Using Technology to Properly Convey Your Message
By: Kimberle Johnson

Memorable presentations are a result of hard work and great tools. To properly convey the message, audiences need to hear and see clearly. To accomplish this, churches need to utilize a projector, in conjunction with a screen, and presentation software.

This article will help you determine the right projector and screen for your application and explain presentation software.

Projectors
The right projector depends on your environment and application. This determines how much brightness (AnsiLumens) and resolution is required.

With AnsiLumens, the brighter, the better. If you are comparing two projectors with the same resolution and both from reputable companies, always choose the brighter unit.

In a "typical" small room, a projector with 2000 to 3000 AnsiLumens will be sufficient. The price range for this type of projector is between $1,000 and $2,500.

For a house of worship, several factors come into play. How large is the screen? How much ambient light is in the sanctuary? How many people are in attendance? Generally, a projector with 3500 to 6000 AnsiLumens is needed. The price range for this type of projector is between $4,000 and $7,000. (Please note that a long-throw lens may be needed, which will run between $1,500 and $3,500).

As far as resolution goes, XGA (1024x768) is still the standard. Most new computers and laptops have higher resolution, but only higher-priced projectors have higher than XGA. However, you can set your screen output to match the projector's resolution. To accomplish this, on Windows, right click on the desktop, click on the settings button, and adjust your screen resolution. (Please note that many projectors can interpret a higher than "native" resolution, but adjusting your CPUs output to match the projectors will result in a better image.)

The industry can be quite passionate about projector technology. Many believe that LCD is better than DLP and vice versa. Each has their advantages, but we believe that the most important factors are AnsiLumens and resolution. However, below is a quick explanation of each technology.

A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projector sends the lamp light to dichroic mirrors (very accurate color filters) that splits the light into the basic color schema: red, green and blue. This RGB beams are then passed separately through LCD panel(s). The image is then recombined, focuses through the lens, and projected out.

Digital Light Processing (DLP) projectors use a mirrored chip created by Texas Instruments. The lamp light is passed through a red, green, blue color fly wheel and then onto the DLP chip. Each mirror, which represents a pixel, can tilt away from or into the light path, thus modulating the color further. It then is focused by the lens and projected out.

With lamps, prices are still quite expensive. Most projectors will run 2,000 to 3,000 hours before they need the lamp replaced. The price for lamps ranges from $400 to $600.

Screens
Is your congregation seeing what your projector is projecting? One of the most essential tools is a projection screen to clearly and effectively show your audience what is being presented to them. Choosing the correct screen can make a difference for their experience.

Here are some of the most important factors that go into choosing a projector screen so that you can make the right decision.

There are seven types of screens.

1. Classic Tripods
The benefits of these include:
* Durable
* Comes in many formats
* Screen height is adjustable to accommodate most ceiling heights
* Good stability

The disadvantages include:
* Awkward for traveling
* Setup is time consuming
* Bulky

2. Ultra Portable Screens
The benefits of these include:
* Easy setup; screen pulls up from case
* Ultra portable; ideal for presenters on the move
* Screen surface enhances reflectivity

The disadvantages include:
* Limited sizes available
* Does not accommodate larger audiences

3. Fast Fold Screens
The benefits of these include:
* Available in both front and rear projection applications
* Ability to be "dressed" with drapery kits to enhance their appearance
* Comes with a traveling case

The disadvantages include:
* Cumbersome
* Prolonged setup times

4. Manual Screens
The benefits of these include:
* Simple pull-down design
* Cost effective
* Easy to install

The disadvantages include:
* Can develop wrinkles over time

5. Electric Screens
The benefits of these include:
* Ease of operation
* Concealable
* Attractive

The disadvantages include:
* A medium to high-priced option
* Additional cost of wiring and installation

6. Fixed Screens
The benefits of these include:
* Consistent flat surface
* Excellent image quality
* Can be used to achieve a "theater-like" atmosphere

The disadvantages include:
* A medium to high-priced option
* Requires permanent wall space

7. Paint-on-Screens
New on the screen scene is paint-on-screen. You can easily paint a base and topcoat on a flat, primed surface.
The benefits of these include:
* Cost effective
* More reflective than standard wall paint

The disadvantages include:
* Time consuming
* Non-portable; permanently painted on wall space

There are several types of screen surfaces, with different attributes designed to accentuate the projected image. The two best choices for churches are matte white or high contrast matte white.

The advantage of a matte white surface is high gain (greater reflection of light) and a wide viewing angle (more of the audience can view the image). Also, it is the easiest surface to clean. There is a little adage in the screen world that "if it's matte white, it's always right."

With the introduction of high brightness LCD and DLP projectors (3000AnsiLumen and above), using a high contrast matte white (actually light grey in color) material will increase the contrast ratio. However, it does lower the gain and viewing angle.

Your choice will be largely dictated by your projector selection, seating arrangements and how much you can control the ambient light in the room.

