Barco is expanding its portfolio of laser-illuminated cinema projectors with a range of laser phosphor projectors. The brand-new projectors offer exhibitors a future-proof and cost-effective way to upgrade their fleet while providing superior image quality. Thanks to the unique laser phosphor retrofit module, 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 of Barco’s laser phosphor projector series that are being launched. They will be shipping globally from Q2 2016 onwards.
“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,” comments Wim Buyens, Senior VP 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, theatre 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,” says Stijn Henderickx, VP 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% 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%.
Theatre 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.