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May 2012

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A discussion of current products aimed at the church market, and what their companies do to stay competitive.

by Mark Johnson

IMAG, presentation software, video venues, and satellite campuses-all factor in heavily in today's worship. And all are reliant on projection technology to make them work. More than just for displaying lyrics or verses, projection helps to create the environment with visual images, providing backgrounds and backdrops for worship, presentations and, of course, the message.

With the visual experience playing such a large role in contemporary worship, projection manufacturers are designing more and more sophisticated products. High quality imaging engines provide HD resolution for rich colors and stunning detail. And certain models include edge-blending technology that allows projectors to provide even larger, more dynamic images.

Along with product development, customer service and support are top-of-mind for many manufacturers, with most offering comprehensive support and service plans, as well as online tools to help you get the most from your gear. In addition, ease of use, both for installers and the end user, is also a priority for manufacturers. And of course, since cost is always a major consideration, keeping costs down over the lifetime of the product-or the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)-is a significant area of focus in projector design and development.

Church Production Magazine provided manufacturers with an opportunity to discuss current products and what their companies do to help keep them competitive in today's market. The following company representatives participated in this roundtable discussion:

1 Michael Bridwell, director of marketing, Digital Projection Inc.

2 John Glad, product manager, Hitachi America

3 Sean Gunduz, product manager, projectors, Epson America Inc.

4 Art Rankin, director of projectors and higher education solutions, Panasonic Solutions Co.

5 Steve Rubery, manager, new business development, Eiki International Inc.

6 George Tsintzouras, senior director, product management, business products, Christie

7 Chuck Westfall, technical advisor for the professional engineering and solutions division of Canon U.S.A. Inc.

CPM: Which of your products best fits the church market?

Westfall: The Canon Realis WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector is a great fit for houses of worship because it delivers higher-than-HD-resolution (1,920 x 1,200) widescreen 16:10 images at 4,000 lumens. The projector uses Canon's proprietary AISYS-enhanced LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) optical engine. Other key features include access to three high-resolution interchange- able Canon projection lenses, as well as motorized lens shift for installation flexibility. The Canon Realis WUX4000 can be ceiling-mounted with a plate or extension pole, installed vertically or stacked, and its lamp and air-filter assemblies can be easily replaced from the side/back of the projector. Signal inputs include HDMI Version 1.3, DVI-D and analog PC terminals, two audio inputs, and one audio output for external amplification and speakers.

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Mark Johnson is an independent technical trainer/writer based in Crockett, Calif., and former editor of Sound & Video Contractor and Church Production magazines. He can be reached at mjohnson6286@sbcglobal.net.