Systems Integration Asia – April-May 2018

AV in the Worship Sector

The AV requirements within the Worship sector has seen a sismec
shi in what is now installed. Audio has and will always be a prime
consideraon regardless of religion. Temples, Mosques, Synagogues
and Churches have a common thread and that is to ensure that their
worship and preaching is audible and intelligent. Audio technology
has improved by leaps and bounds, that has enabled houses of
worship to improve the audio reach and intelligibility and even have
the ability to have speakers blended into the architecture and design.

What is becoming more prevalent is the integraon of visual
technologies. One main purpose is to allow over-crowded spaces to
have a visual connecon to what is happening in the main prayer hall.
However, Digital Signage is also making inroads into the worship
space to not only offer direcon but to keep worshippers informed of
acvies. There is also the influence of video producon and
streaming being acvely engaged at houses of worship as well. Some
churches are also beginning to put emphasis on lighng be it
architectural or for within the sanctuary.

Churches in the region seem to be the most acve when it comes to
deploying all aspects of AV soluons. SI Asia thus spoke to a few
professionals involved in the Church segment about what they are
seeing as a trend in the Worship Sector where AV is concerned.

Robert Soo: Consultant, Cogent Acouscs,

Singapore

Are you as a consultant seeing any major

technology shi in terms of requirement in

Houses of Worship? If yes what are they?

For sound requirements, I do not see major shis

but there is a strong connuing trend in migrang analog to digital

across the board, from mixing consoles to infrastructure, as users

begin to understand the benefits it brings to producvity, control,

flexibility, ease of implementaon, quality and in many instances, cost

efficiency. Thus, when Houses of Worship (HoW) need to replace

their aging sound systems, it's almost a no brainer for most to make

the migraon. Dante is one example of a media networking soluon

that has seen a fast growing acceptance and implementaon within

the HoW community.

As for video, most HoW are usually slower in keeping up with industry

standards and pracces, though they are gradually progressing along,

because unlike the audio universe where most things analog from

decades ago are sll run and supported today, video formats and

standards progress and get obsoleted quicker, so everything in the

signal chain need to step up, with infrastructure supporng up to 4k.

However, I do see an increase in the demand for live video streaming

over the net (as more are reaching out to the greater masses via their

website or YouTube, etc.) as well as distribuon of AV over IP.

Nafiri Discipleship Church at Baywalk Jakarta featuring LED screens installed by V2 Indonesia

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