Amateras Server

Real-time mapping of 360-degree content

• Real-time mapping of high-resolution or live video captured by a various 360-degree cameras onto a screen or display of any shape.
• Content creators can prepare images without worrying about the number of projectors, displays or screen shapes.
• You can use a trackball or joystick to interactively look around in 360 degrees.
• You can interactively specify the point of view where you can see the image without distortion regardless of the shape of the screen. The 360-degree images can be corrected according to the user's standing position, height and seating height.
• You can handle a mixture of images shot with various cameras and lenses, including 360-degree cameras, fisheye lenses, and wide-angle lenses.

System for 360-degree video

For interactive viewing of 360-degree video, the video must be processed in its original high-resolution form without pre-processing. Amateras Server has a powerful rendering engine for stable playback of high-resolution video with flexible realtime mapping. By just copying of your 360-degree video media in standard format to the server, you can start screening it immediately.

Platform for immersive theaters

In addition to 360-degree video playback, Amateras Server can also capture and display interactive content using high-resolution video capture input function. Image mapping based on projectors and displays placement are handled by Amateras Server, so content creators can focus on creating a wide view content. Amateras Server is a versatile video and audio solution for immersive theater environments, providing a variety of additional features, such as PIP overlaid on interactive video, or switching to recorded video as soon as the interactive content have troubles.

Many installation examples

The Amateras system was born as a video playback solution for planetariums and other dome theatres, and was later widely used for projection mapping and other applications. So it is a media server for immersive media that was developed based on the needs of a 360-degree video environment. It has been installed in many permanent theater facilities and interactive event exhibitions, and is the most successful media server in Japan, especially for temporary dome events.

High-resolution still and video content playback

Multiple 4K 60Hz video streams simultaneously

8K 60Hz high-definition video playback (planar/360-degree video).

Ultra-high-resolution dome video playback at up to 8K x 8K 30Hz.

Amateras optimization format, which is fast and easy to use.

High-quality H.265/HEVC 10-bit format with GPU decoding.

Free aspect ratio for projection mapping.

Infinite loop and continuous video playback with no frame drop.

Semi-transparent video playback with alpha channel.

Still images up to 32K x 16K, 16-bit TIFF format.

Various stereoscopic formats and simultaneous 120Hz output.

External video/audio input via video capture card

• Multiple simultaneous inputs of HDMI 2.0 4K 60Hz/RGB 8-bit loss-less video and audio.
• Optional card to increase the number of inputs and marge them to support 8K 60Hz input.
• Unusual input resolution support such as 4K dome master.
• Minimum input latency with GPUDirect technology.

External video/audio input via LAN with NDI

Unlimited number of video (up to 4K60Hz) and audio inputs are available via LAN without additional hardware.

External video and audio input from consumer devices

Support for input from webcams and game play capture boxes. Import external video up to 2K resolution with inexpensive hardware.

Uncompressed sequential image playback (optional)

Supports uncompressed sequential image playback from a high-speed SSD RAID card. It is possible to show video content without any video encoding degradation.

Real-time text display

Multiline captions and borders are supported.

SRT subtitles synchronized with video.

View multiple images together in a slide show format.

Streaming media support

Streaming video on YouTube Live and other sites.

Interactive display of web pages.

Standard user interface

Operate from a monitor directly connected to the Amateras Server or from a remote PC to access all Amateras Server functions, including adding and managing content. You can preview video on the wireless devices, place PIPs and draw painting on it graphically.

Web user interface

This is a simple user interface that runs on a web browser and can be used on a variety of devices such as tablets and smartphones. Basically, it specializes in content selection and playback control for screenings, so it's easy to use for everyone. In addition, the user interface can be freely re-designed by editing the HTML5 page source.

Console application

This is a dedicated application that allows you to design an original user interface with only the necessary functions for operation from a different PC or tablet device. You can also create different user interface for different users, such as for theater administrators and guest users.

Operating from an existing system

You asign functions to control the server from existing physical switches, show control systems and planetarium control devices in the theater.

Viewpoint control device

The 360-degree video can be viewed and manipulated interactively using a variety of input devices.

Flat screen theater

Amateras Server flexibly supports large-scale flat screen theaters, such as over 8K projection by combining multiple 4K projectors, stacking and stereoscopic projection for more brightness, and large screen projection in a small space by complex combinations of ultra-short-throw projectors.

Dome theater

With the spread of 360-degree movies in planetariums and temporary domes for events, there is a growing interest in dome theaters. The Amateras Server, born in domes, provides precise mapping of dome contents and large screen display of flat content with minimal distortion on the dome screen surfaces.

Panoramic theatre

A panoramic theatre with a wide horizontal field of view is one of the most typical types of immersive theater. Accurate mapping of the 360-degree view from the auditorium and the freedom to lay out flat images on top of it greatly expands its use.

