ASSET
                            PURCHASE AGREEMENT

PARTIES:

     This Agreement is made and entered into as of the 1st day of April, 
1997, by and between XENOTECH, INC. and XENOTECH RENTS, both of 7344-7348 
Bellaire Avenue, North Hollywood, California 91605, both California 
corporations (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Seller"). RICHARD 
HART of 528 Erskine Drive, Pacific Palisades, California, 90272 (the 
"Stockholder"), and BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC., 4350 McKinley Street, 
Omaha, Nebraska 68112, a Delaware corporation (the "Buyer").

RECITALS:

     A.  Stockholder is the Owner of all of the issued and outstanding capital
         stock of Seller.

     B.  Seller owns certain Assets which it uses in its business for the 
         design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, leasing, and sale
         of lighting equipment.

     C.  Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, and Seller desires to sell to
         Buyer, substantially all of such assets, and substantially all of 
         the business of Seller, subject to the assumption of certain 
         liabilities of the Seller, upon the terms and conditions of this 
         Agreement.

AGREEMENT:

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises 
contained herein and for other good 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. "Accounts Receivable" shall mean all open, unpaid invoices and 
unapplied credit memos of Seller's business as of the date of the Closing, 
subject to a bad debt reserve which currently is Sixteen Thousand Four 
Hundred Thirty-three Dollars ($16,433) and which 



shall be adjusted at the date of the Closing. A true and correct list of 
Accounts Receivable items as of February 28, 1997, specifically identifying 
any accounts or amounts in dispute, is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.

     B.  "Assumed Liabilities" shall mean:

          1.  All open purchase orders of Seller pertaining to its business; 
     provided, however, that Buyer shall not assume any open purchase orders 
     for equipment, parts or supplies entered into after February 28, 1997, 
     not in the ordinary course of business. A true and correct list of such 
     current Purchase Orders is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.

          2.  All obligations of Seller under existing lease agreements 
     pertaining to the lease of lighting equipment to Seller's customers; 
     provided, however, that Buyer shall not assume any obligations of Seller 
     under lease agreements or arrangements entered into after February 28, 
     1997, not in the ordinary course of business. A true and correct list of 
     such current Lease Agreements is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.

          3.  All liabilities in connection with the debt obligations of the 
     Seller to California United Bank, N.A., under that certain Business Loan 
     Agreement dated May 16, 1996, and under certain Promissory Notes dated 
     May 16, 1996, in the amounts of $100,000, $200,000, and $375,000, and 
     the corresponding liabilities of the Stockholder for such debts under 
     that certain Commercial Guaranty Agreement dated May 16, 1996. The 
     unpaid principal balance of said loans as of February 28, 1997, is 
     $288,410.67.

          4.  All express Warranty obligations (as defined herein) on any 
     lighting equipment sold or leased by Seller. True and correct copies 
     of Seller's Warranty Agreements are attached hereto as Exhibit 4.

          5.  Seller's liabilities and obligations under that certain Lease 
     Agreement and Addendum thereto with Stockholder, with respect to its 
     current facilities located at 7344-7348 Bellaire Avenue, North 
     Hollywood, California 91605, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 14 
     attached hereto.

         6.  All of the liabilities of Seller as set forth on its Balance 
     Sheet dated February 28, 1997, except as otherwise specifically excluded 
     herein.

         7.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, Assumed 
     Liabilities shall not include:

             a.  Any federal, state or local income, sales, use, franchise, 
                 or any other tax payable with respect to the Purchased 
                 Assets, or operations of Seller for any period prior to the 
                 Closing date,

                                    -2-



                 including, but not limited to any sales taxes, interest and 
                 penalties pertaining to Seller's unresolved sales tax dispute 
                 with taxing authorities in the State of California, in 
                 excess of $100,000, except: (i) income taxes for the fiscal 
                 year ended March 31, 1997; (ii) accrued liability of Seller 
                 for all current taxes that are set forth on the Balance 
                 Sheet dated February 28, 1997; and (iii) all taxes accrued 
                 by Seller during the month of March 1997 in the ordinary 
                 course of business.

             b.  Any liability or obligation related to any Assets of Seller 
                 not being purchased by Buyer.

             c.  Any liability or obligation of Seller arising in connection 
                 with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this 
                 Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

             d.  Any liability or obligation arising prior to the Closing 
                 with respect to any of Seller's employees, agents or 
                 independent contractors, whether or not subsequently 
                 employed by Buyer.

