Paris Motor Show 2010, France An impressive showcase for Barco’s indoor LED and lighting The production was massive and required a challenging light and video set-up. We therefore needed a very versatile tool that would allow us to play with light and images on a big, white cloth “at the start of the show and on the cars later on. I immediately thought of the DML. Martin Kuhn, production manager ” Motor shows can make or break the annual sales of a car manufacturer. Carmakers, therefore, pull out all the stops to showcase their brand to best effect at major motor shows like Paris, Frankfurt or Geneva. Audi, Saab, Skoda, Volkswagen, Ford, LandRover, Jaguar: they all relied on Barco technology to stand out from the competition during the Paris Motor Show 2010. Production manager Martin Kuhn chose the Barco DML-1200 on the preview night of the Volkswagen Group. Creative Technology Germany used Barco’s indoor LED solutions (NX-4, NX-6, ILite 6 BK and OLite) at its customers’ exhibition booths and during press conferences. So that visitors not only got a sneak peek at the new cars but also admired the LED and lighting solutions that Barco has in store… An impressive showcase for Barco’s indoor LED and lighting innovations ‘The Future, Now’ was the motto of the 2010 Paris Motor show, one of the biggest motor shows worldwide. 1,263,467 visitors travelled to Paris in October to get a preview of the new cars on the planet. The 2010 edition focused on the potential of electric cars, spotlighted 120 years of automotive experience and unveiled the most incredible concept cars imaginable. To kick off the biannual event, the Volkswagen Group organized a spectacular preview night. It was a fitting showcase for Barco’s DML-1200 digital moving luminaire. Creativity at your fingertips Great service team One of the men behind the Volkswagen Barco’s DML-1200 can be used both For the Paris Motor Show, Kuhn needed show was German lighting designer as a conventional moving light and an equally versatile and powerful Martin Kuhn, who was appointed as a high-quality DLP video projector. solution. Rather than fixed projectors production manager by Filmtec Media. With its brightness, unlimited image recessed into the ceiling, he wanted Kuhn’s project portfolio includes the selection and the ability to seamlessly a tool to play around with and try most diverse architectural lighting and switch between the projector and light out different things: project exciting production design projects, some of modes, it perfectly meets its baseline background images on the floor, onto them award-winning. The Volkswagen of ‘creativity at your fingertips’. Martin the cars, etc. He used 12 DML-1200 Group is a regular customer. The idea Kuhn was the first lighting designer to digital lights for this purpose. The result they had for their preview night at the use the DML in Europe, back in 2008: was spectacular. “No other luminaire can 2010 Paris Motor Show was ambitious. “I was invited to the launch event deliver the same effects and versatility,” “We converted a historic train station in Kuurne and was pretty impressed Kuhn admitted. “I’ve been working with in the heart of Paris to stage the show. by the creative possibilities it offers,” the entire Barco family of projectors in All nine Volkswagen brands got their he recalled. “Barco supported me to the past and the products have never own reveal, utilizing kinetic elements, première the new product at NATURE disappointed me. In addition, Barco’s fire, water, video, surround sound, ONE 2008, a huge dance event in service team is great. I remember that lighting and other special effects,” Kuhn Germany with over 50,000 visitors. once, during the Frankfurt Motor Show, described. “The production was massive Everyone was enthusiastic about the I phoned my contact at 22h. He was in and required a challenging light and light and video effects.” a bar but helped me out: the products I video set-up. We therefore needed a needed were delivered in Frankfurt by 6 very versatile tool that would allow the next morning!” us to play with light and images on a big, white cloth at the start of the show and on the cars later on. I immediately thought of the DML.” Audio visual expert Long-term partners The next generation of LED Equally convinced about Barco and CT Germany’s partnership with Barco CT Germany has Barco ILite 6 BK, NX-4, its solutions is Georg Rössler. He goes back a while. Rössler: “We use NX-6, MiTRiX, MiSTRiP and MiPIX is Managing Director of Creative their solutions for quite some trade products in their German rental stock. Technology (CT) Germany, an audio fairs and shows and rent out the Barco “The contrast ratio, pixel pitch and visual