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.
Tsintzouras: The new Christie YK50 moving yoke and projector system provides another visual display option to enhance weekly services, youth ministry events, and seasonal celebrations. This small, dual-arm yoke supports the Christie LX700 and Christie LHD700 projector, offering a 7,000 ANSI lumens LCD option for moving video projection, or it can be used as a moving light when needed. Control of the Christie YK50 is through DMX512 protocol and it can be used with any media server, which makes it easy to integrate with existing equipment. [In addition], this solution is modular and a cost-effective option since the projector can be removed from the yoke and used in a stand- alone application. You benefit from having a moving projector, a moving light, as well as a standalone projector.
Bridwell: DPI's Highlite Cine WUXGA 660 compact, dual-lamp, 8,000-lumen projector incorporates image warp and blend capabilities, native 1,920 x 1,200 (WUXGA) resolution, bright, sharp optics and a host of professional features to suit a wide range of house of worship venues. High quality edge-blending and multi-projector tiling ensures [that] a seamless, contiguous image can be created from multiple projectors. Black level uplift in all non-blend areas guarantees uniformity across the screen, even when dark images are displayed. DPI's ColorMax serves as a power-ful color calibration tool, whether the installation calls for a single projector or an array of projectors in tiled or blended applications.
Rubery: The Eiki LC-HDT700 projector is a very well positioned product for houses of worship. It offers the following features at an attractive price:
1. Native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution gives true HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio.
2. 7,000 ANSI Lumens bright, at 90%+ uniformity, and a 2,700:1 contrast ratio.
3. 3LCD+One imaging system delivers more sophisticated color.
4. Edge-blending and color matching. Picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture.
5. Self-advancing cartridge air filter pro- vides up-to 10,000 hours of use.
6. Compatible with Crestron RoomView and AMX device discovery technology.
7. Using a single lamp and cartridge air filter leads to a much lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and lower maintenance requirements.
Gunduz: The Epson PowerLite Pro G5450WU offers 4,000 lumens color/ white light output and full HD WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) resolution. Its flexible content features also allow for church staff to project a wide range of media through HDMI, DVI, component, composite, USB, and LAN inputs. Engineered to integrate with both network and RS-232, the G5450WUNL works with industry-leading control devices, allows easy remote monitoring and control functions using Epson's Easy Management software and is compatible with Crestron's RoomView. The Epson PowerLite Pro G5450WUNL also fits to different room setups by offering five different lens options, as well as lens shift.
Glad: Hitachi offers the CP-WX11000 that features a brightness of 6,500 lumens and the ability to shift the lens up or down by 120% and left or right by 60%. The high performance filter lasts 50 times longer than conventional filters, and lamp access is at the back of the projector to help simplify maintenance even if the projector is installed in a fixed position. Six different lens options are available to facilitate installation in a variety of environments.
Rankin: The Panasonic PT-EX16KU LCD projector, featuring 16,000 lumens of brightness and XGA resolution, was recently added to the large-venue projector lineup for house of worship customers. The projector is equipped with a quad lamp technology and encased in a ruggedized chassis for high reliability and durability. System expansion functions include horizontal/vertical lens shift and a Multi-Screen Support System, which allows edge blending onto extra-wide screens and gives church leaders flexibility of installation.
CPM: What keeps your company competitive and a leader within the church marketplace?
Westfall: Canon U.S.A. Inc. designs user-friendly features into its projectors that separate them from the competition. On the Canon Realis WUX4000 this includes a convenient user memory feature that stores up to 10 different setting combinations based on the content being shown. Five memory settings are for computer sources, such as DVI-D, analog PC, and HDMI (PC). The other five settings are for video sources, such as component and HDMI (video). A hand-held remote control enables users to control four WUX4000 projectors individually or simultaneously.
Tsintzouras: We are noticing that the conversion to HD resolution is still taking place in many markets across the country. Christie offers a variety of models that provide 16:9, 16:10 and 2K options, and maintenance. Hitachi's projector offerings feature networking technology, which enables simplified maintenance, remote management, and sharing of information among projectors. Proprietary software applications add to the level of convenience for the users, and a lower cost of owner- ship for the church. Large lens shift also helps simplify the installation process, while Hitachi's inorganic LCD panels and long-life filters translate to longer life of the projector and, in turn, lower total cost of ownership.
Rankin: Regardless of the market, Panasonic is committed to developing products that deliver the highest quality images, offer exceptional reliability and infrequent yet easy maintenance. This is exemplified in innovative features like the four-lamp optical system and System Daylight View, as well as geometric adjustment and edge-blending functions to accommodate different projection styles. The line-up of Panasonic projectors includes both LCD and DLP models ranging from 16,000 [down] to 2,600 lumens [that] are able to support a wide range of applications from large sanctuaries to Sunday school classrooms and everything in between. Several of our projectors are wireless-capable, and a free "Panasonic Wireless Projector for iOS" application is available on the App Store that makes it possible to project from an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
Gunduz: When selecting a new projector, a church should consider a combination of image quality, future compatibility, total cost of ownership, and service and sup- port to maximize both its investment and viewer satisfaction. One thing to consider is working with a professional AV dealer or consultant to get recommendations for finding a projector that best fits the needs and space in a particular house of worship. Another thing to consider is working with an installation service, as a good installer will know how to maximize the image quality and longevity of the equipment.
