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Central Christian Church in Henderson, Nev., uses projectors from Christie Digital.
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The Revolution Church in Canton, Ga., uses a Digital Projection Inc. E-Vision 8000 to project on-screen imagery. Photos courtesy of DPI.
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CANON USA INC. | LV-8235 UST | www.usa.canon.com An ultra-short throw projector produces a WXGA resolution (1280 x 800) that’s capable of displaying an 80-inch image from only 1.04 feet away. Combining 2,500 lumens and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio with a compact design and a wide range of instillation options, the LV- 8235s HDMI input allows it to project crisp HD images from a wide range of high-definition sources.
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DIGITAL PROJECTION | E-VISION 7500 | www.digitalprojection.com The E-Vision 7500 has multiple inputs including HDMI 1.4; Component; Composite; HD base T; RGB; DVI; and Display Port along with six easily changed lens options. With WUXGA resolution (1920x1200), it produces 7,500 lumens and has user-swappable color wheels for high brightness or high color performance. Dual lamps provide high brightness or act as a backup lamp.
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SONY | VPL-FHZ55 Laser Light Source Projector | www.sony.com Sony’s first lamp-less projector uses a blue laser paired with 3LCD imaging technology to achieve 4,000 lumens of color light output at WUXGA resolution (1920x1200). The mercury-free projector is designed to lower the total cost of ownership. Energy- saving features include Auto Light Dimming; Auto Brightness; and Constant Brightness Mode.
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BARCO PROJECTION | PGWX-61B | www.barco.com The Barco Present series of DLP projectors, a range of nine models, provides brightness levels from 5,000 to 10,000 lumens; a range of resolutions from XGA to WUXGA; and lens options for almost any screen size. Model PGWX-61B outputs 6,200 lumens with WXGA resolution and includes preset image modes allowing for flexible color management.
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CHRISTIE DIGITAL | DHD675-E | www. christiedigital.com The upgraded DHD675-E is built on 1-chip DLP technology and a dual lamp design that provides increased brightness at 6,450 lumens, HD (1920x1080) resolution and delivers 5000:1 contrast ratio due to the Dynamic Contrast feature. In addition, the new Christie DHD675-E offers a six-segment color wheel, easy connectivity, and DLP reliability.
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ASK PROXIMA | E1655U-A | www.askproximausa.com Model E1655U-A with an output of 5,000 lumens and full I/O connectivity and inputs is designed for easy setup and use. It has an interchangeable lens options that can easily be changed to fit the size of the venue and screen size demands. Features include WUXGA resolution (1920x1200), LCD, and 2000:1 contrast ratio. It weighs 23.8 pounds.
Projection is all about output, but in smaller to medium-sized venues output needs to be balanced with the right size projector. This month CPM takes a look at mid-range projectors that have an HD output and produce between 3,000 to 6,000 lumens. There are good options available that fit the need for a smaller footprint with decent output. In fact, it is estimated that the HOW market with smaller sanctuaries and satellite/breakout rooms represents nearly 75% of the churches in the United States, so manufacturers have a vested interest in meeting this need. Use of video is getting less expensive and easier, especially as the cost of cameras have also come down—both fixed and portable.
Many churches are now embracing a satellite model these days, which takes advantage of the lower-cost, real-time broadcasts that affordable, professional projection allows them. Instead of building larger, single-location facilities, they are reaching out to their congregations with satellite venues that could be spread out across a city, state, or country and are linked back to the main worship facility via video. Or a church has decided to spread its message via a portable venue and increase outreach via video links. These small- to medium-sized venues don't need a large venue projector, but one that's smaller, even portable, has a lower cost of total ownership, is energy efficient, and is easy to operate by a variety of volunteers. More and more, houses of worship are relying on video projection technologies to help achieve missions and engage congregations.
