Christie, the global visual and audio technology company, has supplied Griffyn 4K35-RGB pure laser projectors to the National Museum of Natural Science (NMNS) in Taichung, Taiwan, to upgrade the projection system at its Space Theater.
The update officially opened to the public in November following its completion and testing in early summer. It marks a significant milestone in the country's science education and immersive display technology.
'A breathtakingly immersive cosmic experience'
The Space Theater first opened in 1986 and features a 23-metre (75-foot) semi-spherical dome with 300 seats arranged on a 30-degree slope.
The transformation from an ageing lamp-based projection system aims to turn the venue into Taiwan’s most advanced planetarium, utilising the high brightness and wide colour gamut of RGB pure laser projection to bring the wonders of the universe to life.
Six Christie Griffyn 4K35-RGB projectors offer native 4K resolution, brightness of up to 36,500 ISO lumens, and approximately 98% of the Rec. 2020 colour gamut for outstanding clarity and colour precision.
Arranged in a circular array around the dome, the projectors utilise exact geometric correction and edge blending to produce a perfect 360-degree image.
Christie’s long-standing partner, Dacoms Technology, managed systems integration planning, the installation and calibration of projection equipment, control systems design, and on-site testing.
It also provides continuing maintenance support to ensure seamless, real-time playback.
Dr. Chilong Lin, researcher at the NMNS, says: "For nearly 20 years, NMNS has closely tracked the evolution of laser projection technology.
"With the Space Theater’s recent upgrade from traditional lamp-based illumination to RGB pure laser projectors, we’ve seen a remarkable increase in brightness, along with color saturation and vibrancy that far surpass previous standards.
"The audience’s viewing experience has been greatly enhanced, and with an overall resolution exceeding 7.2K × 7.2K, our visual presentation quality now stands among the fines tin the world."
"By integrating Christie’s RGB pure laser projectors, we’ve been able to deliver a breathtakingly immersive cosmic experience," says Terence Lee, executive vice president of Dacoms Technology.
"The Griffyn 4K35-RGB’s superior color fidelity, brightness, and quiet operation make it the perfect solution for dome projection at the NMNS, setting a new benchmark for planetarium visuals in Taiwan."
Exceptional imagery
Dacoms and Christie’s technical teams collaborated closely to address issues related to the dome’s structure, projection angles, and heat dissipation by designing a customised cooling airflow system and conducting detailed calibration.
The result is a more vibrant, colour-rich display of cosmic imagery and a low-noise, immersive environment that uses the newest Digistar system, providing compatibility for multiple formats for real-time star simulations and interactive educational shows.
Jason Yeo, senior ProAV sales manager for Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and ANZ, Christie, says: "This project exemplifies how our advanced RGB pure laser projection can elevate educational and cultural spaces.
"We’re proud to partner with Dacoms once again to bring the universe closer to audiences in Taiwan and to inspire the next generation through immersive visual storytelling."
Museum visitors have praised the revitalised Space Theatre for its “realistic” and “breathtaking” visual experience.
Meanwhile, museum staff note that the projection quality far exceeds expectations, particularly in capturing fine details of the night sky and deep space imagery.
The Space Theatre’s successful upgrade is already attracting interest from other science and educational venues in Taiwan, with Dacoms receiving several enquiries following its reopening.
As the first dome theatre in Taiwan to use the Griffyn 4K35-RGB projectors, it is set to become a regional benchmark and a model for future planetarium improvements across Asia.
Last month, Christie revealed that its laser projection solutions are key to the new Bapu Tower Museum in Patna, Bihar, where they have been engaging visitors since the museum's official opening in February.
This milestone project, initiated by the Government of Bihar, celebrates Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring legacy and his vital role in India’s independence movement through compelling storytelling and engaging visuals.
Jade Craig
