Warper4K
Warp Processor
The Warper4K-DP is a low latency, general purpose warp processor, suitable for applications to “re-shape” video prior to a display device. This re-shaping may be prior to a projector, or to “undo” the video shaping intended for a projector, prior to a flat panel display. The Warper4K-DP is available with 1 to 5 I/O channels.
Features
Process up to 5 video streams
Process up to (5) video streams and outputs up to (5) display devices
DisplayPort resolutions up to 4K
Each I/O can support resolutions up to 4096×2400, including UHD (3840×2160)
Powerful processing capabilities
Supports geometric correction, edge blending and uniformity gain and bias adjustments (available in future revisions)
Applications
Distortion correction for high resolution projectors
Processing video for a projector into video for a IOS monitor
High resolution, edge-blended displays
Display Interfaces and Control
Geometric Correction
Forward Mesh
Correction formed with a mesh representing fixed points in the input space and where they are mapped in the output space.
Mesh sizes are 2×2, 3×3, 5×5, 9×9, and 17×17. Mesh points can be either inside or outside the output active area.
Inverse Mesh
Correction formed with a mesh representing fixed points in the output space and where they are mapped in the input space.
Mesh sizes are 2×2, 3×3, 5×5, 9×9, and 17×17. Mesh points can be either inside or outside the input active area.
Native Correction Coordinates
Each output pixel is derived from a “mapped” location relative to the input space. Correction coordinates are defined every 32 output pixels for active horizontal resolutions of 2048 or greater, and every 16 pixels for active horizontal resolutions less than 2048.
Correction coordinates between the defined coordinates are calculated by linear interpolation within the Warper4K. Correction coordinates can be inside or outside the input active area.
Edge Blending Gain and Bias Adjustments
Per-pixel gain adjustment (for blending area)
Each outgoing pixel may require a per-pixel gain adjustment (PPGA) to facilitate edge blending of multiple projectors, or to improve overall uniformity. Downloadable PPGA maps contain a 8-bit gain for each pixel in the active output area. The gain map uses a .png file format. Figure 5 on the right shows a PPGA map consisting of a Westar logo, applied to a 4K x 2K test image.
Per-pixel bias adjustment (for uplift after blending)
Each outgoing pixel may require a per-pixel bias adjustment to facilitate pixel uplift after edge blending. Each pixel is mapped to 1 of 16 regions. Each region has individual R, G, B bias adjustments based on the color intensity level. The region map uses a .png file format. Built-in filtering smooths any pixel-to-pixel variations in bias.
Uniformity Gain and Bias Adjustments
Per-pixel gain adjustment (for uniformity)
Each outgoing pixel may require an independent R, G, and/or B gain adjustment to facilitate uniformity across the entire projector. The Warper4K facilities uniformity via a lattice of RGB gain points, each with a gain setting for 100%, 50%, and 0-25% intensities.
Gains are interpolated at each lattice point between 100% and 50% intensity, and between 50% and 25% intensity. For intensities between 0% and 25%, the lattice point gain is equal to the 25% setting. Each pixel RGB gain is then interpolated between the 4 nearest neighbor lattice points.
*Per-pixel gain/bias adjustment (alternate approach)*
The 0-25% RGB gain point (described above) can alternately be a bias. In this case, the Warper4K facilitates a lattice of RGB gain/bias points, each with a gain setting for 100% intensity, a gain setting for 0-50% intensities, and a bias value for all intensities.
The RGB gains are interpolated at each lattice point for intensities between 100% and 50%. For RGB intensities from 0 to 50%, each RGB lattice point gain is set to the 50% intensity gain setting. Per pixel gains and bias are then interpolated between the 4 nearest neighbor lattice points. Up to 45×26 lattice points are available for 2560×1600 and 4K horizontal resolutions. Up to 18×14 lattice points are available for resolutions <2K (1080P).
