Projector Christie Roadie 25k User Manual

							 INSTALLATION AND SETUP 
 
Roadie 25K User’s Manual 2-5 
Adjust the Lens 
Turn the focus knob to sharpen the image. Adjust the zoom ring on the lens to 
increase or decrease image size (not available when using the 1:1 fixed lens). If 
desired, use the horizontal and/or vertical offset knobs to shift the image location. 
Set Cable Length 
In the Lamp menu, set the “Cable Length (m)” slidebar to match the length of the 
high-voltage DC cables connected between your lamp ballast and projection head. 
This regulates the voltage drop that occurs over distance, and ensures that adequate 
voltage reaches the lamp. Particularly in projectors rented for temporary installations, 
this setting may have to be changed from its last use. Adjustment range is 2-30m 
(6½-100 ft.). 
Press 
Aut oSe t u p and/or Menu to refine other display parameters as necessary. See also 3.6, 
Using Inputs and Channels. 
 
Although the Roadie 25K is carefully engineered to deliver an exceptional quality 
high brightness, high resolution output, your final display results could still be 
compromised if the projector is improperly installed. This subsection discusses issues 
to consider before proceeding with a final installation. Even for temporary 
installations, this information will help you to better understand what may be done to 
ensure optimized images. 
Front Screen Installations 
This projector is intended for use with flat or slightly curved screens, front or rear, 
ranging from about 5 meters (16 ft.) to 25 meters (82 ft.) wide. Although flat screens 
generally offer a low gain similar to a matte white wall paint—approximately 1 with 
a viewing angle just under 180°—and are considered most effective when ambient 
light is low, this difference in gain may be negligible given the very high light output 
from this projector. In addition, incident light reflects equally in all directions so the 
audience can see the display from more acute viewing angles. See Figure 2.4. 
 
Figure 2.4. Audience Coverage with a  Flat Screen 
NOTE: Roadie 25K lenses are designed primarily for use with flat screens, but the 
projector’s depth-of-field range allows the lens to be focused on mildly curved 
screens as well. While focus remains sharp in the corners, there may be significant 
pincushion distortion, primarily at the top of the screen.   STEP 8 

 STEP 9 
2.2 Installation 
Considerations 
 Screen Types  
						

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Rear Screen Installations 
There are two basic types of rear screens: diffused and optical. A diffused rear screen 
has a surface which spreads the light striking it. Purely diffused screens have a gain 
of less than 1. The main advantage of the diffused screen is its wide viewing angle, 
similar to that of a flat screen for front screen projection. Optical rear screens take 
light from the projector and redirect it to increase the light intensity at the front of the 
screen. This reduces it in other areas, and creates a viewing cone similar to that of a 
curved front screen installation. 
To summarize, optical screens are better suited for brightly lit rooms where the 
audience is situated within the viewing cone. Diffused screens may be better suited 
when a wide viewing angle is required but there is low ambient room lighting. 
Screen size (image size) may be up to 145 feet across, depending on your lens and 
ambient light level. Choose a screen size appropriate for your lens and application. 
Keep in mind that if the projector will be used to display much text information, the 
image size must allow the audience to recognize all text clearly. The eye usually sees 
a letter clearly if eye-to-text distance is less than 150 times the height of the letter. In 
other words, small text that is simply located too far from the eye will be illegible no 
matter how sharply and clearly it is displayed. 
NOTE: Screens with aspect ratios (proportion) of 4:3 are typically specified by 
diagonal size, but screens having other aspect ratios—such as the 2048 x 1080 of the 
Roadie 25K— are usually specified by their horizontal width. See below. 
Table 2.1. Matching Lenses to Screen Size 
Lens Type Screen Width  () 
1:1 fixed  14-145 ft. 
1.25 – 1.45:1 zoom  10-121 ft. 
1.45 – 1.8:1 zoom  8-102 ft. 
1.8 – 2.4:1 zoom  6-83 ft. 
2.2 – 3.0:1 zoom  5-66 ft. 
3.0 – 4.3:1 zoom  3-49 ft. 
4.3 – 6.0:1 zoom  2.5-35 ft. 
5.5 – 8.5:1 zoom  2-27 ft. 
 
