What does a church need to get started?

[BalconyBoy]

Nice site! I will be coming back to this one!

One thing we have done. We purchased a 17" flat panel monitor for the worship team leader and connected it to the projectors. This allows the worship team leader to see the same thing the congregation sees. I am in the process of figuring out the detail of placing to monitors in the choir loft so they can see the projections, too.

[fletch]

I don't recommend wireless video (at least the one I got from TigerDirect $250). The signal is poor, and interferance is always a problem (exit signs, wireless networks, blackberrys, etc.). We fell back to using a 100 ft. composite cable on spindle and a video distribution amplifier to split the signals between 2 projectors and 1 stage TV. The image is brighter and clearer!! Trust me!

If there is wireless video out there that is not effected by these elements and the image is as clear as a direct connection, let me know!!

[BalconyBoy]

I would agree with fletch! Wired might be more of a pain to set up but there is less room for glitches!

[Ron]

Don't know where the best location to post this would be but if anyone is interested in how we have our projection system wired, you can check it out here

[kbob]

there is stuff that works-but it cost big big bucks, and generally needs a license in order to use it....like the satellite trucks, et al, it can be done. The cheap stuff though, I haven't seen anything reliable enough to use for video yet, not in a live worship setting. Eliminate visual distractions....and this would seem to increase exponentially the amount of potential problems. You're trying to replace around $100 worth of wire with a couple thousand plus dollars worth of technology...just doesn't seem to be efficient.

[arnyk]

Originally Posted by Doink

Yea, same here. We're projecting onto a wall as well and it looks just fine to me...

I just installed a 96" x 96" dalite beaded screen in a room with light colored walls that had been used as a screen for years. People who were using LCD projectors and overheads in that room are raving about the fantastic upgrade. Never have I made so many people so happy for so little money!

Our sanctuary doubles as a classroom most of the year, so having a screen on a wall would not work. I guess it depends on your audience... and how far they will be from the screen. We have a small congregation(100+) with low ceilings(like a standard office-type of room) so we have to project the LCD image as close to the ceiling as possible so people in the back can see. We have a 2000 lumen Epson LCD Projector and the room has no windows so the only other lighting are the flourecent lights. The lights close to where the LCD will project have been taken out so it is easier to see. It works for us... maybe not for everyone.

The total control that you have over ambient light is what allows you to get away with avoiding the screen.

[D.R.HADDOCK]

Originally Posted by Jeneane

I'm looking for information to share with several churches about how to get started with using media in worship.
Can anyone tell me if there is a "primer" out there that talks about how to choose the right projector; screen vs. walll; what's a lumen, etc.?
Many thanks for the assist!

Jeneane

Lumens are a measure of brightness when used in conjuction with video projectors, simply put, the more lumens the brighter the picture, there are other factures that could influence this but as a rough rule of thum its a start. small cheap domestic projectors start at around 1000L, Ok in a dark room, but not too good in a lit up room.
Minimum starting point should be around 2000 - 3000L.
How ever they are getting brighter and brighter as time goes on, and 7000L
projectors are now commonly available.
Professional grade projectors can put out much more,
Some Barco projectors can put out staggering amounts of light in excess
of 100,000L.
However they are very expensive.
Our main projector is 4000L which is enough for most jobs.

Projecting on walls is possible, however the results depend on things like
The finish of the wall,
The gloss of the paint,
The reflective qualities of the paint,
Ambient light levels.
The best thing to do is try it, and see the results for your self.
Special paints are available for projection,
they do tend to be expensive thou.

There are many things to consider,
including how much money they wish to spend!

[tedanderson]

The OP started this thread in 2003. Hopefully she has gained the needed knowledge for her church and has not been waiting all of this time.

[Khan74]

Greetings everyone,

My church is in the process of upgrading our media and sound departments. I've been given this task and need to find out more on media distribution.

First of all, we have a ifocus projector with dvd player connected to it. The operator sits about 3 feet away from the projector. We intend to move the laptop copmuter into our media/sound room which is located about 100 ft. away. The praise team has asked for a screen or 60 inch LCD TV to be placed at the back so they can see the lyrics to their songs.

What type of cable would be best to use over a 100 ft. span? We already have conduits run. I've worked with Cat5 and have read that it can be used for video.

How do I connect the LCD TV and the Projector to the laptop? TheLCD TV will only be about 12 ft. away from the laptop but the projector alittle over 100 ft away.

The other thing is the DVD/VHS player. How do I get that connected to view videos on both screens?

Basically, we need to connect our devices and still leave room for future upgrades which may include a 3 more TV monitors.

HELP!!!!

[BalconyBoy]

You can use regular video cable but I would use CAT5/CAT6 to a VGA converter.

You might want to look into software like Easy Worship that will handle what your DVD player does.

[Stever]

I would suggest contacting a local Pro A/V dealer as you have many issues to be addressed both for current and future needs. Depending on the distance from you praise team to the back wall it is likely way to far for a 60" LCD to be viewable.
Likely using a dealer will save you time, money and frustration in the long run.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by Stever

I would suggest contacting a local Pro A/V dealer as you have many issues to be addressed both for current and future needs. Depending on the distance from you praise team to the back wall it is likely way to far for a 60" LCD to be viewable.
Likely using a dealer will save you time, money and frustration in the long run.

Purely semantics but as I look at it, a dealer sells equipment and should be able to address the products they sell but a Contractor or Consultant is probably a better resource in terms of addressing installed systems. A Contractor may also be a dealer for multiple products but their services extend beyond just selling products.