The Houston Cougars attract their fans with an innovative 3D projection on the court

With a complete and integrated solution from the manufacturer Christie, composed of 3DLP projectors, a Pandoras Box server and the Terra and Mystique AV over IP system, according to the project carried out by Quince Imaging.

The University of Houston has recently updated the content of his basketball team's projection mapping, los Houston Cougars, creating a spectacular show on the track of its pavilion, Fretitta Center.

The brilliant 3D graphics projected onto the track have been created by the North American Quince Imaging, thanks to a range of solutions from the multinational Christie which includes 3DLP projectors, a Pandoras Box server and the Terra and Mystique AV over IP system.

The goal of those responsible for this university was to update the content of the projection mapping on the basketball court to adjust it for both in-person viewing and broadcast.

This is how Eric Gazzillo explains it, Chief Innovation Officer at Quince Imaging: “what is important now, during COVID-19, is to be focused on the broadcast, so we are using screens and technology to fill the stadium with content, mapping designs and projection; to make the stadium look full and to add some drama to the pregame broadcast that may be missing if the stadium is empty.".

The new content has been designed by the art director of Quince Imaging, Zubair Parkar. The projection mapping system uses eight Christie Boxer 4K30 3DLP projectors. 30.000 lumens, a Pandoras Box server, Terra and Mystique.

The decision to install a fully Christie system in the stadium responds, As Gazzillo points out, “having a complete solution from this manufacturer allows us to simplify workflows.”. It's one of those things that we've really encouraged before the pandemic and now, while it lasts, It has become even more important to have an integrated projector system, control and transmission that allows us to maintain it remotely more efficiently, when you can't have all the staff on site”.

The system is designed to ensure the image remains bright and perfectly aligned with the combination of Christie and Mystique 3DLP projectors..

“We have used Boxer with Mystique for years in difficult logistical situations and with complicated lighting, and it has really made things a lot easier in the stadiums. As we install more projectors, Mystique becomes really important to simplify projection mapping”, this manager points out

Christie Mystique is an automated camera-based alignment and recalibration solution used to install, align, Quickly calibrate and maintain multi-projection matrices.

A Pandoras Box server allows the user to compose and update the content projected on the track more easily and frequently, while Christie Terra offers native 4K content and, mathematically, no losses on the entire track.

“We are defenders of 4K, especially in our solutions dual-sport -afirma Gazzillo-. We are specialized in systems dual-sport, like the one installed in Capital One Arena (more data in Digital AV), that serves both the Washington Capitals hockey team for projection mapping on ice and the Wizards for mapping on the rink. When there are people sitting so close to the image and a projection screen so large, 4K is essential, and the way to offer this lossless resolution is the SDVoE solution”.

During initial system installation, he rigging It was a challenge in the stadium. “We had lower ceilings and had to shoot at awkward angles, but Mystique helped solve the warping y blending so complex so that we could provide a uniform and perfect image -Gazzillo recalls-. And although the system had been out of use due to the pandemic, “It came back online without issue and the University of Houston is now using it regularly.”.

Regarding the result of the project and the new content, The innovation director of Quince Imaging does not hesitate to point out that “in our company we are governed by the rule of 'always giving customers more than what they expect to get'. The best sign of satisfaction is seeing your system quickly get up and running as soon as our work is complete.. Our goal has always been to build trusting and long-lasting relationships with clients.. At the University of Houston they know that we are committed to their project for the long term”.