Buying a projector for your educational environment is difficult. You must take into account the environment and where you would like to use the projector, including the size, space and light. And for that you also need to know many elements of the functions that meet your needs. Do not miss the details of this article that will be of great help so that you can easily choose.
Thinking of purchasing a projector for the classroom or amphitheater? That is a smart move. This helpful technology has a long history of helping educators present content. Teachers have used projection systems for more than a century to offer engaging content to students.
Today, image quality is better than ever. There are a lot of projector options you can choose from for the education sector. Meeting the needs of educators, administrators and IT staff is easier than ever. However, the choice can be overwhelming. Understanding the key technologies and specifications can help you find the educational projector that best meets your needs.
First of all, taking the time to assess installation needs and conditions will help you choose a projector for the education sector that you will be satisfied with. Consider the size of the classroom and the number of students. Evaluate lighting conditions and the possibility of controlling ambient light. These are some factors to consider. The needs of the students are also important. This includes the type of content you plan to display, the goals for interactivity, and whether you want to avoid distracting shadows and reflections.
Projectors for the educational sector have specific characteristics to address each of these needs. Ultra-short throw projectors do their best to reduce shadows. Networking projectors offer centralized control that saves time. Interactive projection enables greater collaboration. Naturally, there is a large overlap between these categories. For example, most interactive projectors include the ability to network and are available in short and ultra-short throw models.
You should also consider some other key specifications that affect the quality of projector results for the education sector. These include the following:
- Projection technology
- Light source
- Color Processing Technology
- Resolution
- Contrast ratio
- Brilliance
- Aspect ratio
- Audio capabilities
Finally, you will need to assess connectivity. Also look for features that make setup and use easy. Next, we will analyze each of these categories and key specifications of projectors for the education sector. First, we will analyze why projection is an ideal visualization solution for the educational sector.
Projectors for the Educational Sector in Classrooms
With so many benefits to offer, it is no wonder that projection technology has thrived. It is popular in all professional, industrial, and home use settings. Today’s projectors for the education sector include many different styles. There are small, ultralight and portable models; Ultra-high end devices for use in auditoriums, and everything in between. For classrooms, the field can be limited to three categories of projectors that are most frequently used to address the needs of this environment:
- Projectors with network connection capability
- Short-throw and ultra-short throw projectors
- Interactive Projectors
Projector Solutions for the Educational Sector with Network Connection Capability
Network-connected projector solutions save schools time and money. That is why many school districts and higher education campuses use them. Network-connected projectors connect to a local area network (LAN). The connection can be wired or wireless. Projectors for the networked education sector can be installed in schools, districts, or campuses of any size, and then remotely operated and monitored. This reduces the time and cost of operating multiple projectors in different locations. The result is better overall cost of ownership for projectors, and more availability for projectors to support learning objectives.
Network-connected projectors expand instructional options. Educators can send content to one or more projectors from anywhere with network access. A high school or higher education teacher can transmit the course material to multiple classrooms or auditoriums at the same time. In elementary schools, students in different classrooms can view virtual field trips, author interviews, or other content simultaneously. The possibilities for profitably expanding learning opportunities are limitless.
Remote network management saves IT time. Staff can monitor and control all projectors on campus or in classrooms from a single PC. Routine maintenance can be performed without the need for physical contact with each projector. Real-time email alerts offer maintenance updates. Automatic alerts include everything from power status and lamp life, to unit presence and warnings. Many remote operations allow a quick response. These preventive actions reduce downtime, which is a great advantage for learning.
Projector Solutions for the Short Reach and Ultra Short Reach Educational Sector
Classroom size, space limitations, and desired image size are important when choosing a projector solution for the education sector. Here’s why: The farther the projector is from the screen, the larger the image it can project. However, the distance between the projector and the screen to project an image of the same size varies. This difference is called the projector’s “throw ratio.”
The range ratio is determined by the type of lens used. It is calculated using the following equation: the distance (D) between the lens and the screen divided by the width (A) of the projected image. D / A = reach ratio.
Projectors are classified by normal, short and ultra-short throw. For example, if a classroom has an 80 ”screen, a standard range projector will need to be at least 7 to 8 feet from the screen. A short throw projector will need to be within 3 or 3.5 feet. And an ultra-short throw projector can be just 2 or 2.5 feet from the screen. In general, a normal range ratio is 1.1 onwards. The short throw projector ratios range from 0.6 to 0.8. Ultra-short throw ratios are less than 0.5.
In many classrooms, it may be difficult to project a reasonably sized image with a standard scope projector. In smaller classrooms, the projector would have to be placed close to the screen. This would result in a smaller size of the projected image that is difficult for all students to see. Also, mounting projectors directly above the audience is often prohibited. Therefore, the projector may need to be mounted close to the screen to prevent it from being overhead by students. Standard range projectors can cause problems even in larger classrooms. Since they are placed behind the students, they can create light and shadow that cause distraction.
Due to these limitations and problems, projectors for the educational sector with a shorter range are the ideal solution for classrooms. Short throw projectors reduce the projection distance by more than half. Projectors with a high-quality short-throw lens deliver amazing results on the big screen, even in small spaces. Additionally, short-throw lenses reduce shadows in the projected image and prevent students from being distracted by the blinding lights.
