MRMC New Technology for Worship

The blog post "MRMC Updates Prestonwood Baptist Church In Plano, TX" by Ellen Lampert-Greaux for LiveDesignOnline details the recent upgrade of broadcast and streaming technology at Prestonwood Baptist Church. Bryan Bailey, director of media at the church, and Paddy Taylor, head of broadcast solutions at MRMC, discuss their collaboration on this significant update completed in January 2024.

Extent and Goals of the New Install: The church, with a mission to impact the world through effective means, found its existing broadcast setup outdated. The new installation aimed to enhance the church’s ability to deliver dynamic and immersive broadcasts to its audience, which includes 15,000 weekly online viewers.

New Gear Installed:

• Audio: A d&b Soundscape system replaced the old audio PA, enhancing the audio experience.
• Stage: Paragon360 redesigned the stage, adding more square footage and better cable management.
• LED Walls: Upgraded with denser-pitched ReveLux products, increasing the digital scenery canvas.
• Lighting: UVLD introduced new LED moving light fixtures, and Ayrton’s 32 Huracan LT and 50 Eurus fixtures provided improved stage and audience lighting.
• Video: The entire video system was updated from a 1080i setup, including a Sony XVS 6000 switcher, Evertz routing, Boland monitors, TBC furniture, and Riedel intercom.

Enhanced Service Experience: The upgrade from nine cameras to 18, including various Sony models on MRMC heads, significantly improved camera angles and movement, making the broadcast more engaging for viewers. The discreet MRMC robotics allowed operators to control cameras remotely, increasing creative freedom without disturbing the congregation.

Holiday Productions: The church hosts "The Gift of Christmas," a large-scale production involving 1,500 volunteers, 14 performances, and 70,000 attendees. The AVL design work took this annual event into account, ensuring the new technology supports its immersive nature.

Challenges and Solutions: Adapting the technology for a church environment posed unique challenges. MRMC’s discreet camera placements and volunteer-friendly software were crucial solutions, setting a precedent for other churches to enhance their worship and teaching environments with robotic cameras.

Read the full article by Ellen Lampert-Greaux for LiveDesignOnline HERE