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 1.

“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 ChristieTWISTâ„¢ 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.

Electrosonic has a 40-year history of providing advanced media solutions for applications in Public Spaces and Work Environments at hundreds of sites worldwide