Laser projection marks the path of audiovisual transformation in the DCU

Dublin City University embarked on technological modernization project, which includes the deployment of Panasonic laser projectors, along with Crestron DM, for each of the teaching spaces.

Dublin City University's digitisation project (DCU) in collaboration with Panasonic is part of an investment of 200 millions of euros on a new campus for the Irish capital.

At the heart of this partnership is this manufacturer's laser projection technology, to the point that by the end of last year more than 150 laser projectors, along with the platform Crestron Digital Media, in each of the teaching spaces of the three campuses.

This combination responds to the tender specifications for reliable equipment, low-maintenance and easy-to-use for the user, so the Led/Laser projector in the Solid Shine PT-RW330 range was chosen (of 3.500 Lumens) Panasonic for seminar rooms, while for larger classrooms, the fully laser model PT-RW630 was chosen (of 6.500 Lumens) from this manufacturer.

That's what Declan Raftery points out, DCU chief operating officer: "we have more than 140 classrooms and teaching spaces distributed on three campuses. Until now we had used old halogen technology and wanted to replace it. Panasonic's laser technology is attractive for its quality, extreme durability and low maintenance costs. From the point of view of the university, represents a substantial reduction in total cost of ownership".

The same, teachers' comments with the change in audiovisual technology "has also been very positive, because until now his quality had always been a cause for complaint, explains Raftery.. Sometimes, entered a classroom first thing in the morning and a lamp melted, which caused delays in the class. Now we move towards a situation where teachers rely on technology, they know it will work and that it will offer high quality in all teaching spaces".

On the same line, students also point out that new audiovisual technology allows them to learn better, since with the previous one there were many failures in the operation of the projectors. "It was frustrating to get to class and find that the teacher couldn't use the technology, something that doesn't happen now with new technology, improving the classroom experience", Kim Sweeney says, chair of the DCU Student Association.

The Irish company McKeon Group has been the award of the contract to update the audiovisual technologies of the University of Dublin and is gradually replacing the systems of all teaching spaces of this academic institution with the new digital platform.

“Given Ireland's economic situation, it has been very difficult to convince customers that switching to laser technology is in the long run more cost-effective," says Tomás Mac Eoin, CEO of McKeon Group. That's why, we organized a competition with Panasonic laser projectors and several lamp-based rivals, and beat them more".

According to the terms of the project, the company has signed a three-year framework contract to upgrade all teaching spaces to the same standard, "that we must install according to class schedules. Once the work is complete, facilities can be compared to those of Ireland's best educational institutions", assures this manager.

For William Kelly, dean of the DCU, "it is very important to have a digital campus of the 21st century and that audiovisual equipment has been modernized with state-of-the-art technology. Student expectations are based on their own personal experience of virtually instant access to technology. Now we're approaching the idea of a class upside down, where students learn much of the subject outside of formal classes, and the classroom becomes much more of a space for collaboration. It is very important in this context that both teachers and students can bring digital material and that technology ensures its operation".

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