Machine specs for running Proclaim at church

Could everyone post their machine specs that they use for running Proclaim? We currently use my personal Surface Pro 3 but want to purchase a dedicated machine for the church to handle Proclaim. It would be connected to our sound system for recording (i.e. messages recorded in Proclaim) and playing audio. It'll be connected to two projectors. One in the front and one in the back of the auditorium. We are leaning towards a PC which would be running Windows 10. Do you use a laptop or desktop? Did you purchase a pre-configured machine? If so, what is the brand and specs? Did you build your own machine? If so, what are the specs? We'd like to stay under $850 and that would include the purchase of Office for PowerPoint. That way we could run PowerPoint presentations through Proclaim on this machine if necessary. We are trying to get a machine that could last us 5-7 years if possible but not break the bank. Our projectors are both wired for HDMI and VGA. We have the VGA as a backup in case the HDMI cables go bad.

Thank you and Lord bless!

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Michael Wright

Go Mac and you'll never go back! We use a MacBook Pro Retina with SSD. It works great. We have a backup Windows machine we use as a door stop.

Our projector is hooked up through an Apple TV device and we connect audio input to the mixer using an Apple Airport express. We do have a hard wire from an auxiliary output into the Mac for recording and publishing sermons, but hope to replace it with a wireless device soon.

A budget of $850 seems unrealistic, as does the hope of finding a system that will last 7 years. That is a long time in computer years. The hardware might last that long with proper care, but updates and advancements to the OS and other supporting software will have rendered it obsolete by then. Now if Proclaim ever releases a Linux build, you will be golden! I have a stack of old pc's that will no longer run Windows, but handle Linux very well. And they never have to be re-booted.

Mike Binks

My i7 macbook Air does just fine and is portable enough to set up in retirement homes and hospitals.

By far the best advance lately (old hat to some) is using AirPlay and Apple TV to connect to the computer to the projector thus removing a whole raft of potentially hazardous wires. Next step airport express to plug the sound system into and we are nearly wire free (apart from mains feeds) and readily portable.

Scott Burke

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784069#Comment_784069

My i7 macbook Air does just fine and is portable enough to set up in retirement homes and hospitals.

By far the best advance lately (old hat to some) is using AirPlay and Apple TV to connect to the computer to the projector thus removing a whole raft of potentially hazardous wires. Next step airport express to plug the sound system into and we are nearly wire free (apart from mains feeds) and readily portable.

Mike and this would also be the same question to Michael above,

What do you do if you have a guest speaker/missionary/etc. come in that has a Windows laptop? Can you run any PowerPoint or whatever presentation software they use through AirPlay? Also, what if AirPlay or AppleTV stops working? What do you do for a backup? We have InFocus LiteShow3 which is a wireless setup. We are planning on running cables since there is some latency with LiteShow3 and we also lost connection to it once even though the laptop connected to it was about 16 feet away. LiteShow3 is both Windows and Mac compatible. Is AirPlay and AppleTV compatible with Windows?

Thank you! Lord bless!

Glenn Gervais (Faithlife)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784119#Comment_784119

What do you do if you have a guest speaker/missionary/etc. come in that has a Windows laptop? Can you run any PowerPoint...

You can import their PowerPoint into Proclaim. You just need Proclaim on the computer, no need to install PowerPoint, we use a third party plugin to open the PowerPoint and import each slide as an image into Proclaim. You can do this on a Windows or Mac computer, but this plugin does have some known issues with importing some PowerPoint presentations on Mac (it does not always select to correct font and some slides are cutoff). I would recommend importing into Proclaim on a Windows computer.

Here are a couple help articles that have more information and potential ways around

http://support.proclaimonline.com/hc/en-us/articles/202685969-Import-PowerPoint

http://support.proclaimonline.com/hc/en-us/articles/206296245-Why-doesn-t-my-PowerPoint-presentation-import-properly-

I'm not very familiar with AirPlay, but after some googling, it looks like you can use AirPlay with a Windows Computer, but additional software is needed.

Scott Burke

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784121#Comment_784121

What do you do if you have a guest speaker/missionary/etc. come in that has a Windows laptop? Can you run any PowerPoint...

You can import their PowerPoint into Proclaim. You just need Proclaim on the computer, no need to install PowerPoint, we use a third party plugin to open the PowerPoint and import each slide as an image into Proclaim. You can do this on a Windows or Mac computer, but this plugin does have some known issues with importing some PowerPoint presentations on Mac (it does not always select to correct font and some slides are cutoff). I would recommend importing into Proclaim on a Windows computer.

Here are a couple help articles that have more information and potential ways around

http://support.proclaimonline.com/hc/en-us/articles/202685969-Import-PowerPoint

http://support.proclaimonline.com/hc/en-us/articles/206296245-Why-doesn-t-my-PowerPoint-presentation-import-properly-

I'm not very familiar with AirPlay, but after some googling, it looks like you can use AirPlay with a Windows Computer, but additional software is needed.

