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| A Primedia Property | |
| July 7, 2004 | |
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Table of Contents Houses of Worship Top Story More churches adding postproduction capabilities Installation News Venue Services Group awarded contracts for two religious broadcast facilities Lutheran Church of Hope goes offsite for Easter service Product News MD Series loudspeakers from QSC now shipping Biamp Systems introduces MXA Series mixer/amplifiers Digital Projection introduces new single-chip DLP projectors ADVERTISEMENT Since 1980, FSR has been providing ultra high quality audio and video control and switching solutions to the a/v industry. Located in West Paterson, New Jersey, all FSR products are "Made in the USA" and carry the warranty and support that you require. At FSR, "We have what you need". www.fsrinc.com Houses of Worship Top Story More churches adding postproduction capabilities "With the way prices keep coming down as manufacturers try to proliferate their offerings in the project studio environment, a broadcast-quality post facility is really becoming a reachable goal for most churches," says James Rutledge, associate technical director at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Often, the decision to roll out a high-end postproduction capability reflects a church's focus on the larger audience it can reach, in Rutledge's words, "outside our four walls." ADVERTISEMENT  TV One produces over fifty products for the professional video market worldwide, including Seamless Switchers, Scan Converters, Video Scalers, HDTV Converters, Standards Converters, SDI Converters, Matrix Routing Switchers, Digital Video Recorders, Video Servers, LCD Monitors, Frame Synchronizers, Distribution Systems and other Video Terminal Equipment. www.tvone.com "Unbeknownst to many of those who darken the door of a weekend service here," he says, "the television viewing audience is ten times larger than the actual attendance." Southland Christian had been recording a separate broadcast mix to tape since the early 1980s. "In those days, a jumbled hodgepodge of old live mixers and semi-functional outboard gear was questionably wired up in the back of the video control room," Rutledge recalls, "and volunteer engineers did their best, weekend to weekend." A turning point came when the church moved into a new facility in 2001, complete with an all-digital video system. "We desired to have the same level of quality improvement for the audio post systems," Rutledge says. The Manassas Assembly of God in Bristow, Virginia, went through a similar experience, says technical arts director Kevin Myers. The church had long worked with a "consumer-level" Adobe Premiere video editing system, he says, until it undertook a major upgrade recently that embraced both video and audio systems. "One of our core values is to be excellent in everything we do," Myers explains. The upgrade included Avid Express Pro systems along with Sony and Christie projectors. Manassas Assembly of God now produces a variety of in-house promotional and celebration videos, along with what Myers terms "fine arts programs" designed to be projected with music just before services. On the audio side, church products include CDs and tapes of sermons and choir performances. The mix for these recordings is taken directly from the front-of-house console. "We're mixing for the room, not for the recording," Myers says. Myers comments, as well, that the advent of more technically savvy church personnel has helped smooth the implementation of such ambitious video and audio systems. This development may also have implications for integrators. The congregation decided to work directly with manufacturers in selecting and installing its systems, rather than with a systems integrator. He believes that this strategy has produced better customer service. This viewpoint challenges systems integrators to communicate persuasively the benefits of involving a professional in project planning, implementation, and complete system support. Rutledge also cites the creation of an in-house technical staff as a key catalyst for Southland Christian's move into broadcast-quality postproduction. But it was still important to build a system that volunteers could run, he says. "We wanted to have full multi-track recording capability for every musician and speaker on stage for mixdown in post," he explains. "That way we could still have the volunteer engineers do the recording, but the mixdown could be done either by the same volunteers with more training and staff supervision, or by the staff themselves." Cost, of course, is always an issue, but both church pros urge their peers to take a wider view. "We may pay more than we initially want to," says Myers, "but we're only going to have to buy it once. We will still have growth opportunities, and we're not going to have to replace things." Rutledge concurs: "Coming from someone who has tried to make different gear work together for post for