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Steve Krogedal, technical director at Green Valley Christian Church in Placerville, Calif. with the church’s new Lectrosonics digital wireless system. |
New Digital Wireless System Instills Confidence at Northern California Church
Steve Krogedal is responsible for all things audiovisual at Green Valley Community Church in Placerville, Calif. Sound, lights, video and graphics all fall under his domain. The non-denominational church, with a congregation of roughly 2,500 members, conducts four services each weekend—one on Saturday and three on Sunday. Worship services are contemporary in nature and music plays an important role.
As Green Valley Community Church has grown it has become increasingly dependent upon wireless microphones for its praise band and accompanying vocals. However, Krogedal found himself regularly confronting annoying dropouts, distorted sound quality, and faulty switches from the existing wireless microphone systems. “I can’t begin to tell you how many times I struggled with faulty switches,” Krogedal says. “I’d frequently have to switch the transmitters on, then off, and then on again before they’d work. This doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Between this and subpar sound quality, I’d about had it.”
When the church allocated the budget to rectify the most pressing issues, Krogedal evaluated equipment from a variety of manufacturers. He ultimately selected wireless systems from Lectrosonics featuring the company’s Digital Hybrid Wireless technology. “I looked closely at a variety of wireless equipment and I’m more convinced than ever that our Lectrosonics purchase was the right decision. We are now the proud owners of a six-channel Venue receiver system stocked with the company’s VRS receiver modules, six SMDa transmitters, six HM172 earset mics, and a pair of M152 lavalier mics,” Kregedal continues.
“The sound from this system is terrific,” he adds. “It’s extremely clear and natural and, since there’s no companding, we never encounter any of those unpleasant artifacts characteristic of lesser quality wireless mics. This system also has excellent gain before feedback.”
Build quality and ease-of-use were equally important to Krogedal. “Our new equipment provides a high degree of confidence that everything will work as expected. I initially had a few questions,” he says. “Lectrosonics’ customer service was great. I got straight through to a technician who clearly understood the equipment, understood what I was looking to accomplish, and promptly assisted me. The tech was so pleasant to deal with—it was like speaking to a friend. He understood my question and was able to assist right away. I couldn’t be happier with the results we’ve experienced.”
www.gvcconline.com
www.lectrosonics.com
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STUFF YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW ...
New Electro-Voice Website Focuses on Social Networking
Electro-Voice recently launched an all-new www.electrovoice.com to coincide with its first major trade show appearance of the year at Winter NAMM 2010. The new online destination for all things EV has a host of new features and a strong emphasis on social networking and dynamic content.
“We set out to create the pro audio industry’s best website,” says EV web developer Zack Kahn. “Not only does the site have a completely new look, it’s also radically different in terms of navigation. A new product filtering system allows more intuitive and precise product and content searches. It’s extremely quick and easy to use.” Product pages also feature a dealer locator and ‘Buy It Now!’ buttons. The site is also automatically customized according to each visitor’s global region.
“EV is big into social networking,” Kahn continues, “and the ‘EV in Action’ section serves as a portal to EV’s presence on all the key sites, as well as being a one-stop source for EV news, endorser updates, and video content.”
The “Knowledge” section houses a wide range of articles on EV technology, along with “how-to” pieces. “That’s where visitors can find everything from the latest feature articles on our state-of-the-art signal processing to the PA Bible,” Kahn explains. “The new site really captures the broad scope of the brand and serves as a worthy destination for our passionate customers.”
www.electrovoice.com
Padco supplies Midas PRO6 for Europe-wide Gospel tour
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Engineer Werner Schmidl at the controls of the Midas PRO6. |
German rental company Padco has supplied a Midas PRO6 for a spectacular European tour by Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers. The tour, which moved through Denmark, France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, ended in Belgium at the end of January.
