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| | Questions and Advice
Reasons to upgrade to a multi-media projector
Some advantages compared to overhead projectors...
- easier to read (can make fonts larger, colors can be easier on the eyes)
- no dizzying effect from person trying to get it straight
- looks much better
- another way to use art (hence this website!)
Some advantages compared to slide projectors...
- flexibility and speed of adding songs even on the fly
- customizing for your own tastes (colors, art work, ...)
- no additional cost for new slides
- you can do a computer generated "slide" presentation of pictures
with a simple scanner, or having your pictures developed on CD-ROM.
additional uses with a computer....
- sermon outline (as a teaching tool)
- announcements-looping slideshow as people are coming in
- missionary slide presentation
- many educators have multi-media presentations
using VIDEO (VCR/DVD)...
- teaching videos
- special event videos (sanctity of life, missions, youth events, persecuted
church Sunday, Father's day)
- special announcements (missions project, building project update, ...)
- use of movie clips in teaching/preaching
- evangelism outreach with "Jesus" video, "Left Behind the
movie", ...
- movie night with the church
What are the components to a complete projection
system?
- multi-media projector: the most important things to look for in a
projector are brightness (measured in ANSI Lumens) and resolution
(measured in pixels...640x480=VGA, 800x600=SVGA, 1024x768=XGA, ...)
The brighter the picture, the easier it will be to read and the better it
will look, even in a bright room (I recommend at least 800 ANSI
Lumens). The higher the resolution, the less blocky the picture will
look (I recommend at least SVGA). Another important factor is the type
of lens, and that depends on where you are going to mount the
projector. If you are going to mount the projector right up close (or
put it on a stand) then you need a short range lens. If you are going
to mount it in the back of the room, you will need a long range lens, and a
brighter projector. Other things to consider are what type of inputs
(computer, video, s-video, component video) and outputs. The projector
is the
most expensive part, so I recommend that you talk to a dealer who
specializes in this and do your homework before you buy. Prices are
dropping like flies, but $4,000 is about the medium range right now (July,
2001)
- Computer: just about any desktop or laptop you could buy off the
shelf will probably do just fine speed and memory wise. Dual
projection is what you are looking for! What is
it? This gives you the ability to put one thing on the main screen for
your congregation, and have another screen that your operator is looking at
so he can see what slide is next, so he can keep up with you even if you
make all kinds of changes to the order. In the case of a desktop you
may have to buy an additional video-card (+-$40) in order to do
dual-projection, but even on a laptop, you will want to ask.
- Projection software: There are about a dozen programs out there
that can help you put your words/images/... on the screen. We use
Microsoft Powerpoint at our church. It comes with the office suite,
and you may already have it on your computer! It is really designed
for business/training presentations, but has some nifty options that give
you lots of flexibility right within the program. Others are made
specifically for worship like www.prologue.cc,
or www.mediashout.com or ....
- VCR/DVD player: make sure you find one that is easy to use, and
make sure you have the right cables to hook it up. There are different
types of video connections (component, s-video, ...) and you might have to
bring the signal a long way if the player isn't near the projector.
Some video-signals will need boosting if you take them too far.
- Screen: You might be surprised at the difference in
visibility. Projecting on a wall just isn't the same. You will
also want to think of where to put the screen, so everyone can see it.
Remember that it may not be as clear from an extreme angle, so be extra
careful in a wide room. What size should it be? Should it have a
built in motor to bring it up and down?
- Miscellaneous: cables to hook it all up, a stand to put the
projector on or mounting equipment if you are going to build it in to your
sanctuary, a cabinet for the desktop, or a little table/stand for your
laptop, extra monitor for "teleprompter", blinds for windows/light
switches so you can darken the room,
Why use visual art?
How to handle common objections to using visual
art?
Tips on using visual art
Tips on creating your own visual art
Copyright law
With all of this, you will want to be aware of copyright laws. In the
music world there is www.ccli.com (Christian
copyright licensing international) which can help you get permission to use song
lyrics in your services. In the movie industry there is www.cvli.org
(Christian video licensing international)
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