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Jan/Feb 2012

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Manufacturers’ Roundtable: New Video Options Abound from Mini to Megachurch

IMAG projection, cameras, switchers and streaming offer new ways to get out the Word in standard and hi-def

by Bennett Liles

Churches represent a video market with such wide ranging applications that they can include everything from consumer electronic devices to the latest professional gear. But a neighborhood house of worship with tech support from a key member or two can benefit from the latest industry advances, as well as the megachurch with full-time technical professionals.

Image magnification (IMAG) has changed the whole character of video projection in church services and manufacturers have responded along the whole video signal path, but the IMAG epicenter is in projection. Chuck Collins, vice president of commercial A/V for Digital Projection (DPI), a video projector manufacturer based in Kennesaw, Ga., recognizes its varied uses. “IMAG has had a dramatic affect on the house-of-worship (HOW) market, as it’s directly increased the sales of video projectors.” Collins notes that as projection has expanded, IMAG content has also evolved. “In the beginning, the pastor was the focus of the imagery. Then key scripture and words to hymns found their way on to the big screen. Now we are seeing multiple projected images blended to create one giant image or an aspect ratio that is different from anything that is normally seen.” Indeed, video projectors have also become lighting instruments and can create an entire atmosphere and mood.

John Broadhead, vice president of technology and communication for Roland Systems Group, which includes Edirol, a video capture and processing equipment manufacturer in Bellingham, Wash., agrees. “The lower price points of good projectors, cameras and mixers/switchers have made IMAG achievable for many churches that would not have been able to afford it even five years ago.” He also concurs on the content. “Many churches using IMAG have also moved beyond just camera shots by also using the video system as an extension of lighting to create motion and mood in the room.”

The new video formats offer opportunity while posing a challenge for manufacturers and volunteer tech crews. Seth Teates, north east sales manager at Analog Way, which makes a wide range of video image converters, based in New York City notes that manufacturers have to put themselves in the customer’s shoes early in the process. “Analog Way has developed all of our products with the end user in mind,” he says. “We work extensively in the HOW market, and therefore go to great lengths to make sure our product is as intuitive and user-friendly as possible. We recognize that not every church user is an A/V professional, and make sure even our most robust systems are easy to operate.”

This process hasn’t always been easy. Mastery of new video formats has proven to be a moving target for companies such as Broadcast Pix, manufacturer of live video production equipment, in Billerica, Mass. Dennis Breckenridge, in charge of the firm’s key accounts and business development, Americas, explains. “Manufacturers have had a challenge to support multiple formats in analog, SDI, HD, DVI/VGA and each has done this in different ways. The challenge has been the lack of clear specifications and communication of the compromises made in order to support this flexibility.” So, how has his company dealt with the challenge? “In the case of Broadcast Pix we have a simple story in terms of I/O, synchronous and a-synchronous sources, delay and performance helping to clear the confusion. Broadcast Pix also has a great upgrade path in terms of I/O formats and control panels scaling operationally (1 ME and 2 ME) and with I/O analog upgrade all the way to 1080p preserving their investment and operator knowledge. A complete solution and simple communication has been the key to Broadcast Pix’s success in the house of worship market.”

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Bennett Liles is the media technician on an Atlanta-area university campus where he oversees and maintains an inventory of data projectors and video cameras, along with digital and analog sound mixers, most of which are in daily use. He can be reached at bliles@gawebcasting.com.   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)