InfoComm 2025 Show Highlights: A Church AV Perspective

The InfoComm Show 2025 in Orlando proved to be an inspiring showcase of the latest audiovisual technology, particularly for those working in church production environments. As one of the largest AV trade shows in the industry, hosted by AVIXA (Audiovisual Integrated Experience Association), InfoComm offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience cutting-edge equipment firsthand.

What Makes InfoComm Special

InfoComm stands out among AV trade shows for several reasons. The event typically alternates between Orlando and Las Vegas—two of the biggest AV hubs in the country—with next year’s show heading to the Las Vegas Convention Center. What makes it particularly accessible is the availability of complimentary tickets through various partners and vendors.

The show’s real value lies in its extensive demo rooms where attendees can hear PA systems from major manufacturers in person, plus get hands-on experience with gear on the trade show floor. This year’s Orlando location provided the perfect opportunity for an in-depth exploration of the latest church AV solutions.

Pre-Show Experience: First Baptist Church Orlando

The InfoComm experience began with a special event hosted by Church Gear at First Baptist Church in Orlando. This provided an excellent opportunity to tour a professional church AV installation, particularly their impressive audio system featuring a large d&b line array setup.

The church’s system showcased the power of professional line array technology. Even from distances exceeding 100-150 feet, the sound remained clear and present, demonstrating how line arrays can efficiently cover large spaces with minimal delay requirements. The system was running at over 110 decibels during the demo, highlighting both its power and clarity capabilities.

Equipment and Infrastructure Highlights

Rack Solutions: The Foundation of Professional AV

Middle Atlantic Equipment Racks The show featured impressive displays of professional equipment management solutions. Middle Atlantic’s BGR rack series stood out as a significant upgrade from their ERK series, offering increased depth, width, and expandability. These racks can be ganged together and even feature integrated lighting options—essential for managing complex AV installations professionally.

Unify’s Design Excellence Unify continues to impress with their hardware design, often compared to Apple’s attention to detail. Their white “light mode” racks presented a clean, modern aesthetic that many hadn’t seen before. Beyond racks, Unify’s extensive product line includes networking solutions, security cameras, and access points specifically designed for large gathering spaces.

Mixing Console Innovation

Yamaha DM7 Compact Getting hands-on time with Yamaha’s DM7 Compact revealed impressive build quality and a sophisticated software interface. While comparable in size to an AVANTIS Solo but priced similar to the full AVANTIS, it represents a solid option for churches needing higher channel counts and professional-grade mixing capabilities.

Allen & Heath QU Console The new QU console from Allen & Heath generated significant excitement as a much-needed refresh to their lineup. This console is positioned as an ideal starting point for many churches upgrading their mixing capabilities, with plans for extensive training content to help churches maximize its potential.

Camera Technology: The Future of Video Production

Canon’s Intelligent PTZ Innovation

Canon’s booth showcased revolutionary PTZ camera technology that hints at the future of camera operation. Their new intelligent software allows multiple PTZ cameras to work in coordination—when one camera focuses on a subject, the other cameras automatically reframe to cover remaining subjects in the scene.

This system uses overhead cameras to provide a complete view of the scene, with analyzer software tracking subjects and communicating positioning data to the PTZ cameras. The implications for worship production are significant, potentially allowing single-operator control of multiple cameras or even fully automated camera operation.

Enhanced PTZ Control

Canon’s CP-1000 PTZ controller represents a significant upgrade from their standard offerings. The built-in touchscreen display provides video preview directly on the controller, making exposure adjustments and camera management more intuitive and accurate than relying on external monitors.

Audio Excellence: PA System Shootout

The show provided extensive opportunities to compare major PA manufacturers, with dedicated listening sessions revealing the strengths of different systems.

Meyer Sound: Premium Performance

Meyer Sound continued to impress with their commitment to absolute audio fidelity. Their demonstration of the X80 point source speakers revealed incredible detail—so much so that familiar songs like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” revealed previously unheard elements like finger snapping captured in the vocal microphone.

Meyer’s philosophy focuses on engineering for the most demanding environments, from professional studios to cinema