In late 2022, projector manufacturer, Barco introduced its new UDM series of laser phosphor projectors. After the introduction of the line, there have been several projects and events that have deployed the UDM range of projectors. [One of its first applications for the UDM-4K30 was on the Vivid Sydney projection mapping project. Read more about Vivid Sydney on page 31.] Here in this Product In Focus, we take a deeper look into the UDM-4K30 laser phosphor-powered projector with an output of 27,000 lumens and 4K UHD resolution.
Designed to be a lightweight and compact projector in the 30,000 Lumen range, the Barco UDM-4K30 weighs in at 105 lbs. and measures 28.54” x 21.26” x 13.3” (WxLxH). It takes up less space when stored and transported and is designed for easy installation without compromising on the image quality and brightness. The UDM-4K30 features 4K UHD resolution paired with excellent colors as it offers a wide color spectrum and outperforms the Rec. 709 color space.
Laser Illumination
The Barco UDM-4K30 uses a laser phosphor light source. Laser phosphor delivers the benefits of solid-state illumination in a cost-effective and compact way, which is required for live events as well as large venue applications. Using a laser source means that you no longer have lamp-related costs and maintenance issues, as well as reducing image flicker. Barco has designed the projector with an integrated laser cooling system, which prevents unexpected downtime caused by overheating and extends the projector’s lifetime. The projector also includes a built-in dust and pollution filter. The UDM is designed to run more than 20,000 hours without compromising on color or brightness consistency. Barco also includes its Constant Light Output (CLO), which helps manage the brightness levels of a rental fleet. With CLO, you can achieve constant brightness across the projector’s rental lifetime. CLO also offers the ability to adjust the brightness across multiple units with different lifetimes for perfect blending results and efficient fleet management.
Built for Rental and Staging
Much like Barco’s UDX projector line, the UDM was designed and built to withstand the rigors of the rental and staging market. The UDM-4K30, like the rest of the UDM line, is well built for longevity. It’s also a very flexible projector and offers a wide lens shift, a 90° ultra short throw (UST) lens, and an extensive list of available accessories. In terms of mounting, which when touring or installing in a theater application isn’t always straightforward, the projector can be rotated and mounted 360° without any restrictions. Like most projector manufacturers, Barco makes a rigging frame—which they refer to as ‘motorized rental frame’—to help in rigging and stacking situations. This motorized frame allows for quick remote adjustments. Also, the Barco 90° UST lens can be used with this frame.
In terms of cost effectiveness, Barco allows you to reuse your existing lenses with the UDM projectors. So, there’s no need to invest in new lenses if you already have Barco’s line of glass TLD+ lens range. The UDM platform comes with Barco’s FLEX2 feature, which allows you to tune and lock the brightness level for a specific show. This allows you to cover a wider range of applications with fewer projectors.
The UDM-4K30 includes Barco Pulse, the company’s 4K electronics backbone that’s integrated into all their new projectors. It offers an intuitive interface and flexible, user-friendly, embedded control software. The proprietary Single Step Processing (SSP) technology enables Barco projectors to perform warping, scaling, and 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) processing in only one step. This results in sharper images and low latency. Through Barco’s DynaBlack ultra-fast processing and laser pulsing, the UDM projectors can increase the overall dynamic contrast range by making darker scenes darker without any processing latency, especially with HDR content.
Barco offers an optional fiber optic card, so you can get rid of external fiber converter boxes. This provides users with a built-in fiber solution for 4K distribution over long distances. By using the internal fiber optic card, you can reduce system complexity, avoid signal dropouts, and reduce failure points in the overall control system.
Serviceability
From a rental or production company’s point of view, Barco has thought through troubleshooting and fleet management. The UDM has connectivity for remote monitoring and maintenance. In the case of the projector needing service in the field, the design uses many modular components, so servicing is fast and efficient, so your projectors are up and working rather than sitting waiting to be repaired.
The UDM is the first projector in the Barco range which is fully connected. The Barco Insights Management Suite (IMS) is a cloud-based solution that allows rental operations to get the most out of its projector fleet. The IMS Dashboard provides real-time information on the operating and environmental conditions of the projectors. Remote log file access enables faster and more effective troubleshooting. You can manage the brightness settings of the projector fleet and keep track of operating conditions anywhere and anytime through a secured cloud-based platform and integrated 3G connectivity. Barco’s IMS comes in three levels: Monitor, Diagnose, and Control. Monitor features are automatically enabled on the UDM series.
