| 2. Find Your Screen:Many people don't | | | | mixer instead of a switcher/scaler. The |
| give much thought to the screens, but | | | | primary difference is that rather than |
| they are a key piece of equipment for | | | | scaling all of your sources up to a |
| any multimedia system. As such, several | | | | higher resolution, you will need a scan |
| things should be taken into account. | | | | converter to convert all of your signals |
| "Where can it be hung? Should it be | | | | down to video. If you do this though, |
| electric or fixed? Should we go with one | | | | the quality of your computer images will |
| screen or multiple screens? Which aspect | | | | suffer. But now that switcher/scalers |
| ratio is right for us - 16:9 or 4:3? | | | | are available, this isn't even an |
| What surface should we go with?" These | | | | issue.6. Develop Your Infrastructure:The |
| are all questions to consider. Again, | | | | infrastructure of your media system is |
| Fowler will help you determine the right | | | | HUGE when it comes to the quality and |
| size for your congregation, and once the | | | | success of your entire system. You can |
| size is established, that will start | | | | install a $100,000 projector with low |
| narrowing down your placement options. | | | | quality cable or leave out a |
| (For screen info click here)3. Choose A | | | | distribution amplifier and your image |
| Projector:Once your screen placement and | | | | will look terrible! And a lack of |
| size are decided, you can determine what | | | | planning on your infrastructure will |
| kind of projector you will need. After | | | | hinder your ability to add to your |
| that, you can choose where and how you | | | | system in the future. So, decide now - |
| want to mount the projector. Most can be | | | | will you ever want to add:CamerasChoir |
| ceiling mounted, and you'll want to | | | | confidence monitorsMultiple |
| place it as close to the screen as | | | | screensDigital signage in the |
| possible to achieve the brightest | | | | lobbyRecording and duplicating |
| picture. Of course, when mounting to the | | | | equipmentIf so, do you only want camera |
| ceiling you will need to be sure there | | | | feed or will you want everything that's |
| is enough attic space above the | | | | on the screen?Your infrastructure may |
| projector to run cables plus a structure | | | | cost as much as your projector and |
| to attach the mounting hardware to. An | | | | screen, but you want to do it right the |
| electrician will need to provide power | | | | first time. You should only have to plan |
| at the projector location. If you have | | | | routes and pull cables once; after that |
| high ceilings you will need to look into | | | | it will be very simple to add to the |
| using scaffolding or a lift. (You might | | | | system as your ministry grows.7. Choose |
| ask your sales consultant about | | | | The Best Sources:Again, as with |
| installation.)There are other options | | | | infrastructure and screens, this is |
| when it comes to projector placement. | | | | usually an afterthought. No big deal, |
| Projecting from a balcony or from the | | | | someone's donating their old computer or |
| back of the sanctuary usually requires a | | | | you already have a VCR/DVD player you |
| projector that offers multiple lens | | | | can use... Or maybe you've recently seen |
| options. This allows you to select the | | | | the TV commercial where you can get a |
| perfect lens for your specific throw | | | | brand new computer for only $299! If you |
| distance and screen size. You might also | | | | are only planning on checking emails or |
| consider a slightly brighter projector | | | | doing word processing with your computer |
| because there is some light lost in a | | | | that may be fine; but in order to |
| long throw application. This option will | | | | display high end graphics and video, |
| appear more expensive initially; | | | | plus store everything your ministry does |
| however, once you consider the extra | | | | and display it quickly, you need a |
| cost and time required with ceiling | | | | computer that is designed for this type |
| mounts, it often comes out to be about | | | | of professional application.As for your |
| the same. Also, regular maintenance and | | | | VCR/DVD player and cameras, a good rule |
| lamp changes are often much easier with | | | | of thumb is to stick with professional |
| a long throw application.4. Plan For | | | | grade products. Don't spend the church's |
| Cameras:We often find the decision to | | | | money on something low quality from a |
| add cameras to your church media system | | | | retail store - invest that money in |
| is usually an after thought. However, | | | | quality pieces. Yes you can go consumer |
| more and more churches want to | | | | and yes it will work, but those products |
