5 Tips to Setting up Lighting in Higher Education Auditoriums

This is accomplished by taking measurements from several points in the room with a specific test pattern. Audience lighting levels are then raised, storing as a preset at each of the levels noted above.

As the audience lighting levels increase, the ability to take notes improves, while the video image degrades.  Providing these set points at standard levels not only serves specific purposes, but can help retain consistency across a campus.

Control any exterior ambient lighting

While we are all becoming aware of the benefits of daylight on health and well-being, it does very bad things for the health and well-being of a projected image.  We just can’t economically produce enough light to get a usable contrast ratio.

The traditional solution is to use the control system in the rooms to automate mechanical shades or blinds.  Traditionally, this is programmed to happen whenever the projector is turned on in the classroom.  With more sophisticated programming, it is possible to trigger settings, based on an ambient light sensor in the room.

If ambient lighting cannot be controlled, use other display technologies

In most cases, the only other alternative has been expensive LED walls, or narrow bezel video walls.  There are a lot of considerations here, in terms of cost, weight, heat, etc.

There is one additional option that you may not have seen previously.  A Danish company named DNP builds a screen technology that is unlike any other on the market.  Instead of using a traditional high gain screen (which reduces viewing angle and reduces consistency), the utilize a lenticular Fresnel technology.

Brad Gallagher is an Audio/Video Design Consultant, who has worked on everything from stadiums to classrooms in Higher Education.  He believes in pedagogy before gadgets, making technology easy to use, and involving all stakeholders.  More of his work can be read at Base 4 Technology.

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