Aspect ratio describes the proportion of the display and is expressed as the ratio of 
width to height, such as “5:4” or “16:9”. Typical aspect ratios range from 1.25 to 
2.35—the higher the value, the wider or “less square” the image. See Table 2.2. 
Table 2.2. Typical Aspect Ratios 
Application Aspect Ratio 
SXGA 1.25 (5:4) 
35mm filmstrip  1.32 (4:3) 
NTSC Video / XGA  1.33 (4:3) 
PAL Video / XGA  1.33 (4:3) 
HDTV Video  1.78 (16:9) 
Letterbox Video / “Flat”  1.89 (2048 x 1080) 
Cinemascope 2.35  
   Screen Size 

 Screen Aspect Ratio  
						

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Roadie 25K User’s Manual 2-7 
Although image size and aspect ratio can be adjusted using projector software, it is 
still ideal to use a screen with an aspect ratio that closely matches your likely source 
material. You can then more easily fill the screen with the image without restricting 
either image size or content. For example, standard video from a VCR has a 4:3 ratio 
(approximately) and can fill a 4:3 screen without side-to-side stretching, whereas a 
high-definition signal with a 16:9 aspect is largest on a 16:9 screen. 
 
Figure 2.5. Aspect Ratios: Images vs. Screens 
As shown in Figure 2.5, an obvious mismatch between source material and screen is 
characterized by “black bars” on both sides of the image (if the screen is wider than 
the source material) or above and below the image (if the source material is wider—
typically called a letterbox display). The black bars are unused display pixels and, in 
most installations, are masked or hidden behind panels or curtains. Alternatively, if 
the area of unused pixels is considered minimal, you may prefer to use the projector’s 
software control to slightly stretch the image either horizontally or vertically—
enough to utilize the remaining pixels while not noticeably distorting the image. 
Using a Cinema “Flat” Screen (1.85 aspect ratio) 
By default, source signals closely matching the projector’s 2048 x 1080 (a.k.a., 1.89) 
display area will fill this area accordingly. Signals with lower aspect ratios will 
automatically scale to be as large as possible while maintaining their original aspect 
ratio. For details on resizing behavior, see 3.7, Adjusting the Image.  
Displaying Both ‘Flat” and “Scope” 
As an example, two standard types of displays common in theatres—flat and scope—
differ in their width-to-height aspect ratio as shown below: 
 
Figure 2.6. Typical Wide Formats 
Achieving either of these displays from a variety of incoming source material (that 
may or may not be in the same format) depends on proper settings in the projector as 
well as certain room conditions. 
Projector Variables: Electronic and Anamorphic Resizing 
The native resolution of the projector (1.89) closely matches the aspect ratio of “flat” 
source material (1.85). Wider scope material, however, may be “squeezed”  
						

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Roadie 25K User’s Manual 
electronically—that is, it is distorted into a narrower area (characterized by unusually 
thin people) so that its pixels can then be stretched horizontally through the 
anamorphic lens to regain the full and properly proportioned 2.39 display. This 
optical widening can stretch the image by approximately 25%. See Figure 2.7. 
 
Figure 2.7. Typical Method for Achieving “Scope” 
Masking Options 
In order to conveniently present 
different types of incoming data—
for example, flat vs. scope—on a 
single screen, you can use physical 
masking to cover the unused 
edge(s) of the screen. These 
movable panels are most commonly 
installed along the top edge of the 
screen, changing the height of the 
screen but not its width, and are 
most frequently used in permanent 
installations such as theatres. The 
screen shown in Figure 2.8 at right 
also has a bottom mask. 
• Add masks for “scope” displays 
• Remove masks for “flat” displays 
Alternatively, masks may be installed at each 
side of the screen in order to change the width 
of the screen but not its height. 
• Add masks for “flat” displays 
• Remove masks for “scope” displays 
In some cases, the room will have both side 
and top/bottom masking installed. This 
arrangement is the most flexible of all.  
 
 
 
Refer to Figure 2.10 for a summary of the basic factors affecting wide displays in a 
variety of rooms. 
 
