Exhibitors around the world are embracing Barco's immersive audio format to add value to their own specific brand of premium cinema experience. More than 150 screens have been installed with 300 more committed for 2014 in the United States, Latin America, Switzerland, Austria, Taiwan, Estonia, and many other countries. A powerful slate of upcoming summer blockbusters will feature Auro 11.1 sound in over 50 movies. At the same time, Barco and industry partners are working to secure the creation of an "open format" for immersive cinema sound to ensure more content, increased marketing support and the ability to play any movie regarding of the authoring system used to create it.


Open standard benefits exhibitors and studios alike
With an open standard format now imminent thanks to Barco and our other partners advocating for this new 'open' approach to sound, production companies worldwide are embracing Auro 11.1 due to its flexibility and excellent audio quality.

"Barco is proud to celebrate the significant accomplishment achieved with our industry partners one year ago as we kicked off efforts to secure the creation of an 'open format' for immersive cinema sound. This approach protects exhibitors and studios alike from the worry of 'gatekeeper' entities forcing future licensing fees," comments Brian Claypool, Senior Director Strategic Business Development, Digital Cinema for Barco.

Premium immersive sound for the lowest total cost of ownership
"We are very pleased that exhibitors all over the world are realizing the benefits that Auro 11.1 and an open standard immersive cinema sound solution offers, not only to their audiences in the form of an enriched sensory experience, but to their overall business profitability," comments Patrick Lee, Vice President Barco Digital Cinema.

Post-production houses reap rewards, too
More than 25 post-production studios have installed the Auro-3D® Studio System, with several more currently being installed due to its ability to offer content creators total freedom with regards to immersive sound development. "Studios can create both channel- and object-based sound masters for movies without fear of incurring exorbitant costs or being locked-in to one authoring or playback system," comments Wilfried Van Baelen, inventor of the Auro-3D® format and CEO of Auro Technologies.

Barco will be participating in a panel discussion "The Road to Open Standards for Immersive Audio" at this year's CinemaCon on Thursday, March 27, to help educate exhibitors on the concept of open standard immersive audio, how Barco is supporting this platform, and what it means to their business.

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