Volume 3, Issue 8 — August 28, 2014
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House of Worship Trends The Future of HOW
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$580M in One Year — Multi-site Churches
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
According to research studying the 8,000 multi-site churches in America, 57 percent of them will launch an additional campus in the next 12 months and spend $580,549,500 on technology for those new multi-site venues.*
While I’ve written about the unique opportunities for A/V/L vendors in the fast-growing trend in multi-site churches (see HERE and HERE), I’ve compiled the most recent data and provide my trend analysis that should speak to the massive growth curve within this segment of the house of worship market. If your organization wants to learn how to generate new sales within this vertical, keep reading.
Quantifying the Multi-site Church Market
Because your marketing and sales teams make informed decision from useful data, here’s a quick snapshot of what the multi-site church market represents.
Mind. Blown. This ain’t your grandpa’s church market.
I have also written about the overall church market and provided other stats and trend analysis for rAVe, in case you’ve missed some background on just how large the house of worship market really is for A/V/L sales.
Qualifying the Multi-site Church Market
Multi-site churches are such a new, explosive segment of the market that it’s amazing to consider that in the 1990s there were less than 200 multi-site churches. Today, it’s over 8,000, and the research shows a 50 percent+ increase in the next 12 months!
This kind of growth is why, as the title states, there’s over $580 Million* in technology sales that will happen in those new church multi-site venues. But, don’t forget that half a billion dollars is only one portion of the church market. Consider also that the churches with existing multi-site will likely be making upgrades to existing campuses and the number jumps considerably. And, of course, these 12,500+ churches are only about 4 percent of the entire house of worship market!
Remembering that data that shows 52 percent of multi-site campuses are renting space and are in a portable set up/tear down venue, there’s a unique opportunity to think about how to market your existing technologies as they fit into a highly portable, fast setup environment. Rack-based, caster-mounted systems suddenly become awfully important for a lot of gear, leading to sales opportunities for well-designed plug-n-play systems that are easy for volunteers to set up and tear down with speed, efficiency and simplicity.
Consider as well that the majority of multi-site church venues have been around for less than four years, and the “ah-ha” moment for upgrading their initial purchases is both becoming necessary due to significant increases in technology and the chance to replace gear that’s been worn hard in portable venues. It’s not even a small stretch to see that over a billion dollars of technology could likely be purchased just within the multi-site church venues over the next 12 months*. Plus, as of the date of this writing, there are many churches that start a new fiscal budget year in September or October (coinciding with back-to-school attendance increases), and the time to aggressively market to this subsection of the church vertical market is now.
A Unique Need for Video
Interestingly, the majority of multi-site churches (69 percent) use pre-recorded video teaching for the sermon. I don’t have the exact breakdown of the various methodologies, but I can say that these are largely represented through:
- Sneaker-net — Physically delivering content on a hard drive, hard drive, tape (BetacamSP, DVCam, DVCPro, etc.) or laptop computer.
- File-sharing — Dropbox or Google Drive or even a hosted server for uploading video content to be pulled down and used on servers/computers at the multi-site venue.
- Streaming — Hosted content streamed in real-time, but recorded on a drive or deck for time-shifted playback.
Many churches I know have struggled with the complexity of time-shifted playback. They don’t understand the technology for encoding, syncing and playing back content that’s as simple as the DVR they use at home on their televisions. This is a HUGE opportunity for manufacturers and systems integrators to provide turn-key, volunteer-friendly technology solutions that address this very real need in multi-site churches.
This is a unique window of opportunity and it represents a significant increase in the adoption of more sophisticated A/V/L technologies. Will your firm be able to make the most of a possible billion dollar wave of spending in the House of Worship market?
Are you currently selling to multi-site churches? Comment below.
*NOTE: Research from Leadership Network, Generis, Outreach Magazine, Barna Research and Anthony Coppedge Leave a Comment
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Creativity Has Nothing To Do With Technology
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
Creativity has nothing to do with technology. It certainly has nothing to do with the type of tools you have to offer or even how many of your tools church clients are using today. No, creativity is what enables people to use your technology.
