Remote control phobia? This is for you.

Usually, when a screen or projector is installed it will come with a remote in the box that can be used to turn the projector on or put the screen up and down, but these can be easily misplaced, leaving you with no way to easily control those devices. Therefore, we usually recommend a wall-mounted control panel, meaning that you can leave the remote controls locked away safely.

One particular product we use a lot is a small wall-mounted panel that takes away the need for remote controls, by becoming a central controller for the visual system. These controllers come in a range of sizes to suit the size of the system and some have additional features such as volume controls which can be programmed to control background music volume, for example. Ultimately, you still need to keep the remote controls handy as a backup - better to have them and not need them, as the saying goes.

Why is it better than lots of remotes?

• Centralised Control: These controllers allow for centralised control of multiple AV components, including projectors and input selection from a single point. This simplifies operation and reduces the need for multiple remote controls.
• Making life easy: Wall controllers can automate various functions, such as turning on or off the projector, adjusting brightness and volume, and selecting input sources. This streamlines the setup process and enhances user experience. In other words, it makes controlling your AV system much easier, and that is always a good thing.
• Integration: The wall control panels we use are designed to integrate with various AV and automation systems, making them compatible with a wide range of equipment. This means they are useful in all sorts of installations.
• User-Friendly: This is especially important in environments where multiple groups of people will be using the system, such as village halls or education installations. Each button function can be labelled accordingly, making the process of operating the system self-explanatory.

But what if I really like remote controls?

There are not many people who feel that way, but we want to be inclusive, so if you do love lots of remote controls, here are some reasons why you might want to stick with them over a control panel.

• Cost: High-quality controllers can be relatively expensive, particularly when factoring in installation and programming costs. This cost may not be justifiable for smaller or budget-conscious setups.
• Complexity: Setting up and programming SY controllers can be complex and time-consuming. It often requires specialized knowledge and expertise, so unless you are tech-savvy, you will need to call in the professionals.
• Compatibility: While SY controllers are designed to work with a wide range of AV equipment, compatibility issues can still arise, especially with older or non-standard devices.
• They can go wrong: SY controllers rely on technology, which can sometimes fail or experience glitches. They also rely on power supplies, which can get damaged by power surges or simply overheat due to age. When technical issues occur, they can disrupt presentations or events until resolved.
• Maintenance: Regular maintenance and updates may be required to ensure that the SY controller and associated equipment function smoothly. This can lead to ongoing costs and potential downtime during maintenance activities.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, wall-mounted AV controllers are user-friendly, simplify control of equipment and will bring all system control to one central location. While you still need to keep the remotes safe, you will not need to juggle them to turn your system on, but instead walk over to one point and within 2 buttons, the projector or screens will be on and the input source selected.

Faculties, what are they? 

You may have heard someone say when discussing a new heating system, or moving a piece of ecclesiastical furniture in your church, “You’re going to need a faculty for that!”. A faculty is the equivalent of getting planning consent in the Church of England.

Churches are subject to planning law as much as any other building, however in the church of England this planning control has been seeded from the local council to the diocese.

This system also covers the additional demands of listed building or conservation area consent. Because of this, the system is quite involved and no less stringent than conventional planning consent.

However don’t feel too daunted, there is plenty of help available throughout the process. 

Do we need a faculty?

For most things yes, for example, objects in the church as well as the building fabric and trees and monuments in the churchyard. Each diocese has a ‘De minimis’ (small matters) list of things exempt from faculty, although you still may need approval from the archdeacon for these.

Are there different types of faculty?

List A just a log, no formal permissions are required, e.g. the gutters were cleared of leaves.

List B matters can be signed off by your archdeacon, often following consultation with the relevant DAC advisor. Not requiring a formal meeting of the whole committee.

For example, a new or replacement sound system requires only list B consent whereas a projection or streaming system requires a full faculty.

If you have a whole audio-visual project in mind, it is worth getting advice on whether to mention the sound system in the full faculty or just apply for list B for that separately.

This can allow you to go ahead with the sound system much quicker, rather than having it held up waiting for the full faculty permissions only required for projection and streaming.

As previously mentioned if you are thinking of a visual system typically comprising a projector and screen plus some flat screens for blind spots, or a camera system for streaming, you will have to go through the full faculty process.

This does involve some work explained in the next section and it helps considerably if your supplier is used to working in churches as they will generally come up with a scheme or options that they know through experience will have a good chance of being approved.

This can save a good deal of time and to and fro with the DAC and lead to a project that keeps everyone on board with the best balance of performance and aesthetics.

How do we apply for a faculty?

Go to https://facultyonline.churchofengland.org/home this is the home page of the Church of England online faculty system.

The first thing to do is create your own online account and link it to your church building. There is an extensive help section with guides on how to create the necessary documentation to support your application.

The most important of these is the User Manual for the system for parishes.

There are also some useful video resources from Lincoln and Carlisle dioceses, search for ‘church faculty system’ on YouTube.

What should we do first?

Before you start wading through the online system, a good idea is to prepare a brief summary of what you would like to do and how photos help and send it to the DAC secretary.

Then arrange a follow-up phone call to discuss this information.

This will give you useful pointers as to how to frame your faculty submissions and potential pitfalls that can be avoided at this early stage, saving time later.

DAC secretaries positively encourage this approach.

