BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA INC
10-K, 1999-03-31
PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K


(Mark One)
[X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998

OR

[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      For the transition period from _______________ to _______________

Commission File No. 1-13906

                            BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.
                            -------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

     DELAWARE                                         47-0587703
     --------                                         ----------
(State of incorporation)                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                   4350 MCKINLEY STREET, OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68112
                   -------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (402) 453-4444

Securities  registered  pursuant to Section  12(b) of the Act:  COMMON STOCK,
$0.01 PAR VALUE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:       NONE

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

      Indicate by check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
            Yes    X      No
                 ----        ----

      As of March 23, 1999, 12,664,371 shares of Common Stock of Ballantyne of
Omaha, Inc., were outstanding and the aggregate market value of such Common
Stock held by nonaffiliates (based upon the closing price of the stock on the
NYSE) was approximately $68,335,000.


                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 (the "Annual Report") are incorporated by reference in
Parts I and II, and portions of the Company's Proxy Statement for it's Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 1999 (the "Proxy Statement") are
incorporated by reference in Part III.

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                                     PART I
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

GENERAL

      Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") is a
developer, manufacturer and distributor of commercial motion picture equipment
and long-range follow spotlights in the U.S. and abroad. The Company also
manufactures, rents and leases specialty entertainment lighting products used at
arenas, television and motion picture production studios, theme parks and
architectural sites. The Company primarily operates within three business
segments; 1) theatre, 2) entertainment lighting and 3) restaurant equipment.

      The Company's business was founded in 1932. Since that time, the Company
has manufactured and supplied equipment and services to the commercial motion
picture projection industry and to sports and concert arenas and theme parks. In
1983, the Company acquired the assets of the Simplex Projector Division of the
National Screen Services Corporation, thereby expanding its commercial motion
picture projection equipment business. The Company further expanded its
commercial motion picture projection equipment business with the 1993
acquisition of the business of the Cinema Products Division of Optical Radiation
Corporation. That division manufactured the Century(R) projector and distributed
ISCO-Optic lenses to the theatre and audio visual industries in North America.
ISCO-Optic is a trademark of ISCO-Optic GmbH. In December 1994, the Company
increased its presence in the international marketplace with the acquisition of
Westrex Company, Asia ("Westrex"), which provides the Company with a strategic
Far Eastern location and greater access to the expanding economies of the
Pacific Rim. In April 1998, the Company vertically integrated their motion
picture projection business with the acquisition of Design & Manufacturing, Ltd.
("Design"). Design is a leading supplier of film platter systems to the motion
picture exhibition industry.

      The Company also manufactures customized motion picture projection
equipment for use in special venues, such as large screen format presentations
and other forms of motion picture-based entertainment requiring visual and
multimedia special effects. These customers include Imax Corporation, The Walt
Disney Company and Universal Studios. The Company helped pioneer the special
venue market more than 20 years ago by working with its customers to design and
build customized projection systems featuring special effects. During 1998, the
Company and MegaSystems, Inc., a full service provider of products and services
for the large-format film industry, collaborated on a large format projection
system that will be exclusively manufactured by the Company and distributed by
MegaSystems, Inc.

      The Company's long-range follow spotlights are used for both permanent
installations and touring applications. During 1997, the Company complemented
its long-range follow spotlights product line with the acquisition of
substantially all of the net assets of Xenotech, Inc. ("Xenotech") and
Sky-Tracker of America, Inc. ("Sky-Tracker"). Xenotech is a leading manufacturer
and supplier of high intensity searchlights and computer-based lighting systems
for the motion picture production, television, live entertainment, theme park
and architectural industries. Sky-Tracker sells and rents computer and manually
operated high intensity searchlights. Sky-Tracker and Xenotech were merged
together and operate a sales and rental office out of a facility in North
Hollywood, California. During January 1998, the Company further complemented its
lighting segment with the acquisition of Sky-Tracker of Florida, Inc., a rental
agent and distributor of high intensity promotional searchlights.

      The Company also manufactures commercial food service equipment, which is
sold to convenience store and fast food restaurant operators and to equipment
suppliers for resale on a private label basis.

      During 1998, the Company established an audio visual division in Orlando,
Florida called Strong Communications. The scope of services that Strong
Communications provides are design consulting,



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rental services and equipment sales in the audio visual industry. By year-end,
additional offices were established in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, Florida.

      The Company's product lines are distributed on a worldwide basis through a
network of over 200 domestic and international dealers to major movie
exhibitors, ride simulation operators and sports arena and amusement park
operators. The Company's broad range of both standard and custom-made equipment
can completely outfit and automate a motion picture projection booth and is
currently being used by major motion picture exhibitors such as AMC
Entertainment, Inc., Regal Cinemas, Inc. and Loews Cineplex. As a major supplier
of motion picture equipment to the theatre exhibitors, the Company has benefited
directly from both the domestic and international growth in motion picture
screens.

      The Company believes that its position as a fully-integrated equipment
manufacturer enables it to be more responsive to its customers' specific design
requirements, thereby giving it a competitive advantage over other manufacturers
who rely more on outsourcing components. In addition, the Company believes its
expertise in engineering, manufacturing, prompt order fulfillment, delivery,
after-sale technical support and emergency service have allowed the Company to
build and maintain strong customer relationships.

      The Company's principal objective is to increase its U.S. market share and
its established international presence in its three business segments. In order
to achieve this objective, the Company is pursuing a number of strategies
including (i) expanding its presence outside the U.S. by leveraging its
relationships with domestic customers who are aggressively expanding
internationally and building relationships with international theatre
exhibitors, (ii) developing and maintaining strong customer relationships
through fully understanding customer needs and furnishing value-added services,
(iii) leveraging its manufacturing expertise, (iv) making strategic acquisitions
of complementary or related niche market products, (v) expanding the special
venue business and (vi) expanding the entertainment lighting segment.


MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITION INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

      The motion picture theatre industry has experienced competition from
in-home sources of entertainment in recent years, forcing theatre exhibitors to
build higher quality theatres with more screens per location in order to lure
consumers to theatres. As a result, U.S. theatre exhibitors have begun
developing multiple screen theatres to provide a more consumer friendly
destination and a wider range of film choices than traditional single screen
theatres. More recently, domestic theatre exhibitors have accelerated the
addition of new screens and in many cases, have begun developing "multiplex" or
"megaplex" theatres which have an even larger number of screens per location
(sometimes as many as 30 screens). Coupled with wide body seats and stadium
seating, these new generation theatres offer patrons a new and invigorating
moviegoing experience. The Company believes the outlook for such multiplexing
and megaplexing remains promising as many domestic markets still lack modern,
high quality theatre complexes and commercial real estate developers
increasingly view such facilities as attractive anchor tenants that enhance
consumer traffic.

      Domestically, the theatre exhibitors' strategy is to focus on growth and
increased market share by building new, multiplex theatres in their key markets,
while expanding and refurbishing their existing high traffic locations.
Management believes that the trend toward multiplexing or megaplexing is also
accelerating internationally as the international marketplace is one, which has
historically been underserved. U.S.-based theatre exhibitors are entering the
international markets with plans to build modern multiplexes and megaplexes in
response to increased movie theatre attendance. International exhibitors, faced
with this increased competition, are expected to respond by becoming more
aggressive in building these new multiplexes. According to GLOBAL FILM
EXHIBITION AND DISTRIBUTION (C) 1998), published by Baskerville, a media and
communications market research firm, there will be an estimated



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108,800 screens in the world at the end of 1998 and this number is expected to
increase by approximately 24,000 net new screens through the year 2007.


BUSINESS STRATEGY

      The Company's  principal  objective is to increase its U.S. market share
and its established  international  presence.  The Company's strategy combines
the following key elements:

      EXPAND INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE. As rapid construction of new multiple
screen motion picture theatres has extended to the international market, sales
of the Company's products to international end users are becoming increasingly
important to the Company. Net sales to foreign customers, primarily of theatre
products, increased from $11.3 million or 29.4% of consolidated net revenues in
1995 to $22.0 million or 29.3% of consolidated net revenues in 1998 including 
sales by Westrex. The Company believes that its smaller international market
share represents an attractive growth opportunity, as the Company intends to 
seek a greater market share for its products internationally by working with
its domestic dealers and U.S.-based motion picture exhibitor customers as they
expand abroad. In addition, the Company is seeking to continue to strengthen and
develop its international presence through its international dealer network and
the Company's sales force will continue to travel extensively worldwide to
market the Company's products. The Company believes that as a result of these
efforts, it is well-positioned to expand its brand name recognition and
international market share.

      EMPHASIZE CUSTOMER SERVICE. The Company seeks to develop and maintain
strong customer relationships by offering a wide variety of standardized
commercial theatre and restaurant equipment, working closely with its customers
to fully understand their needs and furnishing value-added services such as (i)
expertise in engineering and manufacturing high-quality, reliable and innovative
products (often designed to customer specifications), (ii) prompt order
fulfillment and delivery and (iii) after-sale technical support and emergency
service. The Company further supports its products through its replacement parts
business, which represents an additional source of recurring income that is less
dependent on new screen construction. The Company believes that one of its
competitive advantages is its superior customer service, which has resulted in
strong, long-lasting customer relationships.

      LEVERAGE MANUFACTURING EXPERTISE. The Company's position as a fully
integrated manufacturer enables it to develop, design and customize its products
to meet customer specifications and to respond quickly to customers' requests
for replacement parts and repair. The Company believes that its integrated
manufacturing capabilities allow it to rapidly increase its manufacturing
capacity, thereby providing it with a competitive advantage in meeting its
customers' accelerating delivery schedules. In addition, its manufacturing
capabilities, combined with its emphasis on customer service, have contributed
to retaining strong customer relationships and developing new business
opportunities and products in both the traditional theatre equipment market and
the special venue market.

      EXPLORE STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS. The Company has historically been
successful in identifying and acquiring complementary businesses, which have
been profitable for its core operations. The Company plans to continue to
explore opportunities to acquire companies which complement its sales and
marketing and manufacturing expertise, as well as companies which provide
opportunities for geographical expansion of its dealer network and product line
expansion.

      EXPAND SPECIAL VENUE BUSINESS. The Company believes that there is
increasing consumer demand for large screen format presentations and other forms
of motion picture-based entertainment which use visual and multimedia special
effects. Although sales of special venue products currently represent only a
small percentage of the Company's net sales, the Company believes that
increasing public demand for such products and the increased publicity generally
associated with special venue products create an attractive opportunity for
future growth.



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      EXPAND ENTERTAINMENT LIGHTING SEGMENT. The Company intends to consolidate
the fragmented specialty entertainment lighting industry through complementary
acquisitions. In addition, the Company expects to leverage its existing customer
and distribution network to grow this division internally.


PRODUCTS

      MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION EQUIPMENT

      The Company is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of
commercial motion picture projection equipment in the U.S. and abroad. The
Company's commercial motion picture projection equipment consists of 35mm and
70mm motion picture projectors, combination 35/70mm projectors, xenon lamphouses
and power supplies, a console system combining a lamphouse and power supply into
a single cabinet, soundhead reproducers and related products such as film
handling equipment and sound systems. The Company's commercial motion picture
projection equipment is marketed under the industrywide recognized trademarks of
Strong(TM), Simplex(TM), Century(R), Optimax(R), and Ballantyne(TM). The
Company's commercial motion picture projection equipment may be sold
individually or as an integrated system with other components manufactured by
the Company. The Company's commercial motion picture projection equipment can
fully outfit and automate a motion picture projection booth.

      The Company's lamphouse consoles are unique to the industry in that they
incorporate a solid state power supply, which allows for a broader range of
wattages, thereby reducing operating costs, as compared to inefficient copper
and iron power transformers. The Company's lamphouse consoles incorporate all
elements required for quality film presentations while requiring minimum booth
floor space.

      The Company's film handling equipment consists of either a three-deck or
five-deck platter and a make-up table which allows the reels of a full length
motion picture to be spliced together, thereby eliminating the need for an
operator to change reels during the showing of the motion picture.

      Pursuant to a distribution agreement with ISCO-Optic GmbH of Germany, the
Company has the exclusive right to distribute ISCO-Optic lenses in North
America. Under the distribution agreement, the Company's exclusive right
continues through April 30, 2006, subject to the attainment of minimum sales
quotas (which the Company has historically exceeded), and thereafter is
automatically renewed for successive two-year periods until terminated by either
party upon 12 months' prior notice. ISCO-Optic lenses have developed a
reputation for delivering high-image quality and resolution over the entire
motion picture screen. In addition to incorporating the ISCO-Optic lenses into
its own equipment, the Company distributes ISCO-Optic lenses to customers with
operations in the theatre and audio visual industries. ISCO-Optic lenses have a
leading market share in the U.S. commercial motion picture projector lens market
and have won two Academy Awards for technical achievement. The Company does not
have any similar right outside of North America.

      The Company does not manufacture sound processors, but rather integrates
sound processors manufactured by others, such as Dolby and Ultrastereo, into its
projection consoles. In addition, the Company distributes the DSS Cinema Sound
Processor (the "DSS System"), which is designed to be a low-cost full-featured
backup system for digital sound processors. The DSS System operates with all
digital sound processors, thereby providing an analog default backup. The
Company believes that the DSS System provides more features at a lower cost than
competitive models.


                                       5
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      REPLACEMENT PARTS

      The Company has a significant installed base of motion picture projectors.
Although these projectors have an average useful life in excess of 20 years,
periodic replacement of components is required as a matter of routine
maintenance, in most cases with parts manufactured by the Company. The Company
believes that growth in the installed base of commercial motion picture
projectors should result in increased net sales of replacement parts for the
Company's commercial motion picture projection equipment. Replacement part sales
represent a recurring revenue source for the Company, which is less dependent on
new screen construction. Net sales of the Company's replacement parts were $7.3
million, $7.3 million and $6.1 million for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 
Sales of replacement parts fluctuate from quarter to quarter and are not 
directly related to the volume of projection equipment sold but are more a 
function of the needs of current customers which have projection systems 
previously purchased from the Company.

      SPECIAL VENUE PRODUCTS

      The Company has sold customized commercial motion picture equipment
directly to special venue customers such as Imax Corporation, The Walt Disney
Company and Electrosonic Systems, Inc. for use at special venue sites such as
the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center, IMAX Ridefilms Simulators, Universal Studios
and Busch Gardens. The Company works closely with its customers to develop,
design and engineer customized projection equipment to accommodate various
formats required for the special venue industry. The Company manufacturers 4, 5,
8 and 10 perforation 35mm and 70mm projection systems for large-screen,
simulation ride and planetarium applications and for other venues that require
special effects. The Company's ability as a fully integrated manufacturer
enables it to work closely with its customers from initial concept and design
through manufacturing to the customers' specifications. The Company believes
that its reputation for quality and responsiveness and its collaboration with
MegaSystems, Inc. provides a competitive advantage in these markets.

      SPOTLIGHT AND OTHER ILLUMINATION PRODUCTS

      The Company is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of
long-range follow spotlights in the U.S. and abroad. These spotlights are
high-intensity general use illumination products designed for both permanent
installations and touring applications. The Company's long-range follow
spotlights consist of eight basic models ranging in output from 400 watts to
3,000 watts. The Company's 400 watt spotlight model, which has a range of 20 to
150 feet, is compact, portable and appropriate for small venues and truss
mounting. The Company's 3,000 watt spotlight model, which has a range of 300 to
600 feet, is a high-intensity xenon light spotlight appropriate for large
theatres, arenas and stadiums. All of the Company's long-range follow spotlights
employ a variable focal length lens system which increases the intensity of the
light beam as it is narrowed from flood to spot. The Company's long-range follow
spotlights are marketed under the Strong(TM) trademark under recognized brand
names such as Super Trouper(R), Gladiator(TM) and Roadie(TM).

      The Company sells its long-range follow spotlights through dealers to
equipment rental companies, arenas, stadiums, theme parks, theatres and
auditoriums. The Company's spotlight products are used in, among other venues,
the Toronto SkyDome, the United Center in Chicago, the RCA Dome in Indianapolis,
the Continental Airlines Arena in the New Jersey Meadowlands and Sheffield Arena
in the United Kingdom, as well as at special venue sites such as the 1996 Summer
Olympics and in world tours by, among others, the Rolling Stones, R.E.M. and
Pink Floyd.

      The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Xenotech Strong, Inc.
("Xenotech") is a manufacturer and supplier (through both rental and outright
sale) of high intensity searchlights and computer-based lighting systems for the
motion picture production, television, live entertainment, theme park and
architectural industries. The Company's computer-based lighting systems are
marketed under the Xenotech(TM) and Britelights(R) trademarks, while the high
intensity searchlights are marketed under the Sky-Tracker(TM) trademark.



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      Xenotech's and Britelight's specialty illumination products have been used
in numerous feature films including BATMAN, TERMINATOR I, TERMINATOR II and
INDEPENDENCE DAY and have also been used at live performances such as the Super
Bowl half-time shows and are currently illuminating such venues as the Luxor
Hotel Casino and the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. These
products are marketed directly to customers in North America, Europe, South
America and the Pacific Rim.

      Sky-Tracker's products have been used at Walt Disney World, Universal
Studios, various Olympic Games, grand openings and also have been used by
touring musical acts such as The Rolling Stones, and Van Halen.

      The Company believes that it can expand Xenotech's and Sky-Tracker's sales
without incurring significant additional expense by utilizing the Company's
existing domestic and international dealer network to sell these products and
reducing manufacturing costs for previously outsourced products. To achieve this
goal, the Company began manufacturing substantially all of the components for
these specialty lights during the fourth quarter of 1998.

      RESTAURANT PRODUCTS

      The Company's restaurant product line consists of commercial food service
equipment, principally pressure fryers and barbecue/slow roast ovens. The
Company's pressure fryers account for the majority of its commercial food
service equipment net sales. The Company's restaurant product line is marketed
under the Flavor-Crisp(R) and Flavor-Pit(R) trademarks. The Company's commercial
food service equipment is supplemented by seasonings, marinades and barbecue
sauces manufactured to the Company's specifications by various food product
contractors, and by mesquite and hickory woods, paper serving products and point
of purchase displays.

