With over 100 new features, ProPresenter 4 represents a major leap forward for the best selling Worship Presentation Software for the Mac platform. If you’re new to ProPresenter just to cover the basics, it is a lyric and media presentation package geared toward the live worship service. ProPresenter’s intuitive, thumbnail-based approach to display, is very simple for beginners but allows a vast degree of customization that is sure to please the power users as well. The interface for version 4 has been tweaked just a bit to provide some more continuity while maintaining the clean look that ProPresenter’s users have been enjoying for years.

The heart of any display software is its display engine. In ProPresenter 4 the display engine has been completely redesigned to allow more capabilities than ever before. Multiple objects can now be placed on a single slide with precise control of spacing, alignment, and style. Adjustments for kerning, line color, and fill color as well as other parameters make it simple to create a custom look without sacrificing the overall ease of use of the software.

A new feature for ProPresenter 4 is Templates. Templates are a simple way to change the style of any presentation in the library quickly and easily. If you want to use a certain song as lower thirds to go over the top of a live video feed, just create a template with the text constrained to the lower part of the slide. Place a graphic behind the text and apply the template to your presentation. It’s that easy. Changed your mind and want that same song to full screen, just apply your normal full screen template and it’s done.

The Props Layer is another new addition to ProPresenter 4. Props are objects that can be placed on certain slides, multiple slides, or an entire presentation independent of the other layers that are being displayed. For example, does your church have a logo that you would like to place in the lower right hand corner like a screen bug. No problem, just create a prop and place the logo where you want it to sit on the slide. Props also maintain any transparency settings for graphic formats that support them.

PP4 even has a feature that enables very simple and affordable environmental projection (if you don’t know what that is, wait for our upcoming blog post about Environmental Projection to find out more).

These are just a few of the new features offered in ProPresenter 4. There are plenty of others to check out when you install the free 30 day trial that is available at http://www.renewedvision.com/pro_download.php.

Fowler Productions also offers a training class for ProPresenter 4 every other month for $99. The next class is September 14^th at 6pm CST, so be sure to register soon!

Every once in a while a new product comes out with the combination of features, usability, and price point, that the industry has been craving.  There is a great chance that Panasonic’s new AW-HS50N is one of those products.

For years, churches have been asking for a small video mixer with digital inputs, an auxiliary bus, a keyer, and an affordable price. The HS50N has got all of this covered plus some extras that make it an especially desirable little piece of tech.

To start, there are 5 fully digital inputs. 4 are HDSDI and one is DVI so the unit can handle a computer graphics input without any external processing. For those not familiar with it, SDI/HDSDI is a professional video signal that has been utilized in broadcast and high end production facilities for years. It is a reliable way to distribute a pristine digital video signal over long distances.

Another powerful feature of the HS50N is the MultiViewer. This feature allows one output to an HD monitor to display up to 10 images simultaneously. You can have Preview, Program, and all input sources viewable at the same time on one centrally located display. This eliminates the need for a bank of high definition production monitors and significantly reduces the costs associated with deploying an HD video system.

The Auxiliary, or Aux, bus, allows one particular input to be sent to a separate output regardless of what is being shown on the program out. For instance, let’s say you have one camera that always shows a wide shot of the whole front of the sanctuary and you want to send that shot only to the nursery. Just call up that camera on the Aux bus and its done. It’s truly a set it and forget it option.

Panasonic has really packed the features into this little switcher and when you throw in a lower list price than their last generation standard definition small format production mixer, you have the makings of a product that could be a game changer in the market.

This dual-lamp DLP® projector gives you superior performance and reliability, with brightness, super resolution and continuous-use capability. If you’re looking for a reliable, quality solution for presenting in large, bright rooms or auditoriums, the XD8100U data projector is the answer.

The XGA Projector That Accommodates Your Needs
You can rely on your new XD8100U DLP projector to be just what you need, when you need it.

