Combining 445mn and 473nm with a Pangolin controller - suggestions?

[Stuka]

I'm seriously considering modifying my RGB and adding 445 to my 473 to boost the blue output.
Looking for feedback from folks who may have gone that route already...

1. Recommendations for color channel control using the Pangolin QM2K - both lasers on the same color channel, or different channels?

2. Beyond the obvious need for a PBS cube, any other special optics considerations?

3. Worth it?

Thanks in advance!


Randy

[swamidog]

this is slightly off tangent, but i've had good luck adjusting the color palette in my projector so the 445 has about 10-20% 532 mixed in. it brightens it up considerably, but it's still deep blue enough to give an excellent range of colors.

best feature: it's free and required no work.

I'm seriously considering modifying my RGB and adding 445 to my 473 to boost the blue output.
Looking for feedback from folks who may have gone that route already...

1. Recommendations for color channel control using the Pangolin QM2K - both lasers on the same color channel, or different channels?

2. Beyond the obvious need for a PBS cube, any other special optics considerations?

3. Worth it?

Thanks in advance!


Randy

[flecom]

use the deep blue channel for the 445

pbs is all you need

totally worth it

[Stuka]

Cool -

Thanks guys!

[Jem]

Yep, been there and done that. As has already been said just a PBS cube and you're good to go, I also used the deep blue channel.

Only thing is I'd mount them separately as I had problems with the heat from the 445 causing the 473 to overheat and cut out when they were both mounted on to the same sub baseplate.

Other than that small issue I liked the extra depth it brought to the colour gamut

Cheers

Jem

[Pangolin]

Hey Randy,

It seems to me that there are a few choices:

1. "Strapping". This is where you drive both blue lasers from a single blue color output
2. Drive each laser from a separate color output from the software. (Of course this requires more than three color outputs.)

Option number 1 is what everyone did prior to our development of 6-channel color mode in the original QM32. "Strapping" still has benefits -- for example, if you want to use that projector with a variety of laser software sources, then this provides the greatest compatibility. However, of course this does not allow you to take full advantage of the dynamic color palette that is possible with four lasers.

Since you already have LD2000, you can drive your 445 from a separate (fourth) color channel -- thereby giving you RGBB. Then train the colors using our color training wizard. You can fine-tune the color training using manual training (the option when you go to Settings / Palette.

I also know that you have our FB3 hardware as well. Note that FB3 software such as QuickShow and the version of BEYOND you have now only supports 3 color channels, however we have a brand new version of BEYOND that we will send to you with support for up to 6 color channels (even with FB3). Of course just because we call it 6 channel mode doesn't mean you need to use all 6 color channels. 4 color channels or even fewer are usable with this new color mode. Note that this is a brand new color philosophy for us that is build into the latest BEYOND so we'll be interested to hear your results.

I see that you've sent me an email and I will be replying soon.

Bill

[absolom7691]

If using two lasers for the blue and dark blue, how closely do they need to match in output power (given that 473nm looks "brighter" than 445nm). The reason why I ask is because my curent setup uses 350mW of 640nm, 300mW of 532nm and 700mW of 445nm. The 473nm I would like to add is only doing about 120mW. I would like to add it in and use 4 chs. Would I be better off using the 473 and 445 on the same channel? Oh what I wouldn't give for a nice 500mW 457. Too bad they cost so much. *sigh*

[Stuka]

Hey Randy,

It seems to me that there are a few choices:

1. "Strapping". This is where you drive both blue lasers from a single blue color output
2. Drive each laser from a separate color output from the software. (Of course this requires more than three color outputs.)

Option number 1 is what everyone did prior to our development of 6-channel color mode in the original QM32. "Strapping" still has benefits -- for example, if you want to use that projector with a variety of laser software sources, then this provides the greatest compatibility. However, of course this does not allow you to take full advantage of the dynamic color palette that is possible with four lasers.

Since you already have LD2000, you can drive your 445 from a separate (fourth) color channel -- thereby giving you RGBB. Then train the colors using our color training wizard. You can fine-tune the color training using manual training (the option when you go to Settings / Palette.

I also know that you have our FB3 hardware as well. Note that FB3 software such as QuickShow and the version of BEYOND you have now only supports 3 color channels, however we have a brand new version of BEYOND that we will send to you with support for up to 6 color channels (even with FB3). Of course just because we call it 6 channel mode doesn't mean you need to use all 6 color channels. 4 color channels or even fewer are usable with this new color mode. Note that this is a brand new color philosophy for us that is build into the latest BEYOND so we'll be interested to hear your results.

I see that you've sent me an email and I will be replying soon.

Bill

I appreciate your feedback, Bill -
And looking forward to trying out the new color palette options in the Beyond update!

Given the points you brought up about projector/software compatibility, I might have to think about switchable drive options for the blue channels!

[Stuka]

If using two lasers for the blue and dark blue, how closely do they need to match in output power (given that 473nm looks "brighter" than 445nm). The reason why I ask is because my curent setup uses 350mW of 640nm, 300mW of 532nm and 700mW of 445nm. The 473nm I would like to add is only doing about 120mW. I would like to add it in and use 4 chs. Would I be better off using the 473 and 445 on the same channel? Oh what I wouldn't give for a nice 500mW 457. Too bad they cost so much. *sigh*

I'll wind up with twice as much 445 as 473.
Should be interesting to see how the color palettes work out with that combination!!

[flecom]

it will be fine

I have 400mW of 473 to 1.2W of 445nm and its awesome

the expanded color pallet using the QM is great