Video Project

Video Projector / Screen Project - 2013

FCC A/V Main Page

Goals of the video project initiated in 2012:

Display presentations from a Mac or PC for the annual meeting or other events
Display movies for various church events
Allow connecting to the system from the chancel or the sound desk
Route audio from the above sources to the main sound system
Minimize visual impact of the projector/screen on sanctuary aesthetics
Ensure that video is visible during daylight hours

Use Case 1:

PC user connects VGA output to VGA connector near chancel steps
This signal is routed to the Kramer switch box (sound desk) and then to the projector
Since VGA does not include audio, PC audio out is connected to an XLR input to the main sound system
With properly routed signals, the PC user controls starting/stopping a video or slide presentation

Use Case 2:

Mac user connects HDMI or DisplayPort output to DVI connector near chancel steps. (using an adapter)
This signal is routed to the Kramer switch box (sound desk) and then to the projector
This digital output includes audio so the audio is fed from the Kramer switch box to the main sound system
With properly routed signals, the Mac user controls starting/stopping a video or slide presentation

Use Case 3:

DVD is placed into DVD player that is mounted in the sound desk rack
HDMI output is routed to the Kramer switch box and then to the projector
This digital output includes audio so the audio is fed from the Kramer switch box to the main sound system
Starting/stopping the DVD is done via the DVD player controls by a user at the sound desk

Decisions made along the way:

An Epson brand projector will be mounted on a shelf that has already been built at the back of the sanctuary above the decommissioned fireplace. We debated mounting a projector below the beam that is about a third of the way toward the front of the sanctuary. However, it would have to have been mounted on a ~10’ pole beneath the beam (aesthetically undesirable) and routing the wiring would have been complicated.
We had a demo of a projector during the daytime... with a 7000 lumen lamp. The assembled team felt comfortable with the amount of light and the displayed picture. We have specfied a 10000 lumen lamp for the actual projector and believe that this will provide plenty of headroom for providing a bright enough image.
Inputs to the projector will be controlled by a Kramer switch box which will allow the sound/video pro to connect the desired input to the projector... without climbing a ladder to the projector. The switch box will be mounted in the sound desk rack. Theoretically this box will provide a more reliable connection from Apple computers to the projector.
DVI and VGA connectors will be mounted near the front of the chancel, and routed to the Kramer switch box using a pair of active CAT5 cables.

Initially an idea was to install a screen on the chancel floor that would extend upward when deployed. For a larger and more reliable screen we chose to mount it from the horizontal beam above the chancel. The screen will be approximately 16' wide by 12' high. The screen will include tensioning that helps to keep the deployed screen stable in a slight breeze (from fans and/or open doors and windows). The deployed screen will include 4' of black-drop between the screen and the case. This will allow a 12' screen to extend 16' downward from the 23' high beam - leaving 7' of clearance above the chancel. The screen will be controlled by a switch that is mounted ... . The screen in its housing will be enclosed in a box that Dan Paur will build and mount to the back side of the horizontal beam above the chancel. The down-facing stage lights will then be mounted to the back side of this box.

Links to the equipment:

Epson Projector

Kramer VP-728 Switch Box

Dalite Custom Screen

Video_Presentation_Facts - document from ListenUp concerning video installations

Photos

Front of horizontal beam - Before the screen is mounted
Back of horizontal beam - Before the screen is mounted
Fireplace - before installation of the video projector

Comments:

Get an "all region" DVD player for the occasional non-US film.

Ensure that a Mac or PC can connect directly to the Kramer box at the sound desk

Macs (not sure about PCs) complain if one tries to play an HD movie thru VGA to a non-HD image display device. This can occur even if the ultimate device is HD compatible, but somewhere in the transmission chain there is a path determined not to be HD. I am not sure if the Kramer box will solve this problem but it is worth some thought.

It would be handy to have a very good network connection (either a high speed wireless or a CAT6 plug) at both the chancel and sound booth to allow for the display of streaming content.

FCC Video Project Summary - Written 11Jan2013 to clarify what we've ordered from ListenUp.
Installation is now scheduled for the week of 18Feb2013.