"Adding a creative dimension to LED technology attests Barco's technology leadership in the international events and architectural lighting industry. Most of the products have been developed in close partnership with leading show designers and can now be offered as a true solution to the market. Let's break the mold and unleash the creativity!" comments Stephan Paridaen, president of Barco Media & Entertainment.
A MiSphere consists of 4 full colour high performance LEDs that reside inside an opaque, light-defusing capsule. With 360-degree viewing angles, and the ability to play both full video & data, the MiSphere bridges the gap between existing video and lighting products, claims Barco. Individual MiSpheres are daisy-chained into a string, with several strings in turn forming a 3-D visualisation curtain.
Each MiSphere acts as a pixel within the curtain, making it possible to display images and simulate lighting effects across the entire curtain. The products were designed for the Vertigo U2 Tour which started in North America in March of this year. MiSphere will be available for shipment early in 2006.
Following the successful release of the MiPix block in 2003, Barco has introduced Creative MiPix add-ons that "create unique display solutions without expensive and time consuming custom manufacturing". A standard MiPix block measures 4 x 4 cm (1.6 x 1.6") and contains 4 full colour LEDs. It is lightweight and connects to other blocks by means of flexible ribbon cables, enabling set designers to create large-scale backdrops of any form, shape or size. Stephan Paridaen adds: "The modular nature of MiPix inspires pure creativity, but just as important it permits designers to start over, think again, revise and enhance. And when the show is over, it can be re-used for the next project in a completely new configuration."
The Olite 510 tile is the only Indoor/Outdoor LED tile available on the market that can be broken down into 64 discrete modules, says Barco. The modularity allows designers to fully integrate LED technology in set designs in any shape or size to let video flow over surfaces and to fully integrate LED technology in ceiling and floor. During the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2005, Barco's Olite 510 was integrated into the design of the stage floor and backdrop.
(Jim Evans)