             e.  Any claim or injury to person or property occurring prior to 
                 the date of Closing of any nature whatsoever in connection 
                 with the business or operations of Seller, or relating to 
                 any products sold by Seller.

             f.  Any liability or obligation arising out of any breach by 
                 Seller and/or Stockholder of any provision of any agreement, 
                 contract or other commitment.

             g.  Any liability or obligation, including accrued interest, 
                 from the Seller to the Stockholder, including, but not 
                 limited to, the loan payable to Stockholder in the amount of 
                 $306,814.51, plus accrued interest as shown on the Balance 
                 Sheet.

             h.  Any liabilities other than those expressly assumed by Buyer 
                 hereby.

     C. "Balance Sheet" shall mean the unaudited Balance Sheet of Seller as 
of February 28, 1997, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 5, which 
Balance Sheet has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. Said Balance Sheet is a 
consolidated Balance Sheet of Xenotech, Inc. and Xenotech Rents.

                                     -3-





     D.  "Contract" shall mean any of Seller's open agreements, leases, 
contracts, purchase orders, sales orders, or other commitments that shall 
exist as of February 28, 1997, a true and correct list of all of which is 
attached hereto as Exhibit 6, and those entered into thereafter by Seller in 
the ordinary course of business.

     E.  "Fixtures and Equipment" shall mean all of the tooling fixtures, 
workbenches, shelving, computers, machinery and all other equipment and 
fixtures owned by Seller, a true and correct list of which is attached hereto 
as Exhibit 7.


     F.  "Inventory" shall mean all of Seller's inventories held for resale or 
lease in the ordinary course of Seller's business to its customers, and all 
of the raw materials, work in process, spare parts, finished products, 
wrapping, supply and packaging items, and similar items which together 
aggregate the amount listed as Inventory on Seller's Balance Sheet, as 
adjusted to date of Closing in the ordinary course of business. This term 
shall also include all rights to any equipment that would be a part of 
Seller's Inventory held for resale or lease, except that it is in the 
possession of third parties such as dealers, resellers, lessees, or end users, 
if any, which belong to Seller and which do not constitute Accounts 
Receivable. A list of Seller's Inventory and loan and lease inventory is 
attached hereto as Exhibit 8.

     G.  "Purchase Assets" shall mean all of the following Assets as of the 
date of the Closing pertaining exclusively to Seller's business, except those 
Assets specifically excluded herein:

          1.  All cash, bank accounts, liquid assets, and all other bank 
     deposits of Seller.

          2.  All Accounts Receivable;

          3.  All Contract rights of Seller;

          4.  All Fixtures and Equipment;

          5.  All Inventory;

          6.  All Books and Records of Seller pertaining to the Purchased 
     Assets;

          7.  All trademarks, trade names, patents, patent applications and 
     interests thereunder, licenses, including patent licenses, copyrights 
     and copyright licenses pertaining to the Purchased Assets, a true and 
     correct list of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 9;

          8.  All invention processes, know-how, formulas, drawings, 
     blueprints, specifications, flow-sheets, manuals, data, trade secrets, 
     plans, files, software relating to machining programs, and all other 
     intangible Assets of any nature whatsoever; and 

                                     -4-




          9.  Any and all other assets of any kind or nature whatsoever 
     related exclusively to the assets and business of Seller, except any 
     assets specifically excluded herein.

     H.  "Warranty" shall mean all warranty obligations of Seller, pertaining 
to any lighting equipment sold or leased by Seller, which are based on 
express warranties only. Buyer does not assume any liability with respect to 
any implied warranty or any liability which shall be in the nature of 
personal injury or property damage or other consequential damages, except as 
stated herein.

     I.  "Financial Statements" shall mean the Balance Sheet and all other 
exhibits and representations herein containing financial information 
pertinent to the Purchased Assets.

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, except 
those liabilities expressly assumed by Buyer herein.

     B.  At Closing, Buyer agrees that it will accept and assume the Assumed 
Liabilities.

     C.  At Closing, Buyer shall wire transfer the Purchase Price to Seller's 
bank account.

III.  CLOSING

     The Closing of the sale (the "Closing") shall take place at Seller's 
offices on or before April 30, 1997, but shall be effective as of April 1, 
1997. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer such bills of sale, 
endorsements, assignments, and other good 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 Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars 
($750,000).