so long, I say save yourself a lot of hassle, and figure out what it will take to do it right the first time." Installation News Venue Services Group awarded contracts for two religious broadcast facilities Venue Services Group (VSG), a nationally recognized systems integration and design firm, has been awarded contracts to design and upgrade the broadcasting capabilities for Free Chapel Worship in its Gainesville, Georgia, location and for LeSea Broadcasting in its South Bend, Indiana, location. Both contracts attest to VSG's commitment to bringing high-quality design and system implementation to the burgeoning religious broadcasting industry. "More and more we are seeing religious organizations of every size looking to put into operation sophisticated audio and video systems for their services and for further distribution," says Dave Shaw, president of Venue Services Group. "VSG is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Mobile Television, the world's leader in mobile television and is, therefore, uniquely qualified to assist these organizations through the tangles of advanced system design to help them realize facilities that meet their needs." LeSea Broadcasting represents eight TV stations across the U.S. and two stations on Cyprus for broadcasting to the Middle East and Far East. LeSea also links with World Harvest Television (WHT) Satellite that reaches every dish in North America through Central America. Coverage of WHT is also available to DirecTV subscribers on channel 321. Venue Services Group is working with the LeSea Broadcasting staff to design and integrate a DSNG truck. This includes producing preliminary concept drawings using the basic design criteria and providing complete system single-line drawings, rack layout drawings, wire run lists, integration materials list, video/audio equipment list, vehicle specifications and design drawings, vehicle materials list, DSNG system design drawings and DSNG equipment lists. "We really appreciate the informed effort VSG has given us in building our new remote truck," says Chuck Huffman, Director of Corporate Production for LeSea Broadcasting. "When dealing with the multi-faceted broadcast needs of LeSea, it is comforting to work with VSG knowing that they can handle every aspect of our broadcast system." Free Chapel Worship Center is building a new serial digital television facility to complement the beautiful new physical plant it recently completed in Gainesville, Georgia. The facility will be used both for in-house audiences and for creating broadcasts that leave the facility. The new television facility will represent a major upgrade in both video and audio systems, as well as provide advanced systems to do the job. VSG is providing the design that includes a serial digital switcher capable of switching live production from both the sanctuary, studio, or children's church sanctuary; a monitor wall with capability of viewing up to 10 cameras, eight videotape machines, graphics generators, and up to six outside sources that might be needed; communication stations to enable individual communications with camera operators, TV audio room, stage audio console, house audio console, image control, lighting, and videotape; and consoles to house switcher, space for Director, AD, TD, Graphics operator. Distribution will include feeds to image projectors, MATV system, studio monitors, and stage monitors. "We are very pleased with the service VSG has provided us on this major upgrade to our facilities," says Dan Withum, media consultant for Free Chapel Worship Center. "We like the fact that they can leverage a squad of highly skilled engineers and superior purchasing power through the NMT connection. We are looking forward to the completion of this facility in August and have every confidence it will meet our highest expectations." Venue Services Group (VSG) is a systems integration/engineering/consulting firm with deep knowledge of the television broadcast industry, concentrating heavily on HDTV. For more information on VSG, please visit www.vsg.tv. Lutheran Church of Hope goes offsite for Easter service As with many parishes across the country, the Lutheran Church of Hope outside of Des Moines, Iowa, is growing fast. Its Easter service used to be small enough to fit inside a small high school gymnasium down the street. Now, with almost 10,000 congregants in attendance, the church had to hold its popular Easter celebration in the Des Moines Memorial Veterans Memorial Auditorium with a full-blown audio system capped off by a Martin Audio W8LC Compact Line Array system. As articulated by Brian Ingwell of Go Audio, contracted by the Lutheran Church of Hope's media ministry director Josh Kaiser to provide sound, the challenges were substantial. "The Church had done this event in smaller venues and had coverage issues with people near the stage being adversely affected by high volume levels, so they were interested in exploring the benefits a line array could offer," says Ingwell. "It was imperative to have a