As far as the quality of the footage itself, you’ll have to spend significantly more money to get any kind of noticeable improvement. And by significantly more money I mean a camera like the Panasonic HPX2000. That package will set you back well over $20,000 and will gain you a 2/3” chip for a higher quality front end but you still have to add the optional AVC-Intra card to get the same CODEC as the HPX300. And believe me, the improvements from the CODEC are tangible. Compared to Panasonic’s earlier HD CODEC, DVCPro HD, AVC-Intra uses the same 100Mb data rate but uses the much newer H.264 compression scheme. H.264 provides roughly twice the efficiency of legacy CODECs like DVCPro HD which means you’ll get a better quality recording at even smaller file sizes. In the real world that means you can roughly double your record times at the same quality that you’ve been getting or double your quality at the same record times! Now, it’s important to understand that part of that increased quality comes by the way of an improved color depth. AVC-Intra produces a 10bit color depth. compared to an 8bit color depth from almost everything else out there. That combined with a 4:2:2 color space means smoother gradients between colors and even easier chroma-keying when shooting against a green screen. Do you do any color adjustments or stylizing to your videos? Have you ever opened the application Color that comes with Final Cut Studio? If so, this is the camera for you.

With so much interest in high definition video and using it for Image MAGnification (IMAG), you need an appropriate projection system. All projection systems should be based on an appropriate projector for you room. Notice, I said “for YOUR room.” It’s an important distinction to note that a simple list of specifications doesn’t necessarily make for the correct projector for any given installation. With that being said, the Panasonic PT-DZ6700 is about as close as we get to a universal solution. Featuring a high ANSI brightness rating of 6000 lumens and one of the highest native resolutions in the market (1900×1200) makes this projector one of the best solutions available for your upgrade to HD IMAG. The PT-DZ6700 borrows many features from it’s much higher priced brothers like it’s auto-cleaning filter (giving you up to 10,000 hours between cleanings), a liquid cooling system to provide consistent operating temperatures, a sealed optical block to ensure a clean light path through the lens, optional lenses to ensure it fits into a variety of installation scenarios, and a unique feature Panasonic calls RGB Booster to deliver bright, saturated colors in even the most demanding installations.

Click here to download the official Panasonic brochure for the 6000 series of projectors.

Is your video ministry growing faster than you can keep up? Power and flexibility is the name of the game and the For•A HVS300HS has it in spades. Do you have a list of standard definition equipment you’re still working with but a need to replace gear as it dies? Be proactive and start the transition to HD now so as you spend money replacing gear you know it will carry you long into the future. The hub to any video ministry is the video mixer. That one piece of gear can be both an enabler or a bottleneck that holds you back. The For•A HVS300 features up to 12 SDI inputs but can accommodate analog, VGA, or DVI inputs in a variety of resolutions. This allows you to use your existing SD cameras and DVD players while giving you the ability to gradually replace cameras with HD models as time and budget allow. In fact, with four independently switchable outputs you can run your entire room from this one mixer. Use the program bus to send a mixed camera feed to the recorders while using auxiliary bus one to send cameras and computer graphics to the IMAG screen at the front of the auditorium. Then you can use aux bus two to send just the computer graphics to the confidence screen at the back of the room and the third aux bus to send a dedicated camera feed to an overflow room or digital signage displays throughout your facility. All of this can be switched from the one control surface or additional aux panels can be added that gives someone else the ability to control individual feeds without interrupting the video director while they’re switching cameras on the main controller. Flexibility…

Another feature that makes this mixer such a valuable proposition is that all of your monitoring can be done on a single display. All of your sources, the preview bus, and the program bus are displayed on a single output allowing you to use an inexpensive HD LCD or plasma monitor to view all your sources. Not having expensive broadcast monitors for every source dramatically cuts down on the initial cost of switching over to HD.

Many options are available when configuring the HVS300 so give us a call to see how the HVS300 can take your video ministry into the future.

Click here to download the .pdf brochure.

Bringing high-quality HD production to the masses, the Panasonic AG-HPX300 features arguably the highest quality, edit-friendly codec around. AVC-Intra is a full-raster, 4:2:2, I-Frame CODEC that avoids the pitfalls of Long GOP CODECs like MPEG-2 and AVCHD. What does that mean to you? High quality, full size HD  video that’s easy to work with in post-production and allows for maintaining the highest quality picture throughout the entire edit process. On top of that, it’s based on one of the most reliable tapeless workflows in the industry: Panasonic’s legendary P2 workflow.