| incorporate cameras into their existing | | | | are not designed for a professional |
| system. If done well, it can greatly | | | | application. As a result you will |
| enhance the worship experience; but if | | | | experience things that will be a big |
| done poorly it can be a major | | | | distraction during worship.8. Know Your |
| distraction. There are so many options | | | | Budget:There are hundreds of ways to do |
| available - robotic; manned; CCU | | | | things, hundreds of products to choose |
| control; HD or standard def, etc. - and | | | | from and pros and cons inherent with |
| the decision you make on your cameras | | | | each, so for direction and a starting |
| will affect the direction we go with | | | | point we always ask the church for a |
| your projector, switching, scaling, | | | | budget to work with. On the other hand, |
| cabling, etc. So, even if cameras are | | | | the church is thinking, "Well, I don't |
| not on the immediate agenda but you are | | | | know what this stuff costs, that's why I |
| considering them for the future, plan | | | | called you," and so they either say they |
| now and it will save you money in the | | | | don't have a budget or they give us a |
| long run. (For more camera options click | | | | random number that isn't necessarily |
| here.)5. Select A Switcher/Scaler:A | | | | realistic. A reputable dealer is not |
| switcher allows you to switch between | | | | asking for a budget so they can spend |
| your sources. A scaler takes all of your | | | | every cent you have; they need to know |
| video signals and scales them up to a | | | | what they're working with in order to |
| higher resolution to match your | | | | put together the best system for your |
| computer's resolution (which should also | | | | church. It takes serious creativity and |
| be the native resolution of your | | | | hard work to design a great media system |
| projector). Be warned! There are several | | | | on a limited budget. We can provide a |
| consumer grade switcher/scalers on the | | | | big picture design and then work with |
| market that use low quality scaling | | | | you to implement it in phases.So, to sum |
| engines; your image quality can be | | | | it all up, there are no right answers or |
| significantly impacted by using one of | | | | simple solutions. Get your leadership |
| these.When using a switcher/scaler you | | | | team involved in the planning of your |
| can choose to go with a single scaler or | | | | system - not necessarily what equipment |
| a dual. Single scalers allow simple dip | | | | you want, but start with what you want |
| to black transitions, whereas a dual | | | | it to do and then prioritize that list. |
| scaler will allow for all of your | | | | Know what's important in the short term |
| effects like cross fades, wipes, cuts, | | | | and long term. Remember that when |
| etc. Again the one best suited for your | | | | designing a system, flexibility always |
| needs will be determined by the | | | | equals money, so everyone needs to be on |
| direction you want to go with your | | | | the same page. Clear communication is |
| system - the use of cameras being the | | | | the key to achieving your multimedia |
| biggest question. With cameras we always | | | | ministry goals.For more information on |
| recommend a dual scaler. Whether or not | | | | any of these topics, please contact |
| you are doing High Def will determine | | | | Fowler at 405.321.8122 or toll free at |
| which dual scaler.Some people try to | | | | 1.800.729.0163.Fowler Productions has |
| save a little money and use their | | | | been helping churches with multimedia |
| projector as the switcher. They simply | | | | since 1992, about the time LCD |
| plug their sources into the projector | | | | projectors were being recognized as a |
| and then switch sources using the | | | | new tool for presentations. From then |
| remote. The downside is that your | | | | until now, we have made a commitment to |
| projector will not do the scaling as | | | | assist churches and ministries in |
| well and remotes can be unreliable (if | | | | presenting multimedia better. Fowler |
| you do this make sure you hard wire your | | | | also assists corporate clients with |
| remote). Delays, glitches and unwanted | | | | projection. The company offers complete |
| on-screen text often occur, and most | | | | design and installation options along |
| projectors don't even allow you to | | | | with audio and intelligent lighting. |
| easily select the source you need - you | | | | Fowler is a full service A-V dealer and |
| have to hit the input button until you | | | | authorized service center. Fowler was |
| get to the source you're looking | | | | the first company to offer a worship |
| for.Traditionally, if you planned on | | | | presentation software as an alternative |
| using cameras, you could use a video | | | | to Powerpoint. |