© 2004, 1996 G. Edwin Lint
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Church Worker Handbook -- What You Didn't Learn in Bible College and Seminary
This is a set of guidelines to help those who encounter some of the older AV devices: cassette and reel to reel and cassette tape recorders, movie projector, slide projector, film strip projector, overhead projector, and CD audio recorder. If you don't have any of these items in your AV inventory, skip this chapter.
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Most
churches have an assortment of AV equipment. These guidelines are designed as
an aid to church workers who may not be trained or experienced in the proper use
of these items.
AV
equipment was bought to be used. Some church workers decline to use it because
of one or more of the following reasons:
1. The equipment is too expensive and we don't want to waste it.
2. If we use it we might break it.
3. We're saving it for something important.
4. If something happens to it we may be held responsible.
Your
church should consider the following policy regarding AV equipment:
It
is the responsibility of each worker to become familiar with the operation and
proper utilization of all equipment items related to his/her particular program.
We
cannot realize a return on our investment in expensive equipment unless it is
used. Therefore, no equipment is too expensive or valuable to be used by properly
trained workers in pursuit of program goals and objectives.
Anything
made by man is subject to mechanical failure. Workers who use equipment properly
and experience breakdown due to normal wear and tear or manufacturer's defect
should not feel personally responsible. It is far more expensive to allow valuable
equipment to lie idle than it is to properly use it and repair it.
A
properly trained and reasonably careful worker will not be held responsible for
equipment which fails during normal use.
It is the responsibility of the worker to report any and all malfunctions or equipment failures immediately.
The
tape recorder is a very versatile audiovisual tool and can be used in support
of a wide variety of church activities.
Most
recorders use cassette tapes. Their lengths are shown on the label as C-xx [with
a numeral replacing the xx.] The numeral indicates the length of the tape in minutes.
A C-90 means the tape will run a total of 90 minutes; 45 minutes on each side.
The
tape always moves from left to right as you look at the tape, with label side
facing you and the open tape facing down. Although some portable recorders require
you to insert the tape with tape side facing up, and tape moving from right to
left, you can still visualize the tape movement as left to right.
Older may recorders use 1/4 inch tape and are known as reel to reel recorders.. The tape is customarily wound on a seven inch reel in lengths of from 1,200 to 1,800 ft. The length of the tape will depend upon the type of plastic backing used. Some tapes are thinner and much more tape can be wound on one seven inch reel.
Digital Audio CD Recorder
Most of the newer computers have the capability to burn [record] compact disks [CDs]. It is possible to buy a stand-alone digital audio CD recorder that works much like the cassette and reel to reel recorders work. The primary difference is the CD recorder uses blank CDs instead of cassette or reel tapes.
The blank CDs for such a recorder must be marked music or sound, instead of data. A typical blank CD for a CD recorder will be marked MUSIC CD-R and will hold up to 80 minutes of recorded material [700 mb].
The advantages of the digital audio CD recorder over the cassette tape recorder are as follows:
CDs are more durable than tape.
CDs may be used in any regular CD player; since cassette tapes will go the way of the eight-track tapes, it makes sense to position yourself to go with CDs.
If you are comfortable using a cassette recorder to make broadcast-quality recordings, you should be able to use a CD audio recorder with little trouble.
Caution: High-end cassette and CD recorders may not have inputs for mikes. Apparently manufacturers assume that purchasers of such equipment will already have a mike mixer for providing mike input.
The
majority of the tape recorders manufactured today are operated by very similar
controls. These may be push buttons or levers and may be marked by a variety of
symbols. They tend to achieve the same function.
Play. This control operates the forward operation of the tape transport mechanism and will play back recordings which have already been made.
Record.
Pressing Play and Record
simultaneously will start the recording. Caution: It is possible to record on
top of previous recordings you have made and erase those recordings. However,
this is unlikely to happen with a commercial cassette recording because a safety
tab has been removed along the edge of the cassette opposite the tape. You can
provide this same precaution with recordings you make by removing this safety
tab. Note: if you change your mind and decide to record over a recording with
has been protected by the removal of this safety tab, you can reuse this tape
by placing a small piece of tape over the tab hole.
