POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is the first public-private institution in Poland whose creation involved central government, local government, non-governmental organisations and independent investors. The museum documents more than a thousand years of the history of Polish Jews, organising exhibitions, lectures with Polish and international experts, and themed events. For POLIN we selected and installed projection systems: in 2016 in two conference rooms, and in 2021 in an auditorium seating more than 450 people.
In the museums for which we design AV systems, the image carries content with a strong emotional charge – films, presentations and archive photographs. The client expected projection that would convey the full power of this content during conferences, galas and film screenings.
Before recommending any equipment, we analysed the museum's needs and the layout and lighting of the rooms. For the client, long-term reliability of the equipment was key, backed by the longest possible warranty. In the auditorium we also took into account the size of the projector and the installation conditions in the projection booth.
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Cinema quality in the auditorium. The auditorium hosts international conferences, congresses, galas and film screenings. The projector had to deliver cinema-quality images from a distance of several dozen metres.
Legibility with the room lights on. In the two smaller conference rooms, the projectors had to display clear, detailed content even with the ceiling lights on – during academic conferences, lectures and business meetings.
Reliability for years. The museum expected equipment with a long service life and extended warranty cover, so that the system would run without interruptions to events.
Laser projectors chosen after analysis. In 2016 laser technology was not yet widespread, so the choice was preceded by a detailed analysis of the rooms. We recommended NEC P502HL projectors with a brightness of 5000 ANSI lumens and a light source life of 20,000 hours.
A clear image for every participant. We installed the projectors in rooms seating 60 and 80 people. Thanks to their high brightness, content is legible even from the back rows, and the image is displayed on ceiling-recessed screens.
Flexible signal distribution. For audio-video signal transmission we selected Key Digital KD-8X8CSK HDMI matrices supporting UHD/4K resolution, with audio de-embedding on every HDMI output.
Performance matched to the auditorium. In 2021 the museum decided to replace the ageing lamp projector in the auditorium. According to our analysis, the requirements – trouble-free operation and brightness of around 20,000 lumens – were met by the Barco UDM-4K22 projector, with 4K UHD resolution and a brightness of 22,000 ISO lumens.
An image on a 12-metre screen. We supplied the projector with a 2.0–2.76:1 throw ratio lens, which allows a 12-metre-wide image to be projected from a distance of 30 metres. The laser light source has a stated life of at least 20,000 hours, and the warranty purchased by the client covers 5 years.
Ready for complex projection. The projector offers image blending and geometric correction with the ability to upload blending and warping files, as well as programmable settings profiles, and its modular design makes servicing easier.
A dedicated mounting structure. We placed the projector in the projection booth of the auditorium – the museum's most prestigious room – and built a custom mounting structure designed specifically for it.
Safe installation of a large unit. Because of the projector's size and the layout of the room, installation carried a risk of damage and high costs. Our team's experience allowed us to carry out the installation efficiently and safely for the equipment.
The POLIN auditorium now has cinema-quality projection that conveys the power of films and archive material during galas, congresses and screenings. The laser light source and five-year warranty reduce the risk of downtime. The lens with a 2.0–2.76:1 throw ratio makes it possible to project onto a 12-metre screen directly from the projection booth.
In the conference rooms the image is legible from every seat even with the lights on, and the HDMI matrices allow the signal to be routed flexibly to the projectors. The museum can hold lectures and meetings without compromising on presentation quality. The laser light source, with a life of 20,000 hours, reduces the running costs associated with lamp replacement.
Our work with the museum has spanned several years: from selecting and installing the projectors in the conference rooms to replacing the projector in the auditorium. In each of these investments, the starting point was an analysis of the museum's needs and the layout and lighting of the rooms. In cultural institutions we also deliver visual communication systems – one example is the Zachęta National Gallery of Art.
Planning to upgrade the projection in your auditorium?
We design projection systems for museums and cultural institutions – we will analyse the layout and lighting of your rooms and prepare a quote for equipment matched to the standing of your events.
See also our guide: how to choose a projection screen for your room.