Figure 2.8. Top Masking for Scope Images 
 
Figure 2.9. Side Masking for Flat  
						

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Figure 2.10. Switching Between Flat & Scope Displays 
 
  
						

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The extraordinary brilliance of this projector is certainly well suited for locations 
where ambient lighting might be considered less than ideal for projection. Even a 
typical room or large auditorium fully lit with ceiling lights and windows rarely 
requires special attention. Contrast ratio in your images will be noticeably reduced 
only if light directly strikes the screen, such as when a shaft of light from a window 
or floodlight falls on the image. Images may then appear washed out and less vibrant. 
In general, avoid or eliminate light sources directed at the screen. 
Other considerations and tips which can help improve your installation: 
• Keep the ambient temperature constant and below 35°C (95°F). Keep the 
projector away from heating and/or air conditioning vents. Changes in 
temperature may cause drifts in the projector circuitry which may affect 
performance.  
• Keep the projector away from devices which radiate electromagnetic energy such 
as motors and transformers. Common sources of these include slide projectors, 
speakers, power amplifiers, elevators, etc.  
• Choose the best screen size for the application. Since more magnification reduces 
brightness, use a screen size appropriate for the venue but not larger than 
required. Installing a large screen in a small room is similar to watching 
television at a close range; too large a screen can overpower a room and interfere 
with the overall effect. A good rule of thumb is to be no closer than 1.5 times the 
width of the screen. 
 
Installation type, the available screen, and ambient lighting all affect where the 
projector should be positioned. In addition, both throw distance (the distance between 
the projector and screen) and vertical position (the height of the projector in relation 
to the screen) must be determined for every new installation. Both depend on the 
screen size and lens type you are using. Make sure that the room can accommodate 
the required location of the projector for the chosen screen size. 
Throw distance is the distance between the projector and the screen (Figure 2.11). 
For any installation, placing the projector at an accurate throw distance is necessary 
in order for the image size to closely match your screen – the farther the projector is 
from the screen, the larger the image. With zoom lenses, you’ll want to know the 
approximate minimum and maximum image sizes possible from a given throw 
distance so that the most appropriate lens is installed at the site (throw distance / 
screen width = throw ratio).   Ambient Lighting 
 Other Considerations 
2.3 Projector 
Position and 
Mounting 
 Throw Distance  
						

							 INSTALLATION AND SETUP 
 
Roadie 25K User’s Manual 2-11 
 
Figure 2.11. Estimating Throw Distance: Example 
NOTE: If your projector is slightly tilted in relation to the screen, typical for large 
venues and/or elevated installations, throw distance still represents the smallest 
measurement between the screen and projector. 
As shown in Figure 2.11, throw distance is approximately equal to the horizontal 
width of the screen multiplied by the type of lens you are using. For example, if you 
are using a 1:1 lens, proper throw distance will be approximately the same as screen 
width. Once you know your screen width and lens you can estimate throw distance 
needed. Or, if you know throw distance, you can determine what images sizes are 
possible with a given zoom lens. 
IMPORTANT: For proper placement in any installation, use the throw distance 
formula provided for your lens (Appendix D). In addition, please keep in mind that 
due to lens manufacturing tolerances for lens focal length, actual throw distance 
can vary ±5% or more between lenses described as having the same throw ratio. 
For complete throw distance information, consult Appendix D.  
Refer to the offsets shown here for help in determining how high or low to install the 
projector in relation to the center of the screen, and/or how far off to one side.  
VERTICAL POSITION describes the elevation of the projector in relation to the screen. 
For many typical rental/staging installations, the projector will be above screen 
center. An ideal vertical position helps ensure that images will be accurately 
rectangular in shape rather than distorted into a keystoned shape with non-parallel 
sides, and that image focus and brightness both remain optimized. 
NOTE: Proper vertical position is recommended, although vertically keystoned 
images (i.e., those with sloping sides) can be corrected in software. See Section 3. 
Vertical position of the image can be manually offset—that is, placed higher or lower 
in relation to lens center—using the vertical offset knob on the lens mount. Starting 
with no offset, the 2048 x 1080 image from this projector can be moved by a 
maximum distance of 540 pixels, resulting in all of the image displayed above or 
below lens center (Figure 2.12).    Vertical & Horizontal 