Putting the system through its paces on this brilliantly vibrant show was German front-of-house engineer Werner Schmidl who, by his own admission, didn’t get to choose the audio equipment on this tour. “As someone who was used to using another brand of digital console, it was hard to convince me, especially as I only had a few hours to get into the PRO6,” he says. “However Lars Lüdemann (from Midas’ German distributor Mega Audio) did a great job in training me quickly. The whole system can be easily set up in a few minutes. The PRO6 is very logical and user friendly to operate. The control surface, which works with all the parameters of a channel strip, is very intuitive, and the POP(ulation) groups make it easy and clear, bringing everything to where you want it on the console. The EQ and dynamics function in a similar way to their analog counterparts, and for the first time I experienced an EQ which did exactly what I expected. It was also a great idea to provide a choice of different compressors. I’ve never worked on a digital desk which sounded as good as the PRO6.
“In total, I had just 33 inputs from the stage, 22 for instruments and 11 for choir and solo vocals. This meant I could play around with the possibilities the VCA and POP(ulation) groups offered. I only needed to use one button for all vocals, one for choir, one for each of the keyboard players, the drums, the whole band etc I thought of using snapshots, but the POP(ulation) and VCA groups gave me everything I needed at my fingertips, so it was easier to work without them. The desk’s reverb and delays sounded nice and natural, and the reverb gave the choir a warmth which I combined with some delay effects if needed. But what really surprised me was the multi-band compressor. I used it on Queen Esther’s vocal and was overwhelmed by the quality. It did what I needed, without influencing the color of her voice.
“The possibility of splitting the PRO6’s control surface allowed me to have all instruments and the choir on the left side of the desk and Queen Esther and effects on the right side, switching POP and VCA for each side independently. It was great fun and very clear to work with, and there was no need for big outboard racks at FOH.
“All in all I would say that in the beginning I was skeptical of using the PRO6. After a few days we became friends... then I fell in love...”
www.midasconsoles.com
Panasonic Announces “Shoot It/Share It” Video Contest for the AG-HMR10 AVCAM Handheld Recorder
Panasonic Broadcast is giving users of its AG-HMR10 AVCCAM handheld recorder a chance to win exciting prizes by showcasing their creative work in the new “Shoot It. Share It.” video contest. Through June 18, 2010, HMR10 users can submit a video demonstrating their interesting use of the handheld recorder for the chance to win prizes, including the Grand Prize of a 65-inch Viera Plasma Television with built-in SD card slot.
Panasonic’s AG-HMR10 AVCCAM handheld recorder and the AG-HCK10 camera head allow video professionals to capture full 1920x1080 video from long distances or endless point of views. The battery-powered HMR10 records up to 12 hours of high-quality HD video on a widely available 32GB SDHC card. Content can be immediately viewed on the handheld’s 3.5-inch LCD screen or from an SD card slot-equipped Blu-ray player, laptop PC, plasma television or other device. With an HD-SDI in/out, the HMR10 can also serve as a standalone recorder for use with HD-SDI capable cameras, switchers and decks.
Step 1: Shoot It
Shoot with the HCK10 camera head or a HD-SDI capable camera or camcorder and record to the HMR10 handheld. Video submissions highlighting the AG-HMR10’s use are being accepted in the following categories:
- Retail (In-store, bars, restaurants, locations with plasma or LCD displays, etc.)
- Business & Industry/Manufacturing (e.g. corporate, training, processes, etc.)
- Medical/Dental (e.g. procedures, surgery, etc.)
- Transportation (e.g. avionics, trains, military, etc.)
- Sports/Extreme (e.g. football, baseball, basketball, auto racing, skate boarding, skiing, sky diving)
- News (e.g. “crowd”-cam, live remotes, undercover investigations, etc.)
- Production (e.g. TV, commercials, reality shows, documentaries, nature/wildlife, etc.)
Step 2: Share It
Submit your video entries via the contest form on the contest’s website -- www.ShootItShareIt.com -- by or before 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, June 18, 2010. Up to five entries per participant will be accepted. Complete rules and requirements for video submissions are available on the contest website.
