PHM Digital Video Theater Installed
Friday, September 23rd, 2011posted by: bueter
Console of PHM Digital Video Theater
The local astronomy community got a significant boost this month as a Digistar 4 projection system was installed at the former PHM Planetarium in Bittersweet School. The new dual projectors eliminated 43 slide projectors and 90+ special effect projectors, and replaced them with more diverse digital imagery on the dome. The PHM Digital Video Theater (DVT)–not to be confused with Notre Dame’s Digital Visualization Theater (DVT)–was upgraded as part of a capital improvement for PHM science labs. The digital capability allows instruction in multiple disciplines, thereby expanding the venue’s potential. Once new seats are installed, the PHM DVT will start presenting educational content to the school children in October 2011. Public programs will likely resume shortly thereafter.
Two Types of "Overhead Projectors"
During the 2008 presidential election, candidate John McCain criticized candidate Barack Obama for supporting proposed funding for an “overhead projector” for Adler Planetarium. The attached image shows a real overhead projector still used in the classroom setting of the PHM dome during renovations, with one of the two new Digistar 4 projectors visible in the background (circled).