Pros' advice
Several projector manufacturers shared their thoughts on mid-range projectors that they felt were best suited for these kinds of venues and operations. First we asked about the state of projection in the small- and medium-sized HOW segment. “Projectors are ubiquitous by now in all churches for many non-sanctuary applications, including bible-study groups and church board meetings, etc.,” says Chuck Westfall, technical advisor with the Professional Engineering & Solutions Division of Canon USA Inc. in New York. “Some small- and medium-sized churches use projectors in the sanctuary during worship services, but there is room for growth in that market.” A recent trend seen at projector manufacturer ASK Proxima Inc. includes “a surge in portable and store-front HOWs [that] are integrating video display technology [into] their message,” reports Sam Malik, vice president and general manager for ASK Proxima.
Malik continues, “Many of them not only use these projectors to deliver their message, but also as a teaching tool. These smaller HOWs are looking for full-featured, affordable solutions that can be set up quickly and used easily—without special staff required to set up or operate the gear.”
Mark Hall, senior product manager of business products with Christie Digital of Cypress, Calif., agrees that users in smaller-scale venues have the need for easy connectivity and ease of use. “The projectors serving this area of the market need to connect to a variety of sources—from devices to laptops to servers,” he says. “Projectors need to be as simple as possible since typically there may not be AV technical people around to help with set up or configuration. Projectors in this market category need to be able to handle both data and video content equally. There will still be configuration capabilities needed, but most likely not to the extent of the larger projectors.” And Westfall adds, “Top-rated projector features in the small- to medium-sized HOW market include high resolution, brightness and contrast, and support for both VGA and HDMI inputs.”
Another area of focus with smaller spaces is image quality. Hall reports, “This is usually the most important measurement of a good display, and a smaller venue will put the
audience closer to the image/display. As such, image quality is something that should be top of mind when selecting a projector for these types of applications.”
“TOP-RATED PROJECTOR FEATURES IN THE SMALL- TO MEDIUM-SIZED HOW MARKET INCLUDE HIGH RESOLUTION, BRIGHTNESS AND CONTRAST, AND SUPPORT FOR BOTH VGA AND HDMI INPUTS.”
Chuck Westfall
Technical Advisor, Professional Engineering & Solutions Division, Canon USA Inc., New York, NY
George Walter, vice president business development for Digital Projection Inc. in Kennesaw, Ga., adds, “Combined with growing content of Internet-based bible courses, end-users are making use of video/data projectors for youth as well as adult instruction in small or large groups.” Image quality, reduced costs, and ease of use are why more HOWs can expand their projection activities.
Budget, the deciding factor
There is a desire for increased performance without necessarily increasing their budgets. “Increased brightness and contrast performance are often more desirable than an increased pixel count, this is leading to installation and use of projectors with WXGA resolution in preference to more expensive 1080p and WUXGA resolution models,” explains James Durant, channel manager for Barco Projection in Atlanta. “In addition, churches are looking for an increase in lamp life expectancy at the same time as a decrease in consumable/operational costs year over year. Wherever a church can lower their operating budget without diminishing their presence is a continual desire.”
Because small- and medium-sized churches tend to have limited budgets for AV hardware, including projectors, the challenge for manufacturers is to offer the best overall package not only in terms of image quality but also in terms of reliability, easy maintenance, and low total cost of ownership. With smaller venues, the 3,000-6,000 lumen range is the sweet spot, both in terms of brightness as well as cost. Durant says that for “the primary sanctuary in smaller churches, the use of 6,000 lumens of brightness is highly desired; with the desired average purchasing price to be at or below $1 per lumen. In what are commonly known as breakout areas where the congregation is more segregated by age groups, a lower 3,000-5,000 lumen projector is used where the expected cost per lumen is below the $1 per lumen threshold.”
Walter concurs, saying, “The mid-sized market wants the best lumens per dollar value with flexible product features so it can be used for multiple applications.”
Working with a smaller venue can often mean a shorter throw distance, so the brightness of the projector for these venues doesn't need to be as high as for a larger venue. Malik reports, “While many large HOWs are looking for the 6,500-10,000 lumen projectors that are usually ceiling-mounted, with changeable lens options, and projecting on fixed screens of 150 inches to 300 inches. The small- and medium-sized HOWs are more interested in self-install or portable units and fixed lens models that can display on a screen size of 80 inches to 150 inches. Brightness of these models is typically 3,000-5,000 lumens.”
