Recently, I was working on a brand new professional lighting console, which will remain nameless, I had numerous issues from the start, and a few calls had to be made to customer support to get things resolved. While this was happening, in my mind I just really wanted...
Bill Di Paolo
Getting the Right Aspect Ratio
In the video display world, getting your image right is key. Whether you're working on a large-scale video wall, projection screen, a video monitor, or just editing or streaming, you know getting the resolution and aspect ratios right is a major part of displaying....
Why Do I Have Audio Delay in My Video Playback?
Audio delay in your video playback can drive the viewer nuts, it can lead to the viewer losing interest or complaining. Audio delay in video playback refers to the situation where the audio and video are not synchronized properly—meaning the sound either plays ahead...
Worship Facility Gear Report: LED Screens
Technology is moving quickly and so are new versions of LED walls! LED screens are flat panels that use an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as pixels for a video display. Their brightness allows them to be used indoors or even...
How to Get Younger Members to Join Your Tech Team
Recently, I have received numerous questions from Tech Team Leaders with the same question: How do they get younger members to join their tech team? Encouraging younger members of your congregation to join the church tech team can be a rewarding way to involve them in...
Worship Facility Gear Report – Audio Monitors
Stage audio monitors, often simply called "monitors," are speakers placed on stage facing the performers. They allow musicians, singers, or speakers to hear themselves and other elements of the performance clearly during live events. This is crucial because the sound...
Using DMX to Control Lights and Effects
Digital Multiplex, or DMX, is a unidirectional lighting control protocol that allows you to run sophisticated lighting sequences from a single source. DMX goes beyond just lighting to special effects (hazers, fog machines), and other add-ons that elevate your...
Lighting STRYPER’s Acoustic Tour
This summer, I got the opportunity to design and and operate the lighting for STRYPERS New Acoustic Tour as it came through New York State. Advancing a lighting plot for a band like STRYPER involves several key steps to ensure the lighting design meets their...
Worship Facility Gear Report: LED Screens
Technology is moving quickly and so are new versions of LED walls! LED screens are flat panels that use an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as pixels for a video display. Their brightness allows them to be used indoors or even outdoors in the direct light of the...
Production Tech Talk: Scripture vs Technology
A friend of mine asked me the other day, " Do you think technology belongs in a house of worship?" Well I grew up in a church with very little technology. Then again, it was the 70's. Technology wasn't easily attainable especially for churches. As I grew up,...
Reflectors & Three-Point Video Lighting
Over the last few years pretty much everyone was involved in some type of video streaming or at least attended numerous video meetings, or watched a documentary filled with interviews. When venues started streaming full-time they used whatever lighting they used for...
Creating a Larger Online Audience
How do you create a larger online audience for your house of worship? Creating a larger online audience for your house of worship involves a combination of effective digital strategies, engaging content, and community-building efforts. Taking key steps to help you...
Preventive Maintenance Best Practices
Production lighting needs preventive maintenance to perform at its best. Like anything of value, production lighting requires some tech crew maintenance time if you want it to perform at its best––and for a long time. Much of what’s involved in the maintenance of the...
Adding Video Displays Around Your House of Worship
As more congregation members seek an experience in their worship service, adding video displays around your house of worship can be a great idea. Depending on your community's needs and goals, some displays can show live service coverage based on your live stream or a...
Gear Report: Vocal & Band Microphones 2024
When it comes to buying the very best vocal & band instrument microphones, the decision is hugely personal. It really comes down to the qualities of the voice it will be capturing and whether it’ll be used in the studio or on the stage. It can be hard to know...
Intelligent Lighting Fixtures Applications & Basics
Many houses of worship have either purchased or are thinking about doing more with intelligent lighting fixtures, also known as moving lights or automated lights. These are advanced lighting devices that offer a variety of features for dynamic and customizable...
Are Name Brand or Mainstream Theatrical Lighting Fixtures Better Than Generic Lighting Fixtures for Houses of Worship?
When comparing name brand, mainstream theatrical lighting fixtures, and generic lighting fixtures for a house of worship, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each category. The decision should be based on factors like budget, quality, reliability, feature...
Will Moving Video Walls Be The Next New Thing For Houses Of Worship To Install?
Moving video walls could indeed become a trend in houses of worship, especially in larger congregations or those looking to enhance their worship experiences with technology. At InfoComm 2024, I saw the LG Booth and stopped in my tracks. It really drew attention as...
Worship Facility Gear Report: Top Lighting Features
Choosing new lighting fixtures for a house of worship involves considering various factors to ensure the space is appropriately illuminated, aesthetically pleasing, and functional. This Gear Report will help cover a few of the leading items. to help you make an...
When Cable Failure Is Not An Option
Welcome back to Worship Production Talk! This month's question comes from Gary in New Hartford, NY, who asks. " How can I keep my XLR Cables from being damaged?" He adds, "Recently I lost signal to our single podium microphone, it was a new cable that already seemed...
Lighting Your Worship Services via a Laptop
Can you light your worship services via a laptop? Yes! Overall, any lighting console is a computer with faders and touch screens. Using a DMX laptop for lighting in a house of worship can be an excellent way to create dynamic and flexible lighting environments. I have...