Rancho Cordova, Calif. USA - 27 October 2015 - Barco, the worldwide market share leader in digital cinema projection, presents its insights and expertise on important new findings on Achievable Cinema Contrast with the advent of laser projection, and a proposed Listening Test Methodology for Object-Based Audio Rendering Interoperability at the SMPTE Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition in Hollywood, California from October 26-29, 2015.

Barco is leading the industry in the development and deployment of laser digital projection and immersive sound technologies designed to elevate movie presentation to unprecedented levels. At this year's SMPTE conference, experts from Barco will share the latest insights on the topics of Achievable Cinema Contrast and Object Based Audio Rendering Interoperability.

Modeling of Achievable Contrast - Impact on HDR (High Dynamic Range) Projection in Commercial Cinema Environments
Thursday, October 29, 2015 - 11:30am - 12:00pm in Salon 1
Dr. Goran Stojmenovik, Product Manager Laser Projection at Barco, will present the results of experiments and modeling conducted by a team of researchers at Barco's technology center in Kuurne, Belgium. The paper explores the factors that contribute to varying degrees to what is becoming known as the theater 'System Contrast Ratio.' Factors such as lens flare, port glass characteristics, room design and color, seating, screen, lighting, décor - even the number of moviegoers in the room and what they are wearing - all have an impact, effectively reducing the native contrast ratio (CR) of the projector. Based on these findings, which were measured according to a mathematical model, it is evident that theater design plays a large role in the ability to realize the full image quality potential of laser projection.

Listening Test Methodology for Object Based Audio Rendering Interoperability
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - 4:15pm - 4:45pm in Salon 2
The preservation and representation of artistic intent are driving keywords for the emerging SMPTE Immersive Audio Standard. Brian Claypool, VP of Strategic Business Development, and co-authors Markus Mehnert and Bert Van Daele, propose a listening test methodology ensuring that a single interoperable immersive audio OBAE bit-stream can achieve a baseline performance profile necessary to preserve artistic intent. By using real world examples of test content acceptable to the larger community, this approach enables a path forward to a true single inventory immersive audio bit stream for the cinema industry and potentially other downstream deliverables.

See Barco projectors in action!
Barco is supplying two DP4K-19B projectors with Barco Alchemy on board for the conference's main classrooms, in addition to a Barco F50 projector which will be used for various presentations throughout the event.

SMPTE 2015 highlights
In addition to these sessions, SMPTE 2015 features three days of technical sessions, a high-tech exhibition hall, special events including the annual Awards Ceremony and the new SMPTE-HPA Student Film Festival, plus a pre-conference symposium, offering unparalleled opportunities for professional development, relationship building, and 'mind sharing.'


About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops networked visualization products for the Entertainment, Enterprise and Healthcare markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and APAC. Barco (NYSE Euronext Brussels: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with 3,300 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of 1.051 billion euro in 2014.

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