Sep 19, 2024

Building Bill Gates' video wall: Marius' proudest Barco moment

2 min read

"When I first stepped into Barco back in January 1987, I was coming from a completely different industry. Friends had lured me over, excited by the more thrilling scope of work here compared to what I was doing. They were right; the energy was noticeable from day one," says Marius Braun, Senior Presales Engineer, Immersive Experience.

Marius’s journey at Barco started in the U.S., where he was initially hired as a field engineer. "I remember my first day quite vividly. It was all very hands-on from the get-go. I was in a small office in New Jersey, diving right into calls and getting familiar with the equipment which I had been introduced to two years prior."

One of Marius's proudest moments was working on a project for Bill Gates' house. "We built custom CRT projectors for a video wall in his house. It was a challenging project, with many proof of concept demonstrations needed to prove our equipment was ready. Developing a good relationship with the technical liaison on the project was crucial, and it was satisfying to see our equipment perform perfectly in the end."

Over the years, Marius has seen significant technological advancements at Barco. "Technology has drastically changed over the decades. From the early days of CRT to the latest in LED and connectivity solutions, each shift has been an opportunity to learn and adapt.

It’s exhilarating to be part of a field "For anyone just starting in this industry," Marius shares, "keep your eyes open and try to learn as much as possible. What we do at Barco isn't just about the products—it's about understanding the entire system from signal to display. You're going to need to grasp not only the core technology but also how it interacts with various environmental and system factors."


Networking has also played a significant role in Marius's career. "Working in various departments, I’ve met many people, and this network has always helped me find the right person to solve any problem efficiently. Being open to change and flexible is vital. If you’re not open to change, you risk stagnation. Adapting to these changes has been essential."

Toledo medical school cave, 2016
Looking at prototype projector. 1992

Reflecting on his 37 years at Barco, Marius highlights what has kept him at the company for so long. "I really like the people that I work with and the culture of the company. Barco appreciates the employees and the contributions they make to providing great products. The great products don't just magically appear out of nowhere. Our creative spirit, where we make and design stuff ourselves, ensures everything we produce is of very high quality. 

I'm proud to represent Barco. When you're working for the leading company in your field, you don't really want to work for anybody else."