A submission can be up to three minutes in length and should capture the meaning of the interesting application or shoot. Accepted video formats include flv, wmv, avi, mpg, mp4 and m4v. Video entries will be posted and showcased on the contest website throughout the length of the contest.
Step 3: Help Select the Grand Prize Winner
A panel of Panasonic Broadcast executives and industry experts will judge the submissions on their creativity and select the winners in each category. From Tuesday, June 22 through Friday June 25, submissions from the winners in each category will be displayed at www.ShootItShareIt.com, where visitors can vote to select the Grand Prize Winner from that group.
First, Second and Third-Place Prizes will be awarded to the winners in each category. The Grand Prize of a Panasonic 65-inch Viera Plasma Display will be awarded to the winner with the most votes during the June 22nd – June 25th online voting period.
Prize Winners (per market category):
- 1st Place Prize (7): TC-P46G10 46" Class Viera G10 Series Plasma (Retail Value: $1,499.95)*
- 2nd Place Prize (7): DMP-BD70VK Blu-ray Disc™ Player (Retail Value: $399.95)*
- 3rd Place Prize (7): RPSDV16GU1K 16 GB SDHC High Capacity card Class 6 (Retail Value: $229.95)*
- Grand Prize Winner (selected from online vote)
- Grand Prize (1): TC-P65S1 65" Class Viera S1 Series Plasma (Retail Value: $3,199.95)*
www.panasonic.com/avccam
| NEW PRODUCTS |
01. |
Christie LX505 and LX605 LCD Projectors |
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Christie announces the launch of two new projectors, the Christie LX505 and Christie LX605. Targeted to the Pro A/V market, these versatile projectors offer the latest in LCD technology enhancements. Additionally, both projectors feature 3D Keystone technology, a new four-corner geometry correction function for versatility in projector placement and easy display set-up.
“The LX505 and LX605 are full-featured, high-lumen products with exceptional price-performance,” notes Christie Business Products Product Manager, Frank Anzures. “They are designed for flexibility and ease-of-use with the latest in LCD technology and new networking capabilities. With the added four-corner digital keystone correction function, users have a wide range of projector positioning while still maintaining a perfectly square display.”
The projector boasts numerous product enhancements over its predecessor, the Christie LX500. In addition to 3D Keystone technology, the projectors feature motorized lens shift, focus and zoom, and come with a suite of high-performance lenses that can be switched with a one-button lens release. They also offer users the ability to upgrade to more advanced network monitoring, control and display via an optional CCM-LX network module.
The Christie LX505 is a 5000-lumens 3LCD projector for users in higher education, fixed installation, and houses-of-worship markets looking for a combination of performance, features and high brightness at an exceptional price. The long-life, inorganic 3LCD panels provide an improved contrast ratio, and its 10-bit image processing delivers superior gray-scale rendering and video with smooth, artifact-free images. The 13,000-hour maintenance free AutoFilter reduces the hassle of changing filters; an easy-access top-loading lamp makes lamp changes fast and easy; and built-in networking capabilities allow for better troubleshooting.
The light-colored chassis of the Christie LX505 enables it to blend in with ceiling tiles for an unobtrusive fit in most rooms.
The Christie LX605 is a 6,000-lumens projector designed for the Pro A/V professional seeking a new standard in 3LCD projection for medium- to large-size venues. The versatile projector delivers Christie quality, dependability, performance and a low cost of ownership to rental and staging markets, fixed installations, houses of worship, higher education, and lighting markets. A hard-working, durable projector designed for heavy use in virtually any Pro A/V environment, the Christie LX605 is equipped with the same rich feature-set as the Christie LX505 but with 6,000 lumens.
