Global entertainment and technology company, IMAX, has entered into a partnership with global designer and developer of visualization products, Barco, for development of a new laser projection technology for its theatres.
IMAX had exclusively licensed certain patents from Eastman Kodak, and will implement these patents in the new solution – a digital laser projector that will provide better clarity and brightness, deeper blacks, consume less power and a have a wider color range.
The partnership is a 7-year agreement during which Barco will be the exclusive global partner for development of the sophisticated, next-generation laser projection technology. The technology will be based on the digital laser patents from Kodak, laser innovations from Barco and intellectual property in image quality from IMAX.
The new digital laser projector is expected to hit the market in the latter part of 2012. It will be used in new system signings and also for current backlogs. Barco and IMAX will also work together in the migration from Xenon-based projectors to laser-based projectors. The high-performance laser-based projectors are scheduled for deployment in 2013.
Robert D. Lister, the Chief Business Development Officer at IMAX, stated that due to the continued global expansion of IMAX, the company had to develop its technology to be on par with its ambition for growth and innovation.
The Senior Vice President of Barco's Entertainment Division, Wim Buyens, stated that being chosen as the exclusive digital cinema technology partner by IMAX was an honor. The partnership will deliver a superior movie-viewing experience, he said.