      The Company sells its restaurant product line through dealers, who sell
primarily to independent convenience store/fast food restaurant operators. The
Company also sells its pressure fryers to equipment suppliers directly, on a
private label basis, for resale to major chains such as Pathmark and Wal-Mart
for use in their delicatessens and sit-down eateries.

SALES, MARKETING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

      The Company markets and sells its product primarily through a network of
over 200 domestic and international dealers to major movie exhibitors, sports
arenas and amusement park operators. The Company also sells directly to end
users. The Company services its customers in large part through this dealer
network, however, the Company does have technical support personnel to provide
necessary assistance to the end user or to assist the dealer network. Sales and
marketing professionals principally develop business by maintaining regular
personal customer contact, including conducting site visits, while customer
service and technical support functions are primarily centralized and dispatched
when needed. During 1998, the Company relocated one sales professional to Asia
and added another in Germany as the Company executes its international sales
plan. In addition, the Company markets its products in trade publications such
as Film Journal and Box Office and by participating in annual major industry
trade shows such as ShowWest in Las Vegas, ShowEast in Atlantic City, CineAsia
in Asia and Cinema Expo in Europe.

      The Company's sales and marketing professionals in all three business
segments have extensive experience with the Company's product lines and have
long-term relationships with many current and potential customers. By virtue of
these relationships, the Company can anticipate marketplace demand, and alter
its production schedule accordingly. The Company believes that its continuing
sales and marketing focus on anticipating and addressing customer needs and
providing consistent, high-level service has enabled it to become the industry
market leader in the theatre segment.



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      For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, sales to a customer
represented approximately 15%, 20% and 16% of consolidated net revenues,
respectively. For the year ended December 31, 1998, sales to another customer
represented approximately 14% of consolidated net revenues.

BACKLOG

      At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company had backlogs of $16.6 million
and $12.7 million, respectively. Such backlogs mainly consisted of orders
received with a definite shipping date within twelve months. These backlogs
typically increase during the year to reflect increases in the construction of
new motion picture screens in anticipation of the holiday movie season. Backlog
figures are not necessarily indicative of sales or income for any full
twelve-month period.

MANUFACTURING

      The Company's manufacturing operations are primarily conducted at its
Omaha, Nebraska manufacturing facility and the manufacturing facility in Fisher,
Illinois acquired with the purchase of Design & Manufacturing, Ltd. during 1998.
The Company's manufacturing operations at both locations consist primarily of
engineering, quality control, testing, material planning, machining,
fabricating, assembly and packaging and shipping. The Company believes that
Omaha's and Fisher's central location has and will serve to reduce the Company's
transportation costs and delivery times of products to the East and West Coasts
of the U.S. The Company's manufacturing strategy is to (i) minimize costs
through manufacturing efficiencies, (ii) employ flexible assembly processes that
allow the Company to customize certain of its products and adjust the relative
mix of products to meet demand, (iii) reduce labor costs through the increased
use of computerized numerical control machines for the machining of products and
(iv) use outside contractors as necessary to meet increased customer demand.

      The Company currently manufactures the majority of the components used in
its products. The Company believes that its integrated manufacturing operations
help maintain the high quality of its products and its ability to customize
products to customer specifications. The principal raw materials and components
used in the Company's manufacturing processes include aluminum, solid state
electronic sub-assemblies and sheet metal. The Company utilizes a single
contract manufacturer for each of intermittent movement components and lenses
for its commercial motion picture projection equipment lenses and aluminum
kettles for its pressure fryers. Although the Company has not to-date
experienced a significant difficulty in obtaining these components, no assurance
can be given that shortages will not arise in the future. The loss of any one or
more of such contract manufacturers could have a short-term adverse effect on
the Company until alternative manufacturing arrangements were secured. The
Company is not dependent upon any one contract manufacturer or supplier for the
balance of its raw materials and components. The Company believes that there are
adequate alternative sources of such raw materials and components of sufficient
quantity and quality.

QUALITY CONTROL

      The Company believes that its design standards, quality control
procedures, and the quality standards for the materials and components used in
its products have contributed significantly to the reputation of its products
for high performance and reliability. The Company has implemented a quality
control program for its theatre, lighting and restaurant product lines which is
designed to ensure compliance with the Company's manufacturing and assembly
specifications and the requirements of its customers. Essential elements of this
program are the inspection of materials and components received from suppliers
and the monitoring and testing of all of the Company's products during various
stages of production and assembly.


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WARRANTY POLICY

      The Company provides a warranty to end users of substantially all of its
products, which generally covers a period of 12 months, but may be extended
under certain circumstances and for certain products. Under the Company's
warranty policy, the Company will repair or replace defective products or
components at its election. Costs of warranty service and product replacements
have not been material to the Company's consolidated financial position and
consolidated results of operations.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

      The Company's ability to compete successfully depends, in part, upon its
continued close work with its existing and new customers. The Company focuses
its research and development efforts on the development of new products based on
its customers' requirements, including the development of products used for
special venues. The Company believes that the introduction of more special venue
products will provide opportunity for further growth, both domestically and
internationally. Research and development costs charged to operations amounted
to approximately $746,000, $647,000 and $485,000 for the years ended December
31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

COMPETITION

      Although the Company has a leading position in the domestic motion picture
projection equipment market, the domestic and international markets for
commercial motion picture projection equipment are highly competitive. Major
competitors for the Company's motion picture projection equipment include
Christie Electric Corporation, Cinemeccanica SpA and Kinoton GmbH. In addition
to existing motion picture equipment manufacturers, the Company may also
encounter competition from new competitors, as well as from the development of
new technology for alternative means of motion picture presentation. No
assurance can be given that the equipment manufactured by the Company will not
become obsolete as technology advances. Certain of the Company's competitors for
its motion picture projection equipment have significantly greater resources
than the Company. The Company competes in the commercial motion picture
projection equipment industry primarily on the basis of quality, fulfillment and
delivery, price, after-sale technical support and product customization
capabilities.

      The markets for the Company's long-range follow spotlight, other
illumination and restaurant products are also highly competitive. The Company
competes in the illumination industry primarily on the basis of quality, price
and product line variety. The Company competes in the restaurant products
industry primarily on the basis of price and equipment design. Certain of the
Company's competitors for its long-range follow spotlights, other illumination
and restaurant products have significantly greater resources than the Company.

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

      The Company owns or otherwise has rights to numerous trademarks used in
conjunction with the sale of its products. The Company believes that its success
will not be dependent upon patent protection, but rather upon its scientific and
engineering "know-how" and research and production techniques.

EMPLOYEES

      As of March 1, 1999 the Company had a total of 386 employees. The Company
is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and believes that its
relationship with its employees is good.


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ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

      The Company's operations involve the handling and use of substances that
are subject to Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that
impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the soil, air and water
and establish standards for their storage and disposal. A risk of environmental
liabilities is inherent in manufacturing activities. The Company believes that
it is in material compliance with environmental laws, but there can be no
assurance that future additional environmental compliance or remediation
obligations will not arise or that such operations could not have a material
adverse effect on the Company. The Company does not anticipate any material
capital expenditures for environmental matters during 1999.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

      The Company's headquarters and main manufacturing facility is located at
4350 McKinley Street, Omaha, Nebraska, where it owns a building consisting of
approximately 160,000 square feet on approximately 12.0 acres. The premises are
used for offices and for the manufacture, assembly and distribution of its
products, other than those for one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Design and
Manufacturing, Inc. ("Design"). The Design subsidiary is located in Fisher,
Illinois on 2 acres and has one building, with 31,600 square feet under roof.
The Company also leases a sales and rental facility for its new audio visual
division in Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Company also leases a sales
and service facility in Hong Kong.

     Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Xenotech Strong, Inc., the Company 
leases a 24,500 square foot sales and rental facility in North Hollywood, 
California for the sale and rental of its specialty lighting products. 
Xenotech Strong, Inc. also leases a sales and rental facility in Orlando, 
Florida and one in Atlanta, Georgia.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      The Company is involved from time to time in litigation arising out of its
operations in the normal course of business. Management believes that the
ultimate resolution of all pending litigation will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial statements.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

      During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, no issues were submitted to a
vote of stockholders.


                                       10
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S  COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED  STOCKHOLDER'S
         MATTERS

      The Common Stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "BTN".
Prior to December 5, 1997, the Company was listed on the American Stock Exchange
(the "AMEX"). The following table sets forth the high and low per share sale
price for the Common Stock as reported by the NYSE and the AMEX for the periods
indicated (rounded to the nearest 1/8)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       HIGH         LOW
                                                       ----         ---
         <S>                                          <C>          <C>
         1998
               First Quarter                          11 1/8       9 1/8
               Second Quarter                         13 1/8       6 1/4
               Third Quarter                           8 5/8       6 3/8
               Fourth Quarter                          8 3/8       5 1/2
         1997

               First Quarter                          10 3/8       7 3/4
               Second Quarter                         11 5/8       8 7/8
               Third Quarter                          14 1/4      10 7/8
               Fourth Quarter                         12 1/2       9 1/2
         1996

               First Quarter                           3 7/8       3
               Second Quarter                          7 1/2       3 5/8
               Third Quarter                           6 7/8       4 5/8
               Fourth Quarter                          8 3/8       5 7/8
</TABLE>

      On March 23, 1999 the last reported per share sale price for the Common
Stock was $7.25. At March 23, 1999, there were 205 holders of record of the
Common Stock and the Company had 12,664,371 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DIVIDEND POLICY

      The Company intends to retain its earnings to assist in financing its
business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends by the
Company are also subject to the discretion of the Board. The Company's line of
credit contains certain prohibitions on the payment of cash dividends. Any
determination by the Board as to the payment of dividends in the future will
depend upon, among other things, business conditions and the Company's financial
condition and capital requirements, as well as any other factors deemed relevant
by the Board.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report as set forth on
page 15.


                                       11
<PAGE>

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
         FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report as set forth on pages
10 through 15.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company has evaluated its exposure to fluctuation in the interest rate 
and foreign currency environment and has concluded that its exposure to these 
fluctuations would not be material to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


The financial statements called for by this item are hereby incorporated by
reference to the Company's Annual Report as set forth on pages 17 through 35,
together with the independent auditor's report on page 16. The supplemental
quarterly financial information is incorporated herein by reference to page 35
of the Company's Annual Report.


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON
                    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.



We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Ballantyne of Omaha,
Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998, and have issued our report thereon
dated January 18, 1999; such consolidated financial statements and report are
included in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders of the Company and are
incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated
financial statement schedule of the Company for the three-year period ended
December 31, 1998 listed in Item 14 of this Form 10-K. This consolidated
financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion,
such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to
the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.



KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
January 18, 1999




                                       12
<PAGE>

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         None
                                    PART III


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

      Incorporated by reference from the Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 18, 1999, under
the captions ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, LIST OF CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
COMPANY, and ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Compliance with Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      Incorporated by reference from the Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 18, 1999, under
the caption REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

      Incorporated by reference from the Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 18, 1999, under
the captions GENERAL and ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      Incorporated by reference from the Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 18, 1999, under
the caption CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.


                                       13
<PAGE>

                                     PART IV



ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
a.      The following documents are filed as part of this report:                  Page No.
                                                                                   --------
<S>                                                                                <C>
      1.        Financial Statements:

                The following consolidated financial statements of Ballantyne of
                Omaha, Inc. and subsidiaries have been incorporated by reference
                to pages 16 through 35 of the Company's Annual Report to
                Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998:

                Independent Auditor's Report - Three-Year Period Ended December
                31, 1998.

                Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1998 and 1997.

                Consolidated Statements of Income - Three-Year Period Ended
                December 31, 1998.

                Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Three-Year
                Period Ended December 31, 1998.

                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three-Year Period Ended
                December 31, 1998.

                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Three-Year Period
                Ended December 31, 1998.

                Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule - Three-Year Period
                Ended December 31, 1998.


                SCHEDULE II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

                All other schedules have been omitted as the required
                information is inapplicable or the information is included in
                the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

                Separate financial statements of the Registrant have been
                omitted because the Registrant meets the requirement which
                permit omission.

b.      Reports on Form 8-K filed for the three months ended December 31, 1998:

      1.      None
</TABLE>




                                       14
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Page No.
                                                                                   --------
<S>                                                                                <C>

c.      Exhibits (Numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

        2.5     Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 1, 1997 between the Company
                and Xenotech, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to
                the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997)

        2.6     Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 8, 1997 between the
                Company and Sky-Tracker of America, Inc. (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                September 30, 1997)

        2.7     Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 29, 1998 between the
                Company and Sky-Tracker of Florida, Inc. (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 2.7 to the Form 10-K for the year ended
                December 31, 1997) (the "1997 10-K")

        2.8     Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Design and
                Manufacturing, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.8 to
                the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998)

        2.9     Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and ARC, EFX,
                Inc...................................................................21

        3.1     Certificate of Incorporation as amended through July 20, 1995
                (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.3 to the
                Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-93244) (the
                "Form S-1")

        3.1.1   Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                June 30, 1997)

        3.2     Bylaws of the Company as amended through August 24, 1995
                (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form S-1)

        4.2     Loan Agreement dated August 30, 1995, as amended November 24,
                1995 between the Company and Norwest Bank, N.A. (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 1995) (the "1995 Form
                10-K")

        4.3     Second Amendment to Loan Agreement dated August 30, 1995 between
                the Company and Norwest Bank Nebraska, N.A. dated August 29,
                1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Form 10-Q
                for the quarter ended September 30, 1997)

        4.4     Third Amendment to Loan Agreement dated August 30, 1995 between
                the Company and Norwest Bank, N.A. dated December 1, 1998.............31
</TABLE>


                                       15
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Page No.
                                                                                   --------
<S>                                                                                <C>
        10.17   Amendment to the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated
                by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter
                ended June 30, 1998)

        10.18   Amendment to the Company's 1995 Outside Directors Stock Option
                Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Form
                10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)

        10.3    Employment Agreement between the Company and John Wilmers dated
                October 15, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
                the Form S-1) *

        10.3.1  Extension to Employment Agreement between the Company and John
                Wilmers dated July 8, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                10.16 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996) *

        10.3.2  Employment Agreement between the Company and John Wilmers dated
                January 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to the 1996 Form
                10-K) *

        10.3.3  Employment Agreement between the Company and Ray F. Boegner
                dated November 20, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                10.3.3 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997) *

        10.3.4  Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard Hart dated
                April 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.4 to
                the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997) *

        10.3.5  Non-competition Agreement between the Company and Richard Hart
                (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.5 to the Form 10-Q
                for the quarter ended June 30, 1997) *

        10.3.6  Consulting Agreement between the Company and Marlowe A. Pichel
                (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.6 to Form 10-Q for
                the quarter ended September 30, 1997) *

        10.3.7  Non-competition Agreement between the Company and Marlowe A.
                Pichel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3.7 to Form 10-Q
                for the quarter ended September 30, 1997) *

        10.3.8  Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1998 between the Company and
                Brad French (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the
                Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998) *

        10.3.9  Consulting Agreement between the Company and Arnold S. Tenney
                dated January 1, 1999.................................................37

        10.6    Distributorship Agreement dated as of March 1, 1992 between
                ISCO-Optic GmbH and the Company (incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 10.6 to the Form S-1)
</TABLE>


                                       16
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Page No.
                                                                                   --------
<S>                                                                                <C>
        10.6.1  First Amendment dated December 4, 1998, to Distributorship
                Agreement dated as of March 1, 1992, between ISCO-Optic GmbH and
                the Company...........................................................39

        10.7    Form of 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 10.7 to the Form S-1)

        10.7.1  Amendment to Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 10.16 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
                1997)

        10.8    Form of 1995 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan as amended as
                of June 11, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
                the Form S-1)

        10.8.1  Amendment to 1995 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan, as
                amended through July 8, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
                exhibit 10.8 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
                1996)

        10.9    Form of 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Form S-1)

        10.9.1  Amendment to the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated
                by reference to Exhibit 10.9.1 to the 1996 Form 10-K)

        10.10   Form of Management Services Agreement by and between the Company
                and Canrad, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to
                the Form S-1) *

        10.10.1 Amendment to Management Services Agreement by and between the
                Company and Canrad, Inc. dated July 1, 1997 (incorporated by
                reference to the 1997 Form 10-K)*

        10.10.2 Second Amendment to Management Services Agreement by and between
                the Company and Canrad, Inc. dated January 1, 1999....................41

        10.11   Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11
                to the Form S-1)

        10.11.1 Amendment to the Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference
                to Exhibit 10.11.1 to the 1996 Form 10-K)

        10.14   Stock Option Agreement dated as of September 19, 1995 between
                the Company and Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter
                ended June 30, 1996)
</TABLE>


                                       17
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
        13      Annual Report to
                Shareholders..........................................................

        11      Computation of net earnings per share.................................42

        21      Registrant owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of the
                following subsidiaries:
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Jurisdiction of
                      Name                          Incorporation
                      ----                          -------------
            <S>                                    <C>
            a.    Strong Westrex, Inc.                 Nebraska
            b.    Xenotech Rental Corp.                Nebraska
            c.    Design & Manufacturing, Inc.         Nebraska
            d.    Xenotech Strong, Inc.                Nebraska
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
        23      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP...................................... 43

        27      Financial Data Schedule (for SEC information only)
</TABLE>

      * Management contract or compensatory plan.