                                     -5-



V.  ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE

     Buyer shall allocate the Purchase Price among the Purchased Assets in 
such manner as it shall determine. Such allocation shall be made at or prior 
to the date of Closing. Such allocation shall be made in accordance with the 
provisions of Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended 
(the "Code"), and shall be binding upon Buyer and Seller for all purposes 
(including financial accounting purposes, financial and regulatory reporting 
purposes, and tax purposes). Buyer and Seller also each agree to file IRS Form 
8594 consistent with the foregoing and in accordance with Section 1060 of the 
Code.

VI.  FURTHER ASSURANCES

     From time to time, at Buyer's request, whether at or after the Closing 
and without further consideration, Seller and Stockholder 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.

VII. PAYMENT OF SALES AND SIMILAR TAXES

     Buyer will pay all sales, transfer, and documentary taxes, if any, 
payable in connection with the sale, transfer, and deliveries to be made to 
Buyer hereunder.

VIII.  EMPLOYEES OF SELLER

     It is Buyer's intention to retain in the employment of Buyer all of the 
employees of Seller at the present rate of compensation of such employees; 
provided, however, that such expression of the Buyer's intention shall not be 
construed as imposing any binding legal obligation on the Buyer to retain any 
employee or employees of Seller in the employ of Buyer upon and after the 
Closing, nor as to the terms of such employment.

IX.  EMPLOYMENT OF STOCKHOLDER

     A.  Buyer shall employ Stockholder effective immediately upon the 
Closing of the transactions herein contemplated. Stockholder shall be 
employed by Buyer for a term of five (5) years at an annual base salary of 
One Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($160,000), and additional compensation in 
the form of a Bonus Plan, the terms of which have been agreed upon by Buyer 
and Stockholder. Stockholder shall be employed by Buyer in the capacity of 
Vice President in charge of a new division of Buyer which shall be comprised 
of the business and assets of Seller being purchased hereunder by Buyer. At 
Closing, Buyer and Stockholder shall enter into a written Employment 
Agreement in the form and of the 

                                     -6-




content of Exhibit 10, attached hereto, the terms and conditions of which 
are incorporated herein by this reference.

     B.   In consideration of Stockholder entering into the Employment 
Agreement referenced in subparagraph A above, Buyer shall grant to 
Stockholder the right and option to purchase Fifteen Thousand (15,000) shares 
of the common stock of Buyer, pursuant to Buyer's 1995 Stock Option Plan, and 
on the terms and conditions set forth in the Stock Option Agreement 
attached hereto as Exhibit 11 (the "Stock Option Agreement"), the terms and 
conditions of which are incorporated herein by this reference. At Closing, 
Buyer and Stockholder shall execute the Stock Option Agreement.

X.   GUARANTY OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

     At the Closing, Seller and Stockholder shall execute and deliver to 
Buyer a Guaranty in the form set forth as Exhibit 12 hereto (the 
"Guaranty"), under the terms of which Seller and Stockholder shall 
unconditionally guarantee that all indebtedness represented by the Accounts 
Receivable of Seller as of the Closing date (less Seller's reserve for 
doubtful accounts not to exceed Sixteen Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-three 
Dollars ($16,433)) will be paid by the respective debtors to Buyer. In the 
event such net indebtedness is not paid on or before one hundred eighty (180) 
days after the Closing date, Seller and/or Stockholder shall within ten (10) 
days following receipt from Buyer of notice to such effect make payment to 
Buyer of an amount in cash equal to the difference between the amount 
collected by Buyer and the net receivables as shown on the Balance Sheet, 
whereupon Buyer shall promptly assign or cause to be assigned to Seller 
and/or Stockholder (as the case may be) all rights, claims, actions or causes 
of action which Buyer may have relating to such unpaid receivables.

XI.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND STOCKHOLDER

     Seller and Stockholder represent, warrant and covenant 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 its business as it is presently 
being conducted and to own, sell and convey its properties and Assets.

     B.   Copies of Seller's Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments 
thereof to date, certified by the Secretary of State of California, and of 
Seller's Bylaws as amended to date, have been delivered to Buyer and are 
complete and correct as of the date of this Agreement. At the Closing, Seller 
shall deliver to Buyer a Certificate of Good Standing certified by the 
Secretary of State of California.