Stop. This control stops the forward motion of the recorder during either the play/record or fast forward/rewind functions.
Pause.
The pause or instant
stop control is used to freeze the tape instantaneously for editing or special
effects. Putting the recorder in record mode plus Pause
will enable you to monitor your recordings levels before actually starting the
recording.
Speed.
Most reel to reel tape
recorders are manufactured with at least two speeds: 7.5 ips (inches per second)
and 3.75 ips. This designation refers to speed at which the tape is drawn across
the recording head. It should be noted that higher quality recordings result with
the use of the fastest speed available on the machine. Anything below 3.75 should
be reserved for voice recording only. Piano music should never be attempted at
anything but 7.5.
There
is an obvious relationship
between the recording speed and the recording time for a given reel of tape. For
example, a 1200 ft. reel of tape will run for 45 minutes at 7.5 ips and for 90
minutes at 3.75 ips.
Threading
the Tape
On most
reel to reel tape recorders, the transport mechanism carries the tape from left
to right. Therefore the full or feed reel should be placed on the left hand spindle
and the empty or makeup reel should be placed on the right spindle. The tape should
come off the reel with the coated (dull) side towards the top or back of the machine.
The sound is actually captured on this coated side.
Pull
off enough free tape to reach through the head channel and around the takeup reel
two or three times. During this process make sure the tape is not twisted with
the coated side toward the bottom or front of the recorder. If this happens, normal
recording or playback is impossible.
Tape
Counter. The counter
is used for indexing the tape. This permits the location of a specific portion
even though it may be in the middle or near the end of 90-minute tape. Many counters
actually measure each revolution of the feed reel on its axis. However, some counters
measure real time in minutes and seconds.
The
counter should always be set to zero at the point the first recording on the tape
is begun. Each time this tape is reused, it will be possible to pick up an indexed
recording by allowing the tape to run until sound begins, stopping it instantly,
and setting the counter to zero.
The
counter should always be used when making a recording. At the time the recording
is begun, check the counter and make a note of its setting. It will then be possible
to turn to the exact point the recording began without playing hide and seek games
with the fast forward and rewind controls.
Advance
or rewind tape to a
section which you do not wish to keep. It is important to remember that the record
process automatically erases anything previously recorded on that section of the
tape.
Plug
in microphone or know
the exact location of a built-in condenser mike.
Place
on pause by pressing Play and Record simultaneously.
This will place the recorder in the record mode but tape will not start to advance
until you are ready.
With
the machine in this mode an adjustment can be made of the proper recording level.
As a general rule the volume control should be set in the middle of its range
for recording. However, if the sound source is particularly loud or close, it
may be necessary to back it off to about 1/3 of its range. If the sound source
is faint or far from the microphone the volume control should be advanced to its
maximum.
Most
recorders have some sort of recording level indicator.
It may be a needle on a VU (volume units) meter or a LED [light-emitting diode]
display. Less expensive recorders may have ALC (automatic level controls) which
cannot be adjusted. If you can adjust the volume, it should be adjusted so that
the distort level of recording is indicated only on the higher peaks of sound.
If a distort level is indicated continuously this means you will get a poor recording
with an unpleasant, distorted sound.
After
the proper recording level has
been established, release the pause control and the recording will begin.
It
is not always necessary to
use the pause in the record mode to establish proper recording level. If you're
recording similar sounds or under similar circumstances you may be able to estimate
the recording level.
It
is possible to eliminate much of the noise of starting and stopping the
tape recorder during the record mode by keeping the volume turned down when starting
the machine and then quickly advancing it to the desired level. The reverse is
done when the machine is stopped. Turn the volume down and then push the stop
button.
Avoid
handling the microphone or touching the microphone wire during recording.
