Barco, the technology company focusing on innovative visualisation solutions, has shared how 30 of its projectors have been used in Spring from Taihang, a 500-meter-long immersive architectural 3D mapping light and shadow show in Xingtai, China.
The experience launched at the start of the year and was presented by Xingtai Transportation Construction Group, in collaboration with Xingtai Cultural Tourism Group and Yoke Technology Group.
Barco provided 26 UDX-U45LC and 4 UDX-W40 projectors for the visual spectacular, which aims to elevate cultural night tourism.
Versatile installation & outstanding visuals
Spring from Taihang demonstrates the challenges presented by innovative projection mapping projects, and seeks to reimagine visual spectacles at their core.
The show’s creative team has extensive experience in cultural night tourism. Barco engineers developed the design and installation sites to ensure smooth blending, collaborating with Yoke Technology Group to explore advancements in imaging technologies.
Three neighbouring buildings provide a canvas for the show’s 3D projection mapping, with a total length of 500 metres and an area of 12,000 square metres. Individually, their wall lengths range from almost 80 to over 170 metres, with heights reaching more than 10 metres. 26 Barco UDX-U45LC projectors provide massive images that cover the walls completely.
In addition, the three buildings feature four towers. A Barco UDX-W40 projector is installed at each tower, due to the 17-meter vertical depth difference between them and the walls. Barco engineers precisely calibrated the facade projection across the whole building to produce elegant and reliable results.
The Barco UDX-U45LC has a 4:3 aspect ratio, UXGA resolution, and a light output of 45,000 ISO lumens, making it ideal for 3D mapping. Furthermore, the Barco UDX-W40 offers 43,000 ISO lumens and WUXGA resolution, which matches the 16:10 aspect ratio of the towers in this project. The projection images cover the tower walls in a vertical installation.
Multi-point dispersed deployment is the preferred installation approach for widescreen blending projection projects. Using expert calculations and planning, Barco engineers were able to find the ideal balance and deploy 26 projectors at five different locations. Two hundred metres separates the installation points from the walls to reduce trapezoidal distortion. To satisfy the rigorous demands of ultra-wide projection with fewer points and large projection distances, Barco supplies 11:1 long-throw lenses.
The projectors in the Barco UDX series use high-brightness 3-chip DLP technology to handle the demands of long-range projection across wide areas. Additionally, they feature high-contrast optical engines that provide outstanding colour accuracy and stability, guaranteeing accurate interpretation of creative ideas and visual effects. The UDX series also has high-precision components and an internal modular design structure that can tolerate extreme temperatures and offers dependable stability.
A spokesperson from Barco says: “Thanks to Barco’s cutting-edge projection technology and solutions, Spring from Taihang elevates cultural tourism to dizzying new heights! Barco will continue to support more cities in showcasing an unforgettable journey through history and culture, redefining the essence of immersive entertainment.”
Last week, Barco announced that Hilights Group, a leading event solutions company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has made a major investment in 150 Barco projectors in a new partnership between the two firms.
