What are the core differences between the technology in a traditional projector and a LampFree projector?
Traditional projectors operate off of a mercury vapor lamp. Casio’s LampFree projectors use a blue laser, phosphor and a red LED light source. This is a major advantage for several reasons:
- Mercury lamps last only about 2,000 to 4,000 hours. LampFree projectors last over 20,000 hours before any pieces need to be replaced.
- LampFree projectors use about one-third less power than traditional projectors, resulting in lower energy bills.
- Mercury is a harmful substance that can escape if a lamp is mishandled. Mercury lamps can even explode upon failure, releasing dangerous gases. LampFree projectors are environmentally safe.
- Because LampFree projectors last more than 20,000 hours, brightness quality degrades at a much slower rate compared to a traditional projector.
How does projection quality translate to a better teaching and learning experience?
Projectors are still the primary tool for delivering course content. Mercury lamps have a short life and can fail unexpectedly and need to be replaced. Should a projector fail in the middle of a class, the AV team needs to rush to replace the projector or lamp, resulting in a loss of valuable learning time.
LampFree models are stress-free in comparison. They have no lamps or filters to replace. There’s no fear of downtime.
So what maintenance is required for LampFree projectors?
Beyond lightly cleaning the cabinet and vacuuming the vents of the projector to eliminate dust build-up, there is really no ongoing maintenance needed. LampFree projectors’ cabinets have a three-chamber design that isolates and shields the optical assembly from dust penetration.
The lack of extensive maintenance helps keep the total cost of ownership of a LampFree projector lower than a traditional projector. There is no paying for lamps, or dealing with lamp replacement and lamp disposal.
What are the sustainability benefits around installing LampFree projectors?
Mercury is environmentally hazardous, and safe disposal is extremely expensive. Four LampFree projectors were awarded TCO Certification for being environmentally and socially sustainable for the entire lifecycle of the product, from manufacturing to use to end of life.
How do you address the concerns of higher ed leaders who are reluctant to switch to a campuswide LampFree implementation?
Some may believe that a higher lumens mercury projector will deliver a higher-quality experience than a 3,500-lumens LampFree projector. But a 5,000-lumens mercury projector will show brightness degradation within the first 1,000 hours of use. Since the LampFree lifespan is 20,000 hours, it will stay at top quality for a much longer period of time.
Casio is the global leader in LampFree projection. Our first LampFree projector was released in 2010, and now we are on the sixth generation of light engines. We design, build and manufacture all of our environmentally friendly, low-energy consuming projectors in our Yamagata factory in Japan.
This piece was produced by University Business for Casio. For more information, visit www.casioLampFree.com
