Video screen seminar

Screens continue to present creative and technical challenges to the worship A/V operator. Join our industry experts as we tackle the key issues…

Adam Teevan is director of international sales at Da-lite, based in Indiana, US; Dave Rodgers is marketing manager for California-based Elite Screens; Hae Yong Choi is the president of Mocomtech, the Korean market leader in screen technology; and Jeffrey Rausch is director of marketing and communications at Florida’s Vutec.

WAVL: What role does projection format and screen size play in selecting a screen solution?

Dave Rodgers: The aspect ratio determines how high and wide the projection screen should be. For example: a 1:1 aspect ratio will be one unit of measure wide and one unit of measure high (a perfect square). A 4:3 aspect ratio will be four units wide and three units high – the typical rectangle proportions of a traditional computer presentation or television set. The most common aspect ratios are: 1:1 (overhead projector); 4:3 NTSC (standard commercial display or TV set); 16:9 HDTV (wide television format): 16:10 WXGA (modern PC/MAC display); and 2.35:1 or 2.4:1 Cinemascope (widescreen cinema display). As for screen size… how big is your presentation group? How big is your room? Too big and your congregation will feel like they are sitting in a theatre. Too small and it defeats the whole purpose of having a projection screen in the first place.

Hae Yong Choi: The size of the screen and format also plays an important role. Regarding the format, there is no doubt that you need to choose the 16:9 instead of 4:3.

Regarding sizes, not always bigger the better. It is true that a bigger screen can be more effective but only when the picture of bright and clear enough. Blurred images on a huge screen will not impact on audience. You need to consider that the brightness of the images drops proportionally to the size. You need to consider options to compensate for the loss of brightness by choosing a higher lumen projector or higher gain screen.

Jeffrey Rausch: If the projector has been selected, we can produce the screen format and size to conform to the projector’s requirements.

With congregation members and leaders often getting up to praise, what advice can you give to ensure the screen can be seen comfortably at all times?

Adam Teevan: It is always a good idea to trace sightlines when designing a projection system. This is a process of tracing a line of sight for one average person per row of seating on a sectional drawing to verify that nothing is obstructing their view. Normal sightline drawings are done with the assumption of a seated audience but there is no reason why it could not be done for a standing one.

What such a drawing will usually reveal is that the screen needs to be moved up a little higher to make sure that the heads of the people in the forward rows do not hinder visibility.

Dave Rodgers: Make it high. If the chapel has a low ceiling, install a retractable screen in/on the ceiling. I am a big fan of free standing and wall fixed-frame applications also. Ideally, if the bottom of the screen is about 1.8m above the pastor’s head, that is usually a comfortable place (mega churches are an exception and should be a lot higher). However, I love using free-standing screens in small churches. As long as the bottom of the screen is level with the pastor’s head, it should still be appropriate in most cases.

Hae Yong Choi: Install the screen height about 2m higher from the level of the back seat row. Adjust the screen lower or higher depending on the geometry and seating arrangement of the room.

Jeffrey Rausch: In most cases the screens that are mounted high left and right will give members the best case scenario for viewing at all times.

Are there any other pieces of advice you would like to offer?

Hae Yong Choi: There are many alternatives available in screen these days to increase the image brightness. However, for the best image quality, you need to choose the screen that has high uniformity of the image brightness throughout the screen corner to corner without hot spotting. Note that when you install the high gain screens, adjusting the proper angle will be the key for the best result.

Be sure to test the screen before you make your purchase. Compare the screens that you had before. Whether you want to only change the screen or do a whole make-over of the interior, it is important to get an idea of how it would actually look. Compare the screens by projecting same contents under the same lighting conditions.

Jeffrey Rausch: An on-site visit by your chosen installer should be made first and a drawing should be prepared. Either the installer or Vutec engineering department can determine the best screens, surface, size and format that is appropriate for the particular HOW.

Dave Rodgers: Yes, remember that you are servants of the Lord. I love flash in a presentation but never spend beyond what practicality requires. Don’t have a cheap look but don’t go extreme in cost. You have a congregation to serve so spend your money wisely.