Celebrating a half century of motion picture history
Introduced in 1954, OSRAM XBO xenon projector lamps have become nearly as important as popcorn in movie theaters. Setting the standard for film projection, the revolutionary XBO technology was awarded an Oscar^® in 1984.


XBO celebrates 50 years: The Oscar^®-winning success story
Everywhere in the world, the Academy Awards^® ceremony is regarded as one of the most important events in the star-studded world of motion pictures. On 29 February 2004, the film industry will once again pay tribute to the stars of the silver screen at the 76th Academy Awards in Los Angeles with the presentation of the coveted Oscar^®. This unique golden statue is regarded as the ultimate film industry award. Hollywood stars nominated in 2004 include Johnny Depp, Diane Keaton and Bill Murray. Technological innovations developed by OSRAM have also shared the limelight at the glamorous Academy Awards ceremony in the past.

XBO revolutionized film productions worldwide
Before OSRAM developed the XBO lamp family, film projector light was produced by an arc between two carbon rods. This technology had its drawbacks: Along with a relatively dim image and a low level of luminous energy, there was a constant danger of the film material catching fire. OSRAM film projector lamps have been brightening the silver screen for over 50 years. Powerful and extremely reliable, XBO lamps deliver a highly concentrated point-source light beam to ensure outstanding projection quality - even on today's big screens. The XBO lamp is as much a part of the cinema world as the movie stars and starlets. In 1984, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences^® awarded an Oscar^® for the XBO lamp. OSRAM XBO: An Academy Award winner that places the other stars in the best light.

Brilliant technology Xenon short-arc lamps belong to the family of discharge lamps.
With this technology, the discharge arc burns under high pressure in an atmosphere of pure xenon gas. Thanks to a short arc, XBO lamps come extremely close to an ideal point-source light.

The XBO is used in professional film productions
XBO lamps produce more than excellent projection light. The higher wattage versions are primarily used for professional film projection and high-intensity searchlights and follow spots - or light fingers. In the lower power ranges, they are used as light sources in medical applications such as microscopy and endoscopy. In terms of luminance, XBO lamps are brighter than the sun! OSRAM supplies a full range of XBO lamps from 50W to 12,000W for a wide variety of applications.

Applications

• Cinema projection
• Architectural and effect lighting
• Microscopy and medical optics
• Color and light meters, daylight simulation

OSRAM is looking forward to another 50 years of innovations - e.g. for digital cinema and big-screen video projections. See you at the movies!