Looking at the present and into the near future, certain technological trends are now having, and will continue to have, a significant impact on houses of worship. When looking at these kinds of scenarios, it should be noted that there are development areas of uncertainty, and, with rapidly emerging technology, the old cliché that “anything can happen” is true. That said, some accurate assessments can be made as many houses of worship continue to progress, predictably, in their use of media for sermons, performances and classroom study. With this in mind, there are four potential areas where technology is likely to make a big difference, not only in the hardware and software operations, but in the actual curricula provided by houses of worship.

1. Electronic Whiteboards
In a category loosely called whiteboards, the steady trend is toward whiteboards that interact directly with the PC. These new electronic whiteboards are having a great impact in the teaching of curricula and the development of software and hardware to accommodate those demands. In both teaching programs and sermons, churches are asking for more interactive whiteboards that permit annotations on documents and have the ability to save and distribute those pages, in either electronic or physical form, including the annotations, after class is done.

Another area where software is having an impact is the desire, in breakout rooms and teaching environments, to have improved highlighting ability, which clearly enhances the learning experience and delivers the message in the most effective way.

A key area of development here will be the proliferation of Web sites that will incorporate full slates of curriculum material that are being created by teachers and some religious organizations that develop software to facilitate learning. They will be providing downloadable software that allows for “playback” of the information through the PC onto the electronic whiteboard.

Further, it is clear that not only is it electronic whiteboards that are serving as instructive “work platforms,” but other interactive displays such as electronic tablets and notepads as well. More and more of these effective devices are finding their way into this market.

2. Projectors
Elsewhere, the projector has become as ubiquitous in churches as hymnals have. They comprise the second area of technological development sure to have impact. Of course, projectors represent a mature technology, but there are areas where new impact can be felt. Having made their first forays into houses of worship mostly for projecting words and music onto a big screen in a “follow the bouncing ball” scenario, projectors quickly grew in their applications.

Even this standard usage required improvements, as projectors had to be bright enough to be hung or put in the back of the seating area and thus required a long lens as well. There is typically a lot of ambient light in these rooms, so the brightness and long lens required bigger projectors. Seemingly, as with all things electronic, smaller, brighter and lighter become the norm. And that is where you can expect to see the trend in projectors, as high-quality engineering results in portable projectors that still provide high-quality, brilliant pictures. They will now be available to be transported to different rooms through the church providing the same high-quality images in the classroom as is available anywhere else.

Any technology that has an impact here will have to provide the brightest pictures with the most natural colors, and a group of companies are offering technology known as 3LCD that provides that brightness in a lightweight and diminutive package. An added advantage is that this technology is more cost effective, which will continue the downward pressure on prices of projectors.

Another bonus is that projectors with this technology are easy to install. The technology employs a series of dicrhoic mirrors to focus separate light from a high-pressure mercury lamp into red/green/blue signals where they are, in turn, focused through three separate LCD or high temperature polysilicon (HTPS) panels to provide high levels of light transmission and high color reproducibility. This ensures that all three colors are transmitted constantly, always providing the brightest and sharpest image. The three HTPS panels then refocus their separate colors through a prism that combines them and feeds them through a projection lens for showing on a screen. Ultimately, this means the RGB signals can be very carefully controlled and recombined with precision to ensure accurate color reproduction to the single dot level.

3. Plasma Displays
In our third area of impact, plasma displays continue to make inroads in this market. As more houses of worship become “media centric,” playback devices such as DVD players, tape machines, even digital playback from computers during Sunday school and church services indicate that plasma displays will influence decisions based on the visual nature of the material. These displays are also having an effect in another area, as they are seeing increasing use as digital signs, providing an easy place to find announcements about events, classes or any projects that may be on the church’s schedule. The decreasing footprint of these thin displays allows easy placement in entryways, meeting rooms or just about anywhere the congregation is sure to see them, and do so unobtrusively. The best news is that even though they have ever-smaller footprints, they continue to give a high level of performance in terms of longevity and quality pictures. In addition, as costs are going down and more, churches can afford them and they are easier to install than ever before.

4. Networking
Now, we go to the other end of the spectrum. Networking is a technology that is beginning to influence this market with numerous internal networks in place already. As digital technology improves and becomes easier to interface with, networking technology will begin to shape the way houses of worship view their media landscape.

Further, the cost of the technology is becoming affordable, allowing churches of almost any size to take advantage of these innovations. Advances in the technology allow, for example, a facility to monitor all projectors from a central room. Often called a data center, operators there can turn any projector on or off, check how long a lamp has been on, and do maintenance on a fleet of projectors from a central location. Although it sounds complex and sophisticated, it is easy to implement with rudimentary knowledge of the Windows operating system. Software is available from some projector manufacturers online for a free download. Then, it is a simple matter of following a series of clear and easy popup menus that guide you through the process.