specialist which provides rental products that we have in stock. As processing technology of the products services and installs media technology at we’ve been working together so closely is the ultimate. They guarantee stunning exhibitions, events, shows, etc. Leading for so many years, we even provide image quality, even from short viewing car brands like Audi, Skoda, Volkswagen, Barco with feedback on their solutions. distances, which makes them ideal for Saab, Ford, LandRover and Jaguar rely This type of partnership instills trust.” large screen display in high ambient on CT’s skills. “Creative Technology is But what is it that made Rössler turn light environments,” Rössler explained. not a production company but an AV to Barco in the beginning? “Barco has a So CT Germany deployed a lot of indoor full service provider: we convert the very broad range of innovative products. LED displays at the Paris Motor Show. creative ideas of technical directors, On top of that it’s an industry standard The NX-4 and NX-6 as well as the ILite 6 audio and lighting experts, etc. into that ensures continuity. We know that BK, OLite 510 and OLite 612 tiles were technical reality – from the conceptual we’ll be able to get their support and used to create eye-catching displays phase until project completion,” Rössler expertise for many years to come.” at the press conferences and at the explained. CT Germany always uses participating car brand’s booths. The the technical solution that best fits the NX-4 LED modules, for example, were customer’s concept. When it needs integrated into a circular structure at the creative, modular solutions, it tends to Volkswagen R-Lounge. Barco’s OLite 510 choose Barco. and OLite 612 were incorporated in the Audi stand façade as conspicuous LED stripes. The contrast ratio, pixel pitch and processing technology of the products is the ultimate. They guarantee stunning image quality, even from short viewing distances. ” Georg Rössler, Managing Director Creative Technology Germany Customer: • Martin Kuhn Production: www.mkld.de • Creative Technologies Germany (Indoor LED): www.ctgermany.com Challenges and objectives: • versatile, creative lighting solution to open a show • indoor LED to create eye-catching exhibition booths Barco solution and services: • Lighting: - 12 x DML-1200 moving luminaire • Indoor LED: - Barco NX-4 and NX-6 LED tiles - Barco ILite 6 BK LED tiles - Barco OLite LED tiles Why Barco: • previous positive experiences • innovative solutions with unlimited creative possibilities • a benchmark within the industry • continuity • professional support Innovative high-end solutions Black is black The LED 3D experience As its existing stock did not include For a rental company like Lang, the color Lang showcased the 3D possibilities enough Barco LED products for all the consistency of the Barco LED tiles is of the NX-4 LED tiles at the Integrated Paris Motor Show projects, CT Germany crucial. “LED tiles often change color over Systems Europe (ISE) trade show in turned to Lang AG and other European time. Barco’s don’t,” Lang explained. Amsterdam in 2010. At ISE 2011, a dryshire providers to fulfill the large “That is a major advantage for us, as the curved NX-4 LED display will be set up demand. Lang is one of Europe’s leading modules have to be cross-rentable: we and 3D images projected. Lang: “The NX- wholesalers – for hire or for sale – of must be able to mix and match tiles of series offer many exciting possibilities for visual presentation technology. Barco different batches and various runtime events and trade shows. We’ll definitely solutions have been in its portfolio ages to ensure a seamless display.” Lang use them again at the Frankfurt Motor for over 20 years. Tobias Lang, CEO: strongly believes in the added value Show in September 2011.” Motor shows “Our partnership with Barco has been of the NX-4 and NX-6: “The NX-series truly are a great platform on which to intensifying lately: we started with have set a new standard for indoor LED showcase new developments in both Barco projectors, purchased the first LED displays. They ensure exceptional black the car and the presentation market. solutions in 2001 and now hold a large levels, screen brightness, a very high stock of NX-4 and NX-6 LED tiles. Barco contrast ratio and can be set up in no offers reliable, innovative high-end time. On top of that, the NX is the first solutions for premium customers.” LED material that will be 3D-able in an active way, i.e. that offers the same resolution on-screen as 2D does. Until now, LED displays allowed only half of the 2D resolution. While resolution is key for a good 3D experience.” Barco nv Copyright pictures: Amanda Holmes Pres.