Creativity Puts No Requirements On The Pocketbook
The engineers and designers who come up with new technologies normally have a gift mix that leans more towards one lobe of the brain than the other. The left-brain crowd is looking for things that will make them creative: examples, resources, concepts, etc. Let me assure you that it’s coming in a few sentences.
The right-brain crowd has already completely blown past the opening paragraphs, skimming for keywords like “creative application” that trigger an interest.. What’s hilarious to the left brainers is that the right brainers just saw “creative application” as they were skimming and came to an immediate stop, only to not understand the conversation that’s being had about them. Don’t fret, I’ve got stuff for you too.
The Church World
In the church environment, we deal with skimpy budgets, tight deadlines (can you do this in the next 15 minutes before service?) and people who have absolutely no clue about what it takes to produce even a short video.
Want to know a secret? The average church attendee expects us to produce world-class stuff for them. Americans are the most spoiled society in the world. In fact, one of the things we’re most spoiled with is something we take for granted: TV. The 30-second commercials you’ll see at this year’s Super Bowl will cost millions. That’s just for the airtime, not including the cost of making them!
So how do local churches compete with that? The church will rarely, if ever compete with the production quality of the footage that Hollywood produces. But, they can use the same production values that Hollywood uses.
If I spend time story-boarding a shoot, I will know the timing of the events, the types of shots I’ll need and a good estimate of the time necessary to actually bring it all together. However, if I grab my video camera and boom mic, walk down the hall to the offices start shooting footage, I’ll be disappointed with the project.
We Need Training On Tools and Production
While the left-brainer is thinking through the logistics of manpower, time, scheduling conflicts and budget, the right-brainer is thinking about simplifying the story arc. Both lobes of the brain are on target; we have to plan our work and work our plan.
Church production staff are so busy doing (Sunday comes every seven days, you know) that they are missing out on consistent training, techniques and even better project workflow processes to expand their skill sets.
Manufacturers, rep firms and dealers: Teach us how to creatively use what we have and share with us how to better utilize and invest in technology over time.
For the most part, church staff have limited opportunities to make purchases. Budgets for churches are driven by three main components:
- Vision from church leadership (value — how important is investing in technology solutions)
- Content and frequency (application — what is required and what does it take to do it)
- Ability and quantity of media personnel (expertise — who can provide time, talent, and/or training)
The reality is that these three factors have more importance on the budget total than do attendance, membership, denomination, operating budgets, or location of a church.
Part of your training and pre-sales education is helping churches understand that there need to be at least five budget line items considered:
- Hardware upgrades/new hardware
- Software upgrades/new software
- Preventative and ongoing maintenance
- Personnel training (conferences and trade shows) and education
- People — outsourcing of contract labor for projects and special events
The left-brained person is considering the implications of this kind of change in how to present budgets and organize proposals while the right-brained person is wondering how to present needs versus wants in a culture that spreads spending out over a large number of ministries and departments. Once again, both are correct.
Sell Relational Value, Not Just Gear
When a church leader is presented with your brand, do they think only in terms of your name recognition or in terms of your brand’s value? The best brands offer the best service, too, which is why their client base is so loyal. Churches, staffed with lots of left-brained and right-brained people, are looking for someone who will invest in them as they invest in the technology.
In fact, it is likely that price is not the number one reason you’ve lost sales to some churches. In the same way that systems integrators tend to sell the brand rep who best serves them as salespeople, church production staff are looking for relationships, too. I’ve even seen this extend to the “box-sale,” where clients call into the 800 number but request a specific sales representative.
What churches need more from manufacturers are creative ways to leverage technology without being hit-up for yet another purchase. Investing in those who invested in your brand’s technology is a stinkin’ smart way to build brand loyalty and earn repeat business and referral business. This is because people are people are people, regardless of their place of employment, including churches.
Address both lobes of your audience’s brains. Present value. Educate and train. Invest in those who have invested in your brand’s technology. Creativity, including in your sales and marketing departments, has nothing to do with technology.
