The video content world is on the cusp of a major shift. The FCC has legislated that in 2006 all TV stations are to begin broadcasting in high-definition 16:9 format (meaning the ratio of image width to image height is 16 to 9). The standard format for television sets and computer monitors for many years has been 4:3.

But wait a minute—hold that thought! It turns out the TV stations aren't quite ready, so it won't be happening this year, after all. The FCC has pushed implementation back to 2008, possibly even 2009, but it's only postponed, not eliminated. The change will come for TV, but for some industries the format change is already here.

I spoke with a home theater sales manager at Draper (a leading manufacturer of video projection screens), and he said that 16:9 is the only screen format being installed in the upscale home theater market today. I am writing this article on a laptop with a 16:9 format screen. All of the LCD and plasma screens you see at Circuit City and Best Buy are 16:9 format. If you like to watch movies in "widescreen" or "letterbox" formats then you have embraced the change. The 16:9 format is already a part of our life.

So how does this complicate your choices for a new or upgraded video projection system for your church? To explain, you first need to understand that every projection system consists of three things: a screen, a projector, and content. The choice for the screen will depend not only on the viewing distance and placement of the screen, but also on the projector used and the content to be displayed.

Content
Let's explore content and the impact it will have on screen selection. Think carefully about what you will display with your projection system. Will you project only song lyrics and the pastor's sermon notes? Will you go beyond that to incorporate full-motion video? Will you want the ability to have a Super Bowl video party? My church does this, creating a fun time of fellowship.

Text-only presentations work fine with the old standard 4:3 aspect ratio, and many existing video systems in churches have this ratio. But the future of video productions and television broadcasts is the 16:9 format, and that doesn't fit nicely on a 4:3 screen. Before you start looking at screens and projectors, you'll have to decide if yours will be a text-only system, or one that takes full advantage of current and future content. The format issue will be the turning point around which all other system decisions will be made.

It might be an easy decision, except that projectors that handle the 16:9 format are still relatively new. The 4:3 format is very mature for a high-tech product, and 4:3-format projectors have come down significantly in cost while light output (lumens) continues to increase. The 16:9-format projectors are still in the teenage years—the quantity being sold has not reached the level that will allow them to be priced competitively with the 4:3 format. So if you must have the 16:9 format, you can expect to pay close to half again or more the price of a 4:3-format unit with comparable light output.

Also, the 16:9-format screen is larger than a similarly sized 4:3, so the projected image is spread out across a larger space. If you want the same apparent image brightness on the screen, you might need a projector with higher light output.

Screen Placement
Regardless of format choice, screen placement will be the next critical factor to consider. Screen placement must provide information that is readable, does not strain the body, and keeps the eyes focused toward the speaker. The displayed information must add to what happens on the platform, not distract away from it. The screen should be placed so that the eye naturally returns to the presenter.

Proper screen placement requires consideration of many points, including the height of the screen above the platform for optimum viewing angle, architectural style, structural support, front or rear projection, and viewing distances. To be ergonomically correct, the viewing angle should be no more than 15 degrees above the horizontal eye level. Screen placement is not only a function of content and screen size, but also a matter of aesthetics. Be open to compromises on this issue, as aesthetics can often be the overriding consideration.

Screen Size
Closely tied to screen placement is the determination of screen size, which is tied to the minimum character size for readability, which in turn is tied to the distance from the screen to the most distant viewer (MDV). The minimum character size (in inches) is determined by multiplying the distance (in feet) from the screen to the MDV by 0.0029. From the minimum character height and the number of text lines you will display (with proper line spacing), you can determine approximately the required height of the screen.

Another calculation of screen size is also based on the MDV. For a 4:3 format display the screen width is 1/8 of the distance to the MDV. For a 16:9 aspect ratio, the screen height is 1/8 of the distance to the MDV. Once you know either the height or the width and the desired format, you can calculate the other dimension and look for an available screen size that most closely matches your requirements. When your calculations are in between two sizes, always choose the larger size.

Screen size plays a big role in determining screen placement, of course. What if you can't find enough space for the calculated screen size? Remember that the distance to the MDV determines screen size. You can't bring the MDV closer to the screen, but you can install additional screens closer to the MDV. This option greatly increases the cost, as additional projection systems will be needed.

Viewing Angle
Screen placement is particularly difficult in churches with a "thrust style" platform because many viewers are at extreme angles to the front of the platform. The maximum angle that a projected image can be successfully viewed depends to a great deal on the screen material and coating. It is critical to talk to your screen representatives and let them know factors such as projector placement in relation to the center of the screen, viewing angles, and ambient light. They should also be interested in the type and light output of your projector. Ideally, you should work together with your screen and projector representatives to select equipment that complements each other and is the right choice for your church.

Perhaps you had been thinking that screen selection would be a relatively straightforward task. This article is only an introduction to screen selection—there are even more complexities to consider. To make the best use of your money, and to reduce the likelihood of making a bad decision, I strongly recommend that you gain assistance from a highly qualified video systems contractor to help determine the best solution for your church.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Your Church magazine.
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May/June 2006, Vol. 52, No. 3, Page 20