Barco MCM-50, User Manual

Page: 91 / 147

11. Expert operation
Light output
Channel 1 Channel 2
Channel 1
Channel 1+2
Channel 2
Image 11-24
Without Soft Edge
Light output
Channel 1 Channel 2
Channel 1 Channel 2
Channel 1+2
Image 11-25
With Soft Edge
Next to blending, Soft Edge can also be used to blank parts of the image. This turns out to be extremely useful in applications where
mechanical constructions are blocking a part of the image (e.g. cockpit, mechanical supports, etc.).
Finally it is possible to match “full black” in the non overlap areas to “full black” in the overlap areas by making it a little brighter.
How does Electronic Soft Edge blending work?
The process of Soft Edge blending involves electronic manipulation of individual pixels to ensure the correct intensity depending on
its position in the speci fi ed blend zone. While adjusting Soft Edge a bitmap is created, having the native resolution of the device.
The value of each pixel of the image to be projected is multiplied by the value of the corresponding pixel on the bitmap before it is
displayed. This bitmap is called the internal Alpha Plane .
By performing Black Level adjustment, another bitmap is created, again having the native resolution of the device. The value of
each pixel on the bitmap is added to the value of the corresponding pixel of the image to be projected before it is displayed. This
bitmap is called the internal Beta Plane .
The advanced Soft Edge user interface in the OSD makes it possible to create the correct shape of the Soft Edge area in a fl exible
way. By using the Black Level user interface, only pixels outside the overlap areas as de fi ned with the Soft Edge user interface are
changed.
External Alpha and Beta Planes
It is also possible to create your own Alpha Plane and Beta Plane and upload it to the device. These “external” planes must meet
some rules:
• The bitmap resolution must be 1280 x 800 pixels; it is scaled up to 2560 x 1600 in the device;
• Only one Alpha Plane and one Beta Plane can be stored in the device. Uploading an Alpha Plane or a Beta plane overwrites
the original one if it was present;
• The external Alpha Plane must have exactly this name: alpha.tiff ;
• The external Beta Plane must have exactly this name: beta.tiff ;
• The external Alpha Plane accepts colored pixels;
• The external Beta Plane only accepts Black pixels, White pixels and Gray pixels.
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