Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://www.avpasion.com/barco-proyector-cine-profesional-casa-13500-lumen/
Barco Launches Home Native 4K RGB Laser Projector: 13,500 Lumens, a True Professional Cinema Projector
Among home theater projectors, there are large models, truly monstrous products with incredible specs, and then there's the one Barco just unveiled. Barco's new Freya+ SST boasts a staggering 13,500 lumens of brightness and features an RGB laser light source and native 4K resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels. These are figures that are completely different from those seen in typical high-end home lineups.
The reason is simple. The Freya+ SST is based on Barco's 'Series 4' platform, which is used in commercial DCI theaters. Barco has taken this core technology and redesigned it for ultra-high-end personal cinemas, retaining professional installation elements like the Alchemy ICMP-X cinema processor.
In fact, this device weighs a hefty 105kg, is over 1 meter long, and consumes up to 2.2kW of power. It's not meant to compete with the typical projectors you'd find on a shelf in your home. The Freya+ SST is designed for high-end dedicated theater rooms and offers a variety of VHC lens options that can be combined depending on screen size, projection distance, and room characteristics.
Barco Freya+ SST: Three 0.98-inch DLP Chips and Native 4K
One of the most interesting aspects is the imaging system. Barco has incorporated three 0.98-inch DC4K TRP DLP chips from Texas Instruments (TI), each dedicated to a color component. This means that instead of using pixel shifting to create a 4K image, the entire 4096 x 2160 pixels are perfectly native.
The addition of an RGB laser light source to these three chips eliminates the need for a typical color wheel found in home DLP projectors. Barco also claims that it achieves 100% coverage of the Rec.2020 color gamut, along with DCI-P3 compatibility. This is a remarkable figure considering how difficult it is for existing projection systems to come close to perfect Rec.2020.
All this performance is backed by an astounding 13,500 ANSI lumens of brightness, designed to maintain high luminance even on massive screens. According to Barco's specifications, the typical sequential contrast ratio is up to 8,000:1, and it provides a brightness uniformity of 80% side-to-side and 75% corner-to-corner. A variety of VHC lens options are available, covering a projection ratio from approximately 1.09:1 to 4.76:1.
A True Cinema Server with a Built-in 12TB SSD
The most unique part of the Freya+ SST is its internal electronics. It houses a Barco Alchemy ICMP-X processor, which integrates cinema processing, playback, storage, and content management into one unit. This key component makes this model function most closely to commercial theater projectors.
The system is equipped with three 4TB SSDs, providing a total of 12TB of physical storage space. It can directly play Digital Cinema Packages (DCP), the professional format used for distributing digital movies to theaters. This allows users to operate a premium home theater room like a real screening room without needing a separate cinema server.
However, it doesn't always have to be used this way. The Alchemy processor includes two HDMI 2.0a ports with HDCP 2.2 support, allowing you to freely connect UHD Blu-ray players, console game systems, and other home source devices. It also features two 3G-SDI inputs, Gigabit Ethernet, four front USB ports, and up to 16 channels of AES/EBU digital audio output.
4K 60fps, HDR10 and High Speed 3D Playback Supported
In terms of supported formats, the Freya+ SST supports 4K 2D content up to 60fps and 4K 3D at 24fps or 30fps per eye. When downscaled to 2K resolution, high-speed 3D playback with a total of 120fps (60fps per eye) is possible through the DCI system. Barco stated that it supports both active 3D using shutter glasses and passive 3D using silver screens.
It also supports HDR10, JPEG 2000 playback with a maximum bitrate of 625Mbps, MPEG-2 compatibility, and DCI certification. The entire system can be controlled via RS232, TCP/IP, and GPIO, and it provides network connectivity for content ingest and management. It also supports Wake-on-LAN functionality for remote power on scheduling for maintenance or content delivery.
The sheer size of the product hints at its performance capabilities. The main unit measures approximately 710 x 1070 x 547 mm, and the length can extend up to 1,132 mm when a specific lens mount is attached. Weighing 105kg, it has an operating noise level of 50 dB(A) measured at 1m distance, and a maximum heat output of 7,750 BTU per hour. Therefore, a dedicated installation space with adequate ventilation is essential for its performance.
In conclusion, Barco has brought the architecture of commercial theater projectors directly into the home cinema room. With three large 0.98-inch DLP chips, native 4K resolution, RGB laser, 13,500 lumens, Alchemy processing, built-in SSD storage, DCI certification, DCP playback, HDR10, and high-speed 3D, all packed into a massive over 100kg unit, the Freya+ SST clearly plays in a different category. Currently, it is one of the closest ways to recreate the experience of a commercial theater at home.
▶ Source: https://www.avpasion.com/barco-proyector-cine-profesional-casa-13500-lumen/
