KORTRIJK, BELGIUM — Barco (www.imax.com) has been selected by IMAX Corporation as the exclusive, worldwide projection technology partner for its IMAX theatres for the next seven years. Using Barco’s Xenon lamp-based digital projectors will immediately enhance The IMAX Experience in its global cinema network. In addition, IMAX theatres will benefit from a new generation of high-performance, laser-based projectors, which are expected to be deployed in 2013.
In the first phase of the partnership, the parties will integrate an enhancement of Barco’s existing Xenon-based projectors for use in IMAX’s current backlog and new system signings. This solution will be available in the second half of 2012. Simultaneously, Barco and IMAX will co-develop laser technology, benefiting from Barco’s laser innovations and IMAX’s licensed Kodak IP. Simultaneously, the companies will work together exclusively to manage the transition from Xenon-based to high-performance, laser-based projectors.