Not recording to a tape means that you’ll spend less time sitting and waiting and more time actually getting the project done. You no longer have to wait in real-time for your video to capture. Now you just copy the file from the cards in the camera straight to the hard drive in your edit computer. With the HPX300, the files get “rewrapped” into a format that Final Cut Pro understands then they are available for the edit. The rewrapping process is quick and seamless and allows you use the files in any Quicktime compatible application.

I’ve shot with the HPX300 on a few occasions and have been consistently impressed with the experience. First off, just handling the camera is a joy. I’ve always preferred a shoulder-mount camera because of the improved ergonomics and stability it provides when shooting handheld. You have to support typical camcorders with your hands out in front of your body. As you begin to tire, your arms get shaky and your footage suffers. With a pro shoulder-mount camera, all the weight is on your shoulder and you only steady and point the camera with your hands. You essentially become the tripod. This allows you to shoot for longer periods of time with steadier footage.

Along with all the workflow and quality improvements mentioned above, additional features such as interchangeable lenses, professional batteries and power systems, and a five year warranty further solidify the camera as a new benchmark in the industry for high quality and low price.

Need to get beautiful HD video edited and output quickly? The AG-HPX300 is the answer. Call today to see how it can take your video productions to the next level.

Click here to download the .pdf brochure.

Click here to watch sample footage shot at Catalyst 2009 with the Panasonic AG-HPX300.

Geek Speak… Click here to learn more than you ever thought you wanted to know on the HPX300

Widely recognized as the standard in the industry, Apple’s Final Cut Studio brings high-end video production features down to a price almost any ministry can afford. By using Apple’s line of proven and reliable workstations and portable computers, almost any video format can be captured, edited, and output.

Are you shooting HDV, DV, XDCAM EX, AVC-Intra, MPEG-2, or something else entirely? Did your head spin when you read that last sentence? Don’t worry, Final Cut Pro can handle all the settings for you. Just drop your video file on the timeline and Final Cut will reconfigure it’s settings to match whatever you video is, keeping you from having to know much of anything about what video format you’re working with. Extreme flexibility is a two-edged sword: Final Cut Pro can work with almost any video format (yes, including footage from the RED One camera) but if you mess up any of the settings you may not know how to get back to what works. With Final Cut having the capability of matching your incoming video format you can sit down and get to work knowing that it will work with whatever you throw at it.

But that’s not the end of the story. Final Cut Studio comes with five applications: Final Cut Pro for video editing, Motion for creating motion graphics, Soundtrack Pro for recording, editing, and correcting audio, Compressor for outputting your finished video to almost any format, and DVD Studio Pro for creating professional quality DVDs with completely customized menus and content. These are the ones you’ll use all of the time but there are two more applications included that are for the true geeks out there. Color gives you true Hollywood style color manipulation, masking, keying, and motion-tracking while Cinema Tools allows you to convert to and from many esoteric frame rates, timecode formats, and film related settings. Never fear though, because Final Cut Studio is well suited for the growing video ministry because you only need to expand out and use those additional programs as your proficiency grows. Begin with Final Cut Pro to get your video edited and then expand out to the other applications only if and when you need them. Once you’ve used a professional suite of production tools like Final Cut Studio, you’ll wonder how you ever got by with anything less.

Call to find out how you can bring the video editing power of the pros into your ministry to help capture and spread your message in a better looking and more efficient way.

Catalyst Video from Amber Reid on Vimeo.

* Upgrade license price
Visit the online store for details on this continuing special!

EasyWorship and ProPresenter training dates will be changing starting in January 2010. Instead of being on Tuesdays, they will be on Thursdays.

Dates currently listed for EasyWorship:
January 14th, March 11th, May 13th at 6:00-7:30 pm

Dates currently listed for ProPresenter:
December 8th, February 11th, April 15th at 6:00-7:30 pm

Fowler offers training on every product we sell. Just ask your sales representative to include it in your system recommendation. If you would like a more customized training program for your staff and volunteers, our trainers will also make house calls. If you need something more specialized, call us – we want to help your church do multimedia better.

EasyWorship Training Fowler offers LIVE online training for your EasyWorship presentation software. This class is FREE for 90 days with the purchase of a projection system, and is good for one session with two logins. Standard training starts at the low price of $99.00. Group discounts are available.

In order to lessen our impact on the environment and conserve natural resources, Mitsubishi Electric is committed to being socially responsible. In an effort to Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle the finite resources of our planet—Mitsubishi now offers a comprehensive recycling program available to customers that  purchase new, authorized Mitsubishi projectors.

It’s easy! Follow these simple steps:

1. Purchase a new eligible Mitsubishi Projector.
2. Complete an online claim.
3. Submit your proof of purchase.
4. Receive a recycling kit and shipping instructions.
5. Ship your old projector to be recycled. Recycling participants are responsible for the shipping costs of their recycled projectors.

