BARCO's ScenergiX takes Centre Stage at Retail Week Awards 2002
BARCO’S reliable SLM G5 projectors combined with its proprietary “ScenergiX” soft-edge blending system provided the perfect visualization solution to the Retail Week Awards 2002 held in London recently.
Belgium, 23 April 2002.For audiovisual solutions provider First Network, the Retail Week Awards 2002 provided a challenge. Staged at the world-famous Grosvenor Hotel in London’s Park Lane, the event demanded a slick, stylish audiovisual execution. Customer expectations were high; room for error zero.
The spectacular creation developed by First Network took the form of 2 double stacked Barco SLM G5’s – all four projectors using ScenergiX – focused on a centre screen and operating in Cinemascope (2.35:1 Aspect Ratio). The actual screen size was 7.5m x 3.2m. In addition, 2 Barco BR6500 projectors complemented the wide screen projectors and relayed video images onto two side screens flanking the centre screen.
First Network’s Dennis Georgiou states, “We provide intelligent specifying and leading edge equipment from one of the largest and most up to date rental stocks available. This strength, combined with a high level of technical support and a True Partnership approach with BARCO, has assured us of an outstanding reputation for quality and service. BARCO is generally held as being, not only the pioneer of projection technology, but the innovator and leader of large screen electronic images. The True Partnership shared by First Network and BARCO was reflected by both technical teams working together on the build-up, and this did not go unnoticed by third parties". Georgiou went on to suggest, “ScenergiX is a significant development in the projection industry as, for the very first time, it allows images to be blended without the use of external, costly equipment.”
First Network were contracted by well-known set builder Stageline, who in turn were contracted by Intercommunic 8, a London based live event production company which produced the show. Intercommunic 8’s Allen McKay has a background in multi-screen a/v but previously worked mainly with static images and had for some time been looking for a way of producing a similar effect with video. Having seen Barco’s ScenergiX system at First Network’s premises, McKay quickly appreciated the convenience and ease of use that ScenergiX offers, commenting, “Barco’s ScenergiX system does not rely upon additional hardware/software from a third party and therefore is extremely convenient and easy to use. Furthermore it avoids the likelihood of incompatibility and conflicts often experienced when mixing different software.” (By using ScenergiX software, the right and left sides of an image, in addition to the top and bottom edges, can be displayed on the same screen seamlessly by several Barco projectors, giving razor sharp, bright images with a shorter throw ratio.)
First Network, based in Northolt, Middlesex, provides high quality audiovisual solutions to the conference and events industry. Established in 1992, First Network has carved an excellent reputation throughout the UK and across Europe and has allied itself closely to the BARCO brand. Their direct client list includes many household names and blue-chip organizations like Royal Bank of Scotland; the NHS; Dixon’s; Everest Windows and a number of other well-known names in the corporate finance world.
BARCO’s Mark Leahy commented “It is both pleasing and appropriate to partner a forward-thinking rental company such as First Network who are determined to be at the leading edge of technology. ScenergiX was developed in response to customer demand and, since its introduction in 2001, we have developed the ScenergiX Controller - a natural progression - and due for release in Autumn 2002.”
Leahy went on to say, “The ScenergiX Controller will add additional functionality to this innovative product. Equipped with the versatile Barco Xlite software, the controller is a multipurpose device which can be used on LED walls in addition to projectors. The ScenergiX Controller brings additional flexibility allowing up to 4 input sources and 4 outputs. This will enable the user to display additional pictures and “overlay” them onto the main image which, itself, may be soft-edge blended using several projectors”. First Network is among the first to queue for the new controller - and is no doubt already selling the benefits of the additional creativity it will bring.
Barco Events
Barco Events, part of BarcoProjection, specializes in developing customized visualization solutions for the rental & staging and events markets. Recognized for its dedication to product research and development, Barco Events continually strives to provide clients with unparalleled product and system integrity, delivering tailor-made solutions that answer the specific needs of its markets. With state-of-the-art daylight display and projection product ranges, Barco Events has become the preferred solution provider to many of the world’s leading rental & staging companies.
BARCO Background
BARCO, with headquarters in Kortrijk, Belgium, has three key activities which are all active in Image Processing. BarcoProjection is in various markets of large screen visualization. BarcoView develops and manufactures display systems for life critical applications, while BarcoVision is in systems for visual inspection and quality control. In 2001, the entire BARCO group delivered a revenue of Euro 792 million. BARCO has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in 97 countries throughout the world. BARCO has been quoted on the Brussels Bourse since 1986, and is now quoted on Brussels/Euronext. BARCO is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company and is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.
