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