Barco is expanding its portfolio of laser-illuminated cinema projectors with a range of laser phosphor projectors. The new projectors have a laser phosphor retrofit module, so that exhibitors who already own a Barco cinema projector can now also benefit from laser technology. The DP2K-20CLP and DP2K-15CLP are the first two models and will be shipping globally in the second quarter 2016.
“Exhibitors are constantly looking to offer their audiences superior image quality at a lower cost, and with greater simplicity – and our laser-illuminated projectors meet those demands perfectly,” said Wim Buyens, senior vice president of Barco’s entertainment division. “Now is the time to switch to laser. By selecting laser projection, exhibitors invest in the future. Following the digital cinema conversion, we’re proud to spearhead the transition from lamp-based to laser-illuminated projection by offering the widest range of laser-illuminated projectors in the industry.”
“Thanks to our complementary portfolio of laser projectors it becomes easier for exhibitors to benefit from laser-illuminated projection, irrespective of their screen size, theater size, or budget. The Barco 6P flagship laser projectors for premium screens offer unprecedented image quality that wows audiences at an attractive total cost of ownership while our brand-new laser phosphor series for the mid-range reduces costs significantly and provides superior image quality,” said Stijn Henderickx, vice president cinema at Barco. “What’s more, we’re proud to be the first manufacturer to introduce an 18,000-lumen laser phosphor projector for cinema, which is three times the brightness of any other laser phosphor offering in the market.”
Freeing users from all lamp-related costs, both the new and retrofit laser phosphor projectors provide considerable cost-savings. Thanks to their unique cooling system, the laser phosphor projectors boast a long lifetime of 30,000 hours at 50 percent light output, which is equivalent to the lifetime of 30 Xenon lamps. Compared to lamp-based projectors, their optical efficiency is also significantly higher, resulting in electricity bill savings of up to 50 percent.
Theater owners can easily retrofit their existing Barco DP2K-15C and DP2K-20C projectors by replacing the lamp house with a laser-phosphor module. What’s more, the new projectors’ compact single projector setup integrates seamlessly into current booth setups. Based on a laser phosphor light source, the DP2K-20CLP and DP2K-15CLP series increases uptime and eliminates the costs, administration, and maintenance related to lamp-based illumination.
Providing 18,000 and 13,500 lumens brightness respectively, the DP2K-20CLP and DP2K-15CLP combine consistent DCI-compliant image quality with the outstanding uniformity only laser illumination can provide. The laser phosphor projectors offer improved image quality on both white and silver screens and are compatible with popular 3D systems.
The first units of Barco’s laser phosphor series will be installed in China. “This is the result of the outstanding cooperation over many years between the China Film Group and Barco. It symbolizes the importance of the China Film Group - Barco partnership and it is a sign of the growing impact of the Chinese cinema industry,” said Buyens.