                                      -7-



     C.   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.

     D.   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 a 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.

     E.   Seller knows of no and has not been informed of any consent, 
approval or authorization of, or declaration, filing or registration with any 
governmental or regulatory authority, or any other person or entity which is 
required to be made or obtained by Seller in connection with the execution, 
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated hereby, except the approval of Seller's Board of 
Directors.

     F.   Neither Seller nor any affiliate of Seller has entered into or will 
enter into any contract, agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any 
person or firm which will result in the obligation of Buyer or any 
Stockholder to pay any finder's fee, brokerage commission or similar payment 
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

     G.   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 and equities, except those 
mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests and other liabilities expressly 
assumed by Buyer hereunder.

     H.   Except as described in Exhibit 15, 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 governmental 
court, department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality. 
Prior to the Closing, either (1) Seller shall have resolved the matters 
disclosed in Exhibit 15, or (2) Buyer and Seller shall agree as to how such 
matters will be handled.

                                      -8-



     I.   The Assets being purchased hereunder by Buyer constitute all of the 
Assets of Seller.

     J.   Other than as set forth in this Agreement or the Exhibits hereto, 
there are no material liabilities or obligations, secured or unsecured, 
whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unasserted or otherwise, affecting the 
Purchased Assets. Unless consented to by Buyer in writing, no liabilities 
have been or will be incurred since February 28, 1997, except in the ordinary 
course of business. Seller has no liabilities or obligations whatsoever, 
either accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, which are not reflected or 
provided for in the Financial Statements except (i) those arising after the 
date of the Balance Sheet which are in the ordinary course of business, in 
each case in normal amounts and none of which is materially adverse, and 
(ii) as and to the extent specifically described in the Schedules hereto.

     K.   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 the 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.

     L.   All tangible personal property, Equipment, Fixtures and 
Inventories included within the Purchased Assets or required to be used in 
the ordinary course of Seller's business are in good, merchantable, or in 
reasonably repairable condition and are suitable for the purposes for which 
they are being used. No value in excess of applicable reserves has been given 
to any Inventory with respect to obsolete or discontinued products. All of 
the Inventories and Equipment, including Equipment leased to others, are well 
maintained and in good operating condition.

     M.   All Financial Statements provided to Buyer pursuant to this 
Agreement and all Exhibits hereto are accurate in all material respects; and 
all other financial data relating to the Purchased Assets given by Seller to 
Buyer was accurate in all material respects as to what it was represented to 
be when given to Buyer.

     N.   The Accounts Receivable reflected in the Balance Sheet and all 
Accounts Receivable arising after the Balance Sheet date through Closing 
arose from bona fide transactions in the ordinary course of business and to 
the best of Seller's knowledge and belief are valid and collectible within 
the limit of the stated bad debt reserve.

                                      -9-




         O.  Seller warrants that the products which it manufactures do not 
violate or infringe upon any valid patent, trade secret or proprietary rights 
of others and that Buyer may continue to manufacture such products without 
violating any patents, trade secrets or proprietary rights of others, or of 
Seller. Seller shall defend any action brought against Buyer based upon a 
claim that any of such items infringe upon a patent, trade secret or other 
proprietary right. Seller further agrees to indemnify Buyer and hold Buyer 
harmless from any or all of judgments, decrees, costs or expenses resulting 
from such action.

         P.  Seller is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement. 
There are no controversies between Seller and any of its employees which 
might reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the conduct of 
its business, or any unresolved labor union grievances or unfair labor 
practice or labor arbitration proceedings pending or threatened relating to 
its business, and there are not any organizational efforts presently being 
made or threatened involving any of Seller's employees. Seller has not 
received notice of any claim that Seller has not complied with any laws 
relating to the employment of labor, including any provisions thereof 
relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, the payment of social 
security and similar taxes, equal employment opportunity, employment 
discrimination and employment safety, or that Seller is liable for any 
arrears of wages or any taxes or penalties for failure to comply with any of 
the foregoing.

         Q.  Seller is not a party to any contract of employment, either 
expressed or implied, with any of its existing employees.

         R.  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.

         S.  Exhibit 16 sets forth a complete and correct list and 
description of all of the policies of liability, property, workers' 
compensation, and all other forms of insurance or bonds carried by Seller for 
the benefit of or in connection with the Purchased Assets and the business of 
Seller.