*Features that are not yet integrated but will be in field upgradable future revision*
Example Applications
- General Purpose Projector Warping, Inverse Mesh
- General Purpose Projector Warping, Forward Mesh
- Unwarping IG channels for IOS Monitor
General Purpose Projector Warping, Inverse Mesh
The Warper4K can perform warping and edge blending prior to your projector. The figure below shows a 3840×2160 image (from an IG channel) that is re-shaped by the Warper4K based on a user defined 2×2 inverse mesh into a new 3840×2160 image. Because mesh coordinates (0,0) and (1,0) are “outside” the active area, the output image is reduced.
Please contact Westar if you’d like to discuss specific details about forward or inverse meshes.
General Purpose Projector Warping, Forward Mesh
The Warper4K can perform warping and edge blending prior to your projector. The figure below shows a 3840×2160 image (from an IG channel) that is re-shaped by the Warper4K based on a user defined 9×9 forward mesh. Forward mesh points are fixed in the input space and may be placed inside or outside the output active area. In the case below, all mesh points remain in the output active area.
Please contact Westar if you’d like to discuss specific details about forward or inverse meshes.
Processing video intended for projector into video for IOS monitor
Images may be rendered in the image generators for the intended projectors. This video may not be suitable for display on a regular desktop monitor or IOS monitor. The Warper4K can perform geometric correction to converted projector video into video more suited for desktop monitor display.
In the figure below, (2) 2560×1440 images are rendered by IG’s and sent to projectors. The images are rendered sideways, so that the 2560×1440 projectors can be mounted sideways. The images include overlapped data for edge blending, and a trapezoidal look based on the projector and screen geometries. While these images help create an outstanding multi-projector out-the-window view, the images are not suitable for display on an IOS (trainer) monitor.
The Warper4K can take each of the feeds, trim out the duplicate data, and “undo” the trapezoidal shape for each of the (2) projector feeds. A Westar EZwindow4K is then used to rotate and combine the 2 slices into (1) 4K feed that can be displayed on any monitor.
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Video Input / Output | |
| Video Type | DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Pixel Rate | 65 to 600 MPixels/sec |
| Standard Resolutions | up to 2560x1600 at 120 Hz, 4096x2400 at 60 Hz |
| Functional | |
| Warping |
|
| Vertical Re-size | Must be > 0.3 |
| Horizontal Re-size | Must be > 1/8 |
| Pixel Calculation | 24 tap horizontal and 24 tap vertical FIR filter used to process a 6x6 nearest pixel array on 1/8 pixel boundaries |
| Color Depth | 10 bits per color I/O. Internal color processing is 12 bits per color |
| Edge Blend | 8 bit per pixel gain via image file, or *4 programmable rectangles for top, bottom, left, right gradients*. Per pixel bias for “uplift” after blending |
| Uniformity | Per pixel gain *or gain and bias* calculated from a programmable lattice of gain *and bias* values. Used to correct for uniformity. |
| Specialty Features |
|
| Processing B/W and Latency | |
| Processing B/W | Each incoming frame is processed with no frame dropping |
| Latency | Programmed vertical delay (in lines). User programs vertical delay to 1.25 msec (converted to lines) plus worst case vertical warp (in lines) to avoid image tearing while maintaining minimum latency. |
| System | |
| Dimensions | 19”W x 13.75”D x 1.75”H (1U rackmount) |
| Weight | Less than 7 lbs. |
| Control | USB 2.0 or 10/100 Ethernet configured with either Static or Dynamic IP address |
| Input Power | IEC Connector, 100-240 VAC, 47-63 Hz, 150 Watts Maximum Input Power |
| Warranty and Support | |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited Warranty |
| Technical Support | Phone and Email Support Available |
Ordering Information
Warper4K is ordered with 1 to 5 I/O processors, and is identified as Warper4K-DPx, where x is the # of I/O channels
The system comes with:
- Warper4K base unit as ordered (1-5 I/O channels)
- USB Cable
- IEC power cable with US plug
- CD containing
- Warper4K API (Windows)
- Wink Software and Source code
- Mesh4K Utility Software
- Warper4K User’s Manual
Contact us for info on Warper4K options and accessories.