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

1. 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
2. State what technological innovations your company will be presenting and describe why this proposed demonstration will be different from past digital dome presentations.
3. The amount of time to install and breakdown and implications (i.e., Theatre must be closed, must be installed in a booth, etc.)
4. Level of sponsorship/financial support your company is willing to provide the GSCA to showcase your technology.
5. Any vendor providing equipment must provide liability insurance and insure their equipment, as well as provide adequate safety measures for delegates.
6. 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.