Screen sizes start as small as 40 inches diagonal (corner to corner) and go up to 15-foot giants for fabric screens; painted screens could go even larger. The usual idea is bigger is better, but you need to take into account the output and throw distance (the distance the projector must be from the screen to fill it with your image) of your projector. If you have ever had to sit too close in a movie theater, you know that gigantic images can be difficult to view at close distances. Try to find the happy medium of a respectable size but one that does not overwork the projector or make your installation a nightmare.

Formats and aspect ratios are terms that are similar if not completely interchangeable. Due to the advent of HDTV, the 16:9 aspect ratio has become more popular, while the standard 4:3 TV or video aspect ratio is still prevalent, as most computers output in this mode.

For many people, price is the single most important consideration when choosing a screen. Some small portable screens retail for less than $200. Installed manual screens also start in the $200 range and move up based on size and features. Paint on screens are very competitively priced for the size of screen you can achieve. Electric and permanent wall mounts generally cost more, starting in the $400 to $500 range and increasing in price for larger formats and extra features, with most popular models in the $700 to $1,200 range.

Presentation Software
For thousands of years, the Roman Catholic Church used stained glass as visual aids. Today, with a little time and computer savvy, you can create stunning presentations for your congregation.

Currently, we see two choices for churches, PowerPoint and worship-specific software. Because of the number of licenses in existents and people familiar with the software, PowerPoint may be a likely choice for churches. Basic slideshows are easily accomplished and, with practice, you can integrate video and audio. Many religious specific backgrounds and sermon templates for PowerPoint are available on the Internet.

On the other hand, around 50 worship-specific software packages are available. The main advantages of these packages are that they are pre-loaded with:

* Hundreds of worship songs
* Snazzy backgrounds
* Scripture verses in more than 50 Bible versions

The learning curve is about the same as PowerPoint, and, with both, you can integrate audio and video. However, having the ability to copy and paste a Bible verse or a hymn greatly saves time.

Choosing the right projector and screen for your house of worship can allow more of the audience to view your presentation properly. Utilizing presentation software will enhance the audience's experience and help keep them focused.

Kimberle Johnson is a copywriter for AVsuperstore.com.

Product Roundup

Projector Package from Long's Electronics
When you want visuals with text during your Sunday services, there's more to it than just buying the right projector. That's why Long's Electronics is excited to announce a new projector package for only $1,999.95, complete with all the tools you need to get started.
The package includes:
* The Eiki 3,000 Lumen XGA Projector
* The Bretford Ceiling Mount
* A Da-Lite 96-inch x 96-inch screen
* The JVC DVD/Hi-Fi VHS player
www.longsav.com

Peerless HG Series
Peerless Industries has introduced the new HG Series Universal Flat Panel Wall Mounts, developed to extend the stylish appearance of the flat panel all the way to the wall, providing a clean, elegant look to any installation. The new HG Series includes pivoting and articulating plasma and LCD wall mounts to complement the look of the latest flat panel screen finishes:
* High gloss piano black
* High gloss silver
The new mount series accommodates screens from 26 inches to 60 inches.
www.peerlessmounts.com

Hitachi CPX1
The Hitachi CPX1 3LCD projector, at 3.9 pounds, provides an optimal combination of portability and power, boasting a brightness of 2,000 ANSI lumens. The CPX1 features:
* A wide-angle lens, allowing presenters to place the projector close to the screen to avoid obstruction of the image
* A USB reader, which simplifies the connection process by eliminating the need to connect a laptop to the projector
* Low fan noise that lets the audience concentrate on the presentation without any distractions
www.hitachi.us

Shout Music Manager
Shout Music Manager is the worship leader's personal assistant. With just a few clicks of the mouse, it is possible to search for, locate and add songs to an event list. The songs in these lists can be:
* Transposed
* Added to a medley
* Printed and exported to MediaShout presentation software for display
Reference information is available on more than 17,000 songs, helping a worship leader locate the songs they need quickly if they do not already have lyrics available to them.
www.mediashout.com

Mitsubishi XL5980U
The Mitsubishi XL5980U LCD projector boasts 5500 ANSI lumens for high brightness and an anti-theft alarm. The projector also provides horizontal and vertical lens shift. Once the projector is in place, the picture can be readjusted optically or digitally, regardless of the screen used, without taking the projector out of its mount. This project features 3D CineViewT, a proprietary video technology that significantly reduces:
* Flickering
* Artifacts
* Crawling or blinking
www.mitsubishi-presentations.com

Rdy2Go Elite from Video Furniture International
The newest Rdy2Go version from Video Furniture International comes standard with all the components of the Rdy2Go Espresso, with a little something extra. The Elite comes in two parts: an LCD projector module and a lectern with audio and video equipment rack mounted. It comes complete with:
* Microphone
* TOA 5 channel amp
* DVD/VCR combo
* Four TOA speakers
* CATV connection
www.video-furn.com