         T.  All representations and warranties contained in this Article XI 
shall be construed as being made jointly and severally by Xenotech, Inc., 
Xenotech Rents, and Stockholder.

XII.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

         A.  Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in 
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full corporate 
power and authority to


                                        -10-



conduct its business as it is presently being conducted and to own and lease 
its properties and Assets.

         B.  Copies of Buyer's Certificate of Incorporation and all 
amendments thereof to date, certified by the Secretary of State of Delaware, 
and of Buyer's Bylaws as amended to date, have been delivered to Seller and 
are complete and correct as of the date of this Agreement.

         C.  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.

         D.  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 or its ability to 
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, or (3) a violation by Buyer 
of any statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, order, judgment, 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.

         E.  Buyer knows of no and has not been informed of any consent, 
approval or authorization of, or declaration, filing or registration with any 
governmental or regulatory authority, or any other person or entity which is 
required to be made or obtained by Buyer in connection with the execution, 
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated hereby, except that Buyer is required to file an 
8-K report with the Securities Exchange Commission within fifteen (15) days 
after Closing.

         F.  Neither Buyer nor any affiliate of Buyer has entered into or 
will enter into any contract, agreement, arrangement, or understanding with 
any person or firm which will result in the obligation of Seller or 
Stockholder to pay any finder's fee, brokerage commission or similar payment 
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

         G.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement to Seller and the 
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly 
authorized by Buyer's Board of Directors.


                                        -11-



XIII.    COVENANTS OF SELLER, STOCKHOLDER, AND BUYER

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

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

         B.  Effective upon the Closing of the transactions contemplated 
hereby, Seller shall no longer use, in any respect, the name or terms 
"Xenotech," "Xenotech, Inc." or "Xenotech Rents" without the express written 
consent of Buyer. Within six (6) months after Closing, Seller shall either be 
dissolved or shall change its corporate name to a name which bears no 
resemblance to the name "Xenotech," "Xenotech, Inc." or "Xenotech Rents," and 
thereafter shall never use a name or names which shall be similar to such 
name or names.

         C.  Seller shall not use, in any respect, the name, terms, or items 
listed in Exhibit 9 hereto without the express written consent of Buyer.

         D.  Except as otherwise requested by Buyer, and without making any 
commitment on its behalf, Seller will use its best efforts to preserve its 
business intact; and preserve for Buyer the goodwill of the suppliers, 
customers, and others having business relations with Seller prior to Closing. 
Until the Closing, Seller shall not acquire any capital assets. In addition, 
until Closing, Seller shall make no purchases or sales of Inventory items, or 
enter into any contract or transaction, without the consent of Buyer in 
writing, except in the ordinary course of its business. Further, Seller has 
not and shall not make any distributions or payments (excluding Stockholder's 
regular salary and the regular salaries of the employees of the Seller) 
between February 28, 1997, and the date of Closing, without the written 
consent of Buyer.

         E.  Buyer and Seller shall mutually approve any public announcement 
and/or press release concerning this transaction. However, if a public 
announcement or press release is required by the SEC or a listed exchange, 
the other party shall give such advance notice as is reasonable under the 
circumstances.

XIV.     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 and Stockholder 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. The parties agree that all necessary procedures to effect such 
compliance shall be performed by Seller's counsel on behalf of Buyer at 
Buyer's expense.


                                        -12-





XV.      COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE

         At the Closing, Stockholder and Seller will execute a 
Non-Competition Agreement in the form of Exhibit 13 hereto. The effectiveness 
of this Agreement and of the Non-Competition Agreement will be contingent 
upon the execution of each other.

XVI.     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, to the 
extent that they pertain to the operations prior to the Closing date relating 
to the Purchased Assets, 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 records relating to the Purchased Assets for a period of 
at least five (5) 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.

         C.  Buyer will assume all express Warranty obligations, as defined 
herein.

XVII.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

         A.  BY SELLER AND STOCKHOLDER: 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 and Stockholder 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, including
         but not limited to:  all obligations of Seller not reflected on
         Seller's Balance Sheet dated February 28, 1997; all sales, income
         and other tax liabilities, except those expressly assumed by Buyer
         pursuant to this Agreement; all employment contracts of Seller; all
         employment claims against Seller, including claims of discrimination
         or unfair labor practices or of any other nature, whether accruing
         prior to or subsequent to Closing, relating to any present or
         former employee of Seller while he/she was an employee of Seller,
         and any claims of employees of Seller to have any entitlement of
         employment with Buyer, unless said claims are based upon an agreement
         pursuant to which said employees are expressly retained by Buyer
         after the employee has submitted an employment application to Buyer.


