VISUALIZATION

Fakespace Systems Inc. today announced the availability of a new version of its popular Beacon Projection technology, the Beacon DMSX+. The DMSX+ is a cost effective stereoscopic projector that provides both active and passive visualization at the same time, enabling users to choose active shutter glasses or lightweight polarized, passive glasses for viewing. Active projection is often used by small teams for optimal quality image reviews. For larger audiences, paper or plastic passive glasses offer a less costly alternative. The Beacon DMSX+ eliminates the need to invest in two different projection systems, or take time to make projector configuration changes to be able to accommodate large and small groups. At the core of a Beacon projector are two light engines that generate 1400 x 1050 resolution and 1,500 lumens of brightness each. Electronic shutters placed in front of each light engine alternate on and off in rapid succession to generate separate left eye and right eye images. When the Beacon shutters are synchronized with electronic shutter glasses, high quality active stereo images can be viewed. The Beacon dual mode version has integrated polarizing filters in the light path that then polarize the light to make the images compatible with passive stereo glasses. “Beacon DMSX+ was developed to meet the requirements of customers who need a cost-effective and flexible system without compromising image quality,” said Kurt Hoffmeister, Vice President of Engineering for Fakespace Systems. “This technology is ideal for joint research and classroom applications, and for users who must take their data on the road to trade events and for other group presentations.” The dual light engine design of a Beacon projector creates significant advantages over other projection technologies. Compared to active stereo based on three-chip DLP projection, the Beacon generates a higher level of brightness per eye. External shutter technology can be purchased to create passive stereo with DLP projectors, however this option decreases brightness and increases total price. The Beacon DMSX+ has active and passive capability built in and is approximately 30 percent less costly than the price of a 2,000 lumen DLP stereo projector. The Beacon DMSX+ can also electronically switch between the active/passive dual stereo mode to a passive stereo only mode where brightness per eye is double that of the dual mode brightness. Compared to polarized projection systems, the alternate light engine shuttering of Beacon DMSX+ improves overall image quality. Since the image for only one eye is on the screen at one time, there is no crosstalk ghosting of images, which can occur with polarized systems where both images are on the screen all the time. Further, image contrast improves when only one image is on the screen at a time. Beacon DMSX+ is now available as a projector or as part of a total Fakespace visualization solution. An optional hard travel case is available for portable applications.