                                       18
<PAGE>


                                                                     SCHEDULE II


                            Ballantyne Of Omaha, Inc.
                                and Subsidiaries
                        Valuation and Qualifying Accounts




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Balance at      Charged to    Amounts      Balance
                                         beginning      costs and     written      at end
                                         of year        expenses      off (1)      of year
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
<S>                                     <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Year ended December 31, 1998 -
    Allowance for doubtful accounts     $ 215,823       273,122        92,160       396,785
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
Year ended December 31, 1997 -
    Allowance for doubtful accounts     $ 143,000       187,110       114,287       215,823
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
Year ended December 31, 1996-
    Allowance for doubtful accounts     $ 118,003        63,995        38,998       143,000
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
INVENTORY RESERVES

Year ended December 31, 1998 -
    Inventory reserves                  $ 957,683       293,503       147,191     1,103,995
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
Year ended December 31, 1997 -
    Inventory reserves                  $ 879,486       601,201       523,004       957,683
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
Year ended December 31, 1996-
    Inventory reserves                  $ 773,272       256,428       150,214       879,486
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
WARRANTY RESERVES

Year ended December 31, 1998 -
    Warranty reserves                   $  98,720       446,085       368,882       175,983
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
Year ended December 31, 1997 -
    Warranty reserves                   $ 165,953       403,656       470,889        98,720
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
Year ended December 31, 1996-
    Warranty reserves                   $ 149,137       380,000       363,184       165,953
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
                                        ---------       -------       -------       -------
</TABLE>


(1)The deductions from reserves are net of recoveries



                                       19
<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.


By: /s/ John Wilmers                     BY: /s/ Brad French
   ------------------------------------     ------------------------------------
   John Wilmers, President,                  Brad French, Secretary, Treasurer,
   Chief Executive Officer, and Director     and Chief Financial Officer

Date:  March 15, 1998                    Date:  March 15, 1998



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By: /s/ Arnold S. Tenney                 By: /s/ Ronald H. Echtenkamp
   ------------------------------------     ------------------------------------
     Arnold S. Tenney, Chairman and          Ronald H. Echtenkamp, Director
     Director

Date:  March 15, 1998                    Date:  March 15, 1998

By: /s/ Jeffrey D. Chelin                By: /s/ Colin G. Campbell
   ------------------------------------     ------------------------------------
     Jeffrey D. Chelin, Director             Colin G. Campbell, Director

Date:  March 15, 1998                    Date:  March 15, 1998


By: /s/ Yale Richards                    By: /s/  Marshall Geller
   ------------------------------------     ------------------------------------
     Yale Richards, Director                 Marshall Geller, Director

Date:  March 15, 1998                    Date: March 15, 1998


                                       20


<PAGE>

Exhibit 2.9

                                   ASSET
                            PURCHASE AGREEMENT

PARTIES:

   This Agreement is made and entered into as of the 4th day of June, 1998, by
and between ARC, INC. of 33380 Listie Avenue, Acton, California 93510, a
California corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Seller"), and
XENOTECH-STRONG, INC., 4350 McKinley Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68112, a Nebraska
corporation (the "Buyer").

RECITALS:

   A.   Seller is engaged in the business of providing and operating lighting
        and special effects equipment for live entertainment shows and
        productions.

   B.   Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, and Seller desires to sell to
        Buyer, substantially all of the assets of Seller pertaining to its
        business.

AGREEMENT:

   NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained herein and for other food and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

I.    DEFINITIONS

   For all purposes of this agreement, the following terms shall have the
following definitions:

   A.   "Contract" shall mean those contracts of Seller, a true and
        correct list of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.

   B.   "Fixtures and Equipment" shall mean all of the lighting equipment,
        special effects equipment, vehicles, and all other equipment of Seller,
        a true and correct list of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.

   C.   "Inventory" shall mean all of Seller's inventories, a true and correct
        list of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.

   D.   "Purchased Assets" shall mean all of the following Assets of Seller as
        of the date of the Closing:

        1.  All Contract rights of Seller, including all customer deposits
            received by Seller in connection with Contracts not yet performed by
            Seller;

        2.  All Fixtures and Equipment;

        3.  All Inventory;

        4.  All trademarks, trade names, and all other intangible assets of
            Seller, including, but not limited to the trade name "ARC EFX"; and



                                       21
<PAGE>

        5.  Any and all other assets of Seller of any kind or nature whatsoever
            except Seller's cash assets (other than customer deposits) and
            Seller's accounts receivable.


II.   SALE OF ASSETS

   A. At closing, Seller shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to
Buyer the Purchased Assets, free and clear of all liabilities, obligations,
liens, security interests and encumbrances of any kind. Buyer shall not assume
any liabilities of Seller whatsoever, except for Seller's obligations under the
contracts of Seller set forth on Exhibit 1.

   B. At Closing, Buyer shall wire transfer Seventy-five Thousand Dollars
($75,000) to Seller's bank account, subject to any amounts required to discharge
any liens or encumbrances against the purchased Assets, or required by law to be
withheld to pay any obligations of Seller.

   C. At Closing, Buyer shall execute and deliver to Seller its Promissory Note
in the principal amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) payable in full on a
date which shall be one (1) year after the date of Closing.

III.  CLOSING

   The closing of the sale (the "Closing") shall take place on or before June 1,
1998, or as soon thereafter as all of the conditions of the Agreement shall be
complied with by the parties. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer such
bills of sale, endorsements, assignments, and other goods and sufficient
instruments of transfer and conveyance as shall be effective to vest in the
Buyer good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets as provided in this
Agreement.

IV.   PURCHASE PRICE

   The Purchase Price shall be One Hundred Twenty five Thousand Dollars
($125,000), subject to adjustment as herein set forth, which shall be paid to
Seller in accordance with Article II herein. Buyer and Seller agree that for all
purposes, the Purchase Price shall be allocated in the manner set forth on
Exhibit 4 attached hereto.

V.    FURTHER ASSURANCES

   From time to time, at Buyer's request, whether at or after the closing and
without further consideration, Seller will execute and deliver such further
instruments of conveyance and transfer and take such other action as Buyer
reasonably may require more effectively to convey and transfer to Buyer any of
the Purchased Assets.

VI.   GREG SMITH EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

   Buyer shall engage Greg Smith (the sole shareholder of Seller) as an Employee
effective immediately upon the Closing of the transactions herein contemplated,
for a term of five (5) years at an annual compensation of sixty-five thousand
Dollars ($65,000). At Closing, Buyer and Greg Smith shall enter into a written
Employment Agreement in the form and of the content of Exhibit 5, attached
hereto, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by this
reference.


                                       22
<PAGE>

VII.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

   Seller represents, warrants and covenants to and with Buyer as follows:

   A. Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of California, and has full corporate power
and authority to conduct it business as it is presently being conducted and to
own, sell and convey its properties as Assets.

   B. Seller has all necessary corporate power and authority and has taken all
corporate action necessary to enter into this Agreement, to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in
accordance with its respective terms.

   C. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in (1) a violation of or a
conflict with any of the provisions of the certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Seller, (2) a breach of, or a default under, any term or provision of
any contract, agreement, indebtedness, lease, commitment, license, franchise,
permit, authorization or concession to which Seller is a party, which breach or
default would have material adverse effect on the business or financial
condition of Seller or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby, or (3) a violation by Seller of any statute, rule regulation, ordinance,
code, order, judgement, writ, injunction, decree or award, which violation would
have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Seller
or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

   D. Except as otherwise provided herein, Seller currently has and will have
and will transfer to Buyer at Closing, good and marketable title to all of the
Purchased assets, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security
interests, conditional sales agreements, charges, encumbrances, restrictions,
liabilities and equities.

   E. There are no material actions, suits, claims, proceedings or
investigations pending or, to the best knowledge of seller, threatened against
or affecting the Purchased Assets, at law or in equity, or before or by any
federal, state, municipal or other government court, department, commission,
board, bureau, agency or instrumentality.

   F. Seller has disclosed to Buyer all facts known by Seller to be material to
the Assets to be acquired by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement. No written
representation or warranty by the Seller in this Agreement or any written
statement or certificate furnished or to be furnished to the Buyer pursuant
hereto, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact known
to Seller, or omits or will omit to state a material fact known to Seller
necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading. During the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing date, Seller represents
and covenants that its business shall in all respects continue to be operated
only in the ordinary course. Seller shall give prompt notice to Buyer with
respect to any material changes in the operation of its business and any matter
or event which comes to Seller's attention and which, if it had occurred as of
the date hereof, would constitute a material breach of the representations and
warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement.


   G. The execution and delivery of this Agreement to Buyer and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by Seller's
Board of Directors, and by Seller's Shareholders in accordance with the business
corporation laws of the State of California.



                                       23
<PAGE>

IX.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

   Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

   A. Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Delaware and has full corporate power and authority to
conduct its business as it is presently being conducted and to own and lease its
properties and Assets.

   B. Buyer has all necessary corporate power and authority and has taken all
corporate action necessary to enter into this Agreement, to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance
with its respective terms.

   C. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in (1) a violation of or a
conflict with any of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Buyer, (2) a breach of, or a default under, any term or provision of
any contract, agreement, indebtedness, lease, commitment, license, franchise,
permit, authorization or concession to which Buyer is a party, which breach or
default would have a material adverse effect on the business or financial
condition of Buyer of its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby, or (3) a violation by Buyer of any statute, rule, regulation, ordinance,
code, order, judgement, writ, injunction, decree or award, which violation would
have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Buyer
or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

X.    COVENANTS OF SELLER AND BUYER

   Seller covenants with Buyer and Buyer covenants with Seller as follows:

   A. Seller shall assign to Buyer all transferable manufacturer, supplier of
contractor warranties or guaranties respecting any of the Purchased Assets.

   B. Effective upon closing of the transactions contemplated hereby, Seller
shall no longer use, in any respect, the name or term "ARC EFX, INC." without
the express written consent of Buyer. Within seventy-five (75) days after
Closing, Seller shall change its corporate name to a name, which bears no
resemblance to the name "ARC EFX," and thereafter shall never use a name or
names, which shall be similar to such name.

XI.   BULK SALES

   Seller agrees to cooperate with Buyer in complying with the provisions of
Article 6 of the California Uniform commercial Code Bulk Transfer - relating to
bulk transfers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. If Buyer shall waive the provisions of the Bulk Sales Law, seller
shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from any damages, losses or expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) suffered by Buyer from any claim which
may be asserted against Buyer by creditors of Seller for obligations not assumed
by Buyer hereunder which result from noncompliance with the California Bulk
Transfer Law.


                                       24
<PAGE>

XII.  COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE

   At the Closing, Seller and Greg Smith will execute a Non-Competition
Agreement in the form of Exhibit 6 hereto; the effectiveness of this Agreement
and of the Non-competition Agreement will be contingent upon the execution of
each other.

XIII.   ACTIONS BY SELLER AND BUYER AFTER THE CLOSING

   A. Seller and Buyer agree that so long as any books, records, and files
relating to the business, Assets or operations of the Seller remain in existence
and available, Buyer (at its expense) shall have the right to inspect and to
make copies of the same at any time during business hours for any proper purpose
with reasonable advance notice. Seller further agrees that it shall preserve and
maintain all of its existing books and record relating to the Purchased Assets
for a period of at least three (3) years following the date of Closing.


   B. On and after the Closing date, Seller and Buyer will take all appropriate
action and execute all documents, instruments or conveyances of any kind which
may be reasonably necessary or advisable to carry out any of the provisions
hereof.

XIV.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

   A. BY SELLER: It is specifically acknowledged that Buyer does not assume and
will not be responsible for any liabilities of Seller, except as may be
expressly stated herein. Effective as of the Closing date, Seller shall
indemnify and hold harmless Buyer against and in respect of:

        1. All liabilities and obligations of, or claims against, Seller not
   expressly assumed by Buyer in this Agreement.

        2. Any damage or deficiency resulting from any material
   misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or non fulfillment of any agreement on
   the part of Seller under this Agreement or from any material
   misrepresentation in or omission from any certificate or other instrument
   furnished or to be furnished to Buyer under this Agreement.

   B. BY BUYER: Buyer agrees that, on and after the date hereof, it shall
   indemnify and save and hold harmless Seller from and against any and all
   damages incurred in connection with or arising out of or resulting from (1)
   any material breach of any covenant or warranty, or the inaccuracy of any
   representation, made by Buyer in or pursuant to this Agreement; (2) any
   liability, obligation or commitment of Buyer relating in any way to the
   Purchased Assets or Assumed Liabilities; or (3) any claim, liability,
   obligation or commitment of any nature which is specifically assumed by Buyer
   pursuant to this Agreement.

XV.     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION OF BUYER

   The obligations of Buyer to purchase the Purchased Assets from Seller are
   subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing date, of all of the
   following conditions, which conditions may be waived in writing by Buyer:


                                       25
<PAGE>

   A. The representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement
   shall have been true in all material respects when made and, in addition,
   shall be true in all material respects on and as of the Closing date with the
   same force and effect as though made on an as of the Closing date.


   B. Seller and its sole shareholder shall have, or have caused to be performed
   and observed, in all material respects, all obligations and agreements
   hereunder and shall have complied with all covenants and conditions contained
   in this agreement to be performed and complied with by it at or prior to the
   closing date.


   C. If, prior to the closing date, any material part of the Purchased Assets
   is damaged by fire, other casualty, or any cause or activity not attributable
   to or under the control of Buyer, Seller shall give Buyer written notice
   thereof and Buyer may, at its option, terminate this Agreement by written
   notice of such election given to seller no later than five (5) working days
   after receipt of Seller's notice, and upon giving such notice, both parties
   shall be fully discharged from all duties hereunder and all obligations
   hereof. However, if Buyer shall not so elect, or if an immaterial part of the
   Assets is damaged, then Seller hereby assigns to Buyer all of its rights,
   title and interest in and to any and all insurance proceeds payable by reason
   of such destruction or damage to the Purchased Assets and Seller hereby
   agrees to pay Buyer a sum equal to the deductible amount provided in such
   policies to the extent necessary to correct such damage.

   D. There shall not have been, between the date of this Agreement and the
   Closing date, any materially adverse change in any of the Purchased assets or
   the current operation of Seller.


   E. Prior to closing, Buyer shall have completed, to its satisfaction, such
financial, technical and legal due diligence of seller as Buyer, its counsel and
its accountants shall deem necessary and appropriate.

XVI.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER

   The obligation of Seller to sell the Purchased Assets under this Agreement of
Buyer is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing date, of all the
following conditions, which conditions may be waived in writing by Seller:

   A. The representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement
shall have been true in all material respects when made and, in addition, shall
be true in all material respects on and as of the Closing date with the same
force and effect as though made on and as of the Closing date.

   B. Buyer shall have, or have caused to be, performed and observed, in all
material respects, all covenants, agreements and conditions hereof to be
performed or observed by Buyer at or before the Closing.

   C. Seller shall have received approval from its Board of Directors and
Shareholders for consummation of this transaction of the terms and conditions
contained herein.


                                       26
<PAGE>


XVII.   NON-ASSIGNMENT

   Any party without the prior written consent of the other parties hereunder
may assign neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations. Subject
to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and no other
person shall have any right, benefit or obligation hereunder, as a third-party
beneficiary or otherwise.

XVIII.  EXPENSES

   Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party shall pay its
respective expenses, taxes, charges and liabilities incurred in connection with
or arising out of this Agreement, including, without limitation thereto, counsel
fees, accounting fees, and other expenses related to the assignment and delivery
of the Purchased Assets to buyer.

XIX.    NOTICES

   Unless otherwise provided herein, any notices, request, instruction or other
document to be given hereunder by either party to the other shall be in writing
and delivered personally or mailed by certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested (such mailed notice to be effective on the date such receipt
is acknowledged or refused), as follows:

                        IF TO SELLER:     ARC EFX, INC.
                                          Attention: Greg Smith
                                          33380 Listie Avenue
                                          Acton, CA 93510

                        WITH COPY TO:
                                          ---------------------
                                          ---------------------
                                          ---------------------
                                          ---------------------


                        IF TO BUYER:      XENOTECH-STRONG, INC.
                                          Attn: John P. Wilmers
                                          4350 McKinley Street
                                          Omaha, NE 68112

                        WITH COPY TO:     Marks, Clare & Richards
                                          David P. Wilson, Esq.
                                          11605 Miracle Hills Dr., Suite 300
                                          Omaha, NE 68154

Or at such other address or designation as is provided by one party to the other
in writing.

XX.     CHOICE OF LAW

   This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and the rights of the parties
determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without
reference to the choice of law provisions of California law).


                                       27
<PAGE>


XXI.    SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS

   The representations, warranties and covenants of the parties hereto contained
herein, or in any certificates or other documents delivered prior to or at the
Closing, shall not be deemed waived or otherwise affected by any investigation
theretofore made by either party. Each and every representation, warranty and
covenant of Seller and buyer and the indemnification provisions set forth in
Article XIII herein shall survive the Closing date and remain operative and in
full force and effect as herein provided.

XXII.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

   This Agreement, together with all exhibits and schedules hereto, constitutes
the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and
discussions, whether oral or written. No supplement, modification or waiver of
this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be
bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or
not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless
otherwise expressly provided.

XXIII.  MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS

   This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together constitute one and the
same instrument.

XXIV.   INVALIDITY

   In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein shall, for any reason,
be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the
maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceable
shall not affect any other provision of this agreement or any other such
instrument.

XXV.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

   In connection with the negotiation of this Agreement, each party acknowledges
that it has had access to confidential information relating to the other party.
Each party shall treat such information as confidential, preserve the
confidentiality thereof and not duplicate or make use of any other such
information, except to advisors, consultants, lenders and affiliates in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or pursuant to or as
required by law. If the transaction is not closed, each party shall return to
the other all confidential information in tangible form, belonging or relating
to the other party or provide a certificate of destruction of such material
acceptable to the other party.


                                       28
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed on their respective behalf, by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, on this 4th day of June, 1998.


                                          "Seller"

                                          ARC EFX, INC.

                                          By: /s/ Greg Smith
                                             --------------------------------
                                              Greg Smith, President






                                          "Buyer"

                                          XENOTECH-STRONG, INC.
                                          A Nebraska corporation


                                          By: /s/ John P. Wilmers
                                             --------------------------------
                                             John P. Wilmers, President



                                       29
<PAGE>



STATE OF CALIFORNIA     )
                        ) SS.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES   )



        On June 4, 1998, before me, Y. Charles Shoda, notary Public, personally
appeared GREG SMITH, President of ARC EFX, INC., personally known to me - OR -
proved to me on a basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the
same.