This will result in an unpleasant rustling, thumping or crackling sound which
detracts from the recording. It is also important that papers not be rustled or
shuffled near the microphone. (A very realistic sound of a forest fire can be
achieved by crumbling large sheets of newspaper in front of a sensitive microphone.)
It
is possible to record sound from another tape recorder, a radio, or a television
set without using a microphone. This is known as direct or line recording and
is achieved by connecting the output of any audiovisual device to the auxiliary
input of the tape recorder. In this manner a recording can be made without worrying
about ambient noise in the room. Furthermore, the quality of the recorded sound
can be up to 95% of the quality of the original sound.
A
special cord is required for this type of recording. The cord must be fitted with
proper male plugs on either end for matching the female output plugs of the machine
originating the sound and the female input plugs of the tape recorder being used
to record the sound.
The average user of a tape recorder may feel uncomfortable in setting up for a direct recording. It is not something so complicated, however, that cannot be mastered by any program person who knows how to record with a recorder under normal circumstances.
Tip: If the plugs fit the jacks, and you don't hear an unpleasant buzzing sound, the chances are quite good that an acceptable recording will be made.
These
suggestions may be applied to movie, film strip, slide and overhead projectors.
A projector
may be used in any room regardless of the amount of light in the room. The machine
is simply moved closer to the surface being used for projection until the image
is bright enough. The following rule should be remembered: as the projector is
moved closer to the screen, the image becomes smaller and brighter; as the projector
is moved away from the screen the image becomes larger and dimmer. It is best
to have a darkened room for a big picture but an undarkened room can be used if
a smaller picture is satisfactory.
The
projector should be positioned, elevated, and pre-focused (area of light with
sharp edges) before the film is threaded. All these preparations should be completed
before the audience is assembled for the show.
A projector should not be moved after use until the lamp has had a chance to cool. The lam
p
may be cooled by running the fan with the lamp off. The lamp is very easily damaged
when it is hot.
All projectors should be handled with care. This is particularly important when going through doorways and on stairways.
A
silver lenticular screen provides the ideal projection surface. A beaded glass
screen can be used if the light environment is not as critical. In the absence
of a screen it is possible to use any light-colored surface. A large piece of
white construction paper makes an ideal screen for small groups viewing at short
projection distances. The back of a wall map or chart can also be used as a screen
with good results.
Projection
equipment with brighter projected images require less sophisticated projection
surfaces. As a general rule the overhead projector has the greatest versatility
in this regard followed by the 35 mm slide projector, 35 mm filmstrip projector
and 16 mm movie projector in descending order.
Audience
seating patterns are very important in relationship to the screen or projection
surface. The projected image appears to be most sharp and bright when viewed from
immediately behind the projector. [Move around the room and view the image from
different angels when setting up a show.] As the viewer moves away from the projector
to either side, the image appears to be less bright in relation to the distance
from the projector. This decrease in brightness is more noticeable when using
auxiliary projection surfaces.
Viewers
should not be permitted to sit close to the front of the room at the extreme right
or left of the screen.
The
film strip projector is a useful educational tool for showing still pictures.
The projector uses 35mm film in a continuous roll of from 36 to 100 frames.
Threading the Projector
Always
handle the film strip by the edge. Finger prints on the projected areas will be
detrimental to the projected image.
Make
sure the film has been rewound. The first frame should read focus, followed by
a title frame. If the first frame says "the end" simply rewind the strip
manually and start at the beginning.
Insert
film in channel at top of projector making sure film is pushed down to the level
of the advance knob. A sprocket wheel on the axle of the advance knob will then
pull the film through the machine.
Framing
the Image:
The
machine is constructed to advance the film one frame for each click of the advance
knob. In order to align the frame, turn the framing control on the axle of the
advance knob.
Rewind:
After the entire filmstrip has been projected advance it out of the machine and
rewind manually, holding the film by the edges.
Automatic
Filmstrip Projector
The automatic filmstrip projector uses a mechanical film advance activated by
an audio signal from a sound track. The advance of the frames is thereby synchronized
to the sound track.