• Continuous non-stop 24/7 operability with dual lamp and lamp relay modes
• Automated and reusable self-cleaning filter for a lower total cost of ownership
• Ingenious heat pipe cooling technology that delivers projection cooling, energy savings and quietness as well
• Super Resolution technology that delivers ultra-sharp detail projection
• Built-in support for Crestron RoomView and AMX Device Discovery for remote management
• Edge blending for both side-by-side as well as top-bottom projection
• Supports geometric projection on curved surfaces as well as 360 degree projection
• Closed Caption support
• Estimated lamp life of up to 4000hrs (low mode)
• Consumes less than 1W of power consumption for increased energy savings (low mode)
• Natural Color Matrix support independent controlled color adjustments with effecting other colors
• Side-access lamp design for easy and convenient lamp access
• Delivers a bright 7000 lumens image
• Accepts 5 optional lenses, ranging from a 0.8 rear projection fixed short throw lens all the way up to our new 9.0 UZ lens

Highest Quality Images Even in Bright Halls or Auditoriums
Present with confidence even in the largest rooms with the XD8100U XGA projector. Images are reproduced in high contrast and superior brightness and with its dual lamp design it will allow for continuous projection for long periods of time. This DLP projector offers truer, more vibrant color with Texas Instruments BrilliantColor^TM technology.

Designed for Easy Usability and Maintenance
Depending on a particular presentation’s needs, you can change out the high-brightness color wheel on your data projector with an optional six-segment color wheel that emphasizes richness and depth of color. The filter is self-cleaning and reusable. Each of the dual lamps needs only one hour of shut-down every week, so you can meet even the most challenging projection needs, including continuous operation over long periods of time.

Automated and Reusable Self-Cleaning Filter
The XD8100U is equipped with an automated and reusable self-cleaning filter. This combination of a mesh filter and cleaning brush helps protect and prevent dust and dirt particles from entering and affecting the internal components of the projector. Additionally this automated self-cleaning filter design not only helps reduce maintenance efforts but its reusable design makes it very eco-friendly and lowers the overall total cost of ownership.

Image Correction Using Advanced Technologies
Mitsubishi Electric’s Super Resolution technology is an advanced algorithm that analyzes the signal of the original image, identifies and estimates areas of the high-resolution data not provided—and corrects the image quality. The result is a projected image that delivers ultra-sharp details and clarity. The XD8100U also includes built-in edge blending technology for multiple side-by-side, as well stacked projection, allowing multiple projectors to create a single, seamless image. Corrective distortion allows for projection to curved surfaces, and full 360 degree projection along its vertical axis enables extensive projection ranging from floor to ceiling.

The Tech Behind Video Venue from Amber Reid on Vimeo.

In this segment of our Van Dyke Church feature, listen to Cory Schob as he describes working with and training volunteer staffs, equipping the ministry through multimedia, and building a video venue site through both trial and error and years of experience. He describes the ins-and-outs of dealing with challenging situations while sticking to deadlines and how to build a team into a well-oiled machine.

This was an email from Joshua Ledford from Faith Community Church of God. We would like for everyone to recognize their great work and if you have any comments, please share with us!!

To Jon, Todd, and everyone on the Install Crew of Fowler:

I just wanted to express great appreciation for a job well done on the sound system at church! It sounds amazing! Everyone was blown away of how clear everything sounded…even when we “aired it out” more than what we would ever do in a service…at loud volumes it was incredible! Thank you so much, everything not only sounds great, it looks great too. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to have you guys do this. As a fellow musician, I understand this is your passion and service to the Lord. It is no different from head pastor, worship leader, or sound engineer/installer, you are doing the Lord’s work through your service! May the Lord bless you and from all of us at Faith Community Church of God in Shawnee, OK a big…THANK YOU!!!

God Bless,

Rev. Joshua Ledford
Associate Worship Leader

Come check out our new application shots from Crosspoint Church. They can be found in the Contemporary Churchs in the gallery, or you can click here and it will send you on the path you need. If you would like to send us some pictures of your church so we can put it on our website then send them our way. You can email you representative or email areid@fowlerinc.com.

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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.

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.

Even if you missed the first ever Catalyst west coast gathering, you can still experience Catalyst in a number of ways. Be sure to register today at the best rates available for Catalyst West Coast 2010, being held April 21-23, 2010. The Catalyst movement continues to expand with Catalyst One Day events with Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel.

Going to Catalyst? Follow us on Twitter to find out how to win a FREE Apple Tv!

Fowler will be at Catalyst October 8th and October 9th in Atlanta.

Be sure to visit us at booth #29 and #30.  See you there!