The Christie LX605 offers easy installation and set-up, and perfect image placement in any application. The richly featured Pro A/V connectivity is perfect for professional use and the projector’s black chassis helps conceal the wear and tear in demanding environments.
www.christiedigital.com |
02. |
ETC Fire and Ice LED fixtures |
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Responding to demand for more of its Selador LED lighting fixtures, ETC is introducing two bold color-spectrum-specific versions: Fire and Ice. Fire features a warm wash of saturated reds, oranges and ambers the company says have never before seen from LEDs or gels. Ice provides, in one powerful little fixture, a palette of brilliant deep indigo, blue, cyan, green (and a touch of red) -- the gamut of blue washes that designers seek for their light plots.
Integral to the new Selador Vivid line-up, Fire and Ice offer these rich, lush colors while equaling or exceeding the brightness performance of conventional tungsten PAR fixtures and saving dramatically on electricity.
As Tom Littrell, ETC Fixtures Product Manager, explains: “These are truly the tools of a new stage-lighting design: super high-intensity LED color-washes bright enough to blend seamlessly with your conventional-fixtures’ output -- while slashing power consumption. Ice, with its bright, rich hues is up to 90% more efficient than conventional PAR washlights gelled blue.”
In a typical color application, Fire and Ice fixtures produce more light and can consume less than 70 watts of power compared to their gelled tungsten counterparts at 575 watts. “Most productions regularly employ deep colors in their rigs -- keeping blues and reds in use at all times,” says Littrell. “Fire and Ice provide those coveted color spectrums at brightness levels that are usable all over the stage.”
Going beyond theater or broadcast-production use, Fire and Ice are smart green choices for any specialty lighting application. By replacing high-powered single-color warm and cool conventional fixtures in houses of worship or themed environments (amusement parks, restaurants, retail, casinos, etc.), facilities can reap bankable power and maintenance savings. Fire and Ice can be used for dramatic accent lighting as well, lowering power consumption in any installation.
Changes in LED technology have also prompted ETC to upgrade its popular Vivid fixture to the even greener new Vivid-R, which provides much higher light output than the original fixture -- a stunning 50% increase -- while consuming 10% less power. Vivid-R combines high-power Luxeon Rebel LEDs and high-efficiency lenses for its color production and lighting punch. And because of the low heat output of all Selador Series LED fixtures, Vivid-R’s colors can be blazing without overheating the talent.
www.etcconnect.com/selador |
03. |
TriCaster TCXD300 Portable Live Production System |
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NewTek Inc., manufacturer of video and 3D animation products launches TriCaster TCXD300, a portable live production system. Features on the new system include high definition and standard definition (HD and SD) live multi-camera switching, full HD streaming, live HD virtual sets, HD titling, HD digital disk recording, HD editing, audio mixing, efficient workflow, multiple effects layers and much more.
Specific benefits of TriCaster TCXD300 include:
- End-to-end HD 1080i video pipeline, including effects, keying and virtual sets
- Mix source resolutions and aspect ratios (including HD and SD video)
- Use virtual cameras to smoothly zoom and pan within live virtual sets without adjusting your cameras
- Layer up to five live video or computer generated sources (internal or supplied by a network)
- Achieve a network-quality live production with graphics, titles and animated overlays on top of your live video.
- Lock a title or bug to a camera or virtual input and set the in and out motion for each
- Flexible pre-production lets you edit HD and SD video on the same timeline in real-time with the integrated, resolution-independent video editor
- Stream your full HD production directly to the Web in your choice of profile, including superior quality 720p, the highest streaming resolution in the industry, with simultaneous archiving for later viewing
- Display cameras, clips and iVGA unlimited networked computer inputs with the on-screen ISO monitor for all switcher inputs (internal and external)
- Record your live production in full HD 1080i resolution by pressing one button
- Enlarge your workspace with enhanced secondary video output for projector or second monitor (up to 1920 x 1200), which offers varied displays including
- Program, Preview, Effects, all ISO sources, color scopes and much more
TriCaster TCXD300 is available in North America for US$14,995
www.newtek.com
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