Room wall theater

A room-wall theater can be used as a 360-degree video theater without major modifications to an ordinary room. There are a variety of examples, from the CAVE system with rear projection to the latest video wall facilities with display panels and LED panels.

Special Shape Theater

Specially shaped screens, such as combination of panoramic and dome-shaped screens, or projection mapping on the exterior of a building, can all be used in the same way with Amateras Server as an immersive theater for 360-degree video presentation.

Wide view display products

We also offer a wide field of view display products that include screens and projectors, Amateras Server and a projection calibration system in one package. They are available for purchase or rent, except the content.

Panoworks Domeworks

Manual mapping with Amateras Mapper

You can make use of the practical video correction know-how that was born from real use cases, from separating video into multiple displays to mapping video onto 3D objects.

Maintenance with simple correction

Minor corrections that occur on a daily basis, such as a slight misalignment of the projector after the facility is opened, can be easily maintained with a simple correction function that deforms the projector directly while viewing the projected image on the screen.

Black level correction

Image correction technology solves the problem of blackout in multi-projection images, which is a concern when projecting dark images.

White level correction (Intensity correction)

It compensates for uneven image brightness caused by all kinds of factors such as distance between the projector and screen, projection angle, screen dirt and seams, etc. to achieve uniform brightness at the pixel level.

Mask editting

You can mask unwanted parts of the image by painting directly onto the projected image on the screen.

Dedicated mapping tool for screen types

Dedicated mapping tools are available for dome, cylindrical and box-shaped projection environments. You can realize quick and precise multi projection mapping with them even in temporary theater environment.

Automatic calibration solutions (optional)

Accurate projection mapping is automatically calculated by capturing a test pattern in camera. You can use a variety of existing automatic projection calibration solutions and further increase accuracy with Amateras' post-correction.

Picture in Picture composition of flat content

You can lay out supplementary explanations or live video on top of 360-degree video or large background images. The position and size of the flat content can be easily adjusted by dragging them on the curved screen or the walls of the room.

• You can freely combine 4K video and external video inputs for PIP display.
• The PIP video is displayed along the screen surface, independent of the background's 360-degree image, for easy viewing.
• Select the PIP video with mouse or screen touch and drag it to change the layout interactively.
• Adjusting the tilt of the dome screen to match the tilt of the phisical screen, as well as a correction function that reduces distortions even when displaying images as large as in a movie theater.
• You can prepare your own image borders, speech balloons, drop shadows, etc. to your PIP video.
• You can add subtitles to 360-degree video or plane video at any position in the SRT file.
  You can also specify individual fonts and decorations in the SRT.style file.

Overlay Tools

Amateras Server has several Overlay Tools, which are useful for presentations and video playback operations.

"File Library" tool

Stored contents are displayed as a list of icons, and you can select from them for screening.

"Playback Control" tool

You can display the current playback time at a desired position on the video, and you can interactively pause and fast forward the video. This is useful for video previewing.

"Presentation Timer" tool

The time remaining in the presentation can be displayed at a desired position on th screen. You can also display the current time as a clock.

Overlay Mode

Amateras Server has several Overlay Mode, for highlighting content during a presentation.

'Spotlight' mode

You can highlight a part of content to draw the audience's attention to it.

"Canvas" mode

You can draw lines and shapes on the content to add descriptions.

"Zoom Up" mode

You can zoom in high-resolution content for a more detailed view.

"Pointer" mode

You can use a virtual pointer that displays an arrow cursor at the clicked location.

Visualizer function

Use the Visualizer feature to display generative video effect synchronized to music. You can choose from over 1,200 MilkDrop presets for title backgrounds and spatial effects.

Realtime special effects

Amateras Server can apply special effects using real-time shaders to the content. Color correction is possible for each content, and chroma key effects with specified colors and thresholds can be used to remove the background for compositing. It is also possible to use the video as a VJ material by externally controlling parameters and applying flashy special effects.

Playback of BGM sound source

Narration and background music can be played back independently of the main content. It is possible to create a pre-defined playlist for background music and play it back sequentially, or to smoothly switch between sounds by cross-fading. In combination with the Visualizer function, special effect linked to the music can be displayed.

Audio system control

Amateras Server can provide up to eight channels of simultaneous multi-channel audio output in default, and more channels with options, as well as scene changes with MIDI control and more.

Lighting system control

Multi-channel individual control of lighting equipment by DMX and Art-Net protocol is possible. It can be used for additional lighting effects.

Projector control

Amateras Server can control the power supply, opening and closing of the shutter, switching of input channels, etc. for the projectors. Supported projectors are being added as a plug-in mechanism.

Automated screening

You can make Playlists to automate a series of operations, from selecting and playing back video, to controlling theater equipments and running external applications. Playlists can be easily executed from the user interface, such as buttons on the tablet or shortcut keys. By registering playlist execution in the task scheduler, you can automate regular unattended showings.

