Visual Worshiper Utilizes Hitachi CP-A52 Short Throw Projectors To Bring Life To Sermons And Performances In Houses Of Worship

Consulting and live design company Visual Worshiper, with the help of Hitachi CP-A52 short-throw projectors, designs and implements interactive religious sets to enhance and increase participation of church-related events throughout the nation and around the world, in an effort to create a more dynamic environment for church congregants.

With the cost of a live production or an effects-heavy sermon too high for many religious venues, Hitachi projectors, multiple screens and a mix of pictures and pre-designed animations brings a unique flare to these presentations while keeping the cost at a minimum. 

Camron Ware, visual production designer and worship leader for Visual Worshiper, has been designing these sets since 2007.  “We weren’t able to afford the equipment that we needed to put on our productions, so we looked elsewhere for an innovative solution,” Mr. Ware said.  “Our initial designs were great, but it was difficult to figure out a cost effective and simple way to project the animations on the screens without casting shadows or using bulky equipment in the crowd.” 

The decision to use Hitachi short-throw projectors came very easily to Mr. Ware.  Simply put, “There was nothing else in the market that has all the features we needed for our productions. The projectors travel well, they are compact, they display top-quality images and the price is right.” 
The CP-A52 projectors easily allow the pictures and animations, ranging from static images to intricate lighting animations, to be projected from the floor of the stage, in front or right behind the screens, while taking up minimum space - approximately one foot between the projector and screen.

“The special effects are working very well,” according to Mr. Ware. “In fact, Visual Worshiper has traveled around the world on its mission to increase active participation in the church.  Visual Worshiper has traveled to Russia, Thailand, China and across the United States to help design these attention-grabbing performances.” 

“These visual presentations really make our events stand out, because it is something fresh and engaging for our visual culture,” Mr. Ware continued.

For more information about Visual Worshiper, visit their Web site at www.visualworshiper.com or their blog at www.visualworshiper.com/blog.

Oregon State University Deploys Hitachi Software StarBoards For New Interactive Learning Environment

Immediately positioning itself as a leader in higher education classroom technology, Oregon State University has chosen Hitachi Software StarBoard interactive whiteboards for its new interactive learning environment in Physics classrooms. Purchased through Troxell Communications, the University is deploying the Hitachi FXDUO-77 model StarBoards along with the award-winning Hitachi CP-A100 3LCD ultra-short-throw projector as part of the Hitachi Ultra Short Throw Bundle solution.

Don DeMello, coordinator for classroom technology services at Oregon State University, explained the decision to choose Hitachi. “The shortcut buttons on both sides of the StarBoard, allowing a user to operate programmed functions from either side of the board, was a major feature.  Additionally, the StarBoard doesn’t require any pens to annotate on the surface and when our faculty evaluated the StarBoard versus other interactive whiteboards, the consensus was that Hitachi’s solution was more intuitive in the feature controls.”

In addition to the technology advantages, Mr. DeMello believed the training and support offered by Hitachi was also instrumental in the University effectively implementing the technology. “Molly Montoya, education and training consultant for Hitachi Software, provided our faculty with three hour-long introduction sessions in the fall and we had over 30 faculty members attend the training sessions,” stated Mr. DeMello.

Beginning in the Spring 2010 term, the Physics Department will have officially begun teaching its calculus-based Physics courses, while utilizing the new Hitachi interactive whiteboard technology.

“I strongly believe that if students are actively engaged in the learning environment, it allows them to use and practice skills and lessons they are being introduced to. Also, the ability to witness others work in a collaborative environment provides them with a better perspective,” added Mr. DeMello.

While Oregon State University is still in the beginning stages of working with the StarBoards, Mr. DeMello sees the potential to expand the technology into other areas of the college. “We look to this new Physics lab classroom as it introduces the ‘no front’ collaborative style of teaching to other departments on campus.  Our vision is that more classrooms with this style of interactive teaching will be requested, designed and installed.”

For more information on Troxell Communications visit www.trox.com.

Hitachi Offers WXGA Resolution And Widescreen Capabilities With New CPX3 Mobile Short Throw Projector

Bringing widescreen compatibility to presenters in a variety of environments, Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division today introduced the CPX3 3LCD mobile short-throw projector. Offering WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, the CPX3 is specially designed for widescreen-format laptops and imaging applications that use 16:10 aspect ratios.

The CPX3 features an HDMI terminal, allowing digital signals such as DVD players/recorders and HD to be transmitted digitally to the projector. Additionally, the CPX3 also offers a wide-angle lens, allowing the projector to be used close to the screen with no obstructions. It also allows for a large image to be projected in a small space. The CPX3 is extremely light at 3.9 pounds, making it easily portable, while the 2,000 lumens brightness ensures professional-quality performance.

The CPX3 features a new remote control, adding “My Source” and Volume Up/Down functions. The CPX3 also offers closed captioning and input naming, allowing users to customize the names of the projector’s input sources. The CPX3’s security features include My Screen PIN lock, My Text and a transition detector. The CPX3’s built-in 1W speaker means no need for external audio devices, while the projector itself maintains a low noise level.

“The introduction of the CPX3 3LCD projector is a unique demonstration of Hitachi’s commitment to high performance, reliability and versatility,” Pete Denes, vice president of sales, Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division, Business Group. “Additionally, the CPX3 meets the growing demand for widescreen capabilities in a variety of presentation settings, further demonstrating Hitachi’s dedication to meeting the needs of integrators and end-users.”