Which brands are the most creative in building a loyal fan/buyer base? Comment below. Leave a Comment
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Kramer Intros VS-62H Ultra HD Matrix SwitcherKramer’s new VS-62H is a 6×2 HDMI matrix switcher that is 4K capable at 2.97Gbps per channel.
The VS-62H is in a small desktop form-factor and includes embedded webpage control, RS232, IP and front panel controls. The system features three levels of automation per output (Last Connection, Priority and Manual Override) that could even allow for a controller-free operation (automated switching). The video detection for automation is based on actual video clock signal recognition.
The two independently buffered outputs are geared towards dual-screen or video-conferencing applications with resolutions of up to Ultra HD (4K). As part of the automation support, there is also a display standby feature that automatically turns off an output to which no input is routed.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Blackmagic Makes ATEM Camera Control 6.0 Available Blackmagic Design has released its ATEM Switchers Update 6.0, which adds support for controlling cameras from ATEM production switchers via the program feed to the camera. This is a free update from the Blackmagic Design website.
According to Blackmagic, the ability to control cameras from the live production switcher was previously only available to extremely high-end broadcasters who had the costly infrastructure that allowed this feature. With the new ATEM Camera Control software update, ATEM live production switchers can now control cameras via a new open standard protocol sent to the camera via the return program feed.
ATEM Camera Control is compatible with the new Blackmagic Studio Camera when running software update v1.8.2 or later. The Blackmagic Studio Camera HD and Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K models feature both optical fiber and regular SDI program return feeds to the camera and the commands from the switcher are broadcast to all cameras via this program return feed.
The Blackmagic Studio Camera can be controlled via a regular CCU style of control, however to allow even greater creativity, the Blackmagic Studio Camera has a fully featured DaVinci Resolve primary color corrector built in featuring the same YRGB style grading that is found on DaVinci Resolve.
This new ATEM Camera Control with color correction will allow customers to not only get perfect matching between cameras on live production, but operators can also take into account changing light conditions, which is common on outdoor events. Then when customers need to generate creative looks, such as for music videos, they can push the correction further for exciting looks all in real time.
The control panel in the ATEM Software Control allows normal operation of the ATEM live production switcher, but then at any time the user can select the camera tab and then see the controls for each camera. They get a familiar CCU style of interface with easy control of black and iris settings on the camera as well as focus. When controlling a camera, this camera is automatically output using one of the switchers aux. outputs so the operator can use this aux. output to local monitoring.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Sennheiser Intros Praise Pack Aimed at HOW Market Sennheiser announced that it has launched something called “Praise Pack” that’s aimed exclusively at the house of worship market. The new bundle, which consists of four e 835 dynamic vocal microphones along with four pouches and mic stand clips, come snugly packaged in a specially embroidered, road ready Gator case.
The new bundle, priced at just $349 (a savings of more than $100 if each mic was purchased separately), represents a great opportunity for churches to realize clear audio reproduction with four of Sennheiser’s best selling microphones. Each e 835 microphone comes with a 10-year warranty and fits neatly into the black Gator case, which has ‘Sennheiser Praise Team’ embroidered on its exterior.
Sennheiser e 835 microphone features:
- Dynamic cardioid microphone for speech and vocals
- Cuts through high on-stage levels
- Clear reproduction with a high presence
- Consistent sound quality (varying distances, moving off axis)
- Handles high sound pressure levels
- Isolates handling noise, hum compensating coil
- Rugged metal housing
Here are all the details on the Praise Pack. Leave a Comment
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BenQ Adds Two 6,000-Lumen Projectors to Lineup BenQ America has just launched its brightest projectors yet with the SH963 and TH963. Both are specified at 6,000 lumens using a two-lamp system. Using native 1080p DLP chips, they’re both integrated with the Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) processing technology from Qualcomm, have optional long- and short-throw lenses and they are both categorized as large venue projectors. They also have a spec of a contrast ratio of 8300:1.
