One of the hottest projection trends the past couple of years has been 4K. Yet, one market continues to lag behind in implementing this higher resolution technology: educational AV.
According to a recent piece for AV Technology Magazine by Brian Nadel, the main reason is cost. 4K projectors are a premium product, and in the world of educational AV, budgets often don’t allow room for premium products or new technology, especially for K-12 schools.
In the next few years, however, 4K projector prices are expected to come down enough that they will begin to be a viable solution for educational environments. Draper is a strong believer in 4K and offers several solutions and reasons for educational facilities to prioritize the upgrade: as Nadel points out, that’s good news for students, for several reasons.
Creating an Easier-to-Learn Environment
Any time there is a need for close-up inspection of very small or complex images or data, 4K makes it easier to see and retain the information. One real world example of this is critical viewing of very complex information in science classes. Another is picking out and understanding the most important information in data sets presented in business and economics courses.
Giving a Closer Look
The combination of higher resolution and accurate color is important in medical imaging and telemedicine, as well as in art or science classes as students dive deep for a close look at the intricacies of their subject. 4K brings minute details into crisp focus.
See a Bigger Picture
A 4K image is 4096 pixels high and 2160 pixels high. Not only does that mean a sharper image in general, it also means sharper images in larger sizes. A 4K projection screen can be much bigger than a so-called 4K flat panel (which isn’t actually quite 4K). More students can see that crisp clear image, bringing the benefits of 4K into larger classroom spaces and auditoriums.
Choosing a Screen
When investing in a 4K projector, it’s also important to include a projection viewing surface that won’t let the advantages of 4K go to waste. Not all projection screens on the market are 4K-ready. All but two of our projection surfaces are 4K-ready, and the entire TecVision line is 8K-ready.
Because 4K projectors are typically higher-end projectors—at least for now—the vast improvements the technology brings to projection are usually just part of the picture. Many of these projectors are Imaging Science Foundation (ISF)-certified for color accuracy. If they aren’t, they can be field calibrated by a certified installer. High Dynamic Range is also entering the picture, which means more colors are available than ever before. All of Draper’s 8K-ready TecVision surfaces are ISF-certified. So when you see colors projected by an ISF-certified projector onto our TecVision surfaces, the color is true to the content creator’s intent. It isn’t being affected by the projector or the screen.
When you add up all of these advantages, it’s easy to see why the education market needs 4K projection!
To read Brian Nadel’s original post, click here.
To find the 4K, 8K, or ISF-certified solution to your projection needs, click here to check out our online guide to Draper viewing surfaces.
If you’re still confused about what 4K actually is, click here to get more information on 4K, 8K, and other technical terms about resolution.
