A new immersion ride, the first of its kind in South America, features a 172sqm curved screen, blended 4K projection, 18.3 3D audio, synchronised six-axis motion and Medialon show control.
VIX takes visitors into an underwater world untouched by humans. Created by Sensorama as a virtual reality experience blending magic and fantasy, the 24-person ride takes guests on a below-the-surface voyage, accelerating through narrow land passages, forbidden forests and deep ocean caverns.
However, VIX isn’t located in an amusement park: it’s in Brazilian mall Shopping Praia da Costa, surrounded by restaurants, retail stores, and public spaces. Due to this crowded and unconventional environment, sound isolation is important so as not to disturb patrons not taking part in the ride.
The $4 million VIX project required 100 tons of steel, 3km of cabling, a custom engineered building, and a curved screen equivalent to in area that of an IMAX theatre.
Using blended 4K ultra high resolution projectors, a panoramic immersive screen was custom designed for VIX. The 6K uncompressed video, 18.3 3D audio system, special effects, and synchronised six-axis motion platform movements work together to engage all the senses.
By integrating sensory stimulants into the show, riders can feel their hair blow in the wind, smell the forest as they travel through untouched land, and feel the mist as they dive underwater. Special effects including heat, lighting, and wind add to the experience.
“The most interesting part is that all the technology disappears when you go into the ride and it’s easy, simple and beautiful,” said Leif Percifield, the project’s head engineer. “You don’t care how many wires, projectors and computers are involved because it’s awesome.”
The entire show and preshow is controlled by Medialon Manager V6 show control software on a Medialon Show Control Machine Pro. A secondary computer stands by as a redundant backup in case of any issues with the main show controller.
With the ability to control any audiovisual equipment using a range of protocols or network connections, Windows-based Medialon Manager 6 show control fits alongside already present IT technology, controlling audio, video playback, operator controls and media management in one place.
“I love the flexibility of Medialon products,” said Michael Sauder, programmer of VIX.“As I worked on the project, additional special effects were added, and Medialon’sshow control software had no problem adapting to the new additions.”
