Because Angels have Halos, or Microsoft's contribution to Christ Fellowship Downtown

This is a post I never thought I would write. Microsoft, thank you... No, I'm not kidding.

So we had a problem with our DVD-based video teaching system a couple weeks ago. The software crashed (which it NEVER has before) and this gets me very nervous. It's unacceptable to be 30 minutes into a sermon only to have the software based-DVD crash out on you... and be stuck without an ending to the message.

Our three screen Video Teaching Venues run a backup for that exact reason- crashes do occasionally happen. But we never had to do a backup for the DVD-based teaching because it's fullproof... well, it was fullproof...

So we scrambled to find a way to connect a DVD player onto a VGA-backboned projector. I found several solutions... another laptop with a KVM switch ($600)... a VGA scaler/switcher that would upvert the DVD to VGA output ($800)... Neither of these options I liked.

So Keith Thomas, CF Downtown Media Director says to me, "Why don't you hook up an XBox 360? You can buy a VGA adapter for like $20 that converts the game system to VGA and then use the builtin DVD player." Uh, yeah, sure. So we gave it a try.

Yeah, what you are seeing is CFDT's Worship Center, a HISTORICAL LANDMARK IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, with an XBOX 360 hardwired into the projector. This, by definition, is awesome.

They're borrowing my XBOX 360 for the wknd. Turns out the $20 adapter really only cost $10 (used). We purchased a DVD remote, but you don't need it to use the DVD player after all. And, at the end of the day, you are looking at a CHEAP DVD player with a VGA Output...

Doesn't hurt that you are just four wireless controllers away from playing HALO 3 in the worship center. And no, the thought hasn't crossed my mind... really...

Seriously, thanks to Keith for finding an excellent solution and saving us big $$$.

Comments

[Jorriss]

Alright. This needs to happen @ PB. Halo tourney on the big screens. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

[Oscar Roque]

Now this is a first!
God does work in mysterious ways....
So when do we HALO? CFH vs CFD (the saga continues)

[Eddy]

I could see a multi-campus Halo wargame in real time....Oh Boy, I think we should do it while Jeff is busy..you know in about 45 days.