High Tech - HDR by Barco Expands Global Footprint to Germany: A New Era of Immersive Cinema Arrives in Europe

By Mulder, 30 october 2025

The announcement that Barco, the global leader in laser-powered cinema technology, is expanding its cutting-edge HDR by Barco format to Germany marks not just a new phase for the company, but a pivotal chapter in European moviegoing. Launching this November at select Cineplex Germany locations — specifically Cineplex Münster, Cineplex Paderborn Pollux, and Cineplex Goslar — as well as Cinedom Cologne, this rollout represents a major leap for immersive viewing experiences across the continent. What’s striking is not merely the technological prowess of HDR by Barco, but how it fuses innovation with a personal sense of cinematic heritage, exemplified by Gerwin Damberg, EVP of Barco Cinema, who grew up in Germany and views this expansion as a deeply meaningful return to his roots. As he aptly puts it, “it’s exciting to see our vision and technology come full circle, enhancing the cinematic experience in the very theaters that once inspired my love of film.”

The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. This expansion coincides with the 25th anniversary of Cineplex Münster, which will become the first cinema in the world to feature not one but two HDR by Barco-enabled auditoriums. For Cineplex Goslar, it will mark the debut of a premium large format offering, breathing new life into a cinema tradition that stretches back over a century with the Wildmann family. Their journey from operating a traditional midtown theater — shuttered during the pandemic in 2023 — to pioneering next-generation cinema technology speaks to both resilience and reinvention. In Cineplex Paderborn Pollux, which underwent a remarkable transformation in 2016 to prioritize comfort and cutting-edge projection, HDR by Barco will now elevate the experience to new visual heights, blending luxury seating and architecture with light technology designed to captivate the senses.

At Cinedom Cologne, the integration of HDR by Barco will inaugurate the brand’s new “CinedomX” experience — a visionary rethinking of what a premium cinema concept can be. Opened in 1991, Cinedom Cologne remains one of Germany’s most iconic multiplexes, famed for its architectural splendor and vast 14-screen layout accommodating over 3,350 moviegoers. The forthcoming HDR auditorium will serve as the crown jewel of this historic cinema, adding a layer of technological sophistication that aligns perfectly with its reputation for grandeur and innovation. Patrons will soon enjoy major holiday releases — the kinds of cinematic spectacles that truly benefit from enhanced contrast and light steering — under the newly introduced HDR projection standard.

The core of HDR by Barco’s technological achievement lies in its patented Lightsteering system, which redefines how light interacts with the screen. Instead of uniformly distributing brightness, the technology strategically redirects light to produce highlights up to six times brighter than traditional projection while maintaining deep, rich blacks. This dynamic contrast delivers an image that feels more dimensional, vivid, and true to life. It’s a feat that not only delights audiences but also broadens creative opportunities for filmmakers, giving them a wider color gamut and more nuanced control over mood and tone. The result is a level of realism and visual poetry that bridges the gap between what the eye perceives and what cinema can portray.

Behind these technological marvels stands a company that has long viewed visual innovation as its mission. Headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, Barco employs over 3,000 so-called “visioneers” — professionals united by the belief that technology should ignite human emotion and connection. Listed on Euronext, Reuters, and Bloomberg, Barco generated €947 million in sales in 2024, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone in the fields of visualization, networking, and collaboration. Yet what sets Barco apart isn’t just its scale; it’s the blend of artistry and science driving every decision. This fusion is especially evident in HDR by Barco’s evolution from a technical prototype to a format embraced by major exhibitors worldwide.

The Cineplex group’s collaboration in this expansion also underlines how deeply rooted cinema remains in local culture and family traditions across Germany. Each of the participating Cineplex locations is family-run, reflecting a 115-year heritage in Goslar, a 90-year tradition in Münster, and a long-standing commitment to technical excellence in Paderborn. These independent exhibitors have strategically joined forces to maintain both local identity and global competitiveness, ensuring that German audiences can experience technological innovation without sacrificing the warmth and familiarity of family-operated theaters.

This latest chapter follows the launch of Barco’s newly redesigned website, HDRbyBarco.com, which serves as a portal for moviegoers eager to locate theaters, explore upcoming HDR releases, and purchase tickets. The site complements Barco’s growing 2025 HDR film slate, ensuring that audiences have access not only to groundbreaking technology but also to an expanding library of films that can fully exploit it. With the holiday season approaching, this integration of information, design, and accessibility will help position HDR by Barco as a defining format for the next generation of premium cinema.

In essence, the introduction of HDR by Barco in Germany is more than an expansion — it’s a statement. It signals Europe’s readiness to embrace a future where the magic of cinema is powered by precision light, where heritage theaters evolve without losing their soul, and where innovation is guided by people who remember the joy of sitting in the dark, eyes wide open, as stories unfold on a screen brighter and bolder than ever before.

(Source : press release)