Why Projector Brightness Standards Matter More Than Ever in Higher Ed AV

In a sea of spec sheets, projector brightness might seem like just another number. But a recent lawsuit between Epson and Vava is a sharp reminder of why projector brightness standards aren’t just technical trivia — they’re critical for trust, performance, and decision-making in higher ed AV.

Listen to EDTech Episode 126 here.

Brightness Specs Under the Microscope

Epson recently settled a lawsuit with Vava, claiming the company overstated brightness levels for its laser projectors. The core issue? Vava allegedly used marketing measurements that didn’t conform to ISO 21118, the internationally recognized projector brightness standard.

For IT and AV managers responsible for classrooms, lecture halls, and hybrid learning spaces, this matters — a lot.

Real-World Impact

Ernie Bailey of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences didn’t mince words during a recent AVNation EdTech episode: “If I’m going to buy 40 or 50 projectors to go into classrooms, I want to know that if it says it’s a 4,000- or 6,000-lumen projector, it’s going to be the same brightness no matter what manufacturer I use.”

He shared a troubling anecdote: when a 12,000-lumen classroom projector failed, he temporarily replaced it with a 6,000-lumen model. The difference? “In white light situations, you can barely tell. That bothers me.”

Without Standards, Even AI Gets It Wrong

Bailey also pointed out a growing concern in the age of automation and AI-assisted specification: “If you’re gonna start using AI to find the best projector for a room, and the specs are skewed by the manufacturer, AI’s not going to figure that one out. They didn’t use the ISO standard.”

The ISO 21118 standard exists specifically to ensure consistent projector brightness measurements — especially critical when buying at scale or evaluating new vendors.

It’s a Matter of Trust

Rob Rasberry from Drexel noted the unusual nature of the Epson–Vava case: “This wasn’t a patent fight or a ‘we did it first’ argument. This was one manufacturer saying, ‘You’re outright lying.’ That’s a whole different thing.”

Unlike tech ownership disputes, this one centers on a shared expectation: if you say it’s 6,000 lumens, it better be 6,000 lumens — using the agreed-upon projector brightness standard.

Why Accuracy Matters in Higher Ed AV

Sometimes, small differences in brightness can have major consequences. Bailey noted:

“If we were teaching a pathology course where pink and purple side by side mean different things, I might have an issue.”

Scott Tiner of Bates College echoed the importance of reliable specs for streamlining purchasing and setup across campus deployments. When brightness claims don’t hold up, it leads to frustration, rework, and wasted budget.

Keep the Standards Alive — and Ask for Them

Erin Maher-Moran of Johns Hopkins put it simply: “AV tends to be funny about standards. But there are a few that are well-established. At least get those right.”

She’s right. ISO 21118 isn’t new. It’s reviewed, updated, and maintained — and should be demanded on every spec sheet, quote, and RFP.

Don’t Just Trust the Label. Ask the Right Question.

If you’re an IT or AV manager tasked with upgrading classrooms, specifying projectors for lecture halls, or integrating hybrid learning spaces, don’t just go by the lumens printed on the box.

Ask if those numbers conform to ISO 21118. Ask for the projector brightness standard.
Make it part of your RFP. If a manufacturer dodges the question? You’ve got your answer.

As we increasingly rely on automation, remote support, and long-term AV investments, let’s make sure our decisions are rooted in facts — not fluff.