Loading
Slides into Carousel Slide Reel
Remove
locking ring in top center of reel.
Insert
slide in numbered compartments upside down with coated (dull) side toward the
lower numeral.
Replace
locking ring.
Check
bottom of reel making sure slot on edge of metal plate is lined up with the blank
space between slide 1 and slide 80.
Place
projection reel on top of machine with zero pointed toward mark on right side
of machine (facing screen).
Basic
Controls
Fan.
This control runs the
fan motor without activating the projection lamp. It is used after a show for
cooling the lamp.
Low.
This control activates
the fan and projection lamp at a low light intensity. This is used for short projection
distances or for previewing slides.
High.
This activates the
projection lamp at its highest light intensity.
Reverse.
This activates the
slide changing mechanism from a higher to a lower numbered slide.
Forward.
This activates the
slide changing mechanism from a lower to a higher numbered slide.
Select.
This control has a
dual function.
a.
When a slide is in the projection chamber, the select control will eject the slide
back into the reel without advancing the reel to the next position. With the locking
ring removed, the slide can then be taken from the reel for editing purposes.
b. With
the select control depressed, the slide reel can be rotated freely on its spindle.
In this way individual slides can be selected without unnecessary changer action.
The carousel must be returned to zero to remove it from the spindle.
Manual
Projection. It is practical
to project a limited number of loose slides without using the Carousel reel. Simply
place the slide in the projection chamber making sure it is upside down with the
dull or coated side toward the screen. The slide is ejected from the chamber by
pressing the select button.
The
overhead projector is designed to project an image from a transparent film. A
light source below a glass projection table shines through the transparency and
on to a mirror in the projection head and hence to the screen.
Basic Controls
Focus.
The image is focused
by turning a knob which raises or lowers the projection head on the metal upright.
Elevate.
The image is raised
or lowered on the screen by adjusting the mirror on the projection head.
Framing.
The image can be further
adjusted and framed on the screen by moving the transparency on the light table.
Grease
Pencil. The simplest
method of making a transparency is to write on an acetate sheet with a grease
pencil. Unfortunately, this is not a permanent image and can be smudged with a
pointer or finger.
Photocopier.
A permanent transparency
can easily be made by making a copy of any image with transparency film in the
paper tray. Make sure the transparency film is rated for a photocopier.
Laser
Printer. High-quality
transparencies can be made with a laser printer, with laser transparency film
in the paper tray.
CAUTION:
Your transparency film must be rated for a laser printer.
Do not use film rated for a photo copier or you may damage the printer.
Adding
Color to Transparencies
Transparencies made on clear sheets can be enhanced through the use of a colored
pen or pencil by cutting out bits of adhesive acetate for attaching them to specific
areas of transparency.
Additional
details can be added to
a transparency through the use of an overlay. The basic transparency is made and
projected with the additional detail added by means of a second transparency which
is laid down on the first.
Framing.
All transparencies
should be framed before projection. This provides a clear, sharp border around
the transparency and makes it much easier to handle. There is also a provision
for indexing information.
A bright and sharp image
can be projected in an ordinary room lit in normal fashion by natural or artificial
light.
A large image can be projected at a relatively close projection distance permitting the instructor to stand in front of and face the group while operating the equipment.
Sixteen millimeter movie projectors are becoming less popular with the increased popularity of the VCR and the DVD. However, these guidelines are provided in case you still have a movie projector.
Terms to Understand:
Sprocket. A roller with little lugs on the outside edge that match the holes in the edge of the film. The sprocket usually has a cover that snaps up to permit threading.
Gate. A channel in front of the lamp through which the film must pass. The lens may swing out to open the gate or the gate cover may simply snap forward to permit access.
Loop. A 'U' of film usually formed above and below the gate.
Sound Drum. A large smooth roller with no little lugs.
Feed Reel. The reel with the film on it.
Take-Up-Reel. The empty reel on which the film will be wound as it is projected.
Controls
Most projectors
have a two-position control for the motor. The first position runs the motor only
and the second runs the motor and the lamp.
