07 February 2017 Formula F: Barco unveils ‘freestyle’ projection mapping

ISE 2017 is the place to be in Europe to explore the best, brightest and most influential innovations in the audio-visual industry. To amaze visitors at its booth and highlight the versatility and power of its F-series projectors, Barco collaborated with two Belgian technology firms, to design a show that takes projection mapping to the next level.
Bringing movement into the equation
Seeking fresh new ideas for its 2017 ISE booth, Barco teamed up with NEXXT Technology, experts in video display systems for unique events. The goal of the collaboration? To take video mapping technology - a hot topic in events and entertainment worldwide - in a new direction. 'Projection is becoming increasingly creative,' explains Bush Cherroud, NEXXT's CEO. 'You don't need flat walls anymore and can project accurately and dynamically on all kinds of shapes - even on moving surfaces.'

The team called in the help of another Belgian media production company, Fisheye, to supply a moving robotic arm, which was then fitted with a Barco F70 laser phosphor projector.
Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary
Inspired by Barco's new One Campus building in Kortrijk, Belgium, Bush and his team crafted a 5mx 5m semi-circle 'maquette' to project onto with one F70 projector, three F90 laser projectors and one HDX projector. The mapping will take viewers on an immersive journey to the iconic Barco headquarters, with its surroundings coming to life in surprising and dynamic ways. Bush Cherroud: 'It's a unique visual experience. This setup demonstrates the fact that the Barco F70 projector has no mounting angle restrictions and can be rotated 360 degrees while moving around. That's really revolutionary: Xenon-lamp projectors can only be used in a certain orientation (horizontal). It was a real pleasure working on this ground-breaking set-up with Barco.'

The magic F formula
Barco's F70 is designed specifically for simulation and features the highest resolution and the longest lifetime of any laser phosphor projector on the market. It is also incredibly robust, equipped with a durable metal case that makes it robust enough the withstand a motion platform's rapid and sudden movements. 'Our F70 laser phosphor projector is absolutely perfect for this application,' says Barco's Peter Pauwels, Director Strategic Marketing ProAV/Events at Barco. 'When a projection solution is needed for extreme, innovative and challenging applications, the F70 is just the ticket. We're really looking forward to the feedback to this set-up, at our ISE booth. The trade show will be the ideal opportunity to gauge interest in creative, moving installations for video mapping projects.'

Don't miss this unique spectacle at the Barco booth. Drop by our booth 12-F100 in Hall 12 of the Amsterdam RAI to experience this video projection mapping first-hand!

About NEXXT Technology
Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, NEXXT Technology provides video display consultancy and full service video solutions for clients interested in innovative video display projects. The company has been active since 2015 and has offices in Brussels (Belgium), Paris (France) and Dubai (UAE).

About Fisheye
Established in 2004, Fisheye is a cross-media production house that uses physical and digital techniques in innovative audiovisual installations. It operates offices in Wetteren, Belgium and London, UK and focuses offers an end-to-end platform in-house production facility and the knowhow of 20 experts.

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 (NYSE Euronext Brussels: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with about 3,300 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of 1.029 billion euros in 2015.

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