Mike Watkins, Creative Arts Director of Pathways Community Church, called upon the expertise of Hi-Tech Enterprises, Inc. when it came to realizing the media needs of their new facility.

What was the goal for this system?

HT: The main purpose behind any Video system is to be able to combine graphics with video while maintaining the best quality. Many of the systems we have built are currently being used to produce multi-camera shows, commercial broadcasts, or to broadcast live feeds via micro-wave.

We at Hi Tech wanted to be sure to design the system that Mike had in mind. One which was suitable for recording live events and included a first rate NLE. To meet this need, we provided Pathways with an end-to-end solution which allowed them to significantly shorten, simplify, and improve the production process by recording directly to DVD, thus maintaining the best possible quality.

MW: The process of what to get and where to get it is always the challenge for any ministry. We found ourselves in a position to get into a level of technology we had hoped for over many years. But from the time we began to pursue this ministry direction to the time we were able to execute the plan, the technology became a moving target. The boys at Hi-Tech honed in the target and nailed exactly what we were looking for.

What equipment was looked at before choosing the system?

HT:  We met with Mike and gave him a demonstration of the Sony BRC-300 Robotic camera and Newtek's VT System.

MW: We are building this ministry in layers. The means we needed a flexible technology plan that could grow with us. Issues like our finished lighting will not be in place for several months, the final resting place for the video system is yet to be finished, but these factors did not minimize our need for our overflow requirements. We found the Sony 300 to work well with our present lighting and the NewTek VT covers our most simple requirements and does not require us to be 100% complete in our facilities.

What special features does this system offer?

HT: The Sony RMBR-300 remote has a lot of capability including: 8 presets per camera, variable speed moves, and an easy-to-master joy stick control. Also, the Newtek VT has the capability to remember and store proc amp settings for each channel. It's really nice not needing a whole rack of TBC's or CCU's when configuring an installation. The robotic cameras replace a small army of operators, and the VT replaces an entire room full of equipment!

What kinds of considerations were made for this particular system?

HT: I wanted to be sure that everything that was needed could be supplied with a single solution. Hi-Tech is ideally suited for this we handle a wide variety of products from acquisition to distribution coupled because with over 23 years in the business. We have extensive experience setting up computer driven video and automation systems for both public and private sector broadcast. Taking this into account, the Newtek VT was the solution of choice.

We have deployed literally dozens of the Newtek VT solutions because we find that the fit is perfect for many installations. We also realize the system must be built correctly with no cutting corners on the proper components to be sure the system will last well into the future. That's not easy to do - especially with machine architecture changing every few months!

MW: We wanted an efficient video system. This meant to us quality and simplicity. We wanted excellent quality for our release videos. We don't have the floor space for cameras on tripods, not to mention the staffing requirements to pull a large video production together. The quality, compactness and discretion of this system met us at every requirement we had.

What platform was the system designed on?

HT: The VT system was built on a 800 MHZ front-side bus motherboard powered with dual 3.6 GHZ Xeon processors, and 2 GB DDR2RAM. The system also utilizes 288 GB of Ultra 320 SCSI storage. This insures plenty of storage for uncompressed footage and even more utilizing Newtek's  NT25 codec, which allows capture of 25 megabit DV streams with 4:2:2 chroma information!!

MW: Woof!

What about installation?

HT: The details of installing this system are fairly simple. The Sony BRC-300 robotic camera can use either Composite or S-Video Quality right out of the box, and can be upgraded with option cards depending on the system's needs: Component, SDI, and I-link options are available.

The system's camera control was easily implemented with some extra LAN cable that the church had on hand. Using those cables we installed the camera connections and the robotic links for the controller, Sony's RMBR-300.

How long did the install take?

HT: Installation of the cameras once the wiring was run occupied less than 8 hours total.

How did Hi-Tech and Pathways choose each other for this project?

HT: We have known Mike Watkins and a lot of the people at Pathways for a number of years, and Mike has a special vision for the use of media at Pathways.

MW: I have known and dealt with the staff at Hi-Tech for many years. As the needs in the Pathways media ministry have grown, these guys have walked us through the process at every level of technology. I keep throwing the vision to them, and they have always had a solution. When this opportunity to advance the video ministry presented itself, I knew immediately who to call.

What recommendations can you make for others considering similar solutions?

HT: Be clear about what needs to be accomplished as an end result. The better that vision is, the better we know how to get you there effectively.

MW: My experience with Hi-Tech has shown that if I am organized in the direction I need to go in media technologies, these guys are more than capable to provide the right solution for the budget.

What overall benefit will this system have for Pathways now and into the future?

MW: Now that the system is in place we have a growing excitement for the possibilities. The most basic use is for overflow monitors placed around our campus. We plan to develop an on going DVD ministry of our services, other ministries now have the resource for video projects, and the added bonus is the MPEG media streaming that will allow us to stream services live from our website at www.pathwayscc.com

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