Constant upgrades on the projector side, in addition to getting lighter and brighter, permit more features at a reasonable price, including the new software that can help build a networked system of media devices. An often-ignored advantage of networking is improved security. Networks allow the monitoring of projectors on a full-time basis and can be set up so that the user can be alerted by e-mail when a projector has been disconnected or even simply moved from its original location. This is increasingly important as high-quality projectors shrink in size.

Beyond that, the usual, ongoing battle for products that perform at a high level and at a lower price will continue to sway the direction the market takes. Manufacturers will continue to raise level of interactivity and the depth of performance without increasing the price.

Pete Denes is vice president of sales for Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Business Platform Systems Division, Business Group.

Sidebar
Selecting the Best Mount for Your Projector
By Derrik Lam

More than 60 percent of worship facilities now use projectors regularly for enhanced worship services, visual learning applications and entertainment such as film viewing. When making the decision to add a projector to your facility, it’s important to choose a mount that is easy to install, safe and secure, as well as one that enables haste-free maintenance to the projector. Consider the following before selecting your new projector mount.

Functionality
A well-functioning projector mount should be easy to install and enable simple image alignment for a perfect projection on to a screen. Look for a projector mount that comes pre-assembled and includes all the hardware needed for quick installation. Most projector mounts can be directly mounted to the ceiling or can be used with additional accessories for other mounting options. Some mounts have multiple points of adjustment for precise image alignment, while others offer a single point of adjustment for quick image alignment. A few even come with a quick release feature, so the projector can be removed easily for lamp or filter replacement and maintenance.

Safety
The mount should include safety features to protect both the projector and people around the equipment. Choose a mount that is UL listed, which indicates that it has been tested to hold four times the rated load capacity, ensuring safety. And look for one that includes integrated cable management to hide cords and cables and prevent accidental snagging during projector maintenance. Aside from the safety features designed into the projector mount, be sure the person installing it understands all the instructions included with the mount. 

Aesthetics
Projector mounts come in a variety of colors and finishes, so you can select a mount that matches the projector or its environment. Some mounts are made with formed sheet metal, while others are constructed out of high-grade aluminum, which delivers an especially stylish look. You may like one that blends in with the extension pole used in a drop application, or one with a low-profile design to keep the projector up and out of view. And be sure to choose a mount with cable management features for a clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing installation.

Security
Anytime costly projection equipment is used in a public location, including a worship center, security measures must be taken to prevent theft or vandalism. Several projector mount companies offer products with “passive” security features that range from security screws and locks to heavy-duty cables and full enclosures. Other optional “active” security measures, such as alarms and electronic detection devices, are available for higher risk applications. 

There’s a lot to consider when selecting a projector mount that provides the safety, security, style and appearance that fits your application.

Derrik Lam is director of the Mounting Solutions Business Unit for Peerless Industries, Inc., www.peerlessmounts.com.

Sidebar
Should You Use Box Solutions or Go Pro AV?
By Max Kopsho

If this is the year Pro AV is going head to head with big box retailers, then the big question is, “How can the consumer tell when to use systems integration and when to use box solutions?” For Pro AV, it is simple. You are either in Pro AV or not. So, what are the keys to success in the world of box solutions in the Pro AV battle grounds?

Past Performance
You can check out a company's past projects as references in their portfolio. Spend the time to read their story and see what they have done. It should start with the original problem or specification/needs and work its way to the finished product and have before and after photos. Some system integrators will use their own facility as a demo site or even bring you to a manufacturer's facility. The best scenario is to use one of their customer's sites that may best resemble yours. If you have the opportunity to see a worship center built for one of your peers in action, you will see the whole story

Proof of Expertise
Having certifications for the sake of having them isn't much. It can mean a lot to you when your integrator understands networking and has certified networking people on staff when difficult network security questions come up. The fact that a certified technology specialist (CTS, which is Pro-AV certification from InfoComm) is going to find its way into every Best Buy soon can be a good thing for recognition. This will make the CTS-D (design) and CTS-I (installation) have that much more value. You should seek out organizations that have accreditations and certifications in the areas that concern you the most.

People, Programs, Partners
Are you comfortable with everyone in the chain of suppliers? Ask the questions that will make you feel right about the support you will receive after the sale. Particular to the church market, you can ask about weekend support lines and product loaners during repairs. These types of support programs can be offered from the system integrator or the distribution channel or even the manufacturer. It is important to make sure that the expectation is set upfront and that the support will be there after the sale. It is highly recommended that you sign up for a maintenance and service program with your Pro-AV solutions provider. This can include loaner equipment and labor charges for warranty returns and other items that sometimes catch consumers by surprise.

Max Kopsho is the manager of product and channel development for Barco Visual Solutions, www.barco.com.