THE TECH VIEW
Streaming surges ahead Ashdown AV’s Ian Chisnall considers the changes the HOW installation market has witnessed over the past year
Ian Chisnall, Ashdown AV
PRIOR TO 2020, THE THREE MAIN focuses for Ashdown AV, based in Crowborough, East Sussex, were as you would expect for a systems integrator: audio, visual and lighting. Since last year, however, camera and streaming elements have become much more significant. “We have dramatically increased our understanding of how to stream images out to the internet for churches,” explains Chisnall, who is account manager for the company. “We have been working very significantly with a number of clients who were keen to stream their worship settings since June 2020 – and many of them want to continue to stream future services and, at the same time, engage with worshippers who are home-based so they can remain in contact with them after the Covid restrictions end. “Another current theme that we are seeing is for solutions to the visual aspects of services. In terms of flat display screens, clients are looking for the ability to cover the screens when they are switched off or alternatively to keep them on after the service has ended so they can display inspiring images and messages. The alternative to the flat screens is finding ways to enable projector screens and indeed the location of the projectors to be subtle.” Being able to install AVL systems as discreetly as possible is a factor that Ashdown AV is keen to promote. “Our intention is to try and ensure that the solutions do not damage the historic settings,” continues Chisnall. One project that he highlights is Berwick Church just outside Eastbourne where the company has installed a hidden projection screen and projector. The projector is located inside the cupboard that was fitted to enable the church to have its kitchen equipment at the rear of the church building. It is in the top of the cabinet. The screen is
located at the rear of the rood screen and it lifts up when it’s switched on. The upgrade also included speakers which Ashdown was able to install in a discreet position without affecting the quality of the sound. The company
although we do have some cases outside of these areas and some of our most significant Anglican churches are in Canterbury, London or Southwark,” describes Chisnall. “We have a number of Evangelical
church structures and also Methodist churches. There are also a small number of Roman Catholic churches. We have worked with churches that have had large requirements and budgets and we have also worked
An Ashdown installation at Our Lady of Angels in Erith also specialises in hearing loop systems. Ashdown AV was established in 2003, although the company was legally established in 1987. The two original founders are Peter Roe who is the company owner and Mark Willetts who had been working for another AV installation company in Eastbourne. Both have a significant amount of experience focusing on church installations. Between 20% and 35% of the company’s projects each year are HOW setups. Apart from one or two overseas projects related to UK clients, most of the company’s work is based in Sussex, Surrey, Kent and a small number in London. “Our Anglican connections are particularly focused on the Chichester, Guildford and Rochester Dioceses,
with churches that have had very small budgets. There is a huge range of speakers to choose from and, to a certain extent, a large range of visual systems that offer different financial requirements.” Looking to the future, the company is fortunate enough to benefit from a significant level of recommendations. “We have been very lucky that many of our clients are happy to recommend us to their colleagues. Along with social media and our contacts through the Diocesan networks, we are also keen to bring all of our team out of partial furlough and return to the favourable position we were fortunate to find ourselves in at the end of 2019 and early 2020,” concludes Chisnall. The projector at Berwick Church is hidden away in a cupboard
www.ashdownav.com
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