Is Church "Media" Important?

[phbrown]

I was just tasked with choosing a platform to show bible verses on a screen to the congregation.

I was wondering if you could give me some advice based on your experience. And if you had any recommendations for which software to use.


My requirements is that it needs to be able to run on Windows Vista. And it needs to be able to show bible verses. (that is all he asked me to do I highly doubt we will ever show the lyrics to songs)

I would love if it could be used in a dual monitor setup or at least run two instances of the same program.

My pastor did not provide a budget. However I highly doubt he wants to spend hundreds of dollars. So lets say the max amount is $100.

Also, I currently have open office and PowerPoint installed on my computer.

[phbrown]

I forgot to add it would be nice but not necessary if different versions of the bible were included in the software.

[B3Wannabe]

Easislides. It's free, and it does everything you're asking.

http://www.easislides.com/

[nessalynn77]

I currently use EasyWorship.  You can download a trial version to see if it suits your needs.  It has KJV in the trial version but the others were not translations we would even use at our church, it wasn't like NIV or NKJV or anything like that.  I think the cost of the software is like 250.00 though.

Mediashout is over 100.00 too.  I liked it, but their trial version didn't have KJV, and it was a little more complex to teach to the young folks who help me run it.  I'm sure they'd catch it pretty quickly, but EasyWorship was a lot easier.  Also, Mediashout didn't have the capability to quickly enter or modify songs on the fly like EasyWorship does... but I guess that's not something you would need, anyway.  

Those are the only two I have used firsthand.  When I went to SisterT's church, her media person was telling me about something called WorshipPro, I think?  Anyway, it was only available for Macs but she seemed to think it was head and shoulders above EasyWorship and had just had their Media Ministry outfitted with Macs and was preparing to start using that program.

[under13]

We use SSP on Vista and run it on a dual monitor setup, the right monitor is whats actually displayed on the TV screens and they control the program with the left monitor. I dont use it myself, but the computers are next to the organ so I see them use it, and it looks very easy to use and pull up bible verses as the pastor may ask you to turn to them, but ours usually gives em to them in advance in his outline.

I dont know the price, but It was a lot of money for the 3 TVs, computer and installation

[nessalynn77]

Easislides. It's free, and it does everything you're asking.

http://www.easislides.com/

I'll have to check this one out.  Next time I need something free, I'm coming to you, lol!

[B3Wannabe]

I'll have to check this one out.  Next time I need something free, I'm coming to you, lol!

Google is your friend too! LOL

That's how I find things. Easislides has a few tiny quirks. I'm sure it's not better than the ones you pay for, but it will work well for small churches.

[sjonathan02]

Google is your friend too! LOL

That's how I find things. Easislides has a few tiny quirks. I'm sure it's not better than the ones you pay for, but it will work well for small churches.

I see the old adage still stands: You get whatcha pay for. 

And, if it has a few tiny quirks, why would it work well for small churches? 

[nessalynn77]

I see the old adage still stands: You get whatcha pay for. 

And, if it has a few tiny quirks, why would it work well for small churches? 

Because they may not have a budget to spend 200.00 - 300.00 on the paid versions.  It's not a lot as a long term investment, but sometimes the list of things needed for the ministry is a little long and this falls way down on the list somewhere... lol.

Depends on what the quirks are, for me.

[phbrown]

anyone here ever use any of the following?

Openlp
http://openlp.org/

Zionwork
http://www.zionworx.org.uk/

Opensong
http://www.opensong.org/

Datasoul
http://www.datasoul.net/

[B3Wannabe]

anyone here ever use any of the following?

Openlp
http://openlp.org/

Zionwork
http://www.zionworx.org.uk/

Opensong
http://www.opensong.org/

Datasoul
http://www.datasoul.net/

I've heard of the top 3. Easislides is better than those, if you ask me.

If the church just wants to display songs/scriptures on a static background, then Easislides will work well.

[phbrown]

I've heard of the top 3. Easislides is better than those, if you ask me.

If the church just wants to display songs/scriptures on a static background, then Easislides will work well.

Thank you B3.

I think I will give my pastor a demo featuring Easislides and Powerpoint.

I'm sure he won't actually care which program I use. I guess it will just come down to which one is easier for someone to operate.

[gtrdave]

If you're just doing scripture text, PowerPoint is probably good enough for you.
You could always cut-and-paste from any of the online bible sites (Biblegateway.com and so on) in a variety of versions.

We use LiveWorship. Works on both Mac and Windows. Comes with the KJV and free downloads for many other popular translations are available. It also comes loaded with Public Domain hymn lyrics and a bunch of free picture and full-motion loop backgrounds and it has an easy CCLI Song Select import function, too.
Cost is $300 but they don't charge for every upgrade like SongShowPlus does, plus it's a LOT more user intuitive, imho.

I have heard of people using OpenSong with some success. I'd try it but we've found what works well for us. I may demo the Mac version of Media Shout soon, though, just to get an idea of how it compares.

[B3Wannabe]

There was one that we used on Linux that came with at least five hundred public domain songs. I can't remember the title, and I'm sure it's not available on Windows.

If I remember correctly, you have to plug all your songs into Easislides, but once you do that, you're good.

[allonesound]

I am working on starting a church media department. Which consist of CD's DVD's of the services and updating our website, and special events. (i have a degree in Broadcasting and Communications) The one of the biggest things is equipment, and programs. Does anyone have any advice or does anyone here work in their church media department??

Lastly -- does anyone take advantage of what their media department has to offer?

[BassbyGrace]

Yes.  I LOVE the fact that my church has podcasts and audios/videos from Sundays.  I have the sermons on my ipod and listen to them at work or on the road.  Podcasts arent that hard to do either.

[allonesound]

that is what we are wanting to do next. is podcast! thank you for that!
we have a church youtube account we want to update weekly -- unitytemplecogicmn -- check it out. we mostly have choir songs on there now but soon hope to do mesages

[nessalynn77]

I am in the process of getting ours going as well.  I ordered some equipment from zzounds.com, mainly because I have no budget so this allows me to pay in four payments on my credit card.  As far as the website upkeep, I avoid that like the plague, it's the only aspect of media/publications that I don't want to do.  Maybe someone will come and work with me that likes to do that part of it.

[nessalynn77]

Podcasts... that's a good idea.

[allonesound]

I am in the process of getting ours going as well.  I ordered some equipment from zzounds.com, mainly because I have no budget so this allows me to pay in four payments on my credit card.  As far as the website upkeep, I avoid that like the plague, it's the only aspect of media/publications that I don't want to do.  Maybe someone will come and work with me that likes to do that part of it.

Yea we hired someone to do our website! its alot of work but it will be soooo nice! I dont want to do that side of things I just want to be the creative side doing the "production" part with choir songs.. the messages and special events. But I feel its important but people sometimes dont seem to respond as much. I will check that site! thanks!!!

im also looking into nonprofit tv production and maybe our services can be on the nonprofit channels