Paradigm Confirms Largest Single Supernova Order

A UK based Audio Visual company has fulfilled its biggest single order for large-format front-projection displays - from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
As a result, well over 200 dnp Supernova Core 16:10 optical screens from Paradigm will be deployed for general purpose use within primary and secondary schools in the borough over the next few months. This includes 105 low-gain (08:85) screens - to be divided across five primary schools - after the council had earlier endorsed the Supernova platform for use in two new-build secondary schools due for completion in early 2012.
The decision was made following a presentation made by Paradigm to main contractors, Laing O’Rourke, along with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s ICT Strategy team.
Three Supernova Cores were then successfully trialled, before the initial secondary school order was placed. This comprises 62 x Supernova 110” 16:10 low gain (08-85) screens for installation in The Sydney Russell School, Dagenham and 16 similarly configured Supernova Core 84”, 36 Core 100” and a single Core 110” in Dagenham Park Church of England School.
The screens will be used in conjunction with an Optoma EW 536 single chip XGA DLP projector and be capable of taking an HDMI feed.
Paradigm AV then supplied the 105 primary school screens via project consultants and fit-out specialists, REDS10, and these are in the process of being fitted in Thames View Junior School, George Carey Church of England Primary School, Valence Primary School (St George’s site), Ripple Primary School (Westbury site) and Manor Longbridge Primary School.
The Council researched the market for a solution that would meet all their criteria - believing the interactive whiteboard approach to be flawed, since the teachers partially obscure the very content they want the children to see; at the same time it necessitates turning their back to the class. The Council wanted the next generation on from the old overhead projector (OHP), with uninterrupted sightlines and wide field of view.
Sheyne Lucock, Education ICT Strategy lead for the council, said: “We have always had classrooms with big screens so the issue we faced was that in order to get a good image with big vibrant colours the teachers would have to switch the lights off and draw the blinds. We have been trying to find a solution where you didn’t need to do this.”
The Council reviewed various options and having earlier installed a dnp Supernova at the former City Learning Centre for ICT Training, part of the now defunct Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme - this was always their preferred option.
“The aim all along has been to liberate the architects - they want to get as much light into a building as possible, but of course light is the enemy of projection. It was our requirement that any screens should be able to function in high ambient light - and with Supernova we will be able to achieve this. It gives us the right balance,” he continued. “With around 30 children in each class we can have the screen up high, with the lights on, and everyone will see the same image, whether on or off axis.”
The fit-outs will be carried out by the respective contractors in conjunction with RM Education, the Borough’s ICT partner.
(BMcN/CD)