Barco, the global digital cinema technology leader, is proud to announce that its Auro 11.1 sound system will play a starring role in select showings of the RealD and Royal Opera House production of “Madam Butterfly 3D”.
While RealD’s 3D cinema technology provides the stunning visuals of the feature film, which was captured during live performances at Covent Garden, Barco’s Auro 11.1 will provide an exceptionally immersive 3D audio experience for several upcoming screenings of the film at Landmark Cinema in West Kelowna, British Columbia.
“Madam Butterfly 3D” marks the second co-production between London’s Royal Opera House and RealD, provider of the world’s most widely used 3D cinema projection technology. In the summer of 2010, the companies successfully launched their first collaboration, the 3D feature “Carmen in 3D” at cinemas around the world.
For ”Madam Butterfly 3D”, RealD and Barco collaborated to combine ultra-bright, high-resolution 3D images with 3D audio to deliver an even more captivating experience for the Canadian debut at West Kelowna. Screenings are scheduled on September 5, 9 and 10, 2012, and tickets are now on-sale. This collaboration marks another highlight in the short, yet successful history of Auro 11.1, which is experiencing rapid global adoption.
Enhanced immersive audio experience
Developed by Auro Technologies and powered by Barco, Auro 11.1 is a revolutionary sound system design built around three spatial axes (width, depth and height), rather than the two axes used in traditional surround sound. “We took all the original production elements, including the acoustics of the hall in which the performance is captured, which allowed us to expand the space of the auditorium from a sound perspective,” explained Brian Claypool, Senior Director Strategic Business Development at Barco. “We then modeled the sound design based on the hall itself. In this way, we have created an incredibly enhanced immersive sonic experience that is the perfect match for the stellar 3D images the production mastered.”
Audio to complement the 3D experience
“Madam Butterfly 3D leverages the immersive power of RealD 3D so audiences feel as if they are in the audience at the famed Royal Opera House, creating a truly differentiated theatrical experience,” said Joseph Peixoto, President, Worldwide Cinema from RealD. “Adding Auro 11.1 furthers the audience immersion through an audio experience that complements the lifelike 3D visuals on screen.”
Over 130 installations by year-end
Barco’s Auro 11.1 audio format is experiencing rapid market adoption, with installations at leading exhibitors and great interest from content providers. At present, over 35 theaters worldwide have been equipped with the new audio sound system, with confirmed orders for over 100 more by the end of 2012. Recent contract wins include cinemas in Turkey, Japan, Israel, Croatia, the US and Canada.
“While visual technology has progressed from film to digital and then to RealD 3D, sound technology has not evolved very much in nearly 20 years. Auro 11.1 allows sound technology to ‘catch up’ to the current visual presentation systems – bringing a total immersive experience to the movie-going public. We are delighted that Auro 11.1 is quickly gaining traction in the industry and we are excited about this recent collaboration with RealD. ‘Madam Butterfly 3D’ is a perfect vehicle for the enhanced immersive reality that Barco’s Auro 11.1 technology can provide,” concluded Wim Buyens, Senior Vice President for Barco Entertainment.