        WITNESS my hand and official seal.






                                             /S/ Y. Charles Shoda
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Signature of Notary Public


STATE OF NEBRASKA       )
                        ) SS.
COUNTY OF DOUGLAS       )

        On this 5th day of June, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said County, personally appeared the above-named JOHN P.
WILMERS, President of XENOTECH STRONG, INC., to me known to be the identical
person named in and who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that
he executed the same as his voluntary act and deed and the voluntary act deed of
said corporation.




                                             /s/ Nancy A. Cronin
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Notary Public



Exhibit 4.4



                                       30

<PAGE>

Exhibit 4.4

                   AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO LOAN AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDMENT is made and entered into as of the 1st day of December,
1998, by and among Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower") and Norwest Bank Nebraska, National Association ("Bank").

                              WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, Borrower and Bank have previously entered into Loan Agreement
dated August 30, 1995 as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement dated
November 24, 1995 and Amendment No. 2 to Loan Agreement dated August 29, 1997
(the "Agreement");

     WHEREAS, Borrower and Bank have reached agreement regarding certain
modifications to the Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their agreements regarding the
above matters in this Amendment No. 3 to Loan Agreement ("Amendment No. 3").

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

1.   All terms contained herein with an initial capitalized letter which are not
     otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the
     Agreement.


2.   The definition in Section 1.2 of the Note is hereby amended to substitute
     Exhibit 2.1 to this Amendment No. 3 for Exhibit 2.1 to the Loan Agreement.
     Concurrently with the execution of this Amendment No. 3, Borrower shall
     execute and deliver a Note in the form of such new Exhibit 2.1.

3.   The definition in Section 1.2 of "Revolving Loan Commitment Amount" is
     hereby amended to change the amount from $10,000,000 to $20,000,000.

4.   The definition in Section 1.2 of "Revolving Loan Stated Maturity Date" is
     hereby restated in its entirety as follows:

           REVOLVING LOAN STATED MATURITY DATE means May 31, 2000, or such later
      date as is agreed to in writing by Bank in the event the Revolving Loan is
      renewed pursuant to Section 2.1(e).

      5. Section 2.1 of the Agreement is hereby restated in its entirety as
      follows:

           2.2 REVOLVING LOAN. From time to time on any Business Day occurring
     prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, subject to the
     conditions of this Agreement (including Article 4), Bank agrees to make
     revolving loan Advances to Borrower in the maximum outstanding principal
     amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, pursuant to the loan terms
     described in this Section 2.1 (the "Revolving Loan"). The Revolving Loan
     shall be evidenced by the Note, which shall be executed and delivered by
     Borrower on the date of execution of Amendment No. 3.




                                       31
<PAGE>

               a. ADVANCES; USE OF PROCEEDS. Advances of principal under the
           Revolving Loan shall be made upon written or telephone request by
           Borrower to Bank prior to 3:00 p.m. (Omaha time) on any Business Day.
           Each request for an Advance under the Revolving Loan shall be deemed
           a representation that the statements set forth in Section 4.2 are
           correct and that the proceeds of the requested Advance will be used
           for purposes permitted below. Upon fulfillment of all applicable
           conditions set forth in Article 4 of this Agreement and this Section
           2.1, bank will disburse the amount of the requested Advance under the
           Revolving Loan to Borrower. In lieu of the foregoing, Bank and
           Borrower may enter into a cash management arrangement whereby Bank
           shall monitor the daily balance of Borrower's demand deposit accounts
           and make Advances when there is a negative balance or make a payment
           on the Revolving Loan when there is a positive balance. Any such
           arrangement shall not relieve Borrower of any of its obligations
           under this Agreement. On the terms and subject to the conditions
           hereof, Borrower may from time to time prior to the Revolving Loan
           Commitment Termination Date, borrow, prepay without penalty and
           reborrow funds under the Revolving Loan.

           The proceeds of the Revolving Loan shall be used to fund acquisitions
           including repurchases of capital stock of Borrower and capital
           expenditures by Borrower and for working capital.

           Bank's obligation to make Advances under the Revolving Loan under
           this Agreement shall terminate on the Revolving Loan Stated Maturity
           Date.

               b. INTEREST ON REVOLVING LOAN. Borrower shall pay interest to
           Bank on the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loan at a
           variable rate equal to the Prime Rate less one-half of one percent
           (0.5%). Any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in
           the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on
           the day on which such change in the Prime Rate becomes effective.

               c. PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON REVOLVING LOAN. Borrower
           shall pay accrued interest on the Revolving Loan monthly on the dates
           set forth in the Revolving Note. The outstanding principal balance of
           the Revolving Loan, together with accrued interest, shall be due and
           payable on the Revolving Loan Stated Maturity Date.

               d. FEE. Borrower shall pay Bank an origination fee of $15,000
           upon execution of this amendment No. 3. In the event the Revolving
           Loan is renewed by Bank pursuant to Section 2.1 below, Borrower shall
           pay Bank an origination fee of $10,000 on June 1 of each future year
           the Revolving Loan continues in place.

               e. RENEWAL. The Revolving Loan shall be subject to annual review
           by Bank beginning May 31, 2000 and may be renewed by Bank in its sole
           discretion for twelve (12) month periods subject to its satisfaction
           with the financial condition of Borrower. As part of this review,
           bank shall review the terms and conditions of this Agreement
           including, without limitation, the financial covenants set forth in
           Sections 8.1, 8.2, and 8.4 and may condition the continuance of the
           Revolving Loan on amendments to such terms and conditions.



                                       32
<PAGE>

     6. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that Sections 3.3 and 3.4 apply to all
corporations becoming Subsidiaries of Borrower during the period while the
Revolving Loan is outstanding. Borrower shall give bank written notice of its
formation or acquisition of any Subsidiary within ten (10) days of such event
and shall cause each new Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Bank a Guaranty,
Subsidiary Security Agreement and Financing Statements as necessary to perfect
the security interests granted under the Subsidiary Security Agreement. Borrower
shall also deliver to Bank the corporate documents described in Section 4.1(b)
together with an opinion of counsel contemplated in Section 4.1(h) covering the
matters relating to said Subsidiary.

     7. The following sentence is hereby added at the end of Section 6.9:

     "As promptly as practicable (but in any event not later than five calendar
     days) after any officer of Borrower obtains knowledge of the occurrence of
     any event which constitutes an Event of Default or would constitute an
     Event of Default with passage of time or the giving of notice, or both,
     notice of such occurrence, together with a detailed statement of the steps
     being taken to cure the situation."

     8. The following sentence is hereby added at the end of Section 7.5:
"Except for repurchases of its own capital stock, Borrower will not purchase any
security or otherwise make any investment in any of its Affiliates including,
without limitation, Canrad, Inc. or ARC." Nothing herein contained shall
restrict Borrower from advancing funds to any wholly-owned Subsidiaries provided
that the Subsidiary has executed and delivered to Bank a Guaranty of all
obligations of Borrower to bank and a Subsidiary Security Agreement and
Financing Statements covering all the assets of the Subsidiary as security for
said Guaranty.

     9. The second sentence of Section 7.9 is hereby deleted and the following
sentence is hereby inserted in Section 7.9:

           Except for the repurchase of its own capital stock, Borrower will not
     purchase securities or otherwise make investments or purchase the capital
     stock or substantially all of the assets of any other company where the
     aggregate cost of any such purchases and investments exceeds $10,000,000 in
     any fiscal year of Borrower. In addition, Borrower will demonstrate to bank
     prior to making any investment or purchase that the obligations of the
     Borrower in connection with such investment or purchase will not result in
     an Event of Default under this Agreement.

     10. Section 8.1 is hereby restated in its entirety as follows:

           8.1 LEVERAGE RATIO. Borrower shall maintain on and as of the end of
     each fiscal quarter a ratio of Total debt (excluding Indebtedness that is
     non-interest bearing) to EBITDA for its four most recent completed fiscal
     quarters of not more than 2.0 to 1.0.

     11. Section 8.2 is hereby restated in its entirety as follows:


                                       33
<PAGE>

           8.2 MINIMUM TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Borrower shall continuously maintain
     Tangible Net Worth on a consolidated basis of not less than $20,000,000.

     12. Section 8.3 is hereby deleted.

     13. Section 8.4 is hereby restated in its entirety as follows:

           8.4 INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. Borrower shall achieve on a consolidated
     basis a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense for its four most recent
     completed fiscal quarters of not less than 3.0 to 1.0.

     14. The word "Commitments" in the second line of Section 9.2 is hereby
     deleted and in substitution therefor the words "Revolving Loan Commitment"
     are hereby inserted and the words "all outstanding Loans" in the third and
     fourth line of Section 9.2 are hereby deleted and in substitution therefor
     the words "Revolving Loan" are inserted.

     15. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that all Collateral Agreements
     executed by it remain in full force and effect and shall secure the new
     Revolving Note.

     16. This amendment No. 3 is not intended to supersede or amend the
     Agreement or any documents executed in connection therewith except as
     specifically set forth herein. Nothing contained herein is intended to
     reduce, restrict or otherwise affect any warranties, representations,
     covenants or other agreements made by Borrower or waive any existing Events
     of Default, if any, under or pursuant to the Agreement. All of the
     covenants and obligations of Borrower under the Agreement and instruments,
     documents and agreements executed pursuant to the Agreement are hereby
     acknowledged, ratified and affirmed by Borrower.

     17. Borrower represents and warrants to Bank as follows:

           a. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this
     Amendment No. 3 have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
     and do not and will not (i) require any consent or approval of the
     stockholders of Borrower; (ii) result in any breach of or constitute a
     default under any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other
     agreement, lease or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which it
     or its properties may be bound; or (iii) result in, or require, the
     creation or imposition of any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien,
     security interest or other charge or encumbrance of any nature upon or with
     respect to any of the properties now owned or hereinafter acquired by
     Borrower except in favor of Bank;

           b. No authorization, approval or other action by and notice to or
     filing with any governmental authority or regulatory body or any person or
     entity is required for the execution, delivery and performance by Borrower
     of this Amendment No. 3; and

           c. Except as disclosed on Exhibit 5.6 attached to this amendment
     No. 3, there is not pending or , to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened
     any action or proceeding against or affecting Borrower, or the Subsidiaries
     before any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau,
     agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which may, in any case or
     in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the financial
     condition, operations, properties or business of the Borrower or
     subsidiaries or the ability of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries to perform
     their obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party.


                                       34
<PAGE>

     18. Concurrently with the execution of this amendment No. 3, Borrowers
shall deliver to Bank all of the following in form and substance satisfactory to
Bank:

           a.  A certificate of its Secretary or Assistant  Secretary as to:

                        (i) resolutions of its Board of Directors then in full
               force and effect authorizing the execution, delivery and
               performance of this Amendment No. 3 and the new Revolving Note;

                        (ii) the incumbency and signatures of those of its
               officers authorized to act with respect to this Amendment No. 3,
               the new revolving Note and each other document executed by
               Borrower (upon which certificate the bank many conclusively rely
               until it shall have received a further certificate of the
               Secretary of Borrower canceling or amending such prior
               certificate, which further certificate shall be reasonably
               satisfactory to the Bank);

                       (iii) its Certificate of Incorporation, including all
               amendments thereto or that there have been no changes to the
               same since the time the Agreement was entered into; and

                        (iv) its By-laws, including all amendments thereto or
               that there have been no changes to the same since the time the
               Agreement was entered into.


           b. A Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of State of
     Delaware for Borrower;

           c. The new Revolving Note properly executed by the Borrowers;

           d. An opinion of counsel to the Borrower in a form acceptable for
     Bank addressing the matters set forth in paragraph 17 of this amendment
     No. 3;

           e. Guaranties, subsidiary Security Agreements, Financing Statements
     and an opinion of counsel for all new Subsidiaries formed or acquired by
     Borrower since the time the Agreement was entered into, all as contemplated
     under paragraph 6 of this Amendment No. 3.

     19. Borrower agrees to reimburse Bank for all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and disbursements of
bank's counsel in connection with the preparation and execution of this
Amendment No. 3 and any documents related hereto.

     20. No failure on the part of Bank to exercise and no delay in exercising,
any right under the Agreement as amended hereby shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.


                                       35
<PAGE>

    21. A CREDIT AGREEMENT MUST BE IN WRITING TO BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER NEBRASKA
LAW. TO PROTECT YOU AND US FROM ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR DISAPPOINTMENTS, ANY
CONTRACT, PROMISE, UNDERTAKING, OR OFFER TO FOREBEAR REPAYMENT OF MONEY OR TO
MAKE ANY OTHER FINANCIAL ACCOMODATION IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LOAN OF MONEY OR
GRANT OR EXTENSION OF CREDIT, OR ANY AMENDMENT OF, CANCELLATION OF, WAIVER OF,
OR SUBSTITUTION FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE TERMS OR PROVISION OF ANY INSTRUMENT OR
DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LOAN OF MONEY OR GRANT OR EXTENSION OF
CREDIT, MUST BE IN WRITING TO BE EFFECTIVE.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment No. 3 as of the
date and year first above written.

                             BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC., a Delaware
                             Corporation


                             By: /s/ John P. Wilmers
                                -----------------------------------
                                 President



                             By: /s/ Brad French
                                -----------------------------------
                                 Secretary

                             NORWEST BANK NEBRASKA, NATIONAL
                             ASSOCIATION, a national banking association


                             By: /s/ Kevin Munro
                                -----------------------------------
                             Its: Vice President
                                -----------------------------------


                                       36

<PAGE>

Exhibit 10.3.9

                        CONSULTING AGREEMENT

      This Agreement made and entered into effective as of the 1st day of
January, 1999 by and between Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc., ("Ballantyne"), a
Delaware corporation, with its principal offices at 4350 McKinley Street, Omaha,
Nebraska 68112, (the "Company"), and Arnold S. Tenney, an individual, whose
mailing address is 4000 Chesswood Drive, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3J 2B9,
("Tenney").

RECITALS:

      This Agreement is made with reference to the following facts and
objectives:

      A. Tenney is experienced in the overall management and direction of
corporations which design, develop, manufacture and distribute products for
specialized markets throughout the world.

      B. Ballantyne, a manufacturer of capital equipment for the theater and
restaurant industries, desires to engage Tenney as a consultant to provide
managerial and other advisory services to Ballantyne and its subsidiaries, and
Tenney is agreeable thereto.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      Section 1. ENGAGEMENT. Company hereby engages Tenney as a consultant for a
one year term commencing as of January 1, 1999 and ending on December 31, 1999.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this Contract
immediately for cause.

      Section 2. ACTIVITIES OF CONSULTANT. During the term of this Agreement,
Tenney will assist the Company in the continued operation of its business and
will render counsel and advice and such other services as the Company and Tenney
may mutually agree upon from time to time. Tenney shall devote such time to the
business affairs of the company as he, in his sole judgment and discretion,
shall deem necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

      Section 3. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services to be rendered to
the Company, the Company will pay Tenney at the rate of Eight Thousand Three
Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars and Thirty-Three Cents ($8,333.33) per month.

      Section 4.  INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.  For the purposes of this Agreement
and the services to be rendered hereunder, Tenney shall, at all times, be an
independent contractor and shall not be considered an employee of the Company.

      Section 5.  MISCELLANEOUS.  The following miscellaneous provisions
shall apply to this Agreement:


                                       37
<PAGE>

      5.1 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written, between
the parties with respect thereto. The Agreement may be amended or supplemented
any time only by an instrument in writing signed by both parties.

      5.2 APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Nebraska.

      5.3 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective personal representatives,
heirs, successors and assigns, except that the obligation of Tenney hereunder
may not be assigned.

      5.4 NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and sent to the other party by
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address for such party set
forth above or such other address as the party may give to the other in the
manner set forth for the giving for notice herein.

      5.5 HEADINGS. The headings of the sections herein are for convenience only
and shall not be construed as in any manner defining, limiting or describing the
scope or intent of the particular sections to which they refer, or as affecting
the meaning or construction of the language in the body of such sections.

      5.6 RECITALS. All recitals are incorporated herewith and made a part of
this Agreement.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties
hereto on this 10th day of March, 1999, effective as of January 1, 1999.


                                    BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC., "Company"


                              By:   /s/ John Wilmers
                                   -----------------------------------
                                    John Wilmers, President


                                    /s/ Arnold S. Tenney
                                   -----------------------------------
                                    Arnold S. Tenney, "Tenney"



                                       38

<PAGE>

Exhibit 10.6.1

                   ADDENDUM NO. 1 TO DISTRIBUTORSHIP AGREEMENT
                          BETWEEN ISCO-OPTIC GMBH, AND
                            BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.

      This Addendum No. 1 to the Distributorship Agreement is made and entered
into effective this 4th day of December, 1998 between ISCO-Optic GmbH, P.O. Box
23 34, D-3400, Gottingen, Germany, hereinafter referred to as "ISCO", and
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc., a Delaware corporation, 4350 McKinley Street, Omaha,
Nebraska 68112, hereinafter referred to as "Ballantyne".

RECITALS:

      This Addendum No. 1 is made with reference to the following facts
and objectives:

      1. Effective March 1, 1993, ISCO and Ballantyne entered into a
Distributorship Agreement, pursuant to which ISCO appointed Ballantyne as its
exclusive distributor in the territory set forth in annex "B" attached to said
Distributorship Agreement, for ISCO products set forth in Annex "A" attached to
said Agreement.

      2. The original term of said Distributorship Agreement was for ninety-six
(96) months from the effective date of said Agreement, terminating on April 30,
2001.

      3. The parties desire to extend the term of said Agreement for an
additional sixty (60) months beyond the original termination date, pursuant to
the terms and conditions set forth in this Addendum No. 1.