With innovative uses of projection technology, many smaller venue end-users are achieving big looks. “Some of the more progressive users in the small- to medium-sized church market have begun to appreciate the benefits of short-throw projectors, including the ability to fill large screens with bright images at a lower cost than traditional long-throw projectors,” says Westfall. New models are smaller and are capable of easily handling the shorter throws that these venues require. “We've seen a few of the small HOWs use short throw or ultra short throw projectors that are placed at the front of the room, and easily hidden from view, but [are] capable of displaying an 80-inch by 150-inch image,” Malik reports. “These units are portable and can easily be connected by VGA or HDMI, and [they] cost less than $2,000 per unit.”
“Innovative uses include projection mapping on various surfaces both inside and outside the facility,” says Hall. “[In addition], multi-projector displays can be quite effective, depending on the capabilities of the projector selected. Some scenarios may still require a larger-scale display even in a smaller venue. As such, features like blending, stacking, and even warping are needed to help when multiple projectors are used to show one large image or display. With smaller spaces, creativity isn't necessarily limited; it can actually provide a greater opportunity for using a variety of angles and surfaces depending on your content and requirements.”
Another area to explore is the new desire for a super-wide format, or panoramic, display which has a growing interest. Durant explains this method of projection: “Here, instead of putting two projectors on two screens to present two different pieces of information at the same time, there is increasing interest in panoramic projection, which allows two or more sources to be presented on a combined super-wide-screen view, e.g., a camera feed of the pulpit area with song lyrics, study notes, or biblical verses combined onto one single wide-screen presentation. An installation using this layout adds presentation value to the message, at the same time reducing congregational eye fatigue. And in some cases, it also lowers the overall projection cost since only one projector is used instead of two projectors, which then also reduces the operational/consumable reoccurring costs.”
When it comes to satellite campuses, Durant reports, “The congregation sizes at these locations more [closely] mimic the characteristics and needs of small- to medium-sized churches. Contrast this with portable churches, where the projection equipment needs to meet the standards of the rental and staging market. Here, the projectors have to be ruggedized for use on the road, with features including modular serviceability and easy mounting flexibility, plus variable lumen output within one projector, as well as a variety of input interfaces, including the professional levels such as HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M).” For the permanent spaces, many of the projectors in this range are designed to be aesthetically pleasing since they are generally used in highly visible areas in a smaller venue. In addition, the units in this range are smaller in scale so they can be hidden fairly easily if that's the desire of the end-user.
Wrap up
When shopping for a projector, look at not only what your needs are now, but be sure to plan for future growth. You don't want to buy a new projector that can't grow and fill your needs as technology changes. While it is somewhat hard, try to future-proof your new projector acquisition—as well as look at what your presentation software requires in terms of layout and scale.
“Many HOWs are running older software that functions in 4:3 mode, while the projector industry is quickly moving into nearly all WXGA (wide-screen mode),” posits Malik. “Many HOWs continue to request 4:3 XGA models so that the existing software works easily without black bars on the side of the presentation. HOWs need to research and consider what software they will use before making a projector and screen purchase decision. Try to estimate immediate needs as well as future needs and growth to get the best projector for your needs now and in the future.”
Even smaller scale projectors are a big purchasing decision, and buyers should look at all the uses it can address. “As with any project, it's best to consider your applications (in this instance, the plural is key since versatility is a major factor in smaller spaces) up front before committing to anything,” As Hall says, “What do you want to accomplish? What are all your key requirements—from content to display to audience—and what projection technology can get your desired results? Understanding these will help you make the right decisions.”
Westfall also suggests, “In addition to obvious concerns such as low prices and high image quality, discerning clients in the HOW market should be looking at other issues including reliability, long lamp life, simple and quiet operation, easy maintenance, and good service after the sale. And last but not least, they should ‘try before they buy,' to see how a given product actually works in their environment before committing to purchase.”
These are just some of the ways to think about high definition projection in the small- and medium-sized houses of worship. Please feel free to contact CPM at info@churchproduction.com if you have any thoughts to add to this conversation or have questions about this segment of projectors. In addition, please let CPM know if there are segments of projectors that you would like to take a more in-depth look at in a future issue.