                                        -13-



              2.    Any damage or deficiency resulting from any material
         misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or nonfulfillment of any
         agreement on the part of Seller and/or the Stockholder 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.

              3.    Any and all liabilities, claims or damages (whether or
         not caused by negligence), including civil or criminal fines,
         arising out of or relating to any of the following:

                    a.   Any generation, processing, handling, transportation,
                         storage, treatment or disposal of solid wastes or
                         hazardous wastes by Seller, including, but not
                         limited to, any of such activities occurring with
                         respect to the business of Seller, the Assets 
                         purchased hereunder, or any facilities or property
                         of Seller, and

                    b.   Any releases or contamination by Seller or its
                         predecessors, tenants, vendors, employees, or
                         agents (including, but not limited to, any releases
                         as declared under the Comprehensive Environmental
                         Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980,
                         as amended) to the extent occurring or existing
                         prior to Closing, including, but not limited to,
                         such releases to land, ground water, surface water,
                         or into the air.

         B.   BY BUYER:  Buyer agrees that, on and after the date hereof, it 
shall indemnify and save and hold harmless Seller and Stockholder 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.

XVIII.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS 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:

         A.   The representations and warranties of Seller and Stockholder 
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.


                                        -14-



         B.   Seller and Stockholder 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 
them 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.   At or prior to the Closing, Seller and Stockholder shall have 
executed the Non-Competition Agreement as provided in Article XV herein.

         E.   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 operations of Seller.

         F.   Seller and Stockholder shall have furnished Buyer with such 
certificates in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for 
Buyer as may be reasonably requested by counsel for Buyer to evidence 
compliance with the conditions set forth in this Section.

         G.   Either (1) Seller shall have resolved the matters disclosed in 
Exhibit 15, or (2) Buyer and Seller shall have agreed as to how those matters 
that will be handled.

         H.   Stockholder and Buyer shall have executed the Lease Agreement 
as provided in Article I herein.

         I.   Seller and Stockholder shall have executed the Guaranty as 
provided in Article IV herein.

         J.   At or prior to the Closing, Buyer and Stockholder shall have 
executed the Employment Agreement as provided in Article IX herein.

         K.   At or prior to the Closing, Buyer, Seller, and Stockholder 
shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement referred to in the Employment 
Agreement and Non-Competition Agreement.


                                        -15-













XIX.      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER

          The obligation of Seller to sell the Purchased Assets under this 
Agreement to Buyer is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing 
date, of all of 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 
for consummation of this transaction on the terms and conditions contained 
herein.

          D.  Buyer shall have furnished Seller with such certificates in form 
and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Seller as may be 
reasonably requested by counsel for Seller to evidence compliance with the 
conditions set forth in this Section.

          E.  Either (1) Seller shall have resolved the matters disclosed in 
Exhibit 15, or (2) Buyer and Seller shall have agreed as to how those matters 
will be handled.


XX.       NONASSIGNMENT

          Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder 
may be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other 
parties.  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.


XXI.      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.


                                     -16-




XXII.     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:          Xenotech, Inc.
                                        7344-7348 Bellaire Avenue
                                        North Hollywood, CA 91605

                 WITH COPY TO:          Michael Alan Gutenplan, Esq.
                                        10866 Wilshire Boulevard, 15th Floor
                                        Los Angeles, CA 90024-4303

                 IF TO STOCKHOLDER:     Mr. Richard Hart
                                        528 Erskine Drive
                                        Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

                 WITH COPY TO:          Michael Alan Gutenplan, Esq.
                                        10866 Wilshire Boulevard, 15th Floor
                                        Los Angeles, CA 90024-4303

                 IF TO BUYER:           Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.
                                        Attn:  Ronald Echtenkamp
                                        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.

XXIII.    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).


                                     -17-



XXIV.     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, Stockholder, and Buyer and 
the indemnification provisions set forth in Article XV herein shall survive 
the Closing date and remain operative and in full force and effect as herein 
provided.