AGREEMENT:

      NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

      1. Section 10, Paragraphs A, B and D, of the Distributorship Agreement are
hereby amended to read as follows:

            10.   TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.

            A. This Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of One Hundred
            and Fifty-Six (156) months from and after March 1, 1993, and shall
            terminate on April 30, 2006.

            B. Either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at
            the end of the One Hundred and Fifty-Six (156) month period without
            show of cause by notifying the other party of its intention to so
            terminate this Agreement not less than twelve (12) months prior to
            the expiration date.

            C.    No change.


                                       39
<PAGE>

            D. This Agreement shall be automatically renewed at the end of this
            One Hundred and Fifty-Six (156) month period, determined as set
            forth above, for a period of two years, and shall be renewable for
            two year periods thereafter unless either party notifies the other
            party, without show of cause, not less than twelve (12) months prior
            to the end of any such two year period, of its intention not to
            renew this Agreement.

            E.    No change.

            F.    No change.

      2.    Except as provided in this Addendum No. 1, the Distributorship
            Agreement of March 1, 1993, as supplemented, amended and modified by
            this Addendum No. 1, shall remain in full force and effect, and the
            parties reaffirm their obligations therein as herein amended.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this first Addendum as
            of this 4th day of December 1998.


                                  ISCO-Optic GmbH ("ISCO")


                              By: /s/ Christian Lindstedt
                                 ---------------------------------
                                  President


                                  BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.,
                                  "BALLANTYNE"



                              By: /s/ John P. Wilmers
                                 ---------------------------------
                                  President



                                       40

<PAGE>


Exhibit 10.10.2


                                 AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       TO
                          MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

      Amendment No. 2 to Management  Services Agreement dated as of January 1,
1999  by and  between  BALLANTYNE  OF  OMAHA,  INC.,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Ballantyne") and CANRAD, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Canrad").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

      WHEREAS, Ballantyne and Canrad are parties to a Management Services
Agreement dated as of September 12, 1995 (the "Agreement"), which Agreement was
amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 1, 1997, and

      WHEREAS, Ballantyne and Canrad desire to further amend this Agreement with
respect to services to be rendered pursuant to said Agreement;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual covenants and
agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto, desiring to be legally bound,
do hereby agree as follows:

      1. Section 2.2(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:

      "(a)  advice  and  assistance  as to  the  general  and  corporate
      policies and strategic  planning and  direction of Ballantyne  and
      its subsidiaries;"

      2. Except as expressly amended hereby, all of the terms and conditions of
the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the execution of this
Amendment on the 10th day of March, 1999, effective January 1, 1999.

                                    BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.


                                By: /s/ John Wilmers
                                   ------------------------------------
                                    John Wilmers, President

                                  CANRAD, INC.


                                By: /s/ Arnold S. Tenney
                                   ------------------------------------
                                    Arnold S. Tenney, Chairman of the
                                    Board



                                       41

<PAGE>

Exhibit 11

                   Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                Computation of Earnings Per Share of Common Stock
                    Three-Year Period Ended December 31, 1998


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1998           1997            1996
                                        ----           ----            ----
<S>                                 <C>             <C>             <C>
BASIC EARNINGS

Earnings applicable to
common stock                        $ 8,343,734     $ 7,709,339     $ 5,036,693

Weighted average common
shares outstanding *                 14,098,491      13,854,304      11,605,091
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------

Basic earnings per share            $      0.59     $      0.56     $      0.43
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
DILUTED EARNINGS

Earnings applicable to
common stock                        $ 8,343,734     $ 7,709,339     $ 5,036,693

Weighted average common
shares outstanding *                 14,098,491      13,854,304      11,605,091

Assuming conversion
of option outstanding *                 650,859         976,119         890,231
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
Weighted average common
shares outstanding, as adjusted      14,749,350      14,830,423      12,495,322
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------

Diluted earnings per share          $      0.57     $      0.52     $      0.40
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
</TABLE>



*Adjusted for all stock splits, including the 5% stock dividend issued on March
1, 1999.



                                       42

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 13


                           TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

1998 ANNUAL REPORT


                             BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA


[GRAPHIC OMITTED]


<PAGE>


ON THE COVER: The Company's Pattern Profile Projector (P3) illuminates a rock
formation at the Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver, Colorado with the
Ballantyne of Omaha Logo at over 450 feet. For more information on the P3, see
page 9.


CONTENTS

1    Financial Highlights

2    Letter to Shareholders

4    Management's Review of Operations

     Financial Review

     10   Management's Discussion and Analysis

     15   Selected Five-Year Financial Data

     16   Report of Independent Accountants

     17   Consolidated Financial Statements

     21   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     36   Report of Management

     37   Directors and Officers
          Corporate Directory
          Shareholder Information


This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to, quarterly fluctuations in results;
customer demand for the Company's products; the development of new technology
for alternate means of motion picture presentation; failure of the Company's
computer systems or that of any of its suppliers, and/or products manufactured
and sold by the Company, resulting from the year 2000 problem; domestic and
international economic conditions; the management of growth; and, other risks
detailed from time to time in the Company's other Securities and Exchange
Commission filings. Actual results may differ materially from management
expectations.

<PAGE>

                                                            FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)      1998       1997       1996
                                                    -------     ------     ------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>        <C>   

Net Revenues                                        $75,057     70,205     51,754
                                                   
Net Income                                            8,344      7,709      5,037
                                                   
Net Income Per Share - Diluted                          .57        .52        .40
                                                   
Domestic Revenues                                    53,079     51,657     37,628
                                                   
Sales To Foreign Customers                          $21,978     18,548     14,126
                                                    -------     ------     ------
                                                   
                                                   
Total Assets                                        $56,553     46,752     32,462
                                                   
Working Capital                                      31,002     27,403     19,742
                                                   
Total Debt                                          $12,276        242        458
                                                    -------     ------     ------
                                                   
Gross Profit as a % of Revenues                        31.4%      29.5%      29.7%
                                                   
Net Income as a % of Revenues                          11.1%      11.0%       9.7%
                                                   
Operating Income as a % of Revenues                    17.3%      16.5%      16.1%
                                                   
Return on Ending Equity                                24.1%      21.6%      21.0%
                                                    -------     ------     ------

</TABLE>

                                                                   BALLANTYNE  1
<PAGE>

                               PRESIDENT'S LETTER

[PHOTO OMITTED]


TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

"Taking It To The Next Level" is indicative of the momentum achieved and the
direction that Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. has taken over the past year. For that
reason, we are proud to present this update of our progress and operating
results.

The expansion of megaplex building continues worldwide as the concept of
providing entertainment to the moviegoing public reaches beyond the simple
addition of theatre screens. In order to sustain the growth we have seen in
recent years, theatre owners are developing exciting new concepts in areas of
architecture, presentation and signage, patron comfort, concessions, and
alternative attractions such as special venue features, game rooms and retail
shopping and dining areas. Our ability to deliver large volume product orders on
a timely basis is facilitating this screen growth, an advantage that
distinguishes the Company from its competitors. This selling point proved
extremely valuable in 1998 as consolidated theatre chains began demanding
extremely large volume orders.

1998 was the seventh consecutive year of record results for the Company. We
achieved record revenue, net income and earnings per share during the year
despite a period of transition in the cinema exhibition industry. During the
year, revenue increased to $75.1 million and net income rose to $8.3 million or
$0.57 per diluted share. The increase is attributable to record motion picture
projection system sales in both domestic and foreign markets, and to continued
improvements in our manufacturing efficiency. Sales to foreign customers rose
19.0% to $22.0 million from $18.5 million in 1997, driven largely by strong
demand for our theatre products in Canada and Europe, which more than offset
flat demand in the emerging markets in Asia and South America. A testament to
our financial strength is the authorized repurchase by the Board of Directors of
2.6 million shares of our stock. Over 1.8 million shares have been repurchased
to date.

Throughout 1998, a number of steps were taken by management to insure our
position in the marketplace as the world's largest and preeminent supplier of
motion picture theatre projection equipment. New sales offices were established
in Europe and Southeast Asia in 1998 as the growth of multiplexing continues to
spread in areas around the World. We expect to see further growth as major
international 

2 BALLANTYNE 

<PAGE>

exhibitors capitalize on the re-stabilization of economic conditions in Asia and
in the burgeoning Euro economy. Additionally, an ongoing sales goal for 1999 and
beyond is to continue market penetration into Mexico and Central and South
American countries. Sales growth in Canada has also been notable. Close,
strategic alliances with dealers and exhibitors in these growing areas of the
World is an encouraging element to our long-term growth prospects.

In 1998, we entered into an agreement with Mega Systems, Inc., located in St.
Augustine, Florida. Mega Systems will assist Ballantyne in the marketing of
custom, large film format special venue projection equipment to designers and
producers of such products as ride-film attractions, large screen, and 3-D movie
features. Ballantyne has established a reputation as a leader and innovator in
the design and manufacturing of this specialized variety of equipment.

Diversification is another major element of Ballantyne's near and long-term
plans. A key acquisition in 1998 was the purchase of Design and Manufacturing,
Ltd. located in Fisher, Illinois. Design and Manufacturing is a major supplier
of film transport systems and component parts for other cinema products. The
additional capacity realized by this acquisition has also allowed us to improve
manufacturing efficiencies and gross margins.

Strong Communications, a new operating division of Ballantyne in 1998, was
created to address the growing need for sophisticated audio visual systems such
as those found in corporate board rooms and hotel meeting rooms.

The entertainment lighting and rental division set its sights higher in 1998
with the development of three new products that will impact future sales and
rental earnings for the division. The Strong Truss Trouper was introduced in
October and is expected to be a popular new light for use in concerts and
theatrical productions. A massive new light fixture, the Pattern Profile
Projector, debuted at year end. This powerful xenon light is designed to project
logos or other images over great distances and should find considerable
acceptance for promotional events as we enter the new millennium. And finally,
Nocturn is the name of a new line of high-tech blacklight products featuring
ultraviolet light fixtures, and expendable products such as fluorescent paints
and plastics used extensively in discotheques, theatres and other themed
amusement parks and attractions.

In December, manufacturing and other business functions previously performed at
our North Hollywood facility, were consolidated into the Omaha location in order
to gain added efficiency. Sales, rental and technical support operations remain
in California and give us a strategic base of operations for that important
entertainment market.

Our aggressive pursuit of additional market share in all of our operating
divisions, new acquisitions, and a strong balance sheet as we approach the new
century, indicates that 1999 will be another excellent year. We are grateful for
our good fortune and deeply appreciate the continued confidence that our
investors have shown.

Sincerely,

/s/ John P. Wilmers

John P. Wilmers
President, Chief Executive Officer


                                                                    BALLANTYNE 3

<PAGE>



MANAGEMENTS REVIEW OF OPERATIONS


[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

KEEPING PACE WITH OUR INDUSTRY

 ...our exposure
to global markets
is expanded
and enhanced.

There is no such thing as staying in one place in the entertainment equipment
business. You are either moving forward or you are moving backward. In 1998,
Ballantyne's management took the steps necessary to remain a leader in the race
for motion picture exhibitor and entertainment lighting customers. To achieve
this, it was prudent for our company to move our operating goals upward. To take
the Company to the next level.

What fuels our growth is taking advantage of opportunity. To gain this
opportunity, we need to remain competitive and forward thinking.

SALES PRESENCE

When opportunity knocks, anywhere in the world, we are determined to answer. New
sales offices were opened in Asia and Europe in 1998 so that our exposure to
global markets is expanded and enhanced.

The Asian market, while still turbulent, has incredible potential. Other
multinational companies are investing in this huge market potential and
Ballantyne has followed suit with continued support for our Hong Kong
subsidiary, Strong-Westrex, and penetration into every Far East region.


[PHOTO OMITTED]

4  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>


[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Theatre Product Sales ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 1994      1995       1996       1997       1998

<S>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>  
$25.7     $35.4      $47.2      $62.3     $65.8


</TABLE>


The Euro Dollar's introduction was symbolic of the changes taking place in the
rapidly consolidated European market. A new sales office located in Wetzler,
Germany, places Ballantyne in the heart of where the action is on that
continent.


Our growth also remained strong in North America as the multiplexing concept
continues to favorably impact theatre construction throughout North America.
Salesmanship and our stature in the theatre equipment industry yielded, at
year's end, the single largest sales commitment in our history from Regal
Cinemas, Inc., headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Regal is the worldwide
leader in the movie theatre business with over 3500 screens operating at over
400 locations in 30 states.

[PHOTO OMITTED]

                                                                    BALLANTYNE 5

<PAGE>

MANAGEMENTS REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

DIVERSIFICATION

An on-going goal of the Company is to broaden our earnings base and to increase
profitability through diversification of our product line and through strategic
acquisitions.

Design and Manufacturing, Ltd. has been a long-time supplier of film transport
systems and other component parts for our cinema operation. Design and
Manufacturing was acquired in April 1998; the resulting benefits of improved
efficiency and greater profit margins was immediate. The newly acquired company
is now a wholly-owned subsidiary and Jack Spitz, previous owner of the company,
remains president of that operation.


[PHOTO OMITTED]

Jack Spitz, President; Design and Manufacturing, Inc.




6  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>

 ...creation of a
new operating division
known as
Strong Communications.

Strong Communications was established in 1998 with our first office located in
Orlando, Florida. By years end, additional offices were established in Ft.
Lauderdale and Tampa, Florida. The appeal of Florida as a destination for
meetings and conventions had a major bearing on the decision to base the
business in Orlando. Our knowledge of the entertainment industry and experience
with visual technologies created an opportunity, through Strong Communications,
to provide sophisticated audio visual products and services to the marketplace.

The scope of services at Strong Communications includes design consulting,
equipment sales and rental services in the ever-changing, fast moving audio
visual business. This includes design and installation services and systems
integration for corporate boardrooms, conference rooms, training facilities,
educational classrooms and auditoriums, religious assembly halls, theme parks,
and simulation applications. Also included in Strong's services are equipment
rental and show staging services for special events, corporate meetings, annual
meetings, product introductions and specialty entertainment venues.

                                                                  BALLANTYNE   7

<PAGE>

[PHOTO OMITTED]


MANAGEMENTS REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

New Products
New Strategies
New Markets

 ...strategic alliance
established
with Mega Systems.

In terms of product line expansion, 1998 was a significant year. Special venue
projection has always been an area where Ballantyne projector products have
excelled. The leadership that we hold in this industry, which includes IMAX(R)
and other ride-film attractions, continued its grip on the marketplace with a
strategic alliance established with Mega Systems, Inc., a leader in this very
specialized but growing form of entertainment.


Mega Systems provides consulting services for giant screen, large format film
applications. A joint development between Ballantyne and Mega Systems resulted
in the creation of the Cine Kinetic 870, a dual intermittent movement projector
that is a significant departure from traditional projector design. In addition
to a rock steady picture, the new projector greatly extends the life of film
prints, which is particularly useful with short, frequently shown features such
as those found in IMAX attractions.


[PHOTO OMITTED]


8  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>

Another new product, Nocturn Ultra Violet Visual Effects, reaches toward the
expanded use of quality UV products and light fixtures in a variety of
entertainment locations. New cinema theatre architecture and theme parks are
using Nocturn's UV lighting fixtures, paints and plastics. Nocturn expects to
take advantage of resurging interest in UV in worldwide markets.



The Follow Spotlight division broke through with an exciting new product in
1998. The Strong Xenon Truss Trouper 1.2 was developed as a powerful, dependable
versatile spotlight designed for use in the lighting trusses above stages.

Singer/songwriter Billy Joel was the first major act to hit the road with the
Truss Trouper. Joel's production company utilizes 14 Truss Troupers in his
concert lighting setup. Other big-name performers are expected to include this
new light in their shows.




A collaborative effort between the Xenotech and Strong Spotlight engineering
department resulted in the creation of the first Pattern Profile Projector (P3).
The P3 is a spectacular new product that has the capacity to project logos or
other graphics on mountains, buildings and clouds at distances up to a mile. The
cover of this report features a Ballantyne logo projected on a rock formation
above the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, Colorado.

[PHOTOS OMITTED]

                                                                   BALLANTYNE  9

<PAGE>


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this
Annual Report. Management's Discussion and Analysis contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to,
quarterly fluctuations in results; customer demand for the Company's products;
the development of new technology for alternate means of motion picture
presentation; failure of the Company's computer systems or that of any of its
suppliers, and/or products manufactured and sold by the Company, resulting from
the year 2000 problem; domestic and international economic conditions; the
management of growth; and, other risks detailed from time to time in the
Company's other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual results may
differ materially from management expectations.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of net
revenue represented by certain items reflected in the Company's consolidated
statements of income:

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Years Ended December 31,
                            ----------------------------------------
                            1998     1997     1996     1995     1994
                            ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>                        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>   
Net revenues               100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%
Cost of revenues            68.6     70.5     70.3     71.4     70.0
Gross profit                31.4     29.5     29.7     28.6     30.0
Operating expenses          14.1     13.1     13.6     14.8     15.4
Income from operations      17.3     16.4     16.1     13.8     14.6
Net income                  11.1     11.0      9.7      7.9      8.2
</TABLE>

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

Net revenues for 1998 increased $4.9 million or 6.9% to $75.1 million from $70.2
million for 1997. The increase reflects higher revenues from theatre and
lighting products. The following table shows comparative net revenues for
theatre, lighting and restaurant segments for the respective years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   Year Ended December 31,
                              -------------------------------
                                 1998                  1997
                                 ----                  ----
<S>                          <C>                   <C>        
Theatre                      $65,814,807           $62,306,249
Lighting                       7,107,905             5,360,617
Restaurant                     2,134,655             2,538,245
                             -----------           -----------
  Total net revenues         $75,057,367           $70,205,111
                             -----------           -----------
                             -----------           -----------
</TABLE>


The increase in total net revenues primarily reflects higher sales of theatre
products. The increase in theatre products relate to higher sales of commercial
motion picture projection equipment ("projection equipment"), which rose $4.2
million or 8.6% from $48.9 million in 1997 to $53.1 million in 1998. This
reflects increased sales of projection equipment to both foreign and domestic
customers as motion picture exhibitors continue to build new multi-screen
theatre complexes.