Test Drive
With its compact form factor and light weight, the Barco UDM-4K30—as well as the others in the company’s UDM range—would work well for the rental and staging markets, the live events industry, as well as for the themed entertainment and museum markets. Immersive productions and installations are growing in popularity. Projection mapping projects, corporate events, and theater installations all would benefit from the Barco UDM-4K30 laser phosphor projector. If you are in the market for a 3-chip DLP digital large venue projector, you should really get a demonstration—or better yet, use it on a project—and see for yourself what this projector can do for your work.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:
- Projector Type: 4K UHD 3-chip DLP digital projector
- Technology: 0.9” DMD™ x3
- Resolution: 3,840 x 2,400 (4K UHD) / 2,560 x 1,600 (native) / 5,120 x 3,200 (processing)
- Brightness: 25,000 ANSI lumens / 25,500 center lumens / 27,000 ISO lumens*
- Contrast Ratio: Full field 2000:1 / Barco Dyna Black 20000:1
- Brightness Uniformity: 95%
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10
- ScenergiX: Horizontal and vertical edge blending
- Lenses: TLD+ 0,37; 0,65-0,85; 0,8-1,16; 1,25 -1.6:1; 1.5-2.0:1; 2.0-2.8:1; 2.8-4.5:1; 4.5-7.5:1; 7.5-11.5:1
- Optical Lens Shift: Vertical between -100% to +130%, depending on lens; Horizontal up to +/-40%, depending on lens; Motorized zoom and focus (with lens memory on TLD lenses); Motorized lens shift (with position memory on all lenses)
- Color Correction: P7
- Light Source: Laser phosphor with inorganic phosphor wheel
- Light Source Lifetime: 20,000hr (at 100% laser power, DynaBlack = off)
- Optical Dowser: Digital
- Picture-by-Picture: Two sources simultaneously
- Sealed DLP™ Core: Standard
- Orientation: 360°
- DMX 512: Standard
- WARP Direct Adjust: OSD + toolset
- Image Processing: Embedded warp & blend
- Processing: Pulse Electronics
- Keystone Correction: Yes
- Integrated Web Server: Yes
- CLO (Constant Light Output): Standard
- 3D: Active eye wear (optional), passive circular (optional); 2 flash up to 200Hz; optional Dual Eye Point 240Hz
- Inputs: Single HDBaseT; HDMI2.0 (HDCP2.2, HDR10); DP 1.2 (HDCP1.3); Quad 3G/12G SDI/BarcoLink ULTRA
- Optional Inputs: Quad DP1.2, Fiber SFP
- Input Resolutions: From NTSC up to 4K (4,096 x 2,160)
- Refresh rates: 24hz to 120hz 4K/4KUHD (4096 x 2160 / 3860 x 2400) to 240hz WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
- Max. Pixel Clock: 600 MHz
- Software Tools: Projector Toolset + Android** app + iOS** app
- Control XLR: wired + IR, RS232, Wi-Fi**, GSM**
- Network Connection: 10/100 base-T, RJ-45 connection, Wi-Fi**
- Power Requirements: 120-160V (max 70% brightness) 18.5A / 200-240V (+/-10%), 13.5A, 50-60Hz
- Max. Power Consumption: 1,900W nom/ 2,200W max @ 230V ECO STBY; 1,300W nom/ 1,530w max @ 120 volts ECO STBY
- Noise Level: (typical at 25°C/77°F) 49 dB(A); Operational Ambient Temperature: 0-40°C / 32°-104°F ***
- Operational Humidity: 0-80% (non-condensing)
- Dimensions: 28.54” x 21.26” x 13.3” (WxLxH)
- Weight: 105 lbs.
- Standard Accessories: Power cord, wireless/XLR wired rugged remote control
- Certifications: Compliant with UL60950-1 and EN60950-1, complies with FCC rules & regulations, part 15 Class A and CE EN55032 Class A, RoHS
- Warranty: 3 years
Notes:
*Brightness levels +/-10%
** Wi-Fi and GSM options are not available in all countries
***at higher altitude light output might be dimmed
For further information from Barco: www.barco.com
