Electrosonic Crafts Projection Solution For The Weather Channel’s New HD Set

Electrosonic Systems Inc. (Electrosonic) teamed with Jack Morton Worldwide/Production Design Group (PDG) in Manhattan to provide design and equipment integration for a custom rear projection solution for The Weather Channel’s new HD set. The Atlanta-based cable network recently moved into a new building tailored for HD broadcasting; the new set made its on-air debut June 1st.

“Set space was at a premium, and we had to accommodate the Stewart house display screen which measures 100 inches high by 450 inches wide,” explains Jim Landy, Electrosonic’s business development manager. “It was critical that we not take up more set space; we had to stay within the limitations of its footprint. So Electrosonic and Large Screen Display Solutions devised a unique double-bounce rear projection mounting system using two mirrors.”

Electrosonic mounted three Christie HD8K projectors almost above screen level in a structurally-sound RP House accessible by ladder for maintenance. In the double-bounce system, the projectors fire forward hitting the first mirror. This light path then passes through a hole in the floor of the RP House to another large mirror directly below the projectors. The trio of Christie projectors, which are blended using using ChristieTwist™ image warping and blending, are processed using a Vista Systems Spyder to deliver an impressive big-screen HD image to Weather Channel viewers.

Jack Morton Worldwide/PDG designed the set. Andre Durette is vice president of the company and its senior design director; Joe Lamberta is one of the associate designers. Ross Karadjov was project manager for Electrosonic.