10  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>

Offsetting the higher sales of projection equipment among theatre sales were
lower sales of ISCO-Optic lenses which decreased $.6 million to $5.8 million in
1998 from $6.4 million in 1997. ISCO-Optic is a trademark of ISCO-Optic GmbH.
Replacement part sales for the theatre segment were also lower in 1998
decreasing from $6.9 million in 1997 to $6.8 million in 1998. Sales of
ISCO-Optic lenses and replacement parts fluctuate from quarter to quarter and
are not directly related to the volume of projection equipment sold, but are
more a reflection of the needs of current customers which have projection
systems previously purchased from the Company.

Lighting segment revenue also contributed to the increase in total net revenues,
contributing $7.1 million in sales and rentals, an increase of $1.7 million over
the $5.4 million contributed in 1997. This increase was entirely due to
acquisitions made by the Company during 1998 and 1997.

Restaurant sales decreased $0.4 million from $2.5 million in 1997 to $2.1
million in 1998. The decrease was due to lower sales of pressure fryers and
smokers.

Overall, consolidated net revenues from domestic customers increased $1.4
million to $53.1 million in 1998 from $51.7 million in 1997. The increase was
smaller than the previous year due to a temporary slowdown in the middle of the
year by a few of the larger theatre exhibition companies, however, as the year
progressed, sales returned to expected levels. Net revenues from foreign
customers increased $3.5 million or 18.5% to $22.0 million from $18.5 million in
1997. This increase was attributable to higher sales in Canada and Europe,
however, sales were lower in Asia and Mexico compared to the prior year.

Gross profit increased $2.8 million or 13.7% in 1998 to $23.6 million, and as a
percent of revenue increased to 31.4% from 29.5% in 1997. The higher gross
profit as a percentage of net revenues was primarily due to the theatre segment
where the gross margin increased to 32.8% in 1998 from 28.7% in 1997. This
increase can be attributed to synergies obtained through the purchase of Design
& Manufacturing, Ltd. ("Design") in April 1998 and certain manufacturing
efficiencies due to an increase in production volume during 1998. The purchase
of Design has enabled the Company to generate cost savings by vertically
integrating the supply of certain components sold with the Company's projection
equipment. Restaurant margins as a percent of sales increased from 25.6% in 1997
to 27.7% mainly due to a change in product mix while lighting segment margins
decreased from 41.2% in 1997 to 19.7%. The decline in lighting margins was due
to lower rental revenues as a percentage of total revenues in 1998. Rental
revenue generally carries a higher margin than product sales.

Operating expenses in 1998 increased approximately $1.4 million or 15.4% from
1997. As a percentage of net revenues, such expenses increased to 14.1% in 1998
from 13.1% in 1997. The increase can be attributed to the acquisition of Design
and to costs related to the lighting segment. Operating expenses as a percentage
of revenue are relatively high for Design because a majority of Design's sales
are eliminated in consolidation. This impact is offset by Design's ability to
produce a low-cost product for the Company and thus increase gross margins. The
reason for the increased operating expenses in the lighting segment was due to
the Company making a concerted effort to grow this segment but has not yet seen
the revenue growth that was anticipated.

Net interest expense was $36,265 in 1998 compared to net interest income of
$254,030 in 1997. The change from the prior year reflects lower cash on hand and
higher interest expense due to borrowings on the Company's line of credit with
Norwest Bank. These borrowings were necessitated due to lower cash flows from
operations and the repurchase of 1.8 million shares of common stock during the
third and fourth quarters of 1998.

                                                                   BALLANTYNE 11

<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company's effective tax rate in 1998 was 35.5% compared to 34.7% in 1997.
The increase reflects higher state taxes related to the Company having
operations in more states than the prior year. The difference between the
Company's effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate of 34% reflects the
non-deductibility of certain intangible assets, principally goodwill and the
impact of state income taxes.

For the reasons outlined above, net income increased $0.6 million or 8.2% to
$8.3 million in 1998 from $7.7 million in 1997. Basic earnings per share were
$0.59 per share in 1998 compared to $0.56 per share in 1997. Diluted earnings
per share were $0.57 per share in 1998 compared to $0.52 per share in 1997.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

Net revenues for 1997 increased 35.7% to $70.2 million from $51.8 million for
1996. The following table sets forth comparative consolidated net revenues of
theatre, lighting and restaurant products for the respective years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 Year Ended December 31,
                                -------------------------
                                 1997               1996
                                 ----               ----
<S>                          <C>                <C>        
Theatre                      $62,306,249        $47,230,543
Lighting                       5,360,617          2,157,125
Restaurant                     2,538,245          2,366,196
                             -----------        -----------
  Total net revenues         $70,205,111        $51,753,864
                             -----------        -----------
                             -----------        -----------

</TABLE>

The increase for 1997 reflects higher revenues from the sale of theatre products
and the sale and rental of lighting products. The increase in theatre products
reflects increased sales of commercial motion picture projector equipment which
rose $11.8 million or 31.8%. This increase was mainly attributable to increased
sales of such equipment to domestic customers, however, sales to foreign
customers, for all Company products, rose $4.4 million or 31.3% to $18.5 million
in 1997 from $14.1 million in 1996. Also contributing to the increase in the
theatre sales were higher sales of ISCO-Optic lenses and replacement parts.
Sales of ISCO-Optic lenses increased $1.9 million or 44.6% to $6.4 million from
$4.5 million in 1996, while sales of replacement parts increased $1.2 million or
19.6% to $7.3 million from $6.1 million in 1996. These increases reflect the
continued demand for theatre products and a higher installed base of motion
picture projectors. Net revenues from lighting products increased $3.2 million
or 148.5% from $2.2 million in 1996 to $5.4 million in 1997. The increase
primarily reflects the acquisition of Xenotech in the second quarter of 1997 and
the acquisition of Sky-Tracker in the third quarter of 1997. The remaining
increase in lighting products was attributable to an increase in sales of follow
spotlights, which increased approximately $231,000 over 1996. Net sales of
restaurant products increased by $258,394 or 13.9%, mainly due to an increase in
the sales of pressure fryers and accessories.

Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues remained relatively constant from
year to year. The increase attributable to improved efficiencies was offset by
greater console sales, which carry a lower margin.

Operating expenses increased $2.1 million or 30.1% for 1997 as compared to 1996.
However, as a percentage of net revenues, such expenses decreased to 13.1% in
1997 from 13.6% in 1996 as a result of an increase in net revenues from theatre
products without a proportional increase in selling and general and
administrative expenses.

12  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>


Interest expense decreased to $31,902 from $473,627 in 1996 reflecting the
repayment of the Company's Industrial Revenue Bonds in March 1997 and the
absence of borrowings under the Company's line of credit. Interest income rose
$175,813 to $285,932 for 1997 compared to $110,119 in 1996. The increase was
attributed to more excess cash during 1997 compared to 1996 which was a direct
result of more cash flow from operations and from proceeds from the equity
offering in August of 1996.

The Company's effective tax rate for 1997 was 34.7% compared to 36.6 % for 1996.
The decline from 1996 reflects a lower state income tax related to the state of
Nebraska's "Throwback" law in which only a portion of the Company's sales are
subject to Nebraska taxes. The difference between the Company's effective tax
rate and the federal statutory rate of 34% reflects the non-deductibility of
certain intangible assets, principally goodwill and the impact of state income
taxes.

Due to the reasons described above, net income increased $2.7 million or 53.1%
to $7.7 million in 1997 from $5.0 million in 1996. Basic earning per share were
$0.56 per share in 1997 compared to $0.43 per share in 1997. Diluted earnings
per share were $0.52 per share in 1997 compared to $0.40 per share in 1996.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of December 31, 1998, the Company maintained a $20 million line of credit
with Norwest Bank Nebraska, N.A. (the "Norwest Facility"). At December 31, 1998,
$7.8 million of the Norwest Facility was unused. Borrowings outstanding under
the Norwest Facility bear interest, payable monthly, at a rate equal to the
Prime Rate less 0.5% (7.25% at December 31, 1998). All of the Company's assets
secure the Norwest Facility. The Company was in compliance with all restrictive
covenants at December 31, 1998 and 1997.

Historically, the Company has funded its working capital requirements through
cash flow generated by its operations. Net cash provided by operating activities
("operating cash flow") for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
were $0.49 million, $5.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The decrease in
operating cash flow was primarily due to a $2.6 million decrease in accounts
payable, a $5.2 million increase in accounts receivable and a $3.1 million
increase in inventory in 1998. The decrease in accounts payable relates mainly
to the timing of payments to vendors compared to the prior year. The increase in
accounts receivable relates to higher sales in the months of November and
December than the previous year.

The Company anticipates that internally generated funds and borrowings available
under the Norwest Facility will be sufficient to meet its working capital needs,
planned 1999 capital expenditures and to pursue opportunities to expand its
markets and businesses.

Net cash used in investing activities for the years ending December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996 were $7.5 million, $4.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
Investing activities in 1998 reflect the purchase of Sky-Tracker of Florida,
Inc. during January of 1998 and the purchase of Design in the second quarter of
1998. Capital expenditures were approximately $3.6 million in 1998 and primarily
relate to the purchase of rental equipment in the lighting segment and plant
equipment in the theatre segment.

Net cash used in financing activities in 1998 was $0.15 million compared to net
cash provided by financing activities of $1.1 million in 1997 and $6.0 million
in 1996. The reasons for the change from prior years relate

                                                                   BALLANTYNE 13

<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

to the repurchase of treasury stock for $12.4 million during 1998. The stock
repurchase was financed by borrowings on the Norwest Facility. Also, the Company
received $1.8 million from the exercise of certain stock options in 1997
compared to only $0.09 million in 1998. Net cash provided by financing
activities in 1996 was higher due to a secondary offering of the Company's
common stock in August of that year.

The Company does not engage in any hedging activities, including currency
hedging activities, in connection with its foreign operations and sales. To
date, all of the Company's international sales have been denominated in U.S.
dollars, exclusive of Strong Westrex, Inc. sales, which are denominated in Hong
Kong dollars.

SEASONALITY

Generally, the Company's business exhibits a moderate level of seasonality as
sales of theatre products typically increase during the third and fourth
quarters. The Company believes that such increased sales reflect seasonal
increases in the construction of new motion picture screens in anticipation of
the holiday movie season.

INFLATION

The Company believes that the relatively moderate rates of inflation in recent
years have not had a significant impact on its net revenues or profitability.
Historically, the Company has been able to offset any inflationary effects by
either increasing prices or improving cost efficiencies.

YEAR 2000

The Company has developed a plan to deal with the year 2000 problem in
connection with its systems and has begun converting its systems to be year 2000
compliant. The plan provides for the conversions to be completed and tested
before the 1999 year-end. The year 2000 problem, frequently referred to as the
"millennium bug", results from the fact that computer programs in the past have
been written using only two digits to identify a year, rather than four digits.
Because of this, the computer would not recognize years commencing with the
digits "20", instead of "19", and could produce erroneous calculations resulting
in interruptions and crashes in business operating systems. The Company's
information technology systems contain inventory and accounting systems,
electronic data interchange, and mechanical systems affecting machinery and
equipment.

There are four phases involved in assessing the year 2000 problem described by
the Company as follows:

AWARENESS Identify all data-impacted systems and products; contact product
vendors concerning compliance status and plans.

ASSESSMENT Identify compliance status of all data-impacted systems and
equipment; prioritize systems and equipment based on business risk; estimate
cost and feasibility of repairing and replacing each non-compliant system and
product and finally, establish a testing approach.

IMPLEMENTATION Repair or replace each non-compliant system and product; build
contingency plans.

TESTING Test the Company's systems and products to gain assurance that the year
2000 problem is fixed.

The information technology systems are currently in the implementation phase
with approximately two months to complete. Year 2000 issues relating to third
parties relate to the automated equipment which the

14  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>

Company sells to its customers. While the Company is currently assessing the
impact to these products, it believes that the equipment already complies with
the year 2000 requirements. The Company has currently incurred an
inconsequential amount of costs relating to the year 2000 problem and believes
that the overall costs will be inconsequential. The Company could incur
substantial liabilities and potential losses if the Company's conversion efforts
or the conversion efforts of any of its suppliers do not adequately solve all
potential problems, or if the automation products which the Company sells do not
operate satisfactorily because of the "millennium bug." This represents the
Company's most reasonable likely worst case, year 2000 scenario.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No.133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivatives and hedging. It requires that all
derivatives be recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value and
establishes specific criteria for the use of hedge accounting. The Company's
required adoption date is January 1, 2000. SFAS No. 133 is not to be applied
retroactively to financial statements of prior periods and as of December 31,
1998, the Company had no derivatives or hedging activities.


                                               SELECTED FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            1998       1997      1996      1995      1994
                            ----       ----      ----      ----      ----

<S>                        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>   
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA

Net revenue                $75,057    70,205    51,754    38,441    28,758
Gross profit                23,554    20,725    15,357    10,990     8,631
Net income                 $ 8,344     7,709     5,037     3,040     2,355

Net income per share (1)
         Basic             $  0.59      0.56      0.43      0.29      0.19
         Diluted           $  0.57      0.52      0.40      0.29      0.19

BALANCE SHEET DATA

Working capital            $31,002    27,403    19,742     8,625     7,079
Total assets                56,553    46,753    32,462    19,828    16,674
Total debt                  12,276       242       458     8,059     1,607
Stockholders' equity       $34,615    35,623    24,029     5,055    10,015
</TABLE>

(1)  Adjusted for all stock dividends and stock splits


                                                                   BALLANTYNE 15

<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS
BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.


         We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and
the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

         We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ballantyne of Omaha,
Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
January 18, 1999

16  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>


                                      BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                      DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ASSETS                                                            1998            1997
                                                                  ----            ----
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>         
Current assets:

         Cash and cash equivalents                           $    594,686    $  7,701,507
         Accounts receivable (less allowance for
             doubtful accounts of $396,785 in
             1998 and $215,823 in 1997)                        17,255,221      11,728,231
         Inventories                                           21,434,395      17,445,632
         Recoverable income taxes                                    --           490,766
         Deferred income taxes                                    864,568         626,133
         Other current assets                                      43,611         118,028
                                                             ------------    ------------
             Total current assets                              40,192,481      38,110,297

Plant and equipment, net                                       12,695,989       7,399,990
Other assets, net                                               3,664,710       1,242,211
                                                             ------------    ------------
             Total assets                                    $ 56,553,180    $ 46,752,498
                                                             ------------    ------------
                                                             ------------    ------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
         Current installments of long-term debt              $       --      $     70,000
         Accounts payable                                       5,936,825       8,351,392
         Accrued expenses                                       2,500,614       2,286,001
         Income taxes payable                                     752,809            --
                                                             ------------    ------------
             Total current liabilities                          9,190,248      10,707,393

Deferred income taxes                                             471,319         250,315
Long-term debt, excluding current installments                     47,372         171,761
Notes payable to bank                                          12,229,000            --
Stockholders' equity:
         Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share;
             authorized 1,000,000 shares, none outstanding           --              --
         Common stock, par value $.01 per share;
             authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued
             14,450,702 shares in 1998 and 13,548,594
             shares in 1997                                       144,507         135,486
         Additional paid-in capital                            31,211,329      22,741,511
         Retained earnings                                     15,610,511      12,746,032
                                                             ------------    ------------
                                                               46,966,347      35,623,029

Less cost of common shares in treasury, at cost
         1,801,800 shares in 1998                             (12,351,106)           --
                                                             ------------    ------------
             Total stockholders' equity                        34,615,241      35,623,029
                                                             ------------    ------------
             Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $ 56,553,180    $ 46,752,498
                                                             ------------    ------------
                                                             ------------    ------------
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                   BALLANTYNE 17

<PAGE>



BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     1998            1997            1996
                                                     ----            ----            ----

<S>                                             <C>             <C>             <C>         
Net revenues                                    $ 75,057,367    $ 70,205,111    $ 51,753,864
Cost of revenues                                  51,503,053      49,480,113      36,396,527
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
             Gross profit                         23,554,314      20,724,998      15,357,337

Operating expenses:
         Selling                                   3,740,582       3,350,758       2,711,744
         General and administrative                6,844,407       5,819,876       4,335,709
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
             Total operating expenses             10,584,989       9,170,634       7,047,453
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------

             Income from operations               12,969,325      11,554,364       8,309,884

Interest income                                      103,207         285,932         110,119
Interest expense                                    (139,472)        (31,902)       (473,627)
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
         Net interest income (expense)               (36,265)        254,030        (363,508)
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------

             Income before income taxes           12,933,060      11,808,394       7,946,376

Income taxes                                       4,589,326       4,099,055       2,909,683
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------

             Net income                         $  8,343,734    $  7,709,339    $  5,036,693
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------

Net income per share:
             Basic                              $       0.59    $       0.56    $       0.43
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
             Diluted                            $       0.57    $       0.52    $       0.40
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------

Weighted average shares outstanding:
             Basic                                14,098,491      13,854,304      11,605,091
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
             Diluted                              14,749,350      14,830,423      12,495,322
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 


18  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>


                                      BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Additional                                     Total
                                       Preferred       Common       Paid-in       Retained      Treasury      Stockholders'
                                         Stock         Stock        Capital       Earnings       Stock            Equity
                                      -----------   -----------    ----------    ----------    -----------    -------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>       

Balance at December 31, 1995          $      --          99,000     4,956,215          --             --        5,055,215

Net income                                   --            --            --       5,036,693           --        5,036,693
Issuance of 2,846,250 shares
         of common stock, net of
         offering expenses                   --          28,463    13,622,324          --             --       13,650,787
Issuance of 86,625 shares of
         common stock upon
         exercise of stock options           --             867       226,633          --             --          227,500
Issuance of 21,814  shares of
         common stock under
         the employees stock
         purchase plan                       --             218        58,534          --             --           58,752
                                      -----------   -----------    ----------    ----------    -----------     ----------

