Another Video switcher question

[FBCPlattsburg]

Hi, Im new here today and apologize for asking what has probably been asked over and over, but here goes...

We are a small church who has pieced together a tanged mess of splitters, rf modulators etc. We even have an old tvator running. We are one loose wire away from a disaster!

Here is our set up...

We are in an old unused balcony about 3 feet away from where our projector is mounted. We are running EasyWorship off a dual monitor Dell computer for our songs and import powerpoint files for the sermon and run dvd's out of various programs on the computer. (which of course requires black screening switching programs)
We also run announcements out of a laptop while the pre service songs are being sung with the words on a flat screen tv on the back wall.
Directly below is 2 small flat screens to help people in the overflow room who cant see the main screen when they are standing.
We have recently started videoing the service with an HD camera and burn DVD's, but are interested in streaming.

I've learned little tricks throughout the years such as black screening powerpoint on the laptop, switching the overflow tv's to it while someone is singing a special off the ensemble tv on the back wall. IT'S A MESS! We had an "expert" come in, but he never got back to us and doesn't seem interested. I have to get the tangled spaghetti mess to go away to something better!!!

From what I've read on here today, I'm wondering if the Extron IN1508 or the Kramer VP-729 would work for me? Its within my allowed budget. I think my pastor might like the iphone app capabilties of the Kramer.

Help, please! We are about as far away from experts as you can get, but want to do a good job!

Thank you,

Jack Gibson
First Baptist Church of Plattsburg, Missouri

[sempei13]

The Kramer is going to feel like a breath of fresh air compared to a cobbled together mess of cables.

I'd actually look at the Extron because of one word. Seemless. The Kramer fades through black which could be annoying. The Extron doesn't. If the inputs you have match both of these and output will work with the projector, I think that's the feature to look at.

Paul

[jonack]

I don't know what your budget is, but I would also look at Analog Way. I have used this in our church for overflow rooms and it takes a bunch of different inputs. You can even get t-bar/ control surface for it!

I would hunt eBay...