2 mins - July 2023
Barco Residential brings the pinnacle of image and sound technology to the high-end home environment. The state-of-the-art Barco Residential projectors are developed, manufactured, and treasured in design centres in Belgium and Norway. They’re designed from the ground up with one goal in mind – to show the best possible images in any setting. From purpose-built lenses and optics to custom-made electronics processing and boards, all parts are specially crafted.
In 1934, Lucien Depuydt started the Belgian American Radio Corporation (BARCO). His ambition was to produce and sell the most high-tech radio's that the world had ever seen. He promoted the radios that he manufactured in his workshop in the Belgian town of Poperinge.
From these early origins, building high-end radios – and, later, televisions – in fantastic wooden cabinets, Barco became the world’s technology leader in ultra-high-end professional visualisation applications – such as Digital Cinema, with over 60% of today’s DLP cinema screens are equipped with Barco projectors.
Nearly 90 years on, Barco Residential has returned to its origins − bringing the best imaging technologies to the world’s finest residences. The brand has once again become ‘Your family’s essential friend’.
Barco Residential and DbM started working together back in 2016, there was a clear plan to “demonstrate better” as showing the integrators the power of Barco is absolutely the best way to showcase the performance and technology.
DbM’s ability to demonstrate multiple projection systems in one demonstration facility really helps our integrators to show their clients just how great projection systems can be. The introduction of LED and Laser (Phosphor or RGB) light sources along with full DCI projection systems designed for the residential space really elevated the position of projection in the market. The other critical point is supporting the integrators with projection installation design support. DbM has a complimentary Design and Specification service to check projector positioning, throw and offset calculations, provide expected image brightness, laser hazard zones and more.
Barco delivered engineered solutions, something that is very important to the DbM team. We offer engineered solutions which ensure we hit foot Lambert, SPL, viewing and listening angles. Knowing that we can rely on Barco to deliver on their engineering promises is critical for us as a relied-upon partner by our integrators.
The final part of support on any successful project is in the calibration. The DbM team have everything they need to dial in the Barco projectors once the project is ready to be handed over to your client, ensuring the most amazing image quality and the most immersive experience.
Key to DbM’s success is the fantastic demonstration facilities at the HQ in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Since the partnership began, DbM has aimed to demonstrate Barco’s flagship products, leading to its reference theatre currently being equipped with the DCI compliant, RGB laser, Freya projector.
Recently launched to replace the Loki, Hodr is a 3-Chip DLP projector offering 7,500 lumens output, whilst delivering spectacular colour fidelity for an unmatched experience that will delight even the most discerning clients.
Outstanding image quality requires an exceptional light source which is why Barco designed Hodr with a brand-new laser engine, significantly improving image uniformity (95%) over its predecessor. Hodr uses custom selected lasers to secure that we can deliver DCI/P3 color gamut. This means that you get huge brightness, incredible colour accuracy and amazing contrast, without compromises.
Hodr features HDR, motorised lenses, and Barco’s unique RealColor processing, which enables simple and accurate calibration to any desired colour standard or white point. Hodr is also one of the first projectors to offer Barco’s new DynaBlack technology improving contrast for both SDR and HDR content. Hodr offers 4K UHD resolution (3,840 x 2,160) for superb image quality. For 2.3x aspect ratio screens, Barco also offer the Hodr CinemaScope with native 5120x2160 resolution, filling the screen without the need to overscan or use an anamorphic lens.
This exceptional projector has recently been installed into the DbM Lounge at its HQ, elevating the already exceptional room to new heights. To book a tour and to experience projection like never before, contact DbM at sales@distributedbym.co.uk