Balance at December 31, 1996                 --         128,548    18,863,706     5,036,693           --       24,028,947

Net income                                   --            --            --       7,709,339           --        7,709,339
Issuance of 684,075 shares of
         common stock upon
         exercise of stock options           --           6,840     1,838,042          --             --        1,844,882
Issuance of 9,865 shares of
         common stock under
         the employees stock
         purchase plan                       --              98        60,673          --             --           60,771
Income tax benefit related
         to stock option plans               --            --       1,979,090          --             --        1,979,090
                                      -----------   -----------    ----------    ----------    -----------     ----------

Balance at December 31, 1997                 --         135,486    22,741,511    12,746,032           --       35,623,029

Net income                                   --            --            --       8,343,734           --        8,343,734
Issuance of 25,950 shares of
         common stock upon
         exercise of stock options           --             259        88,997          --             --           89,256
Issuance of 15,679 shares of
         common stock under
         the employees stock
         purchase plan                       --             156        99,405          --             --           99,561
Issuance of 259,058 shares
         for business combination            --           2,590     2,797,410          --             --        2,800,000
Income tax benefit related to
         stock option plans                  --            --          10,767          --             --           10,767
Purchase of treasury stock                   --            --            --            --      (12,351,106)   (12,351,106)
Issuance of 5% stock dividend
         declared January 28, 1999,
         payable March 1, 1999               --           6,016     5,473,239    (5,479,255)          --             --
                                      -----------   -----------    ----------    ----------    -----------     ----------

Balance at December 31, 1998          $      --         144,507    31,211,329    15,610,511    (12,351,106)    34,615,241
                                      -----------   -----------    ----------    ----------    -----------     ----------
                                      -----------   -----------    ----------    ----------    -----------     ----------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                                   BALLANTYNE 19


<PAGE>

BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       1998             1997           1996
                                                                       ----             ----           ----
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>             <C>         
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                                    $  8,343,734    $  7,709,339    $  5,036,693
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to
        net cash provided by operating activities:
            Depreciation of plant and equipment                      1,476,275         783,338         470,040
                Other amortization                                     376,948         218,434         137,080
                Loss on sale of fixed assets                             7,297            --              --
                Deferred income taxes                                  (17,431)       (261,265)         14,901
     Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:
                Accounts receivable                                 (5,243,401)     (2,210,958)     (3,377,475)
                Inventories                                         (3,065,576)     (4,676,096)     (2,594,966)
                Other current assets                                    77,776          (2,326)        (51,829)
                Accounts payable                                    (2,561,127)      2,069,566       2,083,256
                Accrued expenses                                       104,361         294,212         164,944
                Income taxes payable                                 1,254,342       1,352,094        (986,778)
                Other assets                                          (253,836)         (5,420)          5,882
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------
                Net cash provided by
                operating activities                                   499,362       5,270,918         901,748
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
    Business combinations                                           (3,886,922)     (1,150,000)           --
    Capital expenditures                                            (3,594,472)     (3,531,913)     (1,016,930)
    Proceeds from sale of equipment                                     28,500            --              --
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------

                Net cash used in investing
                  activities                                        (7,452,894)     (4,681,913)     (1,016,930)
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from line of credit                                    12,229,000            --              --
    Payments on long-term debt                                        (220,000)       (835,744)     (7,983,436)
    Net proceeds from equity offering                                     --              --        13,650,787
    Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan                          99,561          60,771          58,752
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options                             89,256       1,844,882         227,500
    Purchase of common stock for treasury                          (12,351,106)           --              --
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------
                Net cash provided by (used in)
                  financing activities                                (153,289)      1,069,909       5,953,603
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------
                Net increase (decrease) in cash
                  and cash equivalents                              (7,106,821)      1,658,914       5,838,421


Cash  and cash equivalents at beginning of year                      7,701,507       6,042,593         204,172
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                          $    594,686    $  7,701,507    $  6,042,593
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

20  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>


                                      BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

1.   Company

Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Ballantyne" or the
"Company"), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Strong Westrex, Inc., Design &
Manufacturing, Inc., Xenotech Rental Corp. and Xenotech Strong, Inc., design,
develop, manufacture and distribute commercial motion picture equipment,
lighting systems and restaurant equipment. The Company's products are
distributed worldwide through a domestic and international dealer network and
are sold to major movie exhibition companies, sports arenas, auditoriums,
amusement parks, special venues, restaurants, supermarkets and convenience food
stores. Approximately 25.6% of the Company's common stock is owned by Canrad of
Delaware Inc. ("Canrad") which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ARC
International Corporation.

2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies upon which the accompanying consolidated
financial statements are based are summarized as follows:

a.   Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation.

b.   Stock Dividend and Splits

The Company's Board of Directors declared a 5% stock dividend of the Company's
common stock on January 28, 1999. The stock dividend is payable March 1, 1999 to
shareholders of record on February 15, 1999. The stock dividend resulted in the
issuance of 601,455 shares of common stock. The dividend has been accounted for
as if it occurred on December 31, 1998.

The Company's Board of Directors declared a 3-for-2 stock split of the Company's
common stock on April 21, 1998. The stock split was in the form of a 50% common
stock dividend payable June 12, 1998 to shareholders of record on May 29, 1998.

The Company's Board of Directors declared a 3-for-2 stock split of the Company's
common stock on January 29, 1997. The stock split was in the form of a 50%
common stock dividend payable March 5, 1997 to shareholders of record on
February 10, 1997.

Unless otherwise noted, share and per share data have been restated to reflect
the stock dividend and stock splits as of the earliest period presented.

c.   Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and
include appropriate elements of material, labor and manufacturing overhead.


                                                                   BALLANTYNE 21

<PAGE>

BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

d.   Goodwill and Other Intangibles

The Company capitalizes and includes in other assets the excess of cost over the
fair value of assets of business acquired ("goodwill"), the present value of
non-compete agreements and the costs of acquiring patents on its products. These
assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and are being amortized
on a straight-line basis over the expected periods to be benefited, 3 to 25
years. Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 amounted to
$928,393 and $1,254,435, respectively. The Company assesses and would recognize
any deficiency of the recoverability of goodwill by determining whether the
amortization of the asset balance over its remaining life can be recovered
through undiscounted future operating cash flows of the acquired operations.

e.   Plant and Equipment

Significant expenditures for the replacement or expansion of plant and equipment
are capitalized. Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided over the
estimated useful lives of the respective assets using the straight-line method.
Estimated useful lives range from 3 to 20 years.

f.   Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

g.   Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales upon shipment to the customer.
Revenues related to equipment rental and services are recognized as earned over
the terms of the contracts.

h.   Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to operations in the period incurred.
Such costs charged to operations amounted to approximately $746,000, $647,000
and $485,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

i.   Advertising Costs

Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to
approximately $1,046,000, $904,000 and $528,000 for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


22  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>

j.   Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 107, "Disclosure about
Fair Value of Financial Instruments," defines the fair value of a financial
instrument as the amount at which the instruments could be exchanged into a
current transaction between willing parties. Cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, debt, notes payable to bank and accounts payable reported in the
consolidated balance sheets equal or approximate fair values.

k.   Use of Estimates

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions
relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.

l.   Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid financial instruments with maturities of three months or less
from date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents in the consolidated
balance sheets and statements of cash flows.

m.   Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share of common stock have been computed on the basis of the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings
per share has been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding after giving effect to potential common
shares from dilutive stock options. Diluted earnings per share includes an
increase in the weighted average shares outstanding for dilutive stock options
of 650,859, 976,119 and 890,231 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

n.   Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of

The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to
be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset
to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets
are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by
the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceed the fair value of
the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value less costs to sell.

o.   Reclassifications

Certain of the 1997 and 1996 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
1998 presentation.


                                                                  BALLANTYNE 23

<PAGE>

BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

3.   Equity Offerings

On June 30, 1997, the Company completed a public offering pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "S-3 Offering"). Pursuant to the S-3
Offering, Canrad sold 1,932,860 shares of Ballantyne common stock to the public
at the price of $16.875 per share. In addition, Canrad granted the underwriters
an option to purchase an aggregate of up to 333,729 additional shares of common
stock at $16.875 per share less underwriting discounts and commissions to cover
over-allotments, if any. The underwriters purchased all 333,729 shares. While
the Company did not offer any shares or pay any expenses incurred in the S-3
Offering, the Company did receive approximately $1,146,000 from the exercise of
a warrant and certain stock options, which in aggregate totaled 280,750 shares
and were sold in connection with the S-3 Offering.

On August 1, 1996, the Company completed an offering of its shares of capital
stock pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the "Offering").
Pursuant to the Offering, the Company sold 1,100,000 shares of common stock to
the public at the price of $12.125 per share. In addition, the Company granted
the underwriters an option, exercisable until August 31, 1996, to purchase an
aggregate of up to 165,000 additional shares of common stock at $12.125 per
share less underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if
any. The underwriters purchased all 165,000 shares on August 16, 1996. The net
proceeds to the Company from the Offering were $13,650,787.

Share information and per share prices have not been adjusted for the stock
dividend or stock splits for the above offerings.

4.   Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    December 31,
                                    ------------
                                 1998          1997
                                 ----          ----
<S>                          <C>           <C>        
Raw materials and supplies   $16,404,416   $13,857,783
Work in process                3,115,163     2,451,078
Finished goods                 1,914,816     1,136,771
                             -----------   -----------
                             $21,434,395   $17,445,632
                             -----------   -----------
                             -----------   -----------
</TABLE>



24  BALLANTYNE


<PAGE>


5.   Plant and Equipment

Plant and equipment include the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        December 31,
                                        ------------
                                    1998           1997
                                    ----           ----
<S>                             <C>           <C>        
Land                            $   343,500   $   313,500
Buildings and improvements        4,456,186     3,344,292
Machinery and equipment          12,729,984     7,139,044
                                -----------   -----------
                                 17,529,670    10,796,836
Less accumulated depreciation     4,833,681     3,396,846
                                -----------   -----------
Net plant and equipment         $12,695,989   $ 7,399,990
                                -----------   -----------
                                -----------   -----------
</TABLE>


6.   Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists entirely of non-competition contracts payable in
installments related to the acquisition of Xenotech, Inc. and Sky-Tracker of
America, Inc. in 1997.

Annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1998 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         Year                                                    Amount
         ----                                                    ------
<S>                                                           <C>         
         1999                                                 $        --
         2000                                                       20,000
         2001                                                          --
         2002                                                       50,000
                                                              ------------
                                                                    70,000
         Less amounts representing imputed interest                (22,628)
                                                              ------------
         Present value of non-competition contracts           $     47,372
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>


The Company maintains a $20 million line of credit with Norwest Bank, N.A. At
December 31, 1998, $7.8 million of the line of credit was unused. Borrowings
outstanding under the line of credit bear interest, payable monthly, at a rate
equal to the Prime Rate less 0.5% (7.25% at December 31, 1998). The Company's
line of credit expires on May 31, 2000. The amounts outstanding have been
classified as long-term based on the maturity date of the agreement. All of the
Company's assets secure the credit facility. The Company was in compliance with
all restrictive covenants relating to the line of credit at December 31, 1998
and 1997.



                                                                   BALLANTYNE 25

<PAGE>


BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

7.   Income Taxes

The provisions for income taxes consists of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               Years Ended December 31,
                               ------------------------
                        1998           1997           1996
                        ----           ----           ----
<S>                <C>            <C>            <C>        
Current:
         Federal   $ 4,190,431    $ 4,124,265    $ 2,623,375
         State         391,000        237,000        267,400
         Foreign        25,326           (945)         4,007
Deferred-Federal       (17,431)      (261,265)        14,901
                   -----------    -----------    -----------
                   $ 4,589,326    $ 4,099,055    $ 2,909,683
                   -----------    -----------    -----------
                   -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>

Actual tax expense differs from the "expected" tax expense (computed by applying
the U.S. Federal corporate tax rate of 34% to income before income taxes) as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      Years Ended December 31,
                                                      ------------------------
                                                 1998           1997           1996
                                                 ----           ----           ----
<S>                                          <C>            <C>            <C>        
Computed "expected" tax expense              $ 4,397,240    $ 4,014,854    $ 2,701,768
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit       258,060        156,420        176,484
Non-deductible amortization                       16,356         16,356         16,356
Other                                            (82,330)       (88,575)        15,075
                                             -----------    -----------    -----------
                                             $ 4,589,326    $ 4,099,055    $ 2,909,683
                                             -----------    -----------    -----------
                                             -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>


Deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liability were comprised of the
following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        December 31,
                                        ------------
                                       1998      1997
                                       ----      ----
<S>                                 <C>        <C>     
Deferred tax assets:
    Inventory reserves              $558,610   $441,929
    Accounts receivable reserve      134,907     73,380
    Other                            255,703    174,533
                                    --------   --------
       Total deferred assets         949,220    689,842

Deferred tax liability:
    Depreciation and amortization    555,971    314,024
                                    --------   --------
       Net deferred tax asset       $393,249   $375,818
                                    --------   --------
                                    --------   --------
</TABLE>


There was no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 1998
or 1997. Based upon the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities,
projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies, management believes
it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of deferred tax
assets as of December 31, 1998.


26  BALLANTYNE


<PAGE>

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the accompanying balance
sheets based on their classification as current or long-term as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     1998       1997
                                     ----       ----
<S>                                <C>        <C>     
Current deferred tax assets        $864,568   $626,133
Long-term deferred tax liability    471,319    250,315
                                   --------   --------
         Net deferred tax assets   $393,249   $375,818
                                   --------   --------
                                   --------   --------
</TABLE>


8.   Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           Years Ended December 31,
                           ------------------------
                        1998        1997         1996
                        ----        ----         ----
<S>                 <C>          <C>          <C>       
Interest paid       $  139,472   $   31,902   $  473,627
                    ----------   ----------  -----------
                    ----------   ----------  -----------
Income taxes paid   $3,352,415   $3,072,840   $3,878,500
                    ----------   ----------  -----------
                    ----------   ----------  -----------
</TABLE>

Other non-cash activities in 1998 included recording an income tax benefit
relating to the Company's stock option plans for $10,767. See Note 10 for
non-cash activities concerning acquisitions. Other non-cash activities in 1997
included recording the present value of non-compete contracts for approximately
$248,000 and an income tax benefit relating to the Company's stock option plans
for $1,979,090. Other non-cash activities in 1996 included approximately
$382,300 of capital lease obligations for equipment.

9.   Related Party Transactions

Amounts charged to operations of the Company by Canrad were management fees of
$150,000, $225,000 and $300,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996. Included in accrued expenses are payables to Canrad of $171,377 and
$110,524 as of December 31, 1998 and 1997.

One member of the Board of Directors serves as General Counsel for the Company.
Fees paid to the Board Member's firm in 1998, 1997 and 1996 were not
significant.

10.  Acquisitions

During January of 1998, the Company purchased substantially all of the net
assets of Sky-Tracker of Florida, Inc. ("Sky-Tracker of Florida") for cash of
$575,000. Sky-Tracker of Florida is a rental agent and distributor of high
intensity promotional searchlights.

Effective April 1, 1998, the Company purchased substantially all of the net
assets of Design and Manufacturing, Ltd. ("Design") for cash and stock of
approximately $5.5 million. The Company also assumed liabilities of
approximately $207,000. The common stock issued in this acquisition is subject
to a one-year lock-up agreement. The cash portion of the purchase price was
financed through operating cash flows. In connection with the acquisition,
goodwill of approximately $2.5 million was recorded and will be amortized

                                                                   BALLANTYNE 27

<PAGE>


BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

over 15 years. Design is a leading supplier of film platter systems to the
motion picture exhibition industry and was a vendor of the Company. In a related
transaction in May 1998, the Company purchased land and a building for $500,000
from the former owner of Design.

During June of 1998, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of a
distributor of follow spotlights for a purchase price of $125,000.

Effective April 1, 1997, the Company purchased certain net assets, primarily
accounts receivable, inventories and fixed assets of Xenotech, Inc. ("Xenotech")
for cash of $750,000. The Company also assumed liabilities of $1,175,897. No
goodwill was recorded in connection with the acquisition. In addition, the
Company entered into a 5-year non-compete agreement with Xenotech's founder and
sole proprietor. The agreement is for a total of $250,000 payable by the Company
in equal installments of $50,000. During 1998, the Company prepaid certain
payments under the contract. The present value of the non-compete payments has
been included in other assets and long-term debt in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets.

During September of 1997, the Company acquired certain assets of Sky-Tracker of
America, Inc. ("Sky-Tracker") for cash of approximately $400,000. In connection
with the purchase, the Company recorded approximately $167,000 of goodwill which
will be amortized over 5 years. In addition, the Company entered into a 3-year
non-compete agreement with the owner of Sky-Tracker. The agreement is for a
total of $60,000 payable in equal installments and is included in other assets
and long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The purchase prices for all acquisitions in 1998 and 1997 were assigned to the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon the fair market value of such
assets and liabilities.