system that sounded natural and allowed everyone speaking to be clearly heard and understood. Finally, directivity and isolation were a concern as there were two large choirs on stage to contend with." According to Ingwell, the hall itself "was a traditional auditorium with quite a long reverb time, and a lot of low-end buildup, typical problems for this type of venue." Go Audio's solution? Martin Audio played a big role, says Ingwell. "When it comes to compact line array systems, we have yet to find a mid-size box that has the vocal clarity and low-end output of the W8LC. The sensitivity for the box is great given that it's fully horn-loaded. The output is amazing; the low-end extension is unbelievable for a single 12-inch driver. We've done several jobs where we've brought in subs and put them on an Aux, and didn't even have to use them because there was enough low end coming out of the main array." Specifically, the system consisted of 28 Martin Audio W8LC compact line array cabinets----four hangs: two 10-deep front hangs and two four-deep side hangs----plus 12 Martin Audio WSX subwoofers and four Martin EM56 front fills. The rest of the system consisted of a Midas Heritage 2000 with a Midas Venice 160 submixer at FOH, a Soundcraft MH4 as monitor console, TC Electronic 1128 EQ, and QSC Powerlight amplifiers with Ashly Protea 4.24C processing. Josh Kaiser, media ministry director in charge of AV and lighting for the Lutheran Church of Hope, echoes Ingwell's sentiments: "As a first-time line array experience for us, it was very good. The sound was very natural. I didn't have to EQ it much. "For small boxes, the W8LCs produce a lot of sound. As for the response from people at the event, I've been asking people who were seated all over the place, and I have yet to hear a person say they couldn't hear and understand everything. Even in the back at the top of the arena in the 'nosebleed' section, everything was crystal-clear. My supervisor, head of the worship, even said, 'We've got to have those boxes in our worship center!'" Product News MD Series loudspeakers from QSC now shipping Comprising eight models suited for use in a wide variety of installed-sound applications ranging from houses of worship and indoor sports venues to hotels, casinos, and nightclubs, the new MD (ModularDesign) Series loudspeakers from QSC are now shipping. Designed as a comprehensive line of arrayable components, the MD Series provides system integrators and design consultants with choices from among six full-range, two-way devices offering three coverage patterns (60 degrees x 40 degrees, 90 degrees x 40 degrees or 120 degrees x 40 degrees) and either 12-inch or 15-inch LF transducers. The product group additionally incorporates two low-frequency enclosures equipped with 15-inch and 18-inch drivers, respectively. To facilitate both vertical and horizontal use, the full-range cabinets within the MD Series are outfitted with rotatable high-frequency sections. All models share the same trapezoidal multi-ply birch cabinets and rigging points. Given this common form factor, the task of creating full-range or combined full-range/LF clusters now becomes almost effortless, as each of the enclosures incorporates 30-degree angles to facilitate tight packing with minimal overlap, all while providing uniform coverage in any multiple of 60 degrees up to a full 360 degrees. Further complementing the versatile performance of the full-range MD Series models is switchable biamp or passive operation. Every model within the line additionally comes finished in black or white and with its own protective steel grille. QSC Audio Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of power amplifiers, loudspeakers, signal-processing systems, digital-signal transport systems, and computer control systems for professional audio markets worldwide. For further information, visit the company's website at www.qscaudio.com. Biamp Systems introduces MXA Series mixer/amplifiers Demonstrating its commitment to customers in the fixed-installation audio systems market, Biamp Systems introduced the new MXA Series of mixer/amplifiers at InfoComm 2004. "Our new MXA Series is designed to meet the most demanding needs of installers and integrators," said Ralph Lockhart, president, Biamp Systems. "As a replacement for the CMA Series, it provides our customers a more streamlined design and smoother running system than they've ever had before." One of the current trends in commercial installations is the requirement for more power. The MXA Series mixer/amplifiers deliver on that promise, having been built on the bedrock of the CMA Series but offering improvement with four more powerful models: 35W, 75W, 150W, or 300W power amplification, each in a 2 RU space. Each model in the series provides a six-input mic/line mixer with an integral power amplifier, including an output transformer for delivering rated power into direct or distributed speaker systems. More accurate setup is possible with back-panel peak indicators, which is a new