Installing a church projection system is not an easy task. You will need to consider how much space you have and what equipment you require.
Different-sized churches will require different equipment.
A projector, a computer, and several cables will be important. Don’t forget to bring a screen or a few screens if your church is larger. This will ensure that everyone has a screen within reach.
Your setup should be simple so parishioners can wait for your announcements, sermon illustrations videos or worship lyrics.
Doing your research and practice before you use your system is important. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Once you have everything set up, it will be easy to wow the congregation with your new additions to sermons or your “trying to look cool” video announcements.
Church Projection System Equipment You Will Need
Projector
The projector will be the most important part of your setup. It is the device that projects the images and video onto the screen. Here are some things to remember when buying a projector for your church.
You need to consider the space. A larger room will require a higher lumen count for the projector to work properly. A smaller room will not require the same number. Before purchasing your projector, at least measuring the space is a good idea.
You should also consider how many screens you will need to project on. To ensure you have enough coverage, you may need multiple projectors.
Once you have purchased the projector, you must place it in a fixed location. They are usually mounted from the ceiling in churches, but you should place them somewhere so that it will not be disturbed or tampered with. It’s a bit tricky as you want it to be able to be adjusted and fixed with relative ease.
Also, think about the distance between your projector and the screen. One rule of thumb is to place the projector at a distance twice your screen’s width. Check out my article about the size of church projector screens here.
Computer
Your control point for the projector is the computer. The computer screen will display what’s on it at any given moment. This will then be projected onto the large screen.
The computer is especially important for making or showing church announcement videos. This is because the same computer you use to send the signal to the projector will also be used to record and edit the videos. A computer must be capable of handling both.
Having a computer in a church is possible if you have enough space. You will likely be able to locate a computer with the necessary hard drive and graphics cards to process images and videos. A quality laptop is required if the computer does not have these capabilities.
As you shop for the perfect laptop for you, it is important to talk with your pastor or church communications chief about what you intend to use it for. This will help you to find the best option for you.
Cables
You will need the correct cable type depending on your projector’s model and configuration. There might be three different cables that work with your setup. Before you buy a cable, it is important to determine which one will be most effective for your setup.
The most common of all three types of cables is the HDMI cable. Although it’s easy to use, it only works up to 32 feet. You might need to purchase a booster to keep the cable working properly.
DVI is the second cable type and can be used to extend an HDMI cable’s reach. It comes in two types, both digital and analog. It is important to choose the right type of cord for you.
A VGA cable, also known as RBG-HV cable, is the third type of cable. This cable can only be used for analog signals, but it can run up to 100 feet. This makes it ideal for larger rooms and longer distances. The projector will not need to be too close to the computer to work.
Another option is to send your signal wirelessly using a wireless video transmitter.
Available Space
The size of the space available for projections is critical in determining the equipment you will need.
You may need multiple screens for larger churches to show the information. It may be worth considering having the sound system connected to your computer so everyone can hear announcements.
It is important to communicate the message to as many people as possible with as little effort as possible.
You may not need multiple screens if you have a small church. Setting up a projector in a smaller church is easier because you don’t have to spend too much or have multiple projections.
It doesn’t matter what case it may be, it is always a good idea to start small and move up to bigger rooms and larger screens. It can get confusing otherwise!
Software
You must have the correct software installed to run church announcement videos. This is important for both projecting and editing your videos.
Depending on your budget, you might choose to use simple, easy, and low-cost software.
These software options are available in various formats but may not offer as many features as the more expensive software. You can get PowerPoint and Windows Movie Maker at a low cost.
You will also find more church-oriented software options, which are more expensive but offer more options. These options may include custom backgrounds, Bible passages, song lyrics, and tips on making church announcement videos. These include Easy Worship and ProPresenter. Media Shout is another option. My church uses Proclaim by Faith Life.
Last Thoughts on Setting Up A Church Projector System
Installing a church projector system is not difficult. You will have an enjoyable audio-visual ministry for your congregation if you know the space available and how many people your media will be shown to.