The allocations of the purchase prices for 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    1998           1997
                                    ----           ----
<S>                            <C>            <C>        
Accounts receivable            $   283,589    $   426,657
Inventories                        923,187        868,413
Other current assets                 3,359         12,000
Plant and equipment              3,213,599        787,606
Other assets                     2,520,000        479,332
Accounts payable                  (146,560)      (522,104)
Accrued expenses                  (110,252)      (242,766)
Income taxes payable                  --          (56,476)
Long-term debt                        --         (602,662)
Purchase price paid in stock    (2,800,000)          --
                               -----------    -----------
Cash paid                      $ 3,886,922    $ 1,150,000
                               -----------    -----------
                               -----------    -----------
</TABLE>



28  BALLANTYNE


<PAGE>

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents combined
results of operations of the Company as if the 1998 acquisitions had occurred as
of the beginning of 1997, after giving effect to certain adjustments, including
amortization of goodwill and related income tax effects. The pro forma impact of
the 1997 acquisitions would not be material. The pro forma financial information
does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred
had the acquisitions constituted a single entity during such periods.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          Years Ended December 31,
                          ------------------------
                            1998             1997
                            ----             ----
<S>                   <C>              <C>           
Net revenues          $   75,750,256   $   72,970,757
                      --------------   --------------
                      --------------   --------------
Net income            $    8,784,851   $    9,053,828
                      --------------   --------------
                      --------------   --------------
Earnings per share:
     Basic            $         0.62   $         0.65
                      --------------   --------------
                      --------------   --------------
     Diluted          $         0.60   $         0.61
                      --------------   --------------
                      --------------   --------------
</TABLE>


11.  Common Stock

a.   Option Plans

The Company has adopted a 1995 Incentive and Non-Incentive Stock Option Plan and
a 1995 Non-Employee Directors Non-Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Plans"). A
total of 777,131 shares of Ballantyne common stock have been reserved for
issuance pursuant to these Plans at December 31, 1998. The 1995 Stock Option
Plan provides for the granting of incentive and non-incentive stock options. The
1995 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of
non-incentive stock options only. The per share exercise price of incentive
stock options may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of
Ballantyne common stock on the date of grant (110% of fair market value in the
case of an incentive stock option granted to any person who, at the time the
incentive stock option is granted, owns (or is considered as owning within the
meaning of Section 424 (d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended)
stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting powers of all
classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary). With respect to
non-incentive stock options, the per share exercise price may not be less than
85% of the fair market value of a share of Ballantyne common stock on the date
of grant.


                                                                   BALLANTYNE 29


<PAGE>


BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996


Information as to shares subject to stock option plans is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Number   Exercise price   Weighted average
                                              of Options    Per Option     Exercise Price
                                              ----------    ----------     --------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>             <C>          
Options outstanding at December 31, 1995       1,182,431   $ 2.50 - 2.79   $        2.54
Granted                                           38,981            3.08            3.08
Exercised                                        (90,956)           2.50            2.50
                                               ---------      ----------   -------------
Options outstanding at December 31, 1996       1,130,456      2.50 -3.08            2.57

                                                           
Granted                                          199,238     8.09 -11.43           10.35
Exercised                                       (548,179)     2.50 -3.08            2.57
                                               ---------      ----------   -------------
Options outstanding at December 31, 1997         781,515     2.50 -11.43            3.91
                                                           
Granted                                          336,000     7.29 -11.94           10.92
Exercised                                        (27,248)    2.50 -11.43            3.28
                                               ---------      ----------   -------------
Options outstanding at December 31, 1998       1,090,267   $ 2.50 -11.94   $        6.38
                                               ---------      ----------   -------------
                                               ---------      ----------   -------------
Exercisable options at December 31, 1998       1,043,017   $ 2.50 -11.94   $        6.12
                                               ---------      ----------   -------------
                                               ---------      ----------   -------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       Options Outstanding at December 31, 1998         Exercisable at December 31, 1998
                       ----------------------------------------         --------------------------------
                                     Weighted     Weighted                           Weighted       Weighted
                                     average       average                           average        average
                                     remaining    exercise                          remaining       exercise
Range of option          Number     contractual   price per             Number     contractual      price per
exercise price         of options       life       option             of options       life          option
- ---------------        ----------   -----------   ---------           ----------   -----------      ---------
<S>                    <C>          <C>           <C>                 <C>          <C>              <C> 
$    2.50 to  3.08        557,393       5.44         2.55                557,393       5.44            2.55
$    7.30 to 11.94        532,874       8.32        10.38                485,624       8.69           10.23
- ---------    -----        -------       ----        -----                -------       ----           -----
$    2.50 to 11.94      1,090,267       6.85         6.38              1,043,017       6.96            6.12
- ---------    -----      ---------       ----         ----              ---------       ----            ----
- ---------    -----      ---------       ----         ----              ---------       ----            ----
</TABLE>


The Company has also adopted the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Employee
Stock Purchase Plan provides for the purchase of shares of Ballantyne common
stock by eligible employees at a per share purchase price equal to 85% of the
fair market value of a share of Ballantyne common stock at either the beginning
or end of the offering period, as defined, whichever is lower. Purchases are
made through payroll deductions of up to 10% of each participating employee's
salary and participants are limited to purchasing 1,000 shares of Ballantyne
common stock in any offering period. At December 31, 1998, 194,159 shares of
Ballantyne common stock have been reserved pursuant to the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan.

b.   Warrants

The Company has granted Merita Bank, Ltd., a warrant to purchase 509,355 shares
of Ballantyne common stock. During 1997, Merita Bank, Ltd. exercised 170,100
shares under its warrant leaving 339,255 shares remaining to be purchased at
December 31, 1998 at an exercise price of $2.50 per share.



30  BALLANTYNE


<PAGE>

c.   Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting
for its plans and the exercise price of all options issued have equaled the
market value of the stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, no compensation
cost has been recognized for any of the aforementioned stock compensation plans.
Had compensation cost for the Company's stock compensation plans been determined
consistent with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, the
Company's net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro
forma amounts indicated below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        Years Ended December 31,
                                        ------------------------
                                   1998            1997            1996
                                   ----            ----            ----
<S>                          <C>             <C>             <C>          
Net income
         As reported         $   8,343,734   $   7,709,339   $   5,036,693
         Pro forma           $   6,489,170   $   7,136,263   $   3,843,285

Basic earnings per share
         As reported         $        0.59   $        0.56   $        0.43
         Pro forma           $        0.46   $        0.51   $        0.33

Diluted earnings per share
         As reported         $        0.57   $        0.52   $        0.40
         Pro forma           $        0.44   $        0.48   $        0.31
</TABLE>

The average fair value of each option granted in 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $7.77,
$8.18 and $2.03, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated
on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model made with the
following weighted average assumptions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Years Ended December 31,
                                                    ------------------------
                                                  1998        1997       1996
                                                  ----        ----       ----
<S>                                               <C>         <C>        <C>  
Risk-free interest rate .................         4.73%       6.15%      6.15%
Dividend yield ..........................            0%          0%         0%
Expected volatility .....................           78%       75.7%        75%
Expected life in years ..................         3-10        3-10        3-10

</TABLE>


12.  Commitments, Contingencies, Concentrations and Leases

a.   Commitments and Contingencies

The Company has in place a profit sharing plan for key management employees.
Amounts due pursuant to the plan are based upon the attainment of specific
operating levels that are established by the Board of Directors. Amounts charged
to operations pursuant to the profit sharing plan amounted to $945,562,
$1,127,795 and $913,676 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The amounts
payable of $945,818 and $1,125,256 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively,
are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets.


                                                                   BALLANTYNE 31

<PAGE>



BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996


b.   Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401-K plan (the "Plan") for all
employees. Pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, employees may defer up to 6%
of their compensation. The Company will match 50% of the amount deferred. An
additional amount of up to 9% of the employee's compensation for the year may
also be deferred with no matching contribution by the Company. The contributions
made to the Plan by the Company for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996 amounted to $182,077, $150,577 and $99,826, respectively.

c.   Concentrations

For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, sales to a customer
represented approximately fifteen percent (15%), twenty percent (20%) and
sixteen percent (16%) of consolidated net revenues, respectively. The balance in
trade receivable owed by this customer was $751,233 at December 31, 1998 and
$1,912,551 at December 31, 1997. For the year ended December 31, 1998, sales to
another customer represented approximately fourteen percent (14%) of
consolidated net revenues. The balance in trade receivable owed by this customer
was $1,888,594 at December 31, 1998. Financial instruments that potentially
expose the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of
accounts receivable. The Company sells product to a large number of customers in
many different geographic regions. To minimize credit concentration risk, the
Company performs on going credit evaluations of its customers financial
condition.

Sales to foreign customers were approximately $22,000,000, $18,500,000 and
$14,100,000 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. These sales were principally
to customers in Mexico, Canada, Europe and Asia. To minimize credit risk, the
Company generally requires sales to foreign customers be guaranteed by letter of
credit or are shipped C.O.D.

d.   Leases

The Company leases manufacturing facilities and office space from an employee of
a wholly-owned subsidiary. The lease expires on March 31, 2002 with the Company
having the option to renew the lease for one additional five-year term. The
Company expects to renew or replace this lease in the ordinary course of
business. The Company also leases other properties and equipment under operating
leases which contain renewal and escalation clauses.

Aggregate minimum rental commitments for leases having noncancelable lease terms
of more than one year are as follows: 1999 - $270,286; 2000 - $233,043; 2001 -
$229,391; 2002 - $130,391 and 2003 - $40,162.

e.   Litigation

The Company is involved in certain pending litigation arising under the normal
course of business. Management believes the ultimate resolution of these matters
will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements
of the Company.



32  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>


13.  Business Segment Information

During 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information." SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for
reporting information about operating segments, products and services,
geographic areas and major customers. The presentation of segment information
reflects the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating
decisions and assessing performance. Prior year amounts have been presented to
conform with the current presentation format.

The Company's operations are conducted principally through three business
segments: Theatre, Lighting and Restaurant. Theatre operations include the
design, manufacture, assembly and sale of motion picture projectors, xenon
lamphouses and power supplies, sound systems and the sale of film handling
equipment and lenses for the theatre exhibition industry. The lighting segment
operations include the sale and rental of follow spotlights, stationary
searchlights and computer operated lighting systems for the motion picture
production, television, live entertainment, theme parks and architectural
industries. The restaurant segment includes the design, manufacture, assembly
and sale of pressure fryers, smoke ovens and rotisseries and the sale of
seasonings, marinades and barbecue sauces, mesquite and hickory woods and point
of purchase displays.

The Company allocates resources to business segments and evaluates the
performance of these segments based upon reported segment gross profit. However,
certain key operations of a particular segment are tracked on the basis of
operating profit. There are no significant intersegment sales. All intersegment
transfers are recorded at historical cost.


                                                                   BALLANTYNE 33

<PAGE>



BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

SUMMARY BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            1998           1997              1996
                                            ----           ----              ----
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>         
Net revenue
     Theatre                           $ 65,814,807    $ 62,306,249    $ 47,230,543
     Lighting                             7,107,905       5,360,617       2,157,125
     Restaurant                           2,134,655       2,538,245       2,366,196
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
          Total                        $ 75,057,367    $ 70,205,111    $ 51,753,864

Gross profit
     Theatre                           $ 21,559,565    $ 17,866,879    $ 13,978,101
     Lighting                             1,402,676       2,208,095         742,070
     Restaurant                             592,073         650,024         637,166
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
          Total                          23,554,314      20,724,998      15,357,337
Corporate overhead                      (10,584,989)     (9,170,634)     (7,047,453)
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
Operating income                         12,969,325      11,554,364       8,309,884
Net interest income(expense)                (36,265)        254,030        (363,508)
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
          Income before income taxes   $ 12,933,060    $ 11,808,394    $  7,946,376
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------

Identifiable assets
     Theatre                           $ 48,484,693    $ 42,239,030    $ 31,454,096
     Lighting                             7,187,781       3,665,474         117,014
     Restaurant                             880,706         847,994         891,110
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
          Total                        $ 56,553,180    $ 46,752,498    $ 32,462,220
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------

Expenditures on capital equipment
     Theatre                           $  1,072,110       2,980,764       1,016,930
     Lighting                             2,522,362         551,149            --
     Restaurant                                --              --              --
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
          Total                        $  3,594,472    $  3,531,913    $  1,016,930
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------

Depreciation and amortization
     Theatre                           $  1,243,061    $    833,661    $    607,120
     Lighting                               610,162         168,111            --
     Restaurant                                --              --              --
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
          Total                        $  1,853,223    $  1,001,772    $    607,120
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
                                       ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>


34  BALLANTYNE

<PAGE>


SUMMARY BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               1998          1997          1996
                               ----          ----          ----
<S>                       <C>           <C>           <C>        
Net revenue
     United States        $53,078,993   $51,656,965   $37,628,386
     Canada                 9,845,049     5,960,640     3,463,236
     Asia                   4,256,493     4,787,409     5,116,753
     Mexico                 1,726,712     2,722,675     1,157,667
     Europe                 4,197,172     3,735,009     3,185,001
     Other                  1,952,948     1,342,413     1,202,821
                          -----------   -----------   -----------
                  Total   $75,057,367   $70,205,111   $51,753,864
                          -----------   -----------   -----------
                          -----------   -----------   -----------

Identifiable Assets
     United States        $55,677,111   $45,792,078   $31,749,027
     Canada                      --            --            --
     Asia                     876,069       960,420       713,193
     Mexico                      --            --            --
     Europe                      --            --            --
     Other                       --            --            --
                          -----------   -----------   -----------
                  Total   $56,553,180   $46,752,498   $32,462,220
                          -----------   -----------   -----------
                          -----------   -----------   -----------
</TABLE>


Net revenues by business segment are to unaffiliated customers. Net sales by
geographical area are based on destination of sales. Identifiable assets by
geographical area are based on location of facilities.


14.  Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for
1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            First Quarter   Second Quarter   Third Quarter   Fourth Quarter
                            -------------   --------------   -------------   --------------
<S>                          <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>       
1998:
Net revenue                  $17,271,887       15,412,796       20,852,022       21,520,662
Gross profit                   5,308,422        4,768,704        6,570,393        6,906,795
Net income                     1,901,418        1,425,732        2,418,041        2,598,543
Basic earnings per share             .13              .10              .17              .20
Diluted earnings per share           .13              .09              .16              .19
                                                                              
1997:                                                                         
Net revenue                  $14,724,814       16,348,995       17,378,858       21,752,444
Gross profit                   4,356,047        4,932,506        5,147,498        6,288,947
Net income                     1,568,200        1,855,250        2,052,831        2,233,058
Basic earnings per share             .12              .14              .15              .16
Diluted earnings per share           .11              .13              .14              .15
                                                                        
</TABLE>




                                                                   BALLANTYNE 35
<PAGE>



BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT


The consolidated financial statements of Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. and
Subsidiaries and the other information contained in the Annual Report were
prepared by and are the responsibility of management. The Statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
necessarily include amounts based on management's best estimates and judgements.

In fulfilling its responsibilities, management relies on a system of internal
controls, which provide reasonable assurance that the financial records are
reliable for preparing financial statements and maintaining accountability of
assets. Internal controls are designed to reduce the risk that material errors
or irregularities in the financial statements may occur and not be timely
detected. These systems are augmented by written policies, careful selection and
training of qualified personnel, an organizational structure providing for the
division of responsibilities and a program of financial, operational and systems
reviews.

The Audit Committee, composed of non-employee directors, is responsible for
recommending to the Board of Directors, the independent accounting firm to be
retained each year. The Audit Committee meets regularly, and when appropriate
separately, with the independent certified accountants and management to review
company performance. The independent certified public accountants and the Audit
Committee have unrestricted access to each other in the discharge of their
responsibilities.



/s/ John P. Wilmers

John P. Wilmers
President and Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Brad French

Brad French
Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer



36  BALLANTYNE


<PAGE>


DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS


OFFICERS

Arnold S. Tenney
   Chairman

John Wilmers
   President and Chief Executive Officer

Brad French
   Secretary/Treasurer
   and Chief Financial Officer

Ray F. Boegner
   Senior Vice-President


DIRECTORS

Colin G. Campbell (1) (2)
   Principal
   Intrepid Partners

Jeffrey D. Chelin
   Vice President Finance
   and Chief Financial Officer
   ARC International Corporation

Ronald H. Echtenkamp (1) (2)
   Former President
   and Chief Executive Officer

Marshall S. Geller
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   Geller & Friend Capital Partners, Inc.

Yale Richards (1) (2)
   Senior Partner
   Marks, Clare & Richards

Arnold S. Tenney (2)
   President and Chief Executive Officer
   ARC International Corporation

John Wilmers

(1) Member of the Audit Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee


CORPORATE DIRECTORY

BALLANTYNE of Omaha, Inc.
4350 McKinley Street
Omaha, NE 68112

(402) 453-4444
(402) 453-7238 (fax)

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

SHARES TRADED

New York Stock Exchange
Symbol: BTN


TRANSFER AGENT

ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C.
Overpeck Centre
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660


COUNSEL

Marks, Clare & Richards
Omaha, Nebraska

Cline, Williams, Wright,
Johnson & Oldfather
Omaha, Nebraska


AUDITORS

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Omaha, Nebraska


BANKERS

Norwest Bank Nebraska, N.A.
Omaha, Nebraska


ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on May 18, 1999 at:
The Westin Aquila Hotel
1615 Howard Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The form 10K annual report for December 31, 1998, filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission is available upon request.


For copies of annual and quarterly reports write to:
The Secretary
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.
4350 McKinley Street
Omaha, NE 68112


                                                                   BALLANTYNE 37



<PAGE>

BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.

4350 MCKINLEY STREET
OMAHA, NE 68112
PHONE: 402/453-4444
800-424-1215
FAX: 402/453-7238
WWW.BALLANTYNE-OMAHA.COM
MEMBER - NYSE:BTN



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 23


ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement No.
333-03849 on Form S-8 and No. 333-22357 on Form S-3 of
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. of our report dated January 18, 1999, relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1998, and related schedule, which report appears in
the December 31, 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.

(Signed)

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Omaha, Nebraska
March 30, 1999




                                       43

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         594,686
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               17,652,006
<ALLOWANCES>                                   396,785
<INVENTORY>                                 21,434,395
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            40,192,481
<PP&E>                                      17,529,670
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,833,681
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              56,553,180
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,190,248
<BONDS>                                     12,276,372
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       144,507
<OTHER-SE>                                  34,470,734
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                56,553,180
<SALES>                                     75,057,367
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            75,057,367
<CGS>                                       51,503,053
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               51,503,053
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            10,311,867
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               273,122
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             139,472
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             12,933,060
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,589,326
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,343,734
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,343,734
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.59<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57<F1>
<FN>
<F1> Adjusted for all stock dividends and stock splits.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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