ii) a technology development
that will not have been seen elsewhere by the majority of conference delegates
by September 2019.
2. A projection system that can display an
image that covers approximately the same screen area as that of a 15/70 film
projector (180 degrees horizontally, approximately 135 degrees vertically).
This may also include the entire dome surface. Note the extraordinary size of
Science World’s OMNIMAX screen - see Section
B on the next page.
3. The following are recommended performance
metrics, informed by DIGSS. The projection system should: be no less than 4K
resolution, with 8K resolution desired, with a display aspect ratio of ~1.43:1
or 1:1 (fulldome); achieve minimum white luminance of 3 fL in the center of the
dome, with corner-to-center luminance uniformity over the screen surface of at
least 70%; have a sequential image contrast ratio of no less than 1500:1.
4. The system should be able to present HDR
content and HFR content. The GSCA is
particularly interested in HDR as one of the technological developments
expected to positively impact the quality of dome (and flat) screen
presentations.
5. A laser-illuminated solution is required.
6. The content presented must include live
action GS documentary content (e.g. trailers or clips from finished films)
presented in a digital dome format that meets the above specifications, AND for
comparison, some of the same content in 15/70 film. Not required at this RFI
stage, but before a vendor is selected for its dome technology demonstration
after the formal proposal stage, it must provide a plan for the content it expects
to show.
7. The selected vendor shall also be prepared
to present an overview of the general availability of GS films for its platform
and the typical costs to distributors and theaters to make digital prints
available, and, the typical set of building changes required to support the the
installation of vendor’s digital dome system for theaters that are
transitioning from 15/70 film.
8. The projection system should also demonstrate
its ability to display alternative content using peripheral signal sources,
including: licensed content on Blu-ray or DVD; PowerPoint presentations or
other licensed content from a computer; planetarium content from a fulldome
vendor server; HFR content; HDR content. Other content that demonstrates flexibility
for ancillary content wil be welcome too
9. 3D dome display or content is not expected nor
desired.
10. The digital dome system selected for the
demonstration may also be used to present giant screen films scheduled for Dome
Day provided the selected party is prepared to transform GS films for playback
on its system at no charge to the GSCA or distributors.
B. About Science World’s OMNIMAX® Theatre
The 400-seat Theatre is equipped with an
OMNIMAX 15/70 film projector. It has a screen diameter of 88.6 feet (27 meters),
making it the largest IMAX Dome/OMNIMAX theater in the world. It opened in 1985
as a preview center for Expo ’86. After a 2.5-year post-Expo closure period, it
re-opened in 1989 with the grand opening of Science World British Columbia. The
screen area is 180° horizontally and 165° vertically. Dome tilt is 30°. The
screen has a low gain of .38, typical of all GS domes. It has a traditional
IMAX audio system with six full range channels plus a subwoofer. It does not
have 5.1 decoding capability; however, it is possible to patch a 5.1 processor
into the system via the patch bay. There is also a separate two-channel PA
sound system which could be used instead. As-built drawings of the Theatre (plan
and section views) can be supplied via .PDF to qualified interested parties.
The supply of mechanical and electrical services to support the temporary
projection system(s) can be explored on a case-by-case basis with interested
parties. Note: Any electrical connections must be done by an licensed electrician.
An upper projection booth does not exist, however there is considerable open
space at the upper rear of the Theatre where equipment could be temporarily
located. Power and connections are limited in the
large open upper space in the Theatre, but there is an electrical room at the
mid-level of the Theatre and it is possible to run additional power from there.
As noted elsewhere in the document, an electrician would be required to provide
hook-ups to the electrical panel. Details of the integrators’ proposed
system designs will have to be reviewed with Science World.
To facilitate the
set-up of equipment for this presentation, Science World is prepared to close
its OMNIMAX Theatre to the public:
- September 3–6 after 4 pm
- All day September 9 (though there is work scheduled on
seats, etc. in the theatre, so it may be possible to work on a demo set-up
at the same time.)
- September 10 and 11 after 4 pm
- Possibly September 10 and 11, if
required, to facilitate a demo. It is their preference to hear from
vendors what time they need and see if we can facilitate that, than offer
up a slate of dates that we’ll commit to being closed to the public.
All closures will
be subject to the approval of the Science World.
A site visit is not necessary before responding to this
RFI. However, seriously interested parties must arrange a site visit of the
Theatre before submitting final proposals
to the GSCA.
C. What GSCA Is Requesting
- From the list in Section A,
tell us what your company would be interested in showcasing. Preference
will be given to those vendors who can best meet the GSCA’s specifications
for giant dome digital display, documented in DIGSS 2.0.
http://www.giantscreencinema.com/Member-Center/DIGSS
- State what technological innovations your company will be
presenting and describe why this proposed demonstration will be different
from past digital dome presentations.
- The amount of time to install and breakdown and implications (i.e.,
Theatre must be closed, must be installed in a booth, etc.)
- Level of sponsorship/financial support your company is willing to
provide the GSCA to showcase your technology.
- Any vendor providing equipment must provide liability insurance and
insure their equipment, as well as provide adequate safety measures for
delegates.
- Any additional expectations of the GSCA or the host site.
D. Process
Any questions or
clarifications can be directed to Tammy Seldon, GSCA Executive Director, by
email (tammy@giantscreencinema.com) or phone (1-919-346-1123). Please submit
your initial
expression of interest to Tammy Seldon by email no later than February 25, 2019. A due date for final
proposals will be advised later, once we have a better idea of the level of
interest by integrators and manufacturers, including the need for—and timing of—potential
site visits, and once we understand the technology developments which may be
presented and the need for pursuing a technology demonstration at Dome Day
2019.