Glenn,

I like that we can import PowerPoint presentations into Proclaim but as you said they are just converted to slides and you lose all the PowerPoint animations. That said I know you can have Proclaim execute the PowerPoint presentation without importing it. Therefore, if one wants to run their PowerPoint presentation without losing all the animations the machine running Proclaim would need to have Office installed, correct? I thought Microsoft had a PowerPoint viewer which would mean PowerPoint doesn't need to be installed on the machine that Proclaim is on. But, I think that is old and I don't know if Microsoft has a new one that runs works with PowerPpoint presentations built in Office 365. Any suggestions?

Scott Alexander

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784143#Comment_784143

I like that we can import PowerPoint presentations into Proclaim but as you said they are just converted to slides and you lose all the PowerPoint animations. That said I know you can have Proclaim execute the PowerPoint presentation without importing it. Therefore, if one wants to run their PowerPoint presentation without losing all the animations the machine running Proclaim would need to have Office installed, correct? I thought Microsoft had a PowerPoint viewer which would mean PowerPoint doesn't need to be installed on the machine that Proclaim is on. But, I think that is old and I don't know if Microsoft has a new one that runs works with PowerPpoint presentations built in Office 365. Any suggestions?

Embedded PowerPoint presentations are supported on Windows only. You have to have PowerPoint or the PowerPoint viewer installed on the machine as well.

Scott Alexander

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784151#Comment_784151

One thing that Macs have going them is their well tested hardware configurations. Windows machines are like snowflakes, each with their own combination of hardware and device drivers. If you're building your own Windows configuration don't skimp on the video card - 1GB of dedicated memory is optimal. http://support.proclaimonline.com/hc/en-us/articles/205975795-What-should-I-know-about-my-graphics-hardware-

Glenn Gervais (Faithlife)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784143#Comment_784143

I thought Microsoft had a PowerPoint viewer which would mean PowerPoint doesn't need to be installed on the machine that Proclaim is on. But, I think that is old and I don't know if Microsoft has a new one that runs works with PowerPpoint presentations built in Office 365. Any suggestions?

As Scott replied, to control an embedded PowerPoint you would need PowerPoint or their viewer on a Windows machine, but...

You can use a Webpage Service Item to control an Office 365 PowerPoint presentation on Windows or Mac

Details here: http://support.proclaimonline.com/hc/en-us/articles/204466529-How-do-I-add-Web-based-presentations-to-Proclaim-

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784119#Comment_784119

Mike and this would also be the same question to Michael above,

What do you do if you have a guest speaker/missionary/etc. come in that has a Windows laptop? Can you run any PowerPoint or whatever presentation software they use through AirPlay?

Hi Scott

Firstly I wouldn't be happy simply to trust to 'fixing' technology on the day (fail to prepare - prepare to fail) so I would be asking guests to send their presentations in advance. That way things can be integrated and tested.

In the event that someone brings something on powerpoint that is on a computer rather than a stick I would resort to cables. Nothing in the set up preludes plugging in a VGA connection and using a remote clicker. Untidy but do-able.

If the presentation was on a memory stick (don't let the developers read this bit) I would load it into Keynote and use 'spaces' on the Mac to run the presentation natively - you have to come 'off air' in Proclaim but the transfer back and forth can be done quickly and with minimal visual impact as the speaker takes their place at the front. Again a bit of practice pays dividends.

Also, what if AirPlay or AppleTV stops working?

I use a second generation Apple TV which is about 2 years old, it and my lap top and indeed my iPad have never failed to communicate. At the end of the day there is always a lead and adaptor in my bag. As a rule of thumb if Apple kit works at all it tends to keep working providing you keep on top of software updates.

Is AirPlay and AppleTV compatible with Windows?

Wash your mouth out with soap and water!

Someone in your congregation is bound to have the kit at home - why not give it a try - there is nothing to lose providing you 'give it a try' on Friday morning rather than Sunday morning. [;)]

(fail to prepare - prepare to fail)

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784119#Comment_784119

Is AirPlay and AppleTV compatible with Windows?

You can install an AirPlay receiver on Windows. It works pretty well if you have a good network connection.

You can also install an AirPlay sender, although I've not tried that personally.

Scott Burke

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784268#Comment_784268

Hello everyone!

Thank you for all the input. Please don't think I'm making fun of PC people out there but I have found it both funny and odd that nobody wants to share their Windows specs. If there is anyone willing to share that, please do so.

For all of you who have suggested a Mac, Apple TV, and Apple AirPlay, thank you! I have more questions for you. How do dual monitors and/or projectors work with AppleTV? We have one projector in the front and one in the back of the auditorium. Can we extend the screen through Apple TV? Can we say have the normal presentation of Proclaim run on the front projector, have the slides and notes of Proclaim on the back, and on the laptop screen or monitor screen connected to the Mac have the main Proclaim application hub showing? I'm sure we can do this but could we just show something on the back projector if the front one is off? Do we need two Apple TV's or could we do all this with one? Also, this may not be true for all of you running Apple TV and AirPlay but if memory serves me correctly someone mentioned this setup would help free us of cables. Are all of you who have the Mac, Apple TV, and AirPlay setup fully wireless and without cables? Do any of you suggest having the cables for backup purposes? I know that Apple products typically work but what would you do if your wireless setup didn't work during a service? Please forgive me for all the questions but we're trying to do our best to have a system that will best meet our needs and we want to prayerfully consider all our options and have many questions answered before moving any farther.

