Sony Deploys 40 98-Inch Bravia Displays at Dublin University Learning Centre
2026-11-10 · via AV Magazine
Sony has installed 40 of its 98-inch Bravia BZ53L displays at University College Dublin's O'Connor Centre for Learning, in what the company describes as one of the largest single-site deployments of the 98-inch model in Europe. The project is a reminder that the line between education AV and commercial signage hardware keeps blurring, since the same panels doing lecture capture duty also carry built-in HTML5 support for signage content without a separate media player.
The O'Connor Centre, on UCD's Belfield Campus, is Ireland's largest dedicated teaching and learning facility, covering 11,580 square metres with 30 active-learning spaces and a 250-seat lecture theatre. Dublin-based systems integrator ISSAV | Econocom handled the fit-out of 35 collaboration spaces. The 98-inch BZ53L units sit in the highest-capacity rooms, with 85-inch Bravia BZ30L models used in medium and smaller classrooms, alongside Crestron control, projectors, conferencing cameras, lecture capture systems and wireless audio.
For anyone specifying large-format commercial displays, the headline specs are familiar: Deep Black Non-Glare coating to cut reflections from room lighting, and brightness up to 780 nits. What's more relevant to signage buyers is the HTML5 playback built into the panel itself, meaning interactive content can run without a bolt-on set-top box, media player or PC. That's one less point of failure and one less line item in a multi-room deployment.
Energy claims tied to building status
The building is certified as Near-Zero Energy, and Sony frames the display choice as part of that sustainability push. The BZ53L panels include an Eco Dashboard for configuring energy-saving settings, Smart Input Signal Power Management that powers displays down when no input is detected, and an ambient light sensor that adjusts brightness to room conditions. Sony also says the displays use its recycled Sorplas material, made from used water bottles and waste optical discs, and that the chassis is lighter than previous models, which it says cuts the transport footprint. None of these claims are independently verified in the announcement, and no figures are given for actual energy savings or carbon reduction at the site.
For operators managing large estates of public-facing displays, the case is a useful data point on where vendors are positioning power management and recycled materials as selling points, separate from raw brightness or resolution. It's also a sign that university campuses, alongside corporate and retail, remain a steady deployment channel for 90-inch-plus commercial panels.
Liam Corcoran, UCD's estate services operations manager, says users have reported a positive experience months into operation, citing engagement and accessibility in active learning environments. Adam Dover of Sony Europe called the project an example of large-format displays transforming learning environments. The announcement does not disclose project cost or installation timeline.
The announcement in full
Reproduced from AV Magazine for reference. Digital Signage Magazine did not write the text below.
By AV Magazine in Displays , Education , UK&I November 9, 2026 0
Forty 98″ Bravia displays are supporting flexible and collaborative teaching at University College Dublin’s O’Connor Centre for Learning, while contributing to its Near-Zero Energy Building status.
Forty Sony Bravia displays have been installed at Ireland’s largest dedicated teaching and learning facility.
University College Dublin’s O’Connor Centre for Learning can accommodate more than 3,000 students and is home to 30 active-learning spaces and a 250-seat lecture theatre.
Located on the university’s Belfield Campus, the 11,580 sq metre facility is equipped with a comprehensive AV solution designed to support flexible, collaborative and technology-enabled education.
Dublin-based systems integrator ISSAV | Econocom was appointed to fit out 35 collaboration spaces.
At the heart of the solution are 40 Bravia BZ53L screens – one of the largest single-site deployments of Sony’s 98″ displays in Europe. The large-format displays are deployed in high-capacity areas and are complemented by 85″ Bravia BZ30L models in medium-sized and smaller classrooms.
The displays feature Sony’s Deep Black Non-Glare technology, which reduces reflections from room lighting while enhancing contrast, while offering a screen brightness of up to 780 nits.
They form part of an integrated AV environment that also features Crestron control, as well as projectors, conferencing cameras, lecture capture and wireless audio.
Sustainability was an important consideration throughout the project. The O’Connor Centre for Learning is a Near-Zero Energy Building, and the AV solution incorporates technologies designed to reduce energy consumption and minimise the environmental impact of the installation.
The BZ53L displays incorporate a range of energy-saving features, including an Eco Dashboard that enables users to configure and manage energy-saving settings.
Smart Input Signal Power Management automatically powers down displays when no input signal is detected, while an ambient light sensor can automatically adjust screen brightness according to the lighting conditions, helping to reduce power consumption in darker environments.
The displays also make extensive use of Sony’s recycled Sorplas material, manufactured using used water bottles and waste optical discs.
Their lower chassis weight compared with previous models helps reduce the transport footprint, while built-in HTML5 support enables interactive signage content to be displayed without the need for an additional set-top box, media player or PC.
By providing a common visual platform throughout classrooms, collaboration spaces, the lecture theatre and public areas, the Bravia displays help create a cohesive technology experience for students, lecturers and visitors.
Liam Corcoran, the university’s estate services operations manager, says: “The AV systems in the O’Connor Centre for Learning play a critical role in teaching and learning activities.
“Each room features crisp, high-resolution displays and acoustics that serve every user. This is essential for engagement and accessibility in active learning environments.
“Months in, users have reported a very positive experience. Attention to detail and a focus on the user experience are evident in every space. The AV deployment has been instrumental to the success of our new facility.”
Adam Dover, senior corporate marketing manager at Sony Europe, adds: “This project is a fantastic example of how large-format professional displays can transform modern learning environments.”