The
amplifier is usually turned on with the volume knob. If the projector has a separate
switch for "exciter lamp", be certain this is turned on or you will
get no sound.
The
film speed control should be set for "sound", unless a silent movie
is shown. This control changes the speed at which the film is projected. Sound
film: 24 frames per second. Silent film: 18 frames per second.
Reels. The feed reel should be placed on the spindle which does not turn when the projector is running in a forward direction. The film should come off the front of the reel with the sprocket holes toward the operator. The holes in the film must match the lugs on the sprocket. The feed reel and the take-up reel will always turn in the same direction.
Threading: (General instructions for all projectors)
Pull
off a few feet of film.
Place
film over top sprocket and close over.
Form
loop, pass through gate, form lower loop.
Pass
film over or around sound drum.
Pass
film over lower sprocket, close cover, and run onto take-up reel.
Most projectors have basic threading information printed right on them.
Rewinding:
The film must be
free of the machine and must travel directly from the take-up reel back to the
feed reel.
The
lamp should not be on during rewind.
When
showing a movie of more than one reel, all reels may be shown one after the other.
Use the feed reel of the first reel of the film as the takeup reel for the second
reel of the film. All reels should be rewound at the end of the show.
Caution:
During the rewind, reels are moving very rapidly. Keep hands, hair, etc. free
of spinning reels. Serious injury and/or damage to the film or projector can result.
Failure
to Rewind: The film
should be rewound by the person who used it last. The film distributors' request
"Do Not Rewind" is ignored by everyone except the last person to use
the film.
If
a picture appears on the screen upside down the film probably was not rewound.
Reverse reels, rewind, and project.
Splicing
The user should
splice all breaks using regular polyester splicing tape.
Do not use office tape. If splicing tape is not available, lap broken ends and splice later.
There are several formats of VCRs. However, the most popular, and the acknowledged standard, is VHS. Therefore, all comments here will relate to VHS format. In addition, these comments are of a general nature and apply to regular VCRs as well as VCR large-screen projectors.
Playback of a previously-made recording will be all we will discuss here. If you want to made a recording, consult your VCR's owner manual.
General
Controls
The majority
of the VCRs manufactured today are operated by very similar controls. They tend
to achieve the same function.
Inserting Tape. Insert the tape with the tape window facing up and the label facing you. Make sure the small arrow is pointing toward the back of the machine.
Play. This control operates the forward operation of the tape transport mechanism and will play back recordings which have already been made.
Stop. This control stops the forward motion of the recorder during either the play or fast forward/rewind functions.
Fast Forward. This control permits rapid forward advance of the tape for the purpose of picking up a recording in the middle or near the end of a cassette.
Rewind. This control permits rapid reverse of the tape for the purpose of returning to the beginning of a recorded portion.
Speed. Most VCRs will switch to the playback speed which is equal to the speed of the recording. If this does not happen, you may need to change the speed.
Pause/Still. The pause or instant stop control is used to freeze the tape instantaneously for special effects.
Tape
Counter.
The
counter is used for indexing the tape. This permits the location of a specific
portion even though it may be in the middle or near the end of a two-hour tape.
Early counters measured each revolution of the feed reel on its axis. However,
counters on newer VCRs measure real time in minutes and seconds.
The counter should always be set to zero at the point the first recording on the tape is begun. Each time this tape is reused, it will be possible to pick up an indexed recording by allowing the tape to run until the picture begins, stopping it instantly, and setting the counter to zero.
The counter should always be used when making a recording. At the time the recording is begun, check the counter and make a note of its setting. It will then be possible to return to the exact point the recording began without playing hide and seek games with the fast forward and rewind controls.
Set
Up
Make
sure the program portion of the tape is ready to play before your audience assembles.
Your audience shouldn't have to sit through the FBI warning about unlawful duplication,
or other similar material.
If your VCR's controls are hard to read in the dark, you may want to mark those controls with colored vinyl tape.
Church
Worker Handbook Table of Contents
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How
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