They offer 1.5x zoom capabilities, horizontal/vertical lens shifting, 2D keystone correction, and an embedded test pattern and the TH963 offers optional short-throw or long-throw lenses. Inputs include HDMI, VGA, five BNC and network posts. Also, with a LAN control feature, the projectors also provide support for Crestron, SNMP, PJLink, and AMX systems, Extron for enabling remote management and control in addition to projector maintenance from workstations.
Using Colorific technology, both projectors also include power-saving features such as an “Eco Blank Mode” that allows presenters to blank out the projection screen whenever the projector is not in use and a standby mode, where users can lower power consumption to less than 0.5W while the units are inactive. Lamp replacement is via access from the side or top of the projector and BenQ says a filter-free optical system further reduces the TCO of the devices.
The SH963 and TH963 projectors are now shipping and specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Introduces Six-Input, Four-Output Audio Expansion Processor With AEC and Dante Extron has introduced the AXP 64 C AT, an audio expansion processor with six mic/line inputs and four line outputs for remote connectivity to a Dante-enabled DMP 128 audio system. It is used to place six mic/line sources onto a Dante audio network and route any four Dante channels from the network to an amplifier or other destination. The AXP 64 C AT features Extron ProDSP with gain, filtering and dynamics processing for all inputs and outputs. Four of the inputs also include AEC, 48 volt phantom power, and control ports. FlexInputs offer the additional capability to process Dante channels in place of the first four local inputs. A single Ethernet cable from one AXP 64 C AT, or several linked units, to a central equipment rack greatly reduces the effort and expense of pulling one cable for each endpoint.
The AXP 64 C AT includes four independent channels of AEC with advanced algorithms for fast convergence and optimal intelligibility in conferencing applications. The AEC-enabled inputs also offer FlexInput capability to route a Dante channel through the processor in place of a local mic/line input. The flexible input selection enables the AXP 64 C AT to process audio from remote wireless microphones, wall plates, and other sources from anywhere on the Dante network.
In an installation with a large number of mics, the AXP 64 C AT audio expansion processor places audio signals onto the Dante audio network using standard IP networking. Signals are received as expansion inputs at one or more DMP 128 AT processors. A sound system designer can incorporate several AXP 64 C AT or Extron AXP 50 C AT audio expansion processors to create a large mixing matrix with up to 56 remote inputs and 24 outputs per DMP 128 AT using the built-in four-port Gigabit switch. This greatly simplifies scalability and the audio cabling infrastructure by avoiding long analog mic cable runs. To further simplify the audio cabling infrastructure, the AXP 64 C AT converts four channels from the Dante network to line level audio signals, processes them, and routes the optimized audio to local sound reinforcement systems.
Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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PreSonus’ Updates Progression 3, Now AvailablePreSonus is shipping Progression 3, an upgrade to its composing software for guitar, bass and drums. Sonos says this new version makes it easier than ever to write your ideas quickly and includes an enhanced chord library, new effects from PreSonus Studio One, a Capo feature and many notation and publishing improvements. Progression and its sibling product Notion are the only composing and notation applications that let you create and edit with, and exchange files between, Mac, Windows and iPad.
This is the first update since Progression joined the PreSonus family and it shows. The user interface has been redesigned to more resemble Studio One and other PreSonus software, and Progression 3 adds PreSonus Native Effects Limiter, Compressor and EQ plug-ins.
Notation improvements make Progression even faster and easier to use, including an enharmonic spelling tool, cross-staff notation, layout improvements, and a new international shortcut sets. You also get an enhanced chord library with more library chords, user-created chords, and recent-chord recall. The new Capo feature will be especially welcome for guitarists. Progression 3 also adds Mac Retina display support and Windows 8 touchscreen optimization.
While adding these new features and many more, Progression continues to deliver a fast and intuitive workflow, featuring drag-and-drop functionality and an interactive fretboard. Users can create guitar, bass and drum tab; lead sheets; and standard sheet music. The program is well known for playback with high-quality guitar samples performed by Neil Zaza, bass samples by Victor Wooten, and drums by Roy “Futureman” Wooten, all recorded at top studios. It also offers a fine Steinway piano, electric piano and Clavinet.