Advanced scripting control

All the behavior of Amateras Server can be written in JavaScript, which can be used to create customized user interface, write macros and other advanced uses. Through this scripting API, all functions can be accessed by external applications.

External communication protocol

You can send commands to external devices from playlists and shortcut keys using various communication protocols. The Amateras Server can also receive signals from external devices, which can be used to control the Amateras Server from a MIDI controller or other devices.

Server power control

The power management of the Amateras Server itself can be automated through playlists and scheduled task. If multiple Amateras Servers are linked together, they can also be centrally controlled.

Amateras Dome Player

This is a video playback software dedicated to dome content that is widely used in planetariums and dome theaters. You can watch the dome master and 360-degree contents inside the virtual dome theater. You can also use VRHMDs such as the Oculus Rift to view the contents in VR.

Amateras Panorama Player

This tool simulates a 360-degree content displayed on a cylindrical panoramic screen. The field of view of the panoramic theater, which has a very wide screen, is limited by the aspect ratio of the screen. This tool allows you to fully examine camera and scene layout before you start creating or filming your content.

Amateras Room Player

This tool simulates a 360-degree content displayed on room walls. In room-wall projection, the content has edges except at the center of the viewpoint. You can check how it looks with tils tool before actually building the room display. It is also possible to verify in advance that the field of view is greatly limited by the width, depth and height of the room.

Amateras Encoder

Video contents displayed on Amateras Server needs to be encoded in advance for optimization. This encoding tool is available free of charge, allowing content creators who do not own Amateras Server to prepare content by themselves for screening. It saves encoding time in the theater, and it simplify check of the video format and so on.

Amateras Slicer

Amateras Server's projection correction result can be exported to movie files for synchronized playback on a signage player, to achieve the same kind of video mapping without Amateras Server. Though interactive 360-degree look around and a variety of auxiliary features will not be available, but you can build a backup system at a lower cost.

Benefits of a single server

Amateras Server features a single-PC system, even for large video theaters, whenever possible. This provides the following important benefits:

Since only one PC hardware is needed, costs are lowered and failure rates are minimized.

Since the video is played back from a single source, there is no frame difference even with many projectors or displays.

Even if you want to prepare a spare sercer, there is no additional license fee and you only need one more PC hardware.

There is no need to synchronize content files. Just copying a file to the server and it's ready for screenings.

System scalability

In certain applications, multiple Amateras Server units may be used as a cluster system. For example, only Amateras Server software may be deployed on an existing system's PC cluster to enhance its functionality. In this case, only synchronizing content files to all servers is required, but other than that, the usability is the same as for a single server.

Simple multi-projection maintenance

Amateras Server's simple projection correction feature makes it easy to correct misaligned projections when hitting a projector or changing lamps. In many of the facilities where Amateras Server has been installed, their staff do the adjustment work by themselves.

Troubleshooting for long-term operation

Amateras Server has aull system backups storage, allowing for immediate recovery in the event of a storage or OS level failure.

The PC hardware comes with the manufacturer's long-term on-site repair warranty.

Video output layout can be fixed, so the system is not affected by instability of video cables and display devices.

Adding just one Amateras Server to your existing planetarium system will provide the following benefits

Perfect dome video playback

Ability to handle all types of multi-purpose uses

Unprecedented Stability and Ease of Use

Ideas for use

Introduction scene for showing programs and precautions.

Live video display of operators and guest speakers.

Mixing digital starry skies with a live feed from a rooftop fisheye camera.

Dome projection of any astronomical applications.

Guest speaker can bring a familiar software to display in the dome theater.

Workshop with a composite view of the planetarium user interface.

Live preview of video editing software such as AfterEffects in the dome.

Recording of the entire digital planetarium visuals.

Holding the Fulldome Festival without time consuming slicing work.

Rental of a venue where you can bring your pre-rendered and realtime contents.

Visual effects for music concert and plays in the dome theater.

Subtitled projection of dome content without video editing.

Installation styles for planetarium facilities

Amateras Server is increasingly being installed in planetarium facilities. There are three main ways to add Amateras Server to an existing system, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Sandwich between the digital planetarium and the projector.

It is possible to add PIP images and presentation functions to a digital planetarium.

Cross-fading of the starry sky and dome content is possible.

You need to change the digital planetarium to a dome master output, etc.

Connects to the input 2 of an existing projectors.

Existing projectors can be used as they are.

Good for temporaly events and quick installations.

Little to no impact on existing systems.

The projector needs to be wired and free input channel.

Cannot composite dome content with digital planetarium.

Add projectors and server as an additional system.

It does not affect existing systems in any way.

We can choose a brighter projectors in addition to the existing digital planetarium.

New projectors and wiring required.

When used at the same time as a digital planetarium, the contrast of the starry sky is reduced.