Barco’s product innovation proves successful again

Barco Announces Positive Market Response for its Award-Winning iQ® (Pro) Projector Series

Barco is pleased to announce that the innovative iQ (Pro) Series projectors have been very well accepted by the market in corporate, education and government applications. In 2002, the iQ (Pro) Series received five industry awards for its cutting-edge technology by integrating IT and AV (audio visual) in an intelligent visualization solution.

Belgium, Kortrijk – May 27, 2003 - A key feature of the iQ Pro Series is the advanced network functionality. Dirk Hendrickx, Business Unit Manager of Barco Presentation explains: “As a powerful computer server is integrated in the design of the projector, the iQ Pro Series results in increased business efficiency by enabling instant, truly collaborative meetings between remote offices. Control over a projector can be passed instantly over LAN to any meeting location, which means that changes made to a spread sheet in an office in Europe, can be viewed real-time in the office in US, and vice versa. Further, data and video content can easily be streamed over the network to any meeting location. Real-time interaction and file sharing with remote sites increases business efficiency by saving travel time and results in a positive effect on the user’s Return On Investment (ROI).”

Because of the advanced network functionality, the iQ Pro Series further enables central control and management of a fleet of projectors. This is the reason why the European Parliament (Belgium) has recently standardized on the iQ Pro Series to equip their 30 meeting and conference rooms. A fleet of projectors can now be fully controlled over the network from the central IT Helpdesk. There is no need for support staff to run to meeting rooms to adjust projector settings. These adjustments can be done instantly (over the network) right from their desks, allowing for uninterrupted and efficient meetings.

Due to the innovative functionality of the iQ Pro Series, Belgacom, the leading supplier of global telecommunications on the Belgian Market, and Barco signed a strategic partnership in February 2003 to market a unique, integrated video communication system, enabling videoconferencing and collaborative working. The solution integrates Barco’s iQ Pro Series in a rear set-up and Belgacom’s all-round connectivity. The system can work with a broad mix of networks and can also manage all forms of connectivity, such as ISDN, IP-VPN, ADSL and SDSL. Companies such as the European firm Fluxys and the Joint Research Center (Italy), are installing the system in their meeting rooms.

Vodafone (Germany) has recently purchased several tens of Barco iQ projectors to equip its conference rooms with these advanced AV solutions. The projectors are integrated in front and rear installations, and include presentation and videoconferencing applications. Microsoft (UK) is replacing all third party projectors with Barco projectors. A number of iQ projectors have already been installed in their Reading office so far. Also, in the UK, four iQ Praxis projectors have been installed in the White Cube Art Gallery (London), as part of an electronic art exhibition. Side-by-side, they project a wide-screen image of a moving piece of art.

In the education market, the iQ Series has been significantly accepted due to its innovative functionality enabling effective presentations, training and distant learning applications. Case Western University (US) integrated 16 iQ projectors in their classrooms and conference rooms to date. In total, a roll-out of 100 iQ projectors is planned, to further equip this university with intelligent visualization solutions.


About the iQ (Pro) Series of projectors

Barco’s iQ (Pro) Series includes a broad range of 15 LCD projectors, tailored to the needs and applications of customers. Besides the network functionality there is the advanced picture-in-picture functionality, which enables users to show up to three sources simultaneously. Integrated seamless source switching capabilities eliminate waiting intervals or warning messages when switching sources. With brightness levels up to 5,000 ANSI lumen, contrast ratio’s of > 800:1 and an intelligent dual-lamp design for added reliability, this range is ideally suited for presentation, conference and training applications in meeting rooms and auditoriums.

The iQ (Pro) Series has received five top industry awards to date:
- Pick Hit of NAB, April 2002 (Video Systems Magazine, US)
- Most Creative New Product at InfoComm, June 2002 (Knews InfoComm Show Awards, US)
- SatisFecit Trophy Award, November 2002 (SATIS expo, France)
- Vanguard Award, December 2002 (Video Systems Magazine, US)
- Standing Ovation Award, December 2002 (Presentations Magazine, US)

About Barco

Barco, an international company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, is active in three key areas of imaging technology. Barco designs and develops solutions for large screen visualization, display solutions for life-critical applications, and systems for visual inspection. Barco has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in almost 100 countries. Barco is quoted on Brussels/Euronext and is a
BEL 20 and a Next 150 company.

 

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