Barco and Galaxy Studios bring Auro-3D sound technology to the masses
Auro-3D, powered by Barco and Auro Technologies, is an audio system that creates true 3D sound. Auro Technologies is a spin-off of the Flanders-based Galaxy Studios Group and owner of the Auro-3D Technology Suite. The Auro-3D system (technical concepts and listening formats) is designed by Wilfried Van Baelen, founder of Galaxy Studios. With Auro-3D, sounds are coming from all around and above the listener. It offers new capabilities in sound reproduction for a range of markets such as professional, broadcast and consumer electronics (such as gaming, smartphones, PC, tablets, digital TV). Auro-3d has been installed in a number of theatres around the world.
Powered by technology company Barco, Auro-3D is the next-generation 3D sound format for the cinema industry. While traditional surround sound has two spatial axes, Auro-3D is designed along three axes: width, depth and height. The system is fully compatible with today's predominant audio standards: stereo and 5.1 surround. Its speaker layout is defined for up to 13.1, with 11.1 being the ideal solution for commercial movie theaters.
Auro-3D can easily be installed in new-built or existing theaters, in most cases utilizing components from current audio systems. According to the speaker layout, simply adding height speakers can bring real 3D audio to cinema theaters. Moreover, Auro-3D sound processing is similar to, and compatible with, existing set-ups.
Recently, Barco announced that it is partnering with THX and Datasat Digital Entertainment to bring the revolutionary Auro-3D sound technology to commercial theatres worldwide. Datasat is Barco’s partner for the manufacturing of the audio processor and THX collaborates with Barco on enhancements to optimize performance of the Auro-3D system for commercial cinemas.
Leading exhibitors on three continents have already successfully installed Auro-3D. These include Jam Hall Cinemas (St. Petersburg, Russia), Regal Cinemas (Los Angeles, US), Wangfujing Cineplex (Chengdu, China), and Kinepolis (Antwerp, Belgium) with additional installations in progress around the globe. Earlier this year, Lucasfilm Ltd, George Lucas’ production company announced that they would be mixing the movie Red Tails (Anthony Hemingway), which is to be released on 20 January 2012, in the Auro-3D 11.1 audio format.
About Auro Technologies
Auro Technologies is a spin-off of the award-winning Galaxy Studios, a world-recognized recording facility based in Mol, Belgium. The division was established with the intention of creating the Next-Generation Audio Standard. The brothers Guy and Wilfried Van Baelen founded Galaxy Studios in 1980. With its renowned infrastructure, it became an important player in both the music and film business. In 2006, the company partnered with Alfred Schefenacker to set up Auro Technologies.
About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Barco (NYSE Euronext Brussels: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with about 3,500 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of 897 million euro in 2010.
More info:
www.auro-3d.com
www.galaxystudios.com
www.barco.com/Auro-3D
