Barco converts La Geode into Europe`s largest digital 3D dome

Released on = March 16, 2007, 11:38 am

Press Release Author = Barco Simulation, LLC

Industry = Environment

Press Release Summary = Paris, France - Barco, a leading global provider of visual
display solutions, has recently brought digital 3D projection to the La Gode giant
dome in Paris. La Gode is one of the largest geodesic domes in the world and the
Barco installation makes this exhibit the largest 3D digital presentation ever to be
displayed on a spherical surface. The grand opening was held on 6 March and
inaugurated by Renaud Donnedieu de Vabre, French Minister of Culture and
Communication.

Press Release Body = "This solution allows La Geode to introduce the biggest,
brightest, and finest high-definition 3D and 2D digital image covering a very large
part of its 1,000 m2 hemispheric screen," says Laurent Dondey, general manager at La
Gode. "This project started with a visit at 'IMAX Tycho Brahe' - the dome movie
theater and planetarium in Copenhagen - where we were very impressed and inspired by
the courageous and successful first move made by Steen Iversen's team and Barco's
Eric Braux in implementing giant digital projection for 3D programs. We discovered
the right way to strategically enrich, diversify, and render less dependant our
programming."

Ever since the implementation of the Barco system solution at the Tycho Brahe
planetarium in Copenhagen, there appears to be a strong interest in digital 3D among
museums and themed parks with giant screen domes. Barco's 3D digital display system
enables La Gode to diversify its offering and provide a new experience to its
patrons, as well as differentiate its offer from standard theaters. La Gode will
split its screen time between digital and large format film presentations.

La Gode plans to show 3D programs three to four times a day, high-definition (HD)
children animation programs, documentaries for special rendezvous of La Gode, music
and video concerts, satellite video transmissions for sports and cultural/musical
events, and sessions for graphic and new digital image creators with schools and
labs.

"This project was a true and thrilling challenge which drew much passion and effort
from the La Gode team, as well as attention from the industry," adds Laurent
Dondey. "In a few weeks, we believe we'll attract many new visitors in addition to
the current stream of 550,000 IMAX spectators. Barco is sharing our enthusiasm and
excitement and even providing artistic direction, advice, and contact bridging for
the show and the programs to come -- a help we much appreciate."

As prime contractor for the La Gode project, Barco was responsible for the entire
implementation of the giant digital display system. In the early phases of the
project, Barco played a major role in consulting La Gode to validate the technical
feasibility and business model. The world-renown dome theater relied on Barco's
extensive expertise in large-scale, multi-channel visualization for spherical
surfaces, high-definition, and stereoscopic imaging.

The La Gode system solution consists of a multi-channel, Barco Galaxy passive
Infitec stereo display system, the new Barco XDS-1000 external desktop system, and a
collection of high-resolution sources including video servers, satellite feeds, and
other high-definition inputs. Barco's scalable XDS-1000 allows the projection system
to simultaneously display up to 16 video sources to HD resolution in multiple
windows, as well as display multiple stereo sources. The digital video serving
technology allows the system to playback various digital content in a wide range of
formats and record in high definition in real time.

About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for
a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales &
Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia
Pacific. Barco (Euronext Brussels: BAR) is headquartered in Belgium and is active in
more than 90 countries with about 3800 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of
euro 751 million in 2006.

About La Gode
La Gode, one of the world\'s largest geodesic domes and France's first Omnimax movie
theatre equipped with a 1000 square meter screen. La Gode opened its doors one year
before the Science and Industry Park, the opening of which on 13 March 1986
coincided with the passing through of Halley\'s comet.

Copyright 2007 by Barco - May be reproduced by professional press only


Web Site = http://www.barco.com

Contact Details = 600 Bellbrook Avenue
Xenia, OH 45385
Ph: 937-372-7579
Fax: 937-372-8645

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