What do you have to do to apply for a faculty?

If you are looking to apply for a faculty, then you will need to complete an amount of formal paperwork and submit plans, specifications and photographs to explain the works proposed.

You will usually need to consult your church architect for advice and have a resolution from the PCC in place.

Who decides if our faculty is granted?

After following all of the online steps and asking your DAC for final advice your chancellor will look at your application and decide whether to grant a faculty or not.

If your project has attracted opposition, then the chancellor may ask to hold a consistory court hearing before making a decision.

How do we improve our chances of getting a faculty without delays?

Before starting any work in the church it is always worth asking your DAC as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action going forward.

The speed of your application being processed also depends on what you would like to do, but the DAC will advise you all the way. 

Is a faculty required for every CofE church building?

There are a very small number of listed churches which are not subject to Faculty Jurisdiction and therefore need to apply for Listed Building Consent via their Local Planning Authority for works to their buildings.

But if you have any concerns about whether you need a faculty or not, contact the DAC for advice.

Faculty-free systems or temporary systems are audio or video systems that don't need to be fixed to anything e.g. speakers on speaker stands, a portable rack on wheels or a projector on a stand. 

The main benefit to these systems is that they are ‘’faculty-free’’, you can set one of these systems up without a faculty. This being said though, for any events or events like this it is always best to notify the DAC beforehand, you can do this on their online portal (More on faculty application below).

• Cost-Effective: Temporary audio systems are often more affordable upfront than permanent installations. They can be a practical solution for smaller churches or events with limited budgets.
• Flexibility: Temporary systems can be set up and removed quickly, allowing for flexibility in accommodating various types of events and changing needs. They are ideal for churches that host different activities in the same space.
• Portability: Portable audio equipment can be used in different locations within the church or even outside the church premises if needed. This mobility can be an advantage for outreach programs or outdoor events.
• Ease of Maintenance: Temporary systems may require less maintenance since they are not exposed to the same wear and tear as permanent installations. Repairs or upgrades can also be easier to manage.
• Quick Installation: Setting up a temporary audio system is generally faster than installing a permanent one. This can be advantageous when time is a constraint.
• No fixings: Temporary systems don't need to be fixed to anything, this means there are no fixings or holes that need to be made in the church so you wouldn't need a faculty 

Cons of Using a Temporary Audio System in a Church:

• Limited Quality: Temporary audio systems may not provide the same audio quality, coverage, or features as permanent installations. This limitation can impact the overall worship experience and event quality.
• Aesthetics: Temporary setups may not blend well with the church's interior design and aesthetics, potentially affecting the visual appeal of the worship space.
• Reliability: Portable equipment may be more prone to technical issues or failures compared to fixed, permanent installations. This can lead to interruptions during church services or events.
• Sound Consistency: With temporary systems, achieving consistent sound quality and coverage can be challenging, especially in larger or acoustically challenging church spaces.
• Long-Term Costs: While temporary systems have a lower initial cost if they are used frequently, the cumulative rental or maintenance costs over time may exceed the cost of investing in a permanent audio system.
• Setup and Teardown Time: Setting up and dismantling a temporary audio system for each event can be time-consuming, which may not be practical for churches with frequent activities.

Conclusion:

It depends on what you are looking for, if you are having a one-time event then a faculty-free temporary system will probably be best for you, but if you know that there are going to be a lot of events or you want to use the system for services every week then you will most likely need a more permanent solution. It is always worth talking to a specialist who deals with audio-visual systems in churches. 

To read more about pertinent installations see our article here.

Scheduling videos can seem like a terrifying task, so luckily for you, we have created a short guide to walk you through scheduling a live-stream video on Facebook.

1. Navigate to your Facebook home page - This is where you see the news feed from all your friends, and you have the option to write a post to share with the world.
2. Underneath the box to type your thoughts, there should be a Live video option. It will look like this.
3. You will then be taken to another page, where you will have the option to Create a live video event. At the bottom of this box, you will find a Select button. Press this button.
4. This screen is where you can then add in the details that will make that video identifiable from the others on your channel (e.g. by adding a title) and where you can set the start and end time of the live stream. Once you have filled in all the details, click on the Next option.
5. Click on the Create Event button.
6. You will then see a box appear to tell you that you have successfully created the live-streaming event, and will tell you the time that the video has been scheduled for. You then need to select Set Up Live Video.
7. You will be given a choice of video sources; either your webcam or the other option, we want to select, will be Streaming Software. This means that Facebook will look for external hardware to provide a video feed at the time you have set the video to go live.
8. This step may be necessary for your organisation, or it might not be, so it is worth briefly explaining the mysterious Stream Key. A stream key is a unique code that allows streaming equipment to communicate with the Facebook channel it is to stream to. Each channel has a unique code so that the equipment always sends the video feed to the correct place, otherwise, it has no way of knowing where to send the video stream. As default, Facebook will use a new unique code each time you create a new video, and this is useful in some situations, but with most of our system, we advise using a persistent stream key, which means that the key remains the same for every live video you create. However, you need to turn this option on by entering the advanced settings. It's important to note that if you use a persistent key, you can only schedule a video up to 24 hours in advance.
9. Lastly, on the left-hand side of this page, you can choose where your video is posted. For example, you can choose for it to appear in a particular place, rather than your timeline.

So there you have it, our short guide to scheduling a video.