Progression 3 is available in English (U.S. and UK), French, German, Japanese and Spanish (Latin American) and will list for $49. Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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FSR Expands Infrastructure Line of Wall Box Solutions with Introduction of PWB-353FSR has expand its infrastructure line of Wall Box solutions with the introduction of the PWB-353 Wall Box. It features an open face design with a white interior and white extended trim ring, rather than a closed cover, which facilitates quick access to cables and connectors without cover removal.
The PWB-353 features multiple knockouts for power and openings for up to six single IPS connector plates. At 3-inches deep, it is designed for use in 3-inch or 4-inch stud walls. The extended trim ring provides a clean appearance while covering rough cuts in the drywall created during installation.
Key features of the PWB-353 Wall Box include a rugged 16-gauge steel back box, simple installation features, quick access to cables and connectors, multiple knockouts in a variety of sizes and included hardware.
The PWB-353 is shipping now and all the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Sony Adds Wireless Streaming HD HandicamThe new Sony PXW-X180 is a portable camcorder for house of worship and rental applications that includes XDCAM technology. It offers features such as fixed G lens, three 1/3-inch type Exmor CMOS HD sensors for full HD 1920×1080 shooting, 25x HD zoom lens and an OLED viewfinder.
Sony also claims that a variable ND filter device will allow users to manually control density and brightness with a simple dial operation, which no other camcorder has. An integrated wireless function is interesting as it allows you to control the camera remotely via a smartphone or tablet, or transfer recorded video files from the camcorder to the smartphone in MP4 format, with live streaming. Finally, it also includes multi-CODEC recording, including XAVC.
Here are all the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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Extron Redesigns MediaLink Controllers Extron has redesigned the MLC 55 RS and MLC 55 RS VC MediaLink controllers/wall plates used for common AV functions such as power, input selection, and volume in single display applications. They feature a new look, with redesigned backlit buttons and magnetically-attached faceplates that hide the mounting screws and configuration ports, giving the controllers a refined, uncluttered appearance. Both models include uni-directional RS232 and IR display control, as well as discrete ON and OFF display power controls. TheMLC 55 RS VC model features a newly-designed, larger volume knob for control of Extron MPA Series and select XTRA Series amplifiers. Flexible mounting options allow the controllers to be installed virtually anywhere, including walls, lecterns, or tables.
Extron’s MLC 55,62,64 Series configuration software provides simple setup via USB when combined with one of many ready-to-use RS232 or IR device drivers available on the Extron website. The configuration program and these two controllers also support IR Learning for creating new IR drivers from the handheld remote of a source or display device.
Here’s the new look. Leave a Comment
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BenQ Ships New M6 Series WXGA Projector BenQ is shipping the latest in its M6 series, the MW665 projector, which is aimed at houses of worship, classrooms and boardrooms. It offers 3,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, a 13,000:1 contrast ratio and is integrated with SmartEco energy-saving features to lower the projector’s total cost of ownership (TCO).
Featuring BenQ’s Colorific technology and using native WXGA (1280×800) resolution DLP chip, the MW665 includes HDMI, VGA, wired LAN display and control, in addition to wireless connectivity. When paired with the BenQ QPresenter Pro app, participants can collaborate and share documents, photos, and Web content directly from their mobile devices or laptops. And, the MW665 also provides support for AMX, Crestron and PJLink systems.
When using the projector’s SmartEco mode, BenQ says the MW665 automatically adjusts lamp power by up to 70 percent. For environments where the projector has to remain powered on, BenQ’s LumenCare setting enables the unit to maintain constant brightness for the first 2,100 hours of lamp life. To further reduce power consumption, an “Eco Blank” mode allows presenters to blank out the screen whenever projection isn’t needed, while a “No Source Detected” mode automatically lowers brightness to 30 percent when no signal has been detected for more than three minutes. In “Standby” mode, the projector will lower power consumption to less than 0.5 watts during periods of inactivity, providing even greater energy savings and further lowering TCO.
The MW665 is already shipping with a list price of $999 and here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HOW out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
Don’t like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send me feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas, Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
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