 
Position  
						

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Figure 2.12. Vertical Offset Range 
NOTES: 1) Assumes full 2048 x 1080 display. 2) Recommended offset range can 
sometimes be exceeded, however this may affect image quality. 3) Due to 
manufacturing tolerances, an offset range can vary ±5% or more between lenses 
described as having the same throw ratio, between projectors, and with any 
lens/projector combination. 4) Simultaneous horizontal and vertical offset can limit 
the adjustment range of each, as can long throw distances.  
ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF DESCRIBING VERTICAL OFFSET: Offset can also be 
specified as the distance traveled
 from lens center (such as 270 pixels) and expressed 
as a percentage (270 pixels=50%) of half of the image height
. This concept of image 
movement is illustrated in the example below: 
 
Figure 2.13. Example of Alternative Offset Specification 
For any projector, if you find that you cannot raise or lower the image enough using 
mechanical vertical offset, try adjusting V-Position in the Size and Position menu  
						

							 INSTALLATION AND SETUP 
 
Roadie 25K User’s Manual 2-13 
when displaying at less than the minimum size (see 3.7, Adjusting the Image). If 
images remain keystoned or exhibit uneven brightness, the projector may simply be 
too high or low in relation to the screen. Relocate for optimized performance. 
THE HORIZONTAL POSITION of the image can 
be manually offset—that is, shifted left or right 
of lens center—by using the horizontal offset 
knob on the lens mount. Starting with no offset, 
the 2048 x 1080 image from this projector can 
be moved by a distance of 410 pixels, resulting 
in up to 70% of the image displayed on one side 
of lens center (Figure 2.14). 
Note that the positioning shown at right is often 
mistakenly referenced as “70% offset” but it is 
not—it is 40% offset derived as 410/1024 x 
100. A 70% offset is explained below and 
shown in Figure 2.15. 
 
 
 
ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF DESCRIBING 
HORIZONTAL OFFSET: 
Horizontal offset 
can also be specified as the distance
 
traveled from lens center and expressed as 
a percentage of half of the image width
. 
For example, an offset spec of 70% means 
a centered image can be moved by a 
distance of 717 pixels, resulting in 85% of 
the image projected to one side of lens 
center and 15% on the other. See right. 
NOTE: Example only. Beyond range for 
this projector. 
 
 
 
 
For front projection without suspending, mount the projector on a strong supporting 
structure or cart. Take special care if using a mobile cart—avoid sudden stops, force 
and uneven surfaces that may cause the top-heavy cart to lurch and overturn. 
Make sure your mounting structure is reasonably level, then adjust one or more 
projector feet as necessary to fine-tune. 
 
Figure 2.14. Horizontal Offset 
Range 
 
Figure 2.15. Alternative Offset 
Specification 
 Floor Mounting 
 and Levelin
g  
						

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Roadie 25K User’s Manual 
 WARNING  
Do not invert this projector. 
Adjusting the Feet 
For installations on a floor or suitable 
supporting structure, a single 
projection head should rest firmly on 
its feet. There is no need for the 
FredFrame
 unless stacking with 
another Roadie 25K, or unless you 
decide to rig and fly the projector. 
To adjust the height and level of the 
projector, extend or retract the feet by 
rotating them. 
See Figure 2.16. 
Tilting 
For any installation, you can tilt the 
front end of the projector up or 
down as much as 15° (see right). 
 
 
Likewise, side-to-side tilt must not 
exceed 15° (see Figure 2.17 
below). This limit ensures safe 
lamp operation and proper position 
of the liquid cooling reservoir in the projector. 
 WARNING  
Tilt only as shown. 
 
Figure 2.17. Side-to-Side Tilt 
Special Orientations 
Since this projector cannot be inverted or tilted beyond 15°, all installations are front-
mount and require the “Front” Image Orientation setting in the Configuration menu.  
 
Figure 2.16. Adjusting the Feet 
  Tilting and Special 
 Orientations