Thank you and Lord bless!

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784289#Comment_784289

Scott

For the most part I don't know the answer to your questions. My set up is very simple with a single projector and screen for the presentation and, depending on the (human) help I have either a MacBook or a MacBook and iPad.

If I had a built in system, and the decoration could take it I would always go for a wired set up -- for me not having to attach the MacBook to the projector or the amplification is a great help.

Once again I come back to the suggestion - blag an Apple TV (or two) and Laptop along with a mac-wise operator and 'suck it and see'. It only means plugging a few bits in on a temporary basis.

Michael Wright

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784289#Comment_784289

I clicked "Quick Reply" but with so many questions, it will be nothing of the sort! But I have time.

Multiple monitors and Apple TV work well together, however you can only connect to one ATV device at a time. It simply appears to OS X as another monitor connected to the Mac. You would then configure the Mac to extend the display to all monitors and use Display settings in Proclaim to determine what displays on each; any way you like. If the front projector is connected using the ATV, the confidence monitor (or projector) in the back would have to be connected using a dongle and cable.

Apple TV seems very reliable, however I do take care to restart the Mac prior to going on-air. We have experienced disconnects on two separate occasions during the warmup slides. In each case a quick reboot brought everything back to normal. I have no proof, but have related these disconnects to long periods between restarts. Incidentally, rebooting a Mac takes only a few seconds. Nothing like rebooting a windoze machine. In my opinion Windows is just another DDOS attack!

We always keep an extra monitor dongle and cable handy, but have never used it during a service. I take care to keep both the ATV device firmware and MacBook OS X up-to-date.

We were completely wireless until proclaim released the record feature a few weeks ago. I had to connect a cable between an auxiliary output on our sound board and the MacBook to facilitate recording. I hope to acquire a wireless hookup for this soon. The girl that runs our slides doesn't like to be tied down!

Now concerning quest speakers...
My pastor usually gets me his sermon notes with plenty of advanced warning - say an hour prior to the service. With guest speakers I get even less warning. So I am accustomed to assembling sermon slides at the last minute. I keep a thumb drive handy in case I need it. The MacBook includes a KeyNote app which can open PowerPoint presentations for export as images.

We actually used a Windows machine for a few years; primarily with Easy Worship. It worked well at the time, but after moving to Proclaim it was a constant battle to keep it updated. Display drivers were constantly out-of-date and causing problems when on-air. We never have any of those problems with the MacBook.

David J. Wilson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/784289#Comment_784289

Thank you for all the input. Please don't think I'm making fun of PC people out there but I have found it both funny and odd that nobody wants to share their Windows specs. If there is anyone willing to share that, please do so.

Apologies for the late contribution but I do have a suggestion that may help:

We run Proclaim (with frequent embedded Power Points and stand alone power points occasionally) but we use two computers (one for backup, used very occasionally). For larger events such as meetings where the program changes on the fly, one can be used for editing what is coming up while the other projects.

System is based on off lease (maybe 3 years old or so) HP Elite Slim PC 8000. 4GB DDR3 Ram and 160GB HD (a professional system not a home system) which came with Windows 7 Pro installed from which you can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for the cost of a coffee (tea, juice, soda or whatever) for whoever downloads and installs the upgrade for you (takes a little time, not at all difficult). This system has dual video outputs (one VGA to a local monitor (for each computer), the other DVI which runs via a converter then a selector to a video splitter to run three projectors (one left, one right, one rear facing for those up front to see, plus a central monitor so the computer folks know which signal is going to the projectors). Cost to us was $279 (including shipping) plus 19 inch HP LA1915g monitors with a very flexible /rotatable stand for another $80 (already had the mouse and keyboard etc).

We are in Canada so in USA these cost a lot less. Newegg.com currently have the same system with a slightly larger HD (250GB) for $100 after a $20 rebate.... and they seem to give you a keyboard and mouse as well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883281804&ignorebbr=1

and in USA you can get the monitors for $44 each

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824276230&ignorebbr=1

Of course you can pay more if it must be new equipment of if you want apple equipment, but if you want this primarily for Proclaim then these are more than adequate. Run these systems until they break and you will have a better idea of what you want to get longer term. Expect them to last 5 to 7 more years before they break.

[:)]

David Kwakye-Saka

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/783863#Comment_783863

Try WINE. It is a Linux program that opens windows programs.

Nick Ericson (Proclaim)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/788974#Comment_788974

Be sure the setup supports hardware acceleration. Many emulators, simulators, or remote desktop applications do not support hardware acceleration. This can greatly impact Proclaim performance particularly with regards to videos and animations. Do not expect good performance on any setup not supporting hardware acceleration.