Our church has approved the funds to purchase and install an overhead projection system.....you know the moterized pull down screens....and the computer generated images.

We have someone working on it....however, I would like a back-up.

Anyone out there have information and/or a website about such systems and where they can be purchased??

Thanks!

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Answers

Danny -- Don't have a copy down here with me (Jamaica) but if you can check with a Christian bookstore, look for a copy of a monthly magazine called "Worship Leader." It has lot's of reference material to things like that, since they relate to the worship ministry.

Not only screens and projectors, but also how to use laptops and programs effectivly.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Danny:

Absolutely contact Fowler Productions, in Norman, OK. You would do yourself a great disservice to not have checked them out.

www.fowlerinc.com

They provide a total package -- everything you need, and what YOU need, not what someone else needs. Great consultation, great help, great pricing, great product.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Danny...

We have been using a data projector for almost two years now. My advice from the start would be to not go with FOWLER...and here's why. Pricing is not good comparably and service...a feature that you will want huge. FOWLER claims that they have a great service program (but what salesperson wouldn't say that?)but keep in mind you will be ordering over the phone with them and doing service over the phone...I wouldn't want that.

We bought a SHARP data projector from a local company here in Des Moines called Pratt Audio Visuals. We got a great deal for a 1700 lumens machine for $5,000.00. That was then...now you can buy a 2000 lumens machine for under $5,000.00.

One other downer with FOWLER in my opinion...they push a projection program called Songshow Plus...this program is nowhere near the program that Powerpoint is. No matter what they say. We use my laptop (which is a top-of-the-line model) with Office XP (which includes Powerpoint).

If you haven't learned it yet...and some of what I said was a little technical, sorry. But the main thing in data projection systems is this: LUMENS. You want to get the most lumens you can, period. But the catch is, the more lumens, the more money.

But once you make the step, you will have your preaching transformed. I now have a much better retention level of my hearers due to our machine. When I put together a sermon, I not only think about it in terms of how it will be heard, but how it will be seen as well. Every week our people hear the message, they see points illustrated onscreen and they write important points down in their sermon sheet insert in the bulletin. They walk away being much more likely to recall what I said later because of that.

Also, I preach now using video clips from time to time. That is fun. And you can do many things you just were never able to do before. I think you'll love it once you implement it. BTW, I have a book called "Videos that Teach" which is a sermon illustration book that is nothing but movie clips to use in preaching. Good book.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Last church I was in we used a laptop running PowerPoint ... don't recall what the projection unit was however. Another plus side to using PowerPoint is that its standard; if you lose your projectionist, it won't be too hard to find someone else who knows PowerPoint so you won't have to put a lot of effort into training someone on some oddball system.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Mike:

I would disagree with you, quite a bit, on both the recommendations against Fowler. Fowler has given me excellent, fast and helpful after-the-sale service. I spent about 5 months examining systems being used in this area and in the Raleigh area, and examining various supply companies. Yeah, there were some cheaper machines, but they were not as highly rated by the industry in general (note -- I examined the industry's recommendations, not just Fowler's.) Whenever I have had a problem, Fowler has taken care of it. No, I couldn't run down the street; yes, I had to wait a couple of days, but they took care of any need, down to paying the cost of shipping a replacement bulb to me overnight and paying for the return freight on the one that went bad.

I would also disagree about SongShow Plus. I tried PowerPoint in different systems where I know people using it, and I have listened to their complaints about it as well. PowerPoint, in this setting, is incredibly labor-intensive, and much more difficult to move around in "on-the-fly" . . . live problems and last-minute changes are much more easy to deal with in SongShow. Also, SongShow gives you direct integration of Online Bible for scripture transfer, direct integration with the CCLI song database for lyrics (no more pounding them a word at a time), direct integration of video feeds, direct integration of, say, a CD full of worship and background images, transitions from screen to screen as creative and impressive as anything PowerPoint does . . . AND the newest version actually incorporates your PowerPoint programs and runs them with SongShow's ease of use.

I guess you can tell I like it. I don't mean to pick a fight with you, and I don't mean to say that I'm the latest expert on all things projectionable in the church. This is one man's opinion (albeit a strongly held one), to give Danny more to consider.

Sam

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Well...there is not one thing that Songshow offers that Powerpoint can not do...as you say..."one the fly." Utilizing dual monitor mode on my laptop gives me the same ability to incorporate a last minute change on any song. Plus Song Select (from CCLI) simply allows me to cut and paste ANY song either from the program itself or from the database of songs off of the web.

PLUS...Songshow does not give you the ability to transfer MPEG and animated Gif's like powerpoint does.

As far as FOWLER, they only sale Panasonic. There are some upper- level Panasonic's that are okay, but Mitsubishi...Sharp...Sony all have better quality machines that are marketably priced.

And whoever spoke before you Sam...they're right Powerpoint IS the standard, you don't have to train anyone on some backwards system that is always playing catch-up with Powerpoint.

Maybe you can tell as well, I really like my data projector. BTW, how many lumens is your machine (I take it that its a Panasonic)and what was your cost, if you don't mind me asking?

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

So in this case Michael......"LUMINATION"....is a good thing!! ROFL!!!!

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

That was an "enlightened" response!

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Danny,

We've had a great experience with Fowler also. We looked locally first, and then to several online companies. Fowler has been top- notch in prices and expertise. Don't get anything under 1500 lumens. Also, check the warranty. We found everything from 90 days to three years. Also, check the price of replacement bulbs. Ours are $400.

You will not believe the difference this will make with your worship. We use ours for all songs and I also project my sermon outline and each Scripture verse as I quote it.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Michael:

Sony VPL-PX31 2800 ANSI lumens $7695.00

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

One and All,

We have never had a projection system of this kind in Ensenada, Mexico. If anyone should happen to feel inclined and/or led of the Lord to donate their pre-owned system to a worthy missionary cause, I would love to hear from you! Christian Mission for Mexican Evangelism is a non-profit org. and gifts are tax deductible if so requested.

Philip Watkinson philcmme@telnor.net

www.mexicanevangelism.homestead.com c/o Christian Mission for Mexican Evangelism PO Box 1088 Imperial Beach, CA. 91933

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Those missionaries can worm anything into a request, eh? LOL.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

So Michael, long time no see. Are you saying you're willing to send out a system? If so, we could put it to good use with our church plant in St. Louis! : )

God bless, Scott

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Dear Mike,

You said,

"Those missionaries can worm anything into a request, eh?"

Well, Mike, whenever you work up the nerve to be one of "those missionaries", go through what we have had to go through, and actually "put your money where your mouth is", than maybe you would understand reality a little more. Who knows, you may even have to "worm anything into a request" yourself.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2002

Sorry I chose to only be a parital servant of Christ by becoming a preacher in a local congregation here in the USA. I don't think I could ever attain such superior status as you have described.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2002

Danny,

I forgot to mention the following website Ebibleteacher.com. This guy has plenty of advice on projection equipment, powerpoint, etc...

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2002