feature. Adding to the versatility of the MXA Series in a commercial application, one channel of the six electronically balanced mic/line input channels is selectable for 600-ohm transformer telephone input. For easy access, making quick adjustments a reality in commercial applications, each channel includes a rear panel trim control with peak indicator, a front-panel level control, and a rear-panel +48V phantom power switch. Automatic and/or manual muting, by -20dB or -80dB, is selectable on each channel, making the MXA ideal for a wide range of installations. Selected priority channels can trigger the automatic muting, while manual muting can be triggered by external contact closures. Easier installation is achieved with the incorporation of Phoenix connectors. On the output section of the mixer, integrators will find a master level control, recessed tone controls, a low-cut filter switch, a built-in limiter with a rear-panel threshold control, and an internal pre-announcement chime tone with rear-panel level control. Rear-panel terminals allow remote control of master level. Output patching is also provided for connection of external devices for recording, signal processing, and/or system interconnections. For systems that require a Music On Hold output with independent level, it can be derived from input 6. This is especially useful in retail and hospitality installations where a dedicated channel is required with its own level control that won't be affected by adjustments to the other channels. For those that need a highly professional, robust mixer/amplifier with an easy-to-use interface that fits into almost any commercial application, the new MXA Series meets the specification. Biamp Systems, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, is an acknowledged international leader in professional installed audio electronics. The company is recognized for delivering high-quality and innovative electronic products, including the Audia Digital Audio Platform, to meet the audio requirements of corporate boardrooms, conference centers, theater complexes, courtrooms, houses of worship, educational centers, public venues, and other installed audio applications. Digital Projection introduces new single-chip DLP projectors Digital Projection Inc. (DPI), an Emmy Award-winning manufacturer of high-performance projection systems, announced the launch of two new 1400x1050 native-resolution single-chip DLP iVision series projectors, the iVision sx+ and iVision sx+ W. Weighing just 7lb., DPI's new iVision sx+ series projectors deliver brightness of 2500 ANSI lumens and 2500:1 contrast through Texas Instruments' new DarkChip 2 SXGA+ resolution DMD chips. The iVision sx+ comes standard with a 1.7-2.2:1 zoom lens, and the sx+ W is outfitted with a 1.0:1 fixed, wide-angle lens. "The new iVision SXGA+ native resolution projectors provide an incredible combination of brightness, clarity, and contrast, not to mention comprehensive connectivity and built-in networking capabilities," said Mike Levi, president of Digital Projection, Inc. "You simply won't find a more capable single-chip DLP projector than these iVisions." Because of their high resolution, contrast, and brightness relative to size and weight, the iVision sx+ and sx+ W are ideal for small- to medium-venue applications that benefit from such performance capabilities. Ultra-accurate image geometry is achieved through second-generation optics, rendering the new iVisions perfectly suited for multi-unit blended-array applications, scientific visualization, and simulation. Ultra-long lamp-life - up to 4,000 hours - supports the projectors' use for public displays, small-venue rental and staging, worship, and a host of applications in education and corporate environments. DPI introduced the new iVision SXGA+ resolution projectors at InfoComm 2004, which was recently held in Atlanta. The projectors will begin shipping in Q3 2004. Founded in 1989, Digital Projection International (DPI) has been instrumental in the development and application of Digital Light Processing technology by Texas Instruments for projection systems. DPI introduced the world's first three-chip DLP projector in 1997, and has since delivered expert system engineering and world-class customer services and maintained its position as the digital imaging pioneer. Today DPI manufactures and distributes an extensive line of ultra high-performance three-chip and single-chip DLP projection systems. These projectors are the reference standard for demanding applications such as large-venue, live-event staging, Fortune 500, homeland security, education, medical and scientific research, command and control, digital cinema, commercial entertainment, religious venues, and elite home cinema. A UK-based company, DPI's worldwide headquarters is located in Manchester, England, and its North American headquarters is in Kennesaw, Georgia. For more information: www.digitalprojection.com or www.digitalprojection.co.uk. |
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