Guinness World Record “The projector’s brightness is a crucial element in providing moviegoers with a captivating and immersive cinema experience…[especially for] 3D movie”
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Digital Cinema pioneer Barco has achieved a notable Guinness World Record. Its DP2K-32B digital cinema projector, already recognized as ‘the brightest projector on the planet’, can now officially claim this title after succeeding in a world record attempt.

With a measured and validated brightness of over 43,000 center lumens in color-calibrated mode, the record-holding Barco DP2K-32B is able to perfectly project 3D content even on the largest screens, giving moviegoers all over the world the ultimate viewing experience.The successful record attempt took place at Barco’s own facilities in Kuurne, Belgium, on 1 December 2010 at 2pm local time. Witnessed and verified by Guinness Adjudicator Kaoru Ishikawa, a Barco DP2K-32B digital cinema projector achieved an exact brightness of 43,000 lumens after color correction to match the DCI color spectrum, measured at the center of a 4m² cinema screen at a distance of 5 meters from the projector. A certificate proving the successful record attempt was presented in person by Miss Ishikawa to Wim Buyens, Vice President of Barco Digital Cinema.

“The projector’s brightness is a crucial element in providing moviegoers with a captivating and immersive cinema experience. This is especially true in the case of 3D movies, which require a lot of brightness,” explains Wim Buyens. “This makes it very hard to efficiently project 3D content on larger screens, where only ultra-bright projectors can guarantee an optimal viewing experience. In this respect this world record is more than merely a technological achievement: it is an answer to one of 3D digital cinema’s biggest challenges today.”

The model used for the record attempt was an off-the-shelf Barco DP2K-32B, equipped with a standard 7 kW Ushio lamp. Featuring the most efficient optical light path, Barco’s DP2K projectors are specifically designed to deliver the highest possible brightness on screen. To guarantee undiminished brightness levels over the years they also benefit from Barco’s unique sealed light engine to keep dust out.

“Ever since its launch, we have billed the DP2K-32B as the ‘Brightest digital cinema projector on the planet’,” adds Wim Buyens. “Being recognized by the famous Guinness World Records now makes this title official and once again demonstrates Barco’s technology leadership in digital cinema projection. I would like to congratulate our excellent engineering team and everybody involved in the development of this projector for this accomplishment. More brightness means a more immersive 3D experience, and this is exactly what our technology enables.”

full story at http://www.dcinematoday.com/dc/pr.aspx?newsID=2113

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The top-of-the-line Barco DP2K-32B is the brightest digital cinema projector on the planet. Thanks to this record light output, the unique DP2K-32B is the ultimate 3D machine.
The ultimate 3D machine
The unique DP2K-32B will light up screens up to 32m (105ft) wide with its unmatched image brightness, vibrant colors and exceptionally rich contrast levels.
This amazing image quality will create an unparalleled 3D experience for your audience, as well as more box-office potential for your theater.

Low cost of ownership
Keeping operating cost low was a top priority when developing the DP2K-32B. All core components have therefore been designed for easy serviceability and extended product lifetime.

Easy maintenance
The DP2K-32B projector has an easy-to-use, fully modular architecture. This modularity significantly minimizes downtime, allows for a minimum spare parts stock and speeds up technicians’ learning curves, which significantly reduces cost of ownership.

original post: http://www.barco.com/en/digitalcinema/product/2218

(They operate 115 screens.  30 converted to MasterImage 3D so far.)

After a careful selection process, Nordisk Film, which operates 115 screens in Denmark and Norway, has selected MasterImage 3D for all its digital screens.

Jan Petersen, Chief Technical Officer of Nordisk Film Biografer (Cinemas) said that  Nordisk made their choice of MasterImage 3D based on three main factors – cost, the business model, and picture quality. With numerous different 3D systems to choose from, Nordisk researched the market thoroughly, and also relied heavily on advice from Kinoton, a trusted company with whom it has worked for many years. In-depth talks between Kinoton and Nordisk, with practical demonstrations of different systems, led to the choice of MasterImage 3D.

Nordisk,  for operational reasons, wanted a system with low-cost disposable glasses, leading them to focus on systems using circularly polarised glasses.  They carefully examined 3D images from the available systems and concluded that image quality from the MasterImage 3D system was slightly better than from other  systems, and were also influenced by the fact that they could buy the system outright, with no ongoing lease payments. The costs of the MasterImage 3D system also worked out favourably at the volumes being considered by Nordisk, which has an ongoing programme of cinema digitisation, and currently has more than 30 digital screens, all of which use MasterImage 3D.

Lutz Schmidt, International Sales Manager for Kinoton, said that Kinoton had experience of many 3D systems and had been able to demonstrate MasterImage to Nordisk  and to provide positive feedback from MasterImage 3D systems which had been installed in other European countries, in Korea, and in the USA. Kinoton were thus able to re-assure Nordisk that the installation of MasterImage 3D would be straightforward and that the company would be able to provide the equipment in time for the proposed deadline.

Brian Kercher, Managing Director of MasterImage 3D Europe says that one of the many strengths of the company is that it works in partnership with Cinema Integrator companies throughout Europe. This enables MasterImage 3D to ensure that its equipment is properly installed and regularly maintained and serviced by teams of skilled and experienced cinema engineers who understand the needs of the cinema exhibition industry. MasterImage 3D also works in partnership with the many cinemas which it serves, and these close working partnerships are the secret of success for all those using the world-class MasterImage 3D system.

Echoing Brian’s remarks, Jan Petersen said that Nordisk, already the largest cinema chain in Denmark, serving six million visitors a year, intends to expand its digital cinema numbers in the coming years, and he is delighted with the successful partnerships that the company has established both with MasterImage 3D and with Kinoton.

source: http://www.dcinematoday.com/dc/pr.aspx?newsID=2110