* to develop the first truly global interactive and immersive imaging
and projection systems possessing digital capture on a scale to match
conventional cinematic techniques;
* to provide facilities to employ globally immersive cinematic formats
in the research and development of interactive narrative systems while
allowing benefits of these new systems to be realised by the cultural
sector and entertainment industry;
* to set a new international benchmark in: a) the transcription of
raw material using global recording; b) the development of global
recording as the basis for the reformulation of navigable narratives
within immersive and interactive environments.
Context
Since 1996 Professor Jeffrey Shaw has been designing and developing
various cluster camera configurations, which enable 360 degree panoramic
video recording.
Three generations of digital video cluster cameras
built by Shaw
at ZKM Karlsruhe, Germany.
The original project concept proposed a single fisheye lens configuration
with twelve miniature CCD cameras beneath it recording the image from
an optical faceplate. On the receipt of the grant the Investigators
commissioned preliminary research to establish the most recent developments
in a quickly changing manufacturing domain. This research provided
initial advice to replace the twelve CCD cameras and optical faceplate
with a single 4K x 4K CCD chip. Two further expert reports were commissioned
to evaluate in more detail the optimum design specification of the
spherical camera. The conclusion of both reports was that a single
chip fisheye lens solution for an ultra-high resolution video camera
was not currently feasible. The closest outcome that could be achieved
would be a dual chip solution (each 2K x 4K pixels) together with
the development of a custom fisheye lens and beam splitter prism to
distribute the total fisheye image over the dual chip array. However
the latter solution would involve a significant and arduous research
and manufacturing effort, as well as using technologies that have
not yet been industrially proven, and, in addition, cost would be
prohibitive. Examining the reports in the light of the project's objectives,
numerous areas of implementation were identified that could not be
addressed through the purchase of one single recording device. Given
this situation, currently available high-resolution camera technologies
were reviewed and a three-component approach was adopted to undertake
a coherent and integrated solution to the project's objectives. This
approach encompassed an ensemble of innovative panoramic and spherical
pre-visualisation and visualisation procedures allowing for optimum
global recording.
Concept studies, single fisheye lens configurations
