Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Compatibility with existing infrastructure 1.a. Projection system must consist of two cove-mounted projectors to fit 38’ domed screen with 10 degree tilt and 160 degree field of view 1.b. Planetarium software must tie into the existing AstroFX lighting system to control theater, emergency, and cove lights. 1.c. The planetarium software must tie into the existing 5.2 Bowen digital surround sound system, including separate sound channels for voice and music. 2. Transferability of existing curriculum 2.a. Fulldome shows: Preinstall fulldome shows currently licensed by Pierce College (see appendix I) on the new projection system at a resolution congruent with the new projection system resolution. (specify which shows in the list will/will not be provided) 2.a.i. Convert approximately 400 Digistar 5 scripts to be compatible with the new planetarium software and pre-install them on the system. This includes approximately 100 Digistar Show Builder scripts and 300 scripts written by Pierce College staff with an average of 150 lines of code (varies from 20-2200). 3. Projection System 3.a. The projection system shall be capable of full-dome projection with a 360 degree by 160 degree (to match dome) field of view 3.b. The two projector system shall include seamless integration and alignment. 3.c. The two projector system shall include the option to purchase an automatic blending system so that the optical blending is unnoticeable in both light and dark scenes (specify cost options and advantages). This may be purchased at the time of installation or at a later date. 3.d. The projection system shall be capable of projecting full-dome images with a native 4k (4096 x 2160) resolution, a minimum of 10,000 lumens and a contrast ratio up to 20,000:1 with commercial grade projectors. 3.e. Image/Show Generation and Display 3.e.i. The platform shall be able to play commercial full-dome shows with ability to pause, continue and stop playing/random access 3.e.ii. The platform shall allow for the creation of automated shows with the use of a GUI; in-depth knowledge of computer programming languages should not be necessary 3.e.iii. The platform shall allow for operation in three modes for presentation: 1. The automatic play-back of pre-programmed or pre-rendered shows (compiled or imported) with the capability of manual override 2. Manual, presenter-led real-time operations 3. Any combination of the two operation modes above 3.e.iv. The system should have the ability to stream an external source on to the dome (laptop, telescope feed, DVD player, etc). 4. Production Suite 4.a. Elements for show compilation should include, but are not limited to: i. Planetarium elements ii. Still images, all sky images iii. Panorama images iv. Full-dome video v. Video vi. Text/labels (individual words up to full paragraphs, with formatting tools; titling capability) vii. Audio viii. External control commands for lighting, special effects 4.b. The production system should include a separate computer with the planetarium software in addition to the main system for offline show development. 4.c. The system should be able to create and display open caption subtitles for fulldome shows. 5. Control System 5.a. The control system should have easily accessible controls for sound and lighting 5.b. A wireless remote control or web-based interface with the ability to start and stop pre-recorded shows and the ability to manipulate planetarium elements