XXV.      ARBITRATION

          If a controversy shall exist between the parties hereto, their suc- 
cessors or assigns, arising under or out of this Agreement which they cannot 
resolve among themselves, either party to the controversy shall have the 
right to submit the same to arbitration in accordance with the commercial 
rules of the American Arbitration Association.  The arbitration shall apply 
the law of the State of California.  In addition, either party may exercise 
the right to have the dispute or controversy submitted to mediation prior to 
an arbitration.  Such arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles County, 
California, with a written record kept of the proceedings.  The arbitrator(s) 
shall prepare a written summary of findings and facts and conclusions of law 
upon which any award is based.  The arbitrator(s), if they desire, shall have 
access to all books and records of the Buyer and Seller directly pertinent to 
this Agreement, as well as any and all other documents and things pertinent 
to the matter in arbitration which shall enable them to make a fair and full 
settlement of all matters in controversy.  In addition, the provisions of 
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1283.05, or any successor section 
thereto (allowing discovery in arbitration proceedings), shall be applicable 
to the arbitration.  Any award made pursuant to arbitration shall be entered 
as a judgment by any court of competent jurisdiction on the application of 
any party to such arbitration.  The successful or prevailing party or parties 
through arbitration shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and 
other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other 
relief to which it or he may be entitled.

XXVI.     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.


                                     -18-


XXVII.  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.

XXVIII. 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 
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or 
any other such instrument.

XXIX.   TITLES

        The titles, captions or headings of the Articles and Sections herein 
are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a 
part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

XXX.    PUBLICITY

        Except as specified in Article XIII(E) hereof, neither party shall 
issue any press release or make any public statement regarding the 
transactions contemplated hereby, without the prior approval of the other 
party, and the parties hereto shall issue a mutually acceptable press release 
as soon as practicable after the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

XXXI.   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

        In connection with the negotiation of this Agreement, each party 
acknowledged 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.


                                     -19-




     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 8 day of April, 1997, effective as of the 
1st day of April, 1997.



                                 "Seller"


XENOTECH, INC.                                 XENOTECH RENTS,
a California corporation                       a California corporation



By  /s/ Richard I. Hart                        By  /s/ Richard I. Hart
  -------------------------                      -------------------------

Title: President                               Title: President
      ---------------------                           -------------------- 



                                                         "Buyer"

            "Stockholder"                      BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, INC.
                                               a Delaware corporation


  /s/ Richard I. Hart                          By  /s/ Ronald H. Echtenkamp
- ---------------------------------                 ---------------------------
       Richard Hart                           
                                               Title: Vice Chairman
                                                     ------------------------

STATE OF  Nev.     )
                   ) ss.
COUNTY OF  Clark   )


     On this 8 day of April, 1997, before me, the undersigned, a Notary 
Public in and for said County, personally appeared the above-named RICHARD 
HART, President of XENOTECH, 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 and deed of 
said corporation.


                                              /s/ Elizabeth A. Halamka
                                             --------------------------------
      [NOTARY SEAL]                           Notary Public
         


                                     -20-





STATE OF  Nev.     )
                   ) ss.
COUNTY OF  Clark   )


     On this 8 day of April, 1997, before me, the undersigned, a Notary 
Public in and for said County, personally appeared the above-named RICHARD 
HART, President of XENOTECH RENTS, 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 and deed of 
said corporation.


                                              /s/ Elizabeth A. Halamka
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Notary Public
         

                                                    [NOTARY SEAL]






STATE OF  Nev.     )
                   ) ss.
COUNTY OF  Clark   )


     On this 8 day of April, 1997, before me, the undersigned, a Notary 
Public in and for said County, personally appeared the above-named 
Stockholder, RICHARD HART, 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.

                                              /s/ Elizabeth A. Halamka
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Notary Public
         

                                                    [NOTARY SEAL]




                                     -21-





STATE OF  NEBRASKA     )
                       ) ss.
COUNTY OF  DOUGLAS     )


     On this 8th day of April, 1997, before me, the undersigned, a Notary 
Public in and for said County, personally appeared the above-named Ronald H. 
Echtenkamp, Vice Chairman of the Board of BALLANTYNE OF OMAHA, 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.



                                        [NOTARY SEAL]
                                                       /s/ Nancy A. Cronin
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        Notary Public




















                                     -22-