The University of Helsinki upgrades its projection system with Sony laser technology

Sony laser projectors have replaced conventional lamp equipment at the University of Helsinki. Ten VPL-FHZ55 and seven VPL-FHZ700L have been installed in the large presentation rooms and auditoriums.

The University of Helsinki, founded in 1640, is an international academic community that has some 40.000 students. In Helsinki it has four campuses and is spread throughout the country. 15 further, which means that it has a total of 319 buildings.

This educational institution organizes different events throughout the year, The Porthania building being one of the most used to hold conferences and mass seminars, on international occasions.

When the university considered updating the projection systems installed in the presentation rooms, Sony laser equipment was the chosen option. They wanted a different technology from the conventional projection they had, since as Jyri Poittinen points out, ICT coordinator and head of audiovisual technology at the university, The main problem with these devices lies in the short life of the lamp.. Besides, Lamp light output and color reproduction decrease over time.

They needed a solution that would not require them to perform maintenance throughout the school year.. With traditional projectors, sometimes, They had to change the lamps during the semester and during this time they could not use the facilities, which generated additional costs. Besides, Lamp-based projectors also take longer to turn on and off, what affects teaching.

Jyri Poittinen opted for the technology of Sony for its reliability and profitability. “They are devices that turn on and off quickly and the image quality is maintained throughout the useful life of the device.. Sony's long five-year warranty and replacement equipment if necessary were some of the most significant advantages”.

17 laser projectors

The department originally ordered ten VPL-FHZ55 laser projectors with a color light output of 4.000 lumens, some of which are used for especially demanding educational purposes in the Faculty of Medicine.

The next order was for seven VPL-FHZ700L models that were installed in the large halls and auditoriums, where projectors with color light output 7.000 lumens allow maintaining normal lighting conditions during presentations. Various studies have shown that this has a positive effect on the attention level of viewers..

The equipment was supplied by Sony supplier S-Professional Oy and the university's contractual suppliers.

The effective use of laser projectors has solved the audiovisual problems and maintenance problems of their previous equipment. The lifespan of Sony laser projector light sources is 20 000 hours, the equivalent, at least, a 6 years of operation at the university.