Need Help with Planning out Church Video Projection System

[pstigerfan]

I have been given the task of planning out and implementing a state-of-the-art video projection system for our Sanctuary. The problem is that our Sanctuary is laid out wrong and I don’t have the expertise to plan this; that is why I am looking for some assistance.

Currently, we are not using any video projection tools in our Sanctuary, we just have one small security camera that is positioned in the back that faces the altar. You will see in the photos below the two places where the screens should be positioned. Both screens will be on the sides of the altar (above the choir loft and above the one seating “pie” section).

The screens would be mounted on one of the ceiling beams and would be an electric 10x10 or 10x12 screen; I haven’t decided which size screens we will use. I’m thinking I need to do front projection, but is there a way I can mount my projectors to the ceiling in order to make this work?

The other piece of this is the BIG complicated part. I have been told that they want to be able to display video up there. Okay, no big deal, a simple laptop/show computer/DVD player will do. I’m then told that they want to install series of PTZ security cameras and use them for Baptisms, Easter Vigil, and a bunch of other events. So these cameras would be used during Mass, video needs to be sent to the video projectors; and when not in use, they need to serve as video cameras and the video needs to be sent to the video DVR and security monitor in our Parish Office where the rest of the security camera stuff is. Eventually integrating these camera feeds into a Web Stream for Mass would be a plus as well (in the future). Any idea how I would accomplish this?

The big thing I need to deal with right now is keeping this project in budget. Anyone have any recommendations on how I can accomplish the above project? If someone can provide specifics, that would be awesome.

Thanks,
Paul

[hitchface]

Some of that is a little complex for my level of expertise, but off the top of my head you are looking at a reasonably powerful computer with the Matrox DualHead2Go (http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/) in order to run the computer's monitor as well as a pair of screens.

I am positive that there are video switching devices out there for multiple camera feeds, but I wouldn't know where to start on cost. If somebody here doesn't know, get yourself to the nearest big box music store (many of them carry lighting equipment, etc) and ask them. At worst they'll know where to point you.

As far as projector mounting, many of them come with (as an option or standard) ceiling mounts. Another option would be to get a pair of large LCD or OLED TVs instead. By the time you get a pair of nice projectors, mounting gear and screens, you are getting close to the break even point on a reasonable set of TVs.

What is your budget, by the way?

[chrisburke]

It would be a lot easier to help if we knew your budget... Just to prep you.. Video switchers (which you will need) are typically quite expensive.. So I'm hoping you've got a hefty budget


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[pstigerfan]

I've been given a budget of $10,000-$15,000 but that can fluctuate based on what is needed. I also have the ability to scale back what we can do depending on costs.

I've thought about doing TVs instead but they want to be able to hide/conceal them when they are not in use. I don't think it matters anyway, but I would need a pretty large size TV to do what I need to do. Maybe I'll do two price proposals- one with projectors and the other with OLED or LCD TVs.

[chrisburke]

Don't do tvs.. Tvs suck (IMHO)... I think 15k will work.. I'll sit down tomorrow when I'm at my office and see if I can draw something up.. Unless someone else responds quicker


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[hitchface]

And, assuming your main auditorium is lit like that all the time, a black bezel TV will be virtually invisible in there when not turned on.

Burke,

Anything technically you want to add? OLED TVs are actually quite nice.

[pstigerfan]

No, usually it is a lot brighter than that. The pictures were taken with only one bank of lights on.

Chris, I appreciate any help you can give me on this. I'm a very technical person but this area is a little bit out of my comfort one.

Thanks,
Paul

[chrisburke]

I do like TVs, I just hate them in church auditoriums.. As I said it was "IMHO"... I like really big screens, and with a tv, you are limited to what is available (60" I believe) and for the cost of a 60" tv you could get a couple really nice projectors, and have the screen as big as you wish.. If it was a small auditorium, it would work, but those pics make it look quite large, which means the ppl at the back probably would see the lyrics

[pstigerfan]

Chris, I do understand about the TVs. Our Men's Club just spent $3,200 on three LCD TVs (60" and two 40") for our Social Hall and two Class Rooms. That price included the mounting brackets for the wall and a few other miscellaneous things we needed. At first they approached me about putting TVs in the auditorium area but I don't them to spend it elsewhere.

If I may ask, did you have an opportunity to possibly draw up an idea of what I'm looking for?

Thanks,
Paul

[chrisburke]

I haven't had a chance, and it's looking like I won't get to it till Friday at the earliest, as I'm away mon-wed running tech at a conference


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