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NEW Newtonian Projection System
Introducing Newtonian-1(TM) from Avela. It is a low-cost projection option to fisheye or other mirror systems. It is compact and lightweight for portable systems, and is a perfect solution for small planetariums who want to keep their existing mechanical-optical star projector and offer digital movie content. The special front-surface mirror is protected for travel by its integrated case. When opened, a secondary mirror is put into place and a high-resolution SXVGA+ or HD1080 projector is put on the shelf. The case sits on a stand with adjustable legs in the back of the dome... leaving the best seats in the house - the center - available for viewers! For fixed domes, it sits on the cove at the back bottom of your dome - out of the way for your star-only usage. Easy to travel, safe for the mirror, and will even carry on to most airplanes!
The Newtonian-1(TM) from Avela is the featured optical part of three of our packages: the "Discovery Dome 1400N", the "Discovery Dome 1920N" and the "Discovery Dome 1400M" (Mirrordome). (Each package includes a mated laptop, projector, projection software, and sound system). Together the entire projection system package runs for "a penny a pixel" (less than one cent for the 1920N; 1.1 c for 1400N; and 1.6 c for the 1400M). When you compare with other systems, don't just look at the pixels of their projector - compare the pixels actually projected!
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* Best Resolution (1920x1080: 1.6MP)
... or 1400x1050 (1.2 MP)
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* Best Price - a penny a projected pixel! |
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* Best Value under a Dome! |
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Complete System |
Type |
Resolution |
Lumens |
Contrast |
Price |
Discovery Dome 1400N |
DLP |
1400x1050 |
3300 |
2500:1 |
$13,790 |
Discovery Dome 1920N |
DLP |
1920x1080 |
1200 |
2500:1 |
$15,390 |
Discovery Dome 1400M |
DLP |
1400x1050 |
3300 |
2500:1 |
$17,985 |
Price includes laptop, mirror, stand, and software.
Check out our comparison page to see how these pixels and prices blow away the competition! |
How Does It Work?
The Newtonian system uses a high quality spherical mirror to reflect the image from a projector onto a dome. A secondary mirror allows the projector to sit below the main mirror, minimizing the "footprint" in the dome. Specially pre-warped shows play smoothly at high resolution for the "N" systems. For the "M" systems, any fisheye content can be shown without prewarping.
Advantages
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The complete projection system including all required hardware, laptop and software for only $US 13,790 ($15,390 for HD - and we use all 1920 pixels across)! A complete system includes:
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* Spherical front-surface mirror (1/4 sphere) |
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* 1400x1050 or HD (1920x1080) digital projector (LCD or DLP) |
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* Laptop: Windows or MacG4 (N) or Macbook Pro (M) |
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* Software: MediaSHOW (N) or Mirrordome (M) |
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* Stellarium astronomy program |
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| Flexibility |
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The Newtonian design can accommodate a much wider range of projectors than competing "in one box" systems. As projector or computer technology improves, it's easy to upgrade! High brightness projectors available for fixed domes up to 40 feet. |
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| Area |
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Our system gives more than 90% dome coverage at a fraction of the price! Since the Newtonian is positioned on the dome’s perimeter (in the back), the best seat in the house is now available: the center of your dome! This also maximizes seating capacity, which is particularly relevant for smaller and portable domes. No "center" piece to setup, you'll have less visual interference and get better immersive experience. |
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| Star Projectors |
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The system includes the powerful and flexible "Stellarium" star program. But you don't have to retire your existiing star projector! Since the Newtonian setup is in the rear and can be projected over the top of a star projector, it is possible for small domes to keep their existing mechanical-optical star projectors and go digital for less! |
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| Pixel Efficiency |
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Newtonian-1 is able to project more of your projectors pixels and brighter on your dome than a comparable fisheye projection solution for 4:3 projectors. |
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Fisheye Projection (59%) |
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Newtonian Projection (95% or more) |
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| Simple Setup |
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It is as simple as setting up a presentation projector to a laptop. Our projection system simply uses a high-end laptop to drive the system. Combined with a single projector and lightweight mirror, the system can be set up by a single person in under 20 minutes in any dome. Ideal for portable domes, small fixed domes, public outreach programs, and development works. |
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| Brightness Correction |
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The warping software uses an intensity mapping to correct for variable path lengths (and hence brightness) for different regions of the dome. The result is an even illumination across the entire dome. |
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| Software Bundle |
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The system is pre-installed with Stellarium and our easy-to-use "MediaSHOW" software (N systems) or the powerful "Mirrordome" (M systems). |
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