BARCO Signs Agreement with Texas Instruments

BELGIUM_Kuurne, April 6th, 1999 - BARCO Projection Systems, Belgium-based leading developer and manufacturer of video and graphics display technology, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Texas Instruments (TI), under the terms of which BARCO will develop a range of high brightness projectors using TI’s Digital Light Processing™ (DLP™) technology. BARCO believes that DLP is the ideal complement to the technology platforms they are currently using.

BARCO has been a world leading developer and manufacturer of video and graphics display technology for nearly 20 years. Its large screen CRT and LCD projectors are installed in a broad range of applications: from entertainment and presentation to process control, simulation and training environments. Today, BARCO Projection Systems has joined a select group of DLP-based projector manufacturers, signing an agreement with Texas Instruments to develop a range of high brightness projectors using the Digital Light Processing™ (DLP™) technology.

According to Frans Claerbout, Managing Director BARCO Projection Systems and Senior Vice President BARCO n.v., it has become increasingly obvious that TI’s DLP™ technology – together with BARCO’s expertise in optics, lamps and electronics - holds real promise as the basis for future generations of very high brightness, very high image quality projection systems which will allow BARCO to address new applications in new markets.

BARCO believes that DLP is the ideal complement to the technology platforms they are currently using. "Through this agreement, we are continuing our quest into higher performance," said Jan Bruggeman, Division Manager BARCO Projection Products.

"This DLP™ technology combined with BARCO’s True Color Reproduction or TCRPlus technology means a new breakthrough in large screen projection, resulting in high brightness, film-like images. Next to our DLP™ line, we will further develop our existing range of LCD projectors, which have proven to be the right solution for displaying high-resolution graphics images, and hold further promises for even higher resolutions in the future."

"We are delighted to be making this announcement," said Sherel Horsley, Senior Vice President and Manager of Sales and Marketing for TI’s Digital Imaging division. "For many people, the name ‘BARCO’ is synonymous with large venue projectors, which is a testimony to the enormous success BARCO has enjoyed over the past several years. We expect that BARCO will bring to the table not only their product design and manufacturing expertise, but also access to new markets and customers for DLP-based projectors."

During 1999, BARCO will introduce a range of projectors, based on Digital Light Processing™ (DLP™) technology, the first of which will be introduced at the annual NAB show in Las Vegas (19–22 April 1999). At the heart of this technology is an optical semiconductor chip, that has an array of hinged, microscopic mirrors mounted on a standard logic device. These tiny mirrors operate as optical switches to create a high resolution, full color image. This technology together with BARCO’s experience in large screen projection and true color reproduction will result in new reference products with extremely high levels of performance in brightness, contrast and resolution. BARCO will, however, not only concentrate on the DLP™ technology. It will further improve its existing range of projection technologies, including CRT, LCD as well as LED, offering specific features to meet the high demands of the niche markets.

BARCO is an acknowledged global leader in Projection Systems, Display Systems, Communication Systems, Graphic Systems, Machine Vision and Automation. These 6 pillars result in a turnover exceeding BEF 26 billion ($698 mio.). More than 90 % of this turnover is gained from exports. The BARCO Group markets, sells and supports its high quality products through fully owned sales subsidiaries, distributors and agents in 97 countries worldwide. Since 1986, BARCO is listed on the Brussels' Stock Exchange and is part of the BEL20. More information on BARCO’s high performance display technology can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.barco.com.

Texas Instruments Incorporated is a global semiconductor company and the world's leading designer and supplier of digital signal processing solutions, the engines driving the digitization of electronics. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company's businesses also include materials and controls, educational and productivity solutions and digital imaging. The company has manufacturing or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information on TI's DLP technology can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com/dlp

Digital Light Processing, DLP, Digital Micromirror Device and DMD are all trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other products and names may or may not be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Frans Claerbout, Managing Director BARCO Projection Systems and Senior Vice President BARCO n.v. Sherel Horsley, Senior Vice President and Manager of Sales and Marketing for TI’s Digital Imaging division

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For more information:
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