The Immersive Vision Theatre
The thing’s hollow – it goes on forever – and – oh my God – it’s full of stars!
(Clarke 1968)




A shared virtual reality… We can fly you to the edge of the observable Universe, through microscopic architectures and nano-landscapes, or immerse you in interactive data-scapes and simulations.
The normal public shows are currently postponed due to the redevelopment of the IVT.
For future bookings and project queries please contact: ivt@plymouth.ac.uk

Immersive Vision Theatre Reboot:
The Immersive Vision Theatre received over £200k for a technical overhaul, made available through University of Plymouth UKRI World Class Laboratories (WCL) award. Working with GaiaNova, we have redeveloped the projection, audio, and media server systems with the single Christie fisheye projector system and redundant additional Zorro projector were replaced by a sophisticated dual fisheye remote light engine projection system and 10.1 audio system.
In many ways this new system and configuration compliments the design of Real Ideas Devonport Market Hall fulldome and offers increased compatibility for production workflows, experimentation and training.
What is Fulldome?
Fulldome is the term used to describe domed projection environments, traditionally found in planetariums. Fulldomes are not panoramas, CAVEs or Oculus Rifts (although many of the underlying technologies are the same), they provide a unique and highly immersive shared audience experience using single fisheye or multi projector systems. The fulldome is emerging from its planetarium shaped incubator into a brave new world of digital projectors, real-time visualisation software, independent content producers and transdisciplinary collaborations. As these technologies and practices evolve you are just as likely to find a VJ in a dome as you are an astronomer.
Research:
Example Research Projects:
Murmuration was one of the outcomes from the E / M / D / L – EUROPEAN MOBILE DOME LAB for Artistic Research.
The IVT is currently supporting the Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab, assisting Devon-based SMEs with creative thinking to address big data and environmental challenges. This £6.4m part-funded ERDF project is delivered by the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth with the Met Office, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Rothamsted Research, Plymouth College of Art and Exeter City Futures. The University of Plymouth’s partnership is housed in the Sustainable Earth Institute.
PhD Research:
The IVT has supported numerous research and PGR projects including:
involves PGR students from: Coral Manton (i-DAT)/Luke Christison (i-DAT)/Isabella Beyer (Planetary Collegium)/Michael Straeubig (CogNovo).
The extended i-DAT PhD community can be found here: i-dat.org/pgr/
- EMDL – http://www.emdl.eu/
- Fulldome UK festival – http://www.fulldome.org.uk/
- Entomology & the Volumetric Fruit Fly: https://i-dat.org/small-faraway/
- BBC Stargazing Live: http://i-dat.org/heavens-above-100113/ and http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019h4g8
- Dentistry/Wrigley’s Open Wide Project: http://www5.plymouth.ac.uk/news/world-first-film-aims-to-improve-childrens-oral-health
- Unity3D Game engine for education and science visualizations: Patch-Scape workshop and Data Ecologies.
- Student work & training including: interactive projects, VJing and Animation: Architecture / Nano / Engineering
- Festivals and workshops: CultureTech / Kendal Calling
- Transdisciplinary research projects: https://i-dat.org/research/
- Fulldome productions
- VR Productions (VIVE/Oculus/Android, etc)
- Data visualisation and sonification
- Tours around the observable universe
- Workshops (onsite and mobile) in astronomy, animation, graphic design, game making, film, fulldome photography and video, 3D modelling, science education
- Event venue for digital arts, VJing, fulldome content, live music, performance
- Lecture space.
- Training in the creation of fulldome content.
- Curriculum development and teacher support.
- Access to tools for the creation of fulldome content.
- Mobile tours of the universe for: school visits, public events, festivals, outreach
- Production on tour
- And the Immersive Media Lab: https://i-dat.org/immersive-media-lab/
Fully resourced digital production studio with OS X, Windows and Linux machines running:
- VR production for VIVE, Oculus Rift, Android (Google Cardboard/Daydream/Gear VR)
- Uniview (digital atlas of the observable universe by SCISS).
- Content displaying software includes Resolume, Unreal, Unity3D, VVVV, Max MSP, VLC, etc.
- Development software includes Adobe Master Suite, Fulldome Plugin AE, Unreal, Unity3D Pro, Blender, Mayer, Ableton, MAX/MSP, PTGui, etc.
- fisheye camera production and capture.
- interactive systems, MQTT/OSC control through mobile apps and peripheral equipment (arduinos, sensors, etc).
IVT Venue/System:
Projection System:
- Digital Projection Satellite Modular Laser System
- Digital Projection HIGHlite Satellite Projector Head x2
- Digital Projection Modular Light Source (MLS) Laser Light Engine x2
- Digital Projection Satelite Control Module (SCM) Image Processor and Input unit x2
- Connecting Light Pipes.
Media Server:
- Lenovo Thinkstation P620 running Screenberry Media Server
- Protocols: Screenberry Media Server enables:
- NDI® Video over IP,
- RTSP/RTMP video streaming.
- Art-Net, MIDI, UDP, OSC, TCP/IP, RS-232, HTTP, PJLink,
- Spout
- Notch Integration
Audio System:
- 10.1 audio system driven by:
- L’Acoustics LA2Xi Amp 3x
- Merging Technologies Ovation Media Server and Sequencer
- Horus Networked Audio Interface (Sound Card).
Venue Specification:
- 35 seats, 1 removable for wheelchair access
- 25 degree tilt
- truncated fulldome architecture
- Foyer for meeting, drinks, and gallery space.
- Disabled access/toilet.
Changelog: Removed 2022: Zorro Projector / Christie DS+5K. SXGA+ Large Venue 6,500 Lumens Projector / Fisheye Lens: SX8 OmniFocus 600 series.
The system was designed and installed by GaiaNova, the designers of the Devonport Market Hall 15m Fulldome.
Inflatable Dome:
Specification:
- Epson EH-TW9400 Projector and mirror lens configuration / Epson Powerlite Projector with truncated fisheye lens
- Mac Pro tower or Windows Laptop & Sound system
- Blower/Fan for inflation, Flight case, Dome bag [combined weight: 32-38kilos]
- Setup takes approx 1 hour, takedown about 30 minutes.
- Must be setup indoors on a sealed flat floor away from rain and wind, with access to a plug socket.
- NB: hire agreement required to cover the insurance for the use of the mobile dome.

Fulldome UK:
i-DAT Proudly Supports FulldomeUK, the international Fulldome festival, http://www.fulldome.org.uk/ 2010/2011/2014/2016/2021/2022.

William Day Planetarium History:
IVT (William Day Planetarium) under construction in 1969:
Zeiss Starball:
Zeiss Starball, the old optical-mechanical constellation projection system originally installed in the William Day Planetarium. More information on Planetarium projection systems etc can be found here: Le Passage – Towards the Concept of a New Knowledge Instrument by Isabella Beyer.
Dr Percy Seymour:
Dr Percy Seymour (1938-2020) was the Director of the William Day Planetarium until the early 2000’s. Previously a Senior Lecturer at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, he has published many books and engaged in some interesting debates around cosmic influences. Some of these are discussed here:
and
Ad Astra!
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