Ultra-short throw projectors add to the advantages of short throw projectors. Ultra-close installation eliminates shadows, glare, covered spots, and reflections. These advantages are possible thanks to a highly specialized lens. Until 2010, these lenses were prohibitively expensive for most schools. Since then, technology has become much more prevalent in school systems.
Interactive Projector Solutions for the Education Sector
Interactive technology is one of the fastest growing categories of educational technology. Numerous studies have shown that student engagement and learning outcomes improve when used. The interactive whiteboard (PI) is the best known of these technologies. Recently, interactive touchscreens have been gaining ground. Interactive projectors were introduced in 2009. Since then, they have offered a more cost-effective option compared to interactive displays.
Interactive projectors for the education sector use technology that was previously only available in IPs. With these projectors, any flat surface can become interactive. Users can write, draw, and annotate the projected image with interactive pens. The interactive software, which varies by manufacturer, allows multiple users to interact at the same time. Other features may include wallpaper templates and copy and save functions. A curtain or reflector can be offered to highlight the content. Often interactive pens can also be used as a wireless mouse to conveniently drag or open files.
Interactive projector solutions for the education sector offer advantages over traditional IPs. A lower initial cost of implementation is not the least important. Another benefit is the ability to easily integrate them with many existing IP systems. This offers a cost-effective way to upgrade with more advanced functionality.
Choosing a Projector for the Educational Sector: Specifications and Features
Several additional features affect the overall image quality of a projector for the education sector. This applies to short-range, network-connected, interactive projectors.
Projection technology
Most projectors for the education sector are based on DLP or LCD technology. Digital Light Processing (DLP) is the most widely used projection technology for all types of applications. This ranges from the most basic to the most advanced projectors, such as those used in high-end digital cinemas.
Light source
All projectors use some form of light source to create projected images. There are three options: LEDs, lamps, and lasers.
LEDs are used in pico projectors, which are tiny models designed to be extremely portable. Many of them are so small that they fit in a pocket or a wallet. They can be a great way to expand resources between classrooms. LED light sources are environmentally friendly, consume less energy and generate less heat than traditional lamps. In addition, they do not contain mercury, allowing easier disposal and with less hazardous waste. Because LEDs are filament-free, they last much longer than traditional lamps. Plus, they light up in an instant, allowing for a quick start (another reason they’re great projectors for the classroom). Also, LED floodlights are cooler and quieter than lamp floodlights. The downside is that LED projectors are usually not as bright as those that work with other light sources. This may limit its use in some applications. In terms of useful life, LED projectors for the educational sector are supreme, with more than 30,000 hours of life.
Projectors with lamps for the education sector are the oldest and the least expensive. For this reason, they can be cost effective for lower usage applications. They are common and popular projectors for the classroom. However, for frequent use, the need to replace lamps and clean filters increases the total cost of ownership (TCO). Replacing the lamp can also cause downtime, as the class is interrupted when a light bulb turns off unexpectedly. The brightness and color of the lamp tend to dim. However, its impact is usually minimal. Because this occurs over time, it is often not perceived. The service life of lamp projectors is shorter than that of LED or laser projectors; typically, they last 10,000 hours. In addition, traditional lamps are the least ecological option. They contain mercury and require proper disposal to reduce damage.
The laser is the latest in projection light source technology and offers several advantages. Projectors for the education sector with laser light sources have a higher initial cost. However, they can be quite profitable over time. This is due to its longer service life and less maintenance. Laser projectors offer accurate color and high levels of brilliance that remain stable throughout their 20,000-hour life. Another useful feature for the education sector is instant on and off. Unlike lamp projectors, lasers do not require a warm-up period. This adds efficiency and saves valuable time in class. The laser is a green option without mercury and consumes less energy than traditional lamp projectors.
Color Processing Technology
Most projectors for the education sector include some form of technology to improve color rendering. One of the best known is Texas Instruments’ BrlliantColor ™, which is used in many projector brands. Some manufacturers offer proprietary technology to extend the benefits of BrilliantColor, such as ViewSonic’s SuperColor ™. This unique color wheel design offers higher brilliance and a wide range of true colors. The result is an immersive viewing experience in any lighting condition. *
Benefits of going for advanced color processing technology include the following:
- Consistent color rendering in both light and dark environments.
- Advanced color wheel design.
- Range of expanded colors.
- Dynamic Lamp Control Capabilities
- One-touch or automatic color / brightness adjustments
- Better grayscale precision
- Minimized brightness fluctuations
In Conclusion
Projectors for the education sector are a cost-effective option for schools to display multimedia content and facilitate viewing in the classroom. They offer a variety of capacities ideal for higher education and also for larger spaces. Durability, space saving and wide viewing angle are some of the benefits that projectors offer for the education sector. Many of today’s educational projectors offer a filterless design and long lamp life, an even greater cost of total cost of ownership. This can allow schools to effectively expand their technology budgets. Thoroughly evaluating the classroom requirements and features mentioned above will help ensure a good projector choice for the education sector, with lasting performance to support the needs of the school and the continued success of students. * Based on normal variation of lighting conditions in offices, classrooms, and homes.
If you have any questions, queries or would like purchase a projector for you organization , please get in touch with us via 09058222155 or info@epsonexpress.com.
