(Secaucus, New Jersey--November 13, 2009) When the spirit moves Bishop Gregory Newman and his 2000+ congregants in the Temple of Greater Beth-EL Church (Phoenix, AZ), the action is captured in heavenly high-definition with Panasonic AK-HC1500G multi-format 1080i/720p HD point-of-view cameras.
The all-Panasonic house of worship’s video operations also depend on an AG-HVX200A P2 HD handheld camcorder, several 26” and 17” LCD HD production monitors, and the AV-HS300G multi-format HD/SD switcher. The HC1500G cameras are used in conjunction with the Panasonic AW-RP400 pan/tilt controller and AW-CB400 camera remote control unit.
Last fall, the Temple of Greater Beth-EL (TGB) received the prestigious Solomon Award for “Best Design, Implementation and Operation: Video Equipment/System” at the Worship Facilities Conference and Expo. The award recognizes church teams that have been instrumental in achieving excellence with their facilities design and audio/visual production.
Founded in 1981 by Bishop Newman, TGB has grown from a small neighborhood outpost to an influential church. An international audience can sign on (http://www.tgblive.org) to experience TGB’s current and archived services and sermons, all available in high-definition audio and video.
TGB’s impressive production system was designed by Bishop Newman’s son Isaac, the church’s audio/video director, consulting with John Gibson of EAR Professional Audio/Video (Phoenix, AZ.)
“While my background had been in audio production, I did enough research to assess that our video cameras should be high-definition and remote-controllable,” Newman said. “My preference was to work with one video manufacturer for all our production needs, and we decided that Panasonic was our best bet for one-stop shopping.”
Three remote-controlled AK-HC1500G point-of-view cameras (installed in the sanctuary ceiling, right, center, and left all facing the stage; the church is wired for two additional POV cameras) record the services in 1080i to an Avid Unity MediaNetwork DNxHD system. Newman edits the content using Avid Media Composer Adrenaline. The system is networked via high-speed Ethernet, enabling control from anywhere on the production bridge, or even from within the sanctuary.
He mixes the service on a Digidesign VENUE live sound system featuring a D-Show Profile console and Pro Tools|HD system for capturing high-resolution multi-track audio. Once finished, the audio and video are compiled to DVD for sale the following weekend and, in an abbreviated version, uploaded to the website for subscribers. (TGB has a subscription service, where people can access a live webstream or Skypecast, or download files such as Bible study materials.)
Newman purchased the HVX200A as a roving camcorder to document TGB’s many on- and off-site events (e.g., Family Wellness clinics, Unity Games sporting events) and to record interviews with clergy and other guest speakers. “We usually capture in 720/24pN to maximize the record times,” he said. “The HVX200 has been resilient in tough lighting and weather conditions.” The HVX200A is also sometimes used for supplementary acquisition during church services.
The HD monitors and HS300G switcher reside upstairs in a production hub designated the “bridge.” The BT-LH2600W is utilized as a program monitor, and each camera has a BT-LH1700W preview monitor that follows its shot. The HS300G switches among the cameras for live projection on the large-screen displays installed in the sanctuary.
Newman said all of TGB’s congregations, both physical and virtual, have come to appreciate and count on the church’s premium audio/visual presentations. “As Bishop Newman has said, ‘For us, the decision to use the best equipment we can comes down to whom we’re representing: I always tell people, I’m working for the boss of the planet, and it’s our job to represent Him in the best possible light. I couldn’t justify tinny sounding audio files or low-budget video.’”
For more information about the Temple of Greater Beth-EL and its ministries, visit http://www.tgblive.org.
About the AK-HC1500G
Compatible with all international HD standards, the AK-HC1500G is the first multi-purpose camera to feature a variable frame rate functionality and cine gamma curve, features that have distinguished Panasonic’s popular VariCam HD Cinema™ camcorder. The 1-megapixel, 2/3-inch 3-CCD camera offers both 1080 (60i/59.94i, 50i, 30p, 25p/24p) and 720 (60p, 59.94p/50p) high definition output and has a rear option slot for expansion (e.g., downconverter card with digital and analog outputs), making the AK-HC1500G suitable for a broad spectrum of applications. It is compatible with Panasonic’s comprehensive line of indoor and outdoor pan-tilt heads, pan-tilt controllers and camera control units.
About the AG-HVX200A
P2 HD all solid-state products offer high definition recording without the mechanical wear and environmental limitations of tape, hard disk, and optical disc based systems. P2 HD ensures the highest reliability, especially in challenging conditions of extreme temperature range, shock, and vibration. P2 HD products provide a significant reduction in maintenance costs, longer useful product life, and immediate access to recorded video (no need to digitize, ingest or create proxy video files) and metadata. P2 HD provides the reliability of solid-state production; the immediate connectivity to existing IT infrastructures; the speed, ease of use and portability of P2 cards; and the interoperability with leading NLE systems.
About Panasonic Broadcast
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a Unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, visit http://www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
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