Engine Switcher
Projection Essentials for Houses of Worship
Projection Essentials for Houses of Worship
Church Production Magazine
What effect has the emergence of image magnification (IMAG) in churches had on the house of worship video market? (new equipment purchases, more sophisticated installations, HD upgrades, etc.?)
IMAG has had a dramatic affect on the H.O.W. market, as it’s directly increased the sales of video projectors. As projectors have become more prevalent, what images and how we put those images on the screen has changed as well. In the beginning, the Pastor was the focus of the imagery. Then key scripture and words to hymns found their way on to the big screen. Now we are seeing multiple projected images blended to create one giant image or an aspect ratio that is different from anything that is normally seen. Video projectors are now being used as lighting and set instruments. For example, a church may use their projector to create background imagery and mood lighting with projected moving video, similar to how theater companies use the projectors in their performances.
Has the increasingly multi-format video environment created a challenge for video equipment manufacturers marketing their gear to houses of worship using largely non-expert, volunteer tech crews? If so, how has your company responded?
Digital Projection has always been and will always be dedicated to the H.O.W. market. We realize that churches typically have a large volunteer staff when it comes to video. Thankfully, DPI has eleven technicians on staff at our North American Sales and Support Headquarters in Kennesaw GA. In addition we have 2 field application engineers that travel the country supporting our dealers and their end-users. We also have a very popular application support phone line, as well as 24/7 tech support options when needed. We rely heavily on our extensive network of authorized dealers as well as our relationships with industry consultants, and accentuate the strength of our network with our own hefty support abilities.
However, non-expert staff can sometimes be a creative advantage for a church, as many times the volunteer doesn’t know what “isn’t possible” technologically. Without the hindrance of specified limitations, volunteers can sometimes dream up new techniques that use our projectors in ways even we haven’t seen before. Lack of deep experience can sometimes be an asset in the technology field.
For projection in a church sanctuary, what should be considered on the decision to go with front projection or rear projection?
In nearly every case, there is a distinct advantage to using rear projection instead of front projection in a sanctuary. With rear projection you are pushing light out to the sanctuary from a darkened and controlled environment. The material of the rear screen itself, if properly chosen, acts essentially as a lens and focuses the light at the audience. Conversely, in front screen projection, the screen material reflects not only the projected light from your video display, but ALL light in the sanctuary including light coming in from windows, stage lights and overhead lights. That being said, rear screen material is typically more expensive than front screen material, and the building structure must accommodate the space required to install the projector behind the. In many cases, rear screen projection is ruled out because of the inherent cost differences.
What factors should a church consider on the decision to upgrade to HD video production?
There are two major resolution standards when discussing High Definition Video. Those resolutions are 1280H pixels X 720V pixels and 1920H pixels X 1080V pixels. It is very important to note that the human eye cannot resolve significant differences between the two standards when viewed from further than 3 times the screen height. While we always encourage our customers to purchase the very highest quality product that they can afford, here is an area where significant savings can be enjoyed if a church has a tight AV budget. Not only is a projector based on the 1280 X 720 resolution less expensive, but all of the “front end” products are as well. Typically, cameras, switchers and distribution equipment based on the lower resolution high definition signal are all much less expensive than higher resolution options.
Again there are many factors that go into designing the proper AV system for a given environment. It is always best to work with a trusted AV integrator or consultant when making larger AV purchases.
About the Author
A digital imaging pioneer and projector industry leader, Digital Projection International (DPI) manufactures and distributes an extensive and expanding line of ultra high-performance 3-chip and single-chip DLP® projection systems. These projectors are the reference standard for demanding applications such as large-venue, live-event staging, Fortune 5000, homeland security, education, medical and scientific research, command and control, digital cinema, commercial entertainment, worship and elite home theater.
Multiple company accolades include two Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. DPI remains the first and only projector manufacturer to win the coveted award.
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I was wondering if back in the day railroads used old engines as switchers?
I was just wondering if they would take an old worn out tired freight or passenger engine (steam locomotives) and use it as a switch engine in the yard.
Also, i was wondering why switchers di not have leading and tailing trucks, and the old ones that were made into switchers, did they take the leading and tailing trucks off?
I'll tackle the trucks issue. One reason the steam switchers (built as switchers) didn't have "pony trucks" was because the switch engines never achieved regular main line speeds. They operated under the rules of "Yard Limits" which among other stipulations kept speeds down. Keeping the locomotive frame in alignment with track curves at speed wasn't a concern. Also, with out pony trucks the entire weight of the locomotive could be directed onto the driving wheels for greater pulling traction at slow speeds, such as in yards. Good question.