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