Media Shout or Easyworship...

[ddsnodgrass]

Okay guys, I've been a Media Shout user for over 5 years now. When Media Shout 4 came out I was all excited about making the upgrade but then realized I would also need to update my PC or just purchase a new one...I'm currently running an E-Machine with XP, 4g RAM, NVIDIA graphics card.

My biggest draw to MS4 was the 3rd screen view. I began to do some research and realized that Easyworship 2009 offers the same option. I also realized that EW has an current offer of only $199 for anyone who will switch from a competitor to EW. Media Shout is charging $249 for the MS4 upgrade. I downloaded the trial version of EW and I am finding that my PC is not as "buggy" with EW and the user interface is more simple...except for inserting Scriptures...I still like MS better.

All that to say this. Me switching to EW would be like a life long Chevy truck man going out a buying a Ford. So I'm asking, should I stay with MS? Is EW really better or have I just drank the EW kool-aid? Or are both programs equal and it all depends on your situation and preference?

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

With Worship software, it is a constant race to one up the other guy, as it is in most businesses. I have tried both and think they both do what they do very well. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said, "Or are both programs equal and it all depends on your situation and preference?" You could probably find a way to convinve mediaShout to give you a discount on the upgrade. Especially if you mention you were considering a switch to EW.

[ddsnodgrass]

I think you're right...i'm sure if I called MS they would do something for me.

That being said, I am finding that EW is not as resource hungry on my PC as MS is. Does anyone else find this to be true?

[Paris MkVI]

Originally Posted by ddsnodgrass

I am finding that EW is not as resource hungry on my PC as MS.

(Disclosure - MS user here.)

I would agree with that assessment. But is it truly significant?

All software developers are pressed by the market for more features. Inevitably, the hardware demands go up.

So - maybe - by switching to EW you skip one hardware upgrade cycle. But the next EW upgrade will likely require it. Then you are saying, "I gave up MS for this? I liked MS better!" (If that statement is true for you, of course.)

They're all just tools. Go with the one that [1] gets the job done effectively and [2] meets your budget limitations.

There is nothing at all wrong with inviting MS to "make an offer". MS 4 does require more resources, and some video cards that were good to go for MS 3.5 are not happy with 4. In our case, staff is authoring using 4, then saving as a 3.5 file for presentation in 3.5. That's due to our ATI card not playing well with MS4.

Ah, the joys of the endless race between software and hardware!

[rbcyouthdude]

I like EW, the trial of MS would constantly crash and the Trial of EW did not. bought EW and have had no problems. There are things I like about Shout better but we run EW on a computer Shout 4 will not even run on.

[[Admin] osborn4]

And you need to figure in the "cost" of retraining all your operators.

That's probably worth $50.

[ddsnodgrass]

Hey guys, thanks for all the input. In my church I'm the media guru...compared to you guys I'm just a rookie. Really, I'm just a youth pastor at a church that runs 150 and happen to know enough this stuff to get the job done for our needs. I work with a music minister who is completely computer illiterate and a Sr. pastor who is semi- computer illiterate, but making strides. ...needless to say, I stay busy.

Media Shout was my first introduction into the world of church media, I guess you could say it's my first love. But at this moment it seems that EW may meet the needs of our church best. I'm sure it's my computer, but 1 of 4 Sundays it just seems the system is "buggy." So far the trial version of EW 09 has not had any issues...yet. I will say this...I don't like the EW scripture set up at all...BOB from MS is so much better.

Paris - I hear what you are saying, and you're right, at some point i'll have to purchase a new PC. But at this time our church does not have the money to purchase one...well it does, but not the funds to purchase really what we need. 5 years ago I got stuck with this E-Machine that I have been "doctoring" and I am making it work. The next time my church invests in a new computer I'm gonna make sure it's a caddilac.

[chazman14]

It is from my understanding that you have to purchase each Bible Translation individually with EW, whereas MS has them "built in." If you have a pastor that uses a couple of translations to get the point across, then you may be spending more on EW than MS. Just my 2 cents... (please correct me if I am wrong.)

[ddsnodgrass]

yes you are correct...each translation has to purchased. EW comes with some but its only 4 or 5 that no one uses. Something to think about.

[northerntech]

With the same disclaimer as some others (i.e. MediaShout 4 user) let me just echo some of the previous suggestions. We bought MS after test-driving both systems. It was a close decision, but has paid off huge for us. The shortcomings of EW (or if you prefer, the advantages of MS) have proven to be much greater than we expected. One example you have already highlighted is scripture insertions. We started off with a handful every week, so no big deal, but as our Pastors have gotten "into" this feature 30-40 is now the norm - a much easier task in MS. Definitely call MS with your financial concerns. They were very pleasantly aggressive in going after our business, which didn't hurt the decision either.

[ddsnodgrass]

My only issue right now is that if I go the MS 4 route I'll have to do some major PC upgrades, which at this point my church is not prepared to do. Also, I downloaded MS4 to try to play with it some and I'm not sure if I like the user interface of 4...so far I prefer 3.5. I guess I just don't like change.

[David Burton]

What would you gain by going to MS 4 from the MS 3.5?
(Note I am a Sunday Plus 2.4 and MS 4 user and not famaliar with MS 3.5)