ProPresenter - SongShowPlus - MediaShout

[WellsR]

We are looking to put in place some new presentation software, the three we are currently looking at most closely are ProPresenter, SongShowPlus and MediaShout. Although we could be open to other suggestions.

While always a factor; cost is not as much an issue as others.

I have browsed through some other threads, most of them are older and the software may have changed significantly since some of the posts were placed. Also there is not any specifically mentioning these three that i could find.

Not I know that software selection is somewhat personal and depends on the user preferences, likes/dislikes, background, experience, etc.

However overall:

A) feature for feature how do they compare
B) we need both Mac and PC support - which I believe they both have
C) we need networkable data - preferably shared at the same time
D) which have highest learning curve
E) from your perspective which is best and why
F) all software has some issues - what do you know about any issues with any or all of these packages
G) what is the support team like - how available and how easy to access
H) anything else you can think of that may help us

Ok - asking a lot - help where you can please.
We would need a site license for PC (and if Mac is a separate license - then we would need that as well for perhaps 3 or 4 machines)

Thanks.

[jameshorsley197]

Pretty much everyone here has their favorite software because it does what they need it to do. The only way you are going to find the software that you need, and you probably will not like this, is to download the trials on the computer that you use tomput together a program and project and really use the program for the trial period. Is it a lot of work yes but it is the only way that you can be sure that the program will do what you want it to do. All 3 programs are good programs and I know this because I have tried all 3 of them so you can't really go wrong unless you choose a program tha does not fit the needs of your church or that your church computer will not run

[WellsR]

Thanks I have downloaded all three; and am beginning a matrix of comparison - pros and cons.

But was hoping I could get some feedback on maybe learning curve experienced; any issues encounted in setup or use; anything that may assist us in endeavor.

We are a medium sized church; with 3 services Sunday Morning - around 1800 in attendance. We also use the software in our Sunday School and Youth areas, and am hoping whatever we go to will also be usable in those areas (allowing the younger members to learn the software and eventually migrate into the bigger venue as they get older).

Our volunteers (all projection is volunteer based) are all pretty much PC background with varying degrees of computer literacy. Personally, while I used to run the software years ago am pretty much more a technical role now in putting hardware and software in place in all the areas and ensuring it is functional at all times. Part of my role is also the entire computer network (servers and 43 workstations); IP telephones, IP security cameras and of course the audio visual. So, while I have been trying to get these evaulated; it is a bit slow and frankly the trial periods are too short for what I really would like.

[signjim]

What program do you use now? Will any files from it have to be transfered over..if so that could be a problem with a different brand program.

We use Media Shout 4.? on a PC . Learned on v3(2yrs ago) then recently have upgraded to the new version. I like it but that is all I have ever used.
The learning part wasn't that hard since I had someone to show me.

[[Admin] osborn4]

If you want Mac and PC, then SongShow Plus is out. It's Windows only.

ProPresenter started out on the Mac and, from what I've heard, now has a very solid Windows version.

MediaShout started on Windows and has attempted a Mac version, but I've not heard good things about it.

I love my SongShow Plus and it will work fine in Parallels or a Windows VM. But if you really need support on both platforms, I'd check out ProPresenter.

[bpalermini]

I might take a few arrows for this but I'd just tell you to go ProPresenter, don't worry about the demos if you don't have the time or the inclination to test them.

I can't imagine anything you might do in even a very progressive church that it wont do. It works great on a Mac and well on a PC. Last time I looked the others are sort of looking old by comparison.

[[Admin] osborn4]

SongShow Plus has recently (last month) updated it's control panel to use screen previews for all the song parts, giving it a very different look.

That said, with no official Mac support, I don't think I'd go that way, if some of your projection machines will be Macs.

[Paris MkVI]

We went with MediaShout several years ago for several simple reasons - we're a PC-only house, so Pro Presenter was not on the table (at that time), and MediaShout did everything we needed it to do, basically.

Our current setup doesn't allow for anything other than very basic luma key lower thirds, so we usually go full-screen to full-screen between camera and graphics. That is also a style preference at our church.

Currently, MediaShout only supports a single text box per "slide", so it is actually less capable than PowerPoint in that regard. Sermon slides are actually often laid out in PowerPoint, saved as JPEG's, and imported into MediaShout. We leverage MediaShout for the ability to run seamless video loops behind song lyrics, and the ability to maintain a song library database that's easy to use and manage.

Those two elements happen to be a good fit for our process. They may not be for yours.

We are beginning a new assessment that may move us off MediaShout. I am focusing on what it will require from the office staff to prep, how easy it is for them to work with, and what keying options I will have with my switcher (rather than the software) being a real limiting factor.

[northerntech]

I'd pretty much agree with everything Paris said. We "test-drove" a few choices before going to MediaShout. The preparation learning curve on the newer versions is steep, but the rewards (for us) were significant enough to stick it out. It is very similar to the software broadcasters use for program-commercial integration. We use it for everything including announcement loops in the lobby between services, architectural projection graphics, stage lyric display and countdowns plus the things it was actually intended for, which it does flawlessly. The key for us was being able to put virtually any moving video behind lyrics/verses and have no issues. We even rip our DVD cantatas down to segments and run them off MS for the ease of adding additional components to the production. The learning curve for actual operators is not difficult, borne out by the fact that the average age of our Sunday morning MS techs is 14.

The newest version of ProPresenter looks interesting, and like a lot of churches we're getting pastoral pressure to try out Proclaim, but are not planning any changes in the near future.

[cyrax037]

I seem to be very fond of Mediashout. I used it some at my old church, and at my new church we just put in a screen and projector. Been looking around at some of the free ones, since turning loose of the $400 for Mediashout at this point seems unlikely.


Now, I seem to be in the minority, in that I couldn't quite figure out Easyworship. I admit that I hardly used the trial, but when I first used Mediashout, it took me all of 5 minutes to learn how to make slides, import pics, video, create a cue, ect. Now, we only used the dual screen, 1 for the control and the main projector screen.(IE, no choir monitor) but still. I find MS interface and usage to be one of the most simple things. I have the same issue with the other free programs, like EasySlides, and OpenLP in that I find them to be kinda complicated and hard to learn. Though I am starting to get a handle on OpenLP, except that it keep crashing when I try to use powerpoint slides.

Overall, handsdown even with its faults I'd chose MediaShout over any other. The main drawback is the cost.

[hanser007]

another consideration is the fact that most of these are single license products so you can only use them on one machine (legally). EasyWorship is not as feature rich but does offer the lowest learning curve and the multi-license (any machine in the church) feature.
Just something else to consider though by this time the decision has probably already been made.

[tyler1012000]

We are currently looking to possibly switch to ProPresenter and I never thought of utilizing a matrix of the differences and what works for us. Just curious what you used as the criteria? Thanks and good luck with your decision if you haven't made one yet.