Panamorph DC1, MTH, ATH, AK8Pro-S, AK8Pro-L User Manual

DC1 Anamorphic Lens with
ATH Transport shown

Panamorph Model DC1

Professional Grade

Home Cinema Lens System

USER MANUAL AND INSTALLATION GUIDE

Including MTH and ATH Transports

and AK8Pro-S and AK8Pro-L Projector Attachment Kits

As of February 1, 2011

Introduction

Basic projection parameters

A note on your screen format

Using AK8Pro Attachment Kit

Important ceiling mount location considerations

AK8Pro-S Attachment Plate Diagram

AK8Pro-L Attachment Plate Diagram

AK8ProS and AK8ProL Projector Compatibility Chart

Connecting the AK8Pro Attachment Plate

Alternate AK8Pro Attachment Plate Method

Mounting the MTH transport

Mounting the ATH transport

Final adjustments

Cleaning

Limited warranty

Contact information

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Panamorph DC1 User Manual and Installation Guide, Version 1.1, copyright February, 2011. All rights reserved.

Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Panamorph DC1 lens system – the world’s first sealed, high
performance anamorphic lens system designed to dramatically enhance today’s 16:9 projectors when
showing the true widescreen 2.40 aspect ratio, the choice of most major motion picture directors.

The DC1 Lens System includes the DC1 Lens, ATH automated transport (or optionally the MTH
manual transport), plus the pre-engineered AK8Pro Attachment Kit and Chief mounting hardware
(RPA Kit). All parts necessary to quickly and easily mount your projector are included with the
Panamorph DC1 System. This manual provides detailed instructions for installing both the
Automated DC1 System and Manual DC1 System. The DC1 can also be installed as a fixed lens
system; however, that installation will not be covered in this manual.

DC1 BASIC PROJECTION PARAMETERS

Throw Distance (distance from projector lens to screen)

This distance should be between 12 and 21 feet (3.6M and 6.5M) with the standard DC1 lens. The
ideal range of 14.5 to 17.5 feet (4.4M to 5.3M) provides the highest pixel level clarity, especially for
applications at 1080 resolution. If your projection system involves a significantly longer throw
distance, we recommend contacting Panamorph Tech Support to determine if an optional correction
element is needed. Alternatively, visit www.panamorph.com for more information about our long
throw correctors.

Throw Ratio

Throw ratio primarily affects image distortion, sometimes referred to as “pincushion”, an inward
bowing that you will notice along the top and bottom of the projected image. To reduce this distortion:

- Minimum throw should be at least 1.6 times the native 16:9 image width of the projector, or

2.85 times the screen height.

- Throw may be reduced to 1.3 times the native image width (or 2.3 times the screen height)
with use of a curved screen. Use of a curved screen for very short throw distances can also
reduce non-uniform image brightness from your projector (hot spotting).

Image/Lens Shift

Horizontal lens/image shift other than fine adjustment is not recommended due to key-stone distortion
that can be introduced by the DC1. Vertical lens shift does not impact the use of the DC1. However,
note that with vertical lens shift the DC1 should be tilted to face the approximate center of the screen
to make any residual pincushion distortion symmetric at the top and bottom of the image.

A NOTE ON YOUR SCREEN FORMAT

The DC1 system works very well with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio screen. However, if you are considering a
new screen we highly recommend an aspect ratio of 2.40:1 for the best all around fit. The 2.35:1
aspect ratio is somewhat of a film industry designation for many aspect ratios around 2.35:1 and may
include many titles up to 2.40:1 and occasionally higher. Consequently, by following these installation
instructions we will help you optimize your constant height imaging performance for the three primary
aspect ratios of 16:9, 1.85:1 and the general range of 2.35:1-2.40:1.

Panamorph DC1 User Manual and Installation Guide, Version 1.1, copyright February, 2011. All rights reserved.

Page 2

WARNING!

USING AK8PRO ATTACHMENT SYTEM

The AK8PRO includes a high performance, rigid, solid steel plate specifically designed to attach to a
properly installed model RPA000 ceiling mount head made by Chief Manufacturing. This may then be
further installed to the ceiling using a variety of Chief components or the RPA Kit offered through
Panamorph. RPA Kits used with Panamorph Systems include the following Chief Manufacturing
components: 1-RPA000 Mount, 1-CMS115 ceiling plate, and 1-CMS003 3” extension pole.

The AK8PRO system mounts all the components on a common platform that does not generally
require additional support. There are, however, certain larger projectors where the use of supporting
chains will be required (these will be noted in the Projector Compatibility List on page 5 and
“ALTERNATE AK8PRO ATTACHMENT METHOD” on Page 6). The RPA and associated

hardware must be installed to structural ceiling members to support at least 250 pounds and
must be extremely rigid. Any play in the RPA mount will result in a rocking of the AK8PRO
assembly as the lens moves in and out of the projector beam and represents a danger to
equipment and personnel.

IMPORTANT CEILING MOUNT LOCATION CONSIDERATIONS
(If your Projector Requires the Alternate Attachment Method with Support Chains Please
Disregard this Step)

For optimum imaging results consult your projector’s instructions for the ceiling mount location to
place the projector’s lens in the horizontal center (i.e. left to right) of your projection screen (even if
your projector has a horizontal lens/image shift capability). In addition, make sure you are not at the
limits of your projector’s zoom capability so that you have some range for image adjustments.

The AK8PRO attachment plate is designed so that the variety of listed projectors and other attached
components form an average center of mass (gravity) approximately located at the center of the
ceiling mount pipe. Therefore, the ideal ceiling mount location will be shifted by the AK8PRO 2”
(50mm) toward the left side of the screen from the ceiling mount location indicated by your
projector’s instructions. If the plate is to be inverted (as directed in the plate diagram list) this shift will
be to the right side of the screen.

If your projector ceiling mount is already installed and you do not wish to move it (or similarly move
the screen in the opposite direction) due to a shift by the AK8PRO system, then you can make fine
horizontal shift adjustments to your projector (if available) combined with turning the projector (only as
necessary) during final setup to compensate for the shift. Some small amount of image distortion
(horizontal key-stoning) may result but in most cases this will not be noticeable since the image
edges will typically be masked by the screen borders.

Use extreme caution and appropriate hardware when installing heavy objects to a

ceiling. Periodically check all fasteners and connection hardware to be sure they are

not coming loose. Improper installation may lead to an increased risk of your

equipment becoming unstable and possibly injuring someone.

Panamorph DC1 User Manual and Installation Guide, Version 1.1, copyright February, 2011. All rights reserved.

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