BARCO Develops High Performance Projector for Medium Venue Rental Market

Kennesaw, GA - March 19, 2003 - BARCO announced the launch of its brand-new RLM G5 Performer projector. The projector, an extension of Barco's well-known SLM and ELM projector range, provides a high-quality product to the mid-range rental markets.

Developing high-quality projection products "for professionals by professionals" for more than 20 years, the 3-chip DLP(tm) RLM G5 Performer continues Barco's tradition of developing high-quality products which answer real market needs. The compact projector features Texas Instruments' new Mercury, ultra-high contrast XGA resolution black chip, and has been specifically designed for rental and staging applications. The RLM G5 Performer delivers contrast ratio of 900:1 and features a sealed optical system, integrated rental frame, standard 1.8 - 2.25:1 lens and a light-output of 4,500 ANSI Lumen, making it ideally suitable to both the rental and staging markets. A full range of optional RLD lenses from 0.8:1 to >.0:1 are available, while the RLM G5 Performer is also compatible with the existing SLM projector lens range.

Feature-rich and ready to use, the RLM G5 Performer allows everything from seamless switching to picture-in-picture and enables one to show up to four sources simultaneously on screen. Add sealed optics, a dual UHP lamp system and a low weight of 25kg, as well as compatibility with RLD lenses and intuitive on-screen menu to the package, and the projector becomes the ideal rental or staging workhorse.

Steve Scorse, Division Manager, Barco Events, stated, "We are proud to add the RLM G5 Performer to our dedicated projection offering for the events market. Our research has shown that there is a real need for a compact, mid-range projector that would be sturdy enough to withstand harsh staging environments as well as being compact and maneuverable enough to serve as a rental projector. Add to that the projector's extensive image processing capabilities and you have a projector truly worth the Barco name. We now offer what our rental partners have always dreamed of: the broadest range of 3-chip DLP(tm) projectors (from 4500 - 17500 lumens) designed specifically for the rental industry available on the market today."

BARCO Background
BARCO, with US sales headquarters in Atlanta, GA, has three key activities which are all active in Image Processing. BarcoProjection is in various markets of large screen visualization. BarcoView develops and manufactures display systems for life critical applications, while BarcoVision is in systems for visual inspection and quality control. In 2001, the entire BARCO group delivered revenue of Euro 792 million. BARCO has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in 97 countries throughout the world. BARCO has been quoted on the Brussels Bourse since 1986, and is now quoted on Brussels/Euronext. BARCO is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company and is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.