For more information, or to start recycling now—visit mitsubishirecycle.tradeups.com.

In order to participate in the Mitsubishi Recycling Program, you must purchase a new eligible Mitsubishi projector. The Mitsubishi Recycling Program is available only for purchases of new eligible Mitsubishi projectors direct from Mitsubishi or from an authorized Mitsubishi Reseller or Authorized Dealer. The program is not valid on refurbished projectors, reseller demo units or projectors purchased/leased through Internet auctions, or from any other unauthorized reseller of Mitsubishi projectors. Purchase of new equipment must be made no more than 30 days prior to or 30 days following the recycle transaction date. To receive your recycling kit and shipping instructions, you must fax your Confirmation Email and proof of purchase receipt to Market Velocity, Inc. at 770-925-9064. The proof of purchase must be received within 30 days of the recycle transaction date. In addition, you must return the product for recycle using the recycling kit provided. You are responsible for the shipping costs to return your product for recycle.

Projector Recycling Program
Frequenty Asked Questions

1. Why should I bother to recycle my old projector when I can just throw it away?
Projectors (and projector lamps) contain hazardous materials that can be harmful to our environment if not disposed of properly. When properly recycled, these toxic substances are neutralized and cannot harm the environment.

2. I’ve purchased a Mitsubishi projector, how can I recycle my old projector?
Claims are initiated online via the recycling website www.mitsubishirecycle.tradeups.com. The process is easy, and all the information and requirements are available there.

3. How many projectors can I recycle under this program?
For every new, authorized Mitsubishi projector purchased, an equal number of older projectors may be recycled. If you purchase 6 Mitsubishi projectors, you may recycle up to 6 other projectors.

4. What type of projectors can I recycle?
Any brand projector, working or not, will be accepted for recycling.

5. How do I get my old projector to Mitsubishi to be recycled?
After you complete the online recycling form, a recycling kit (protective projector material and shipping instructions) will be sent to you. Please follow the proper packing and shipping instructions to properly recycle your old projector.

6. Does Mitsubishi pay for the shipping costs to send my old projector?
No, the customer is required to cover any shipping costs to send the old projector for recycling.

7. How do I submit my proof of purchase of my recent purchase of a Mitsubishi projector?
Fax the purchase invoice of your new eligible Mitsubishi projector(s) along with the “Confirmation Email to email 770-925-9064 or email to mitsubishirecycle@marketvelocity.com. Or mail to:
Mitsubishi Recycling Program
1305 Mall of Georgia Blvd
Suite 190
Buford, GA 30519

8. How long will it take for me to receive my recycling kit and proper shipping instructions?
Within 7 to 10 business day of validating your proof of purchase you will receive a recycling kit and shipping instructions in the mail.

The Future of Visual Technology is Here.

EasyWorship 2009 introduces custom video support for the stage and Video Jockey mode. And with full web and audio integration, it’s now the easiest way to use websites, YouTube videos and audio file in your next presentation.

Display Foldback (Stage Display)

Custom Stage Support

Your audience is first, but your stage needs support, too. While the audience sees the presentation on the main display, Display Foldback lets the stage see a custom display with the current presentation, a preview of the next scheduled item, a clock and private alerts.

Customize the way the stage sees PowerPoint presentations with variable thumbnails for previous, current and next slide.

VJ Mode (Video Jockey)

One-Click Video Switching

This is the perfect place for planned spontaneity. In VJ Mode, switching backgrounds during a live song or scripture takes one click.

The option to view your media library in the Live Area makes it easy to fade between backgrounds on the fly while keeping up with song lyrics or scripture changes

Web Integration

Full Screen YouTube Videos

With URL scheduling and full screen YouTube video playback, EasyWorship 2009 helps you connect your audience to the web. Use the online feature to show your church’s new website or latest YouTube video.

EasyWorship 2009 also provides access to the online media store, which includes integrated downloads so media is automatically placed in the correct library in EasyWorship.

Audio Integration

Scheduled Playback

Import and organize your audio files for scheduled playback during a presentation, or assign a single audio file to multiple lyric or scripture slides. EasyWorship’s new media player displays total and elapsed time with controls for volume, mute, play/pause, repeat and seek.

Updated User Interface

Cleaner, More Intuitive Design

Now theme-aware for XP, Vista and Windows 7, EasyWorship 2009 introduces updated buttons and icons throughout, modernized look and feel, general layout improvements and updated interface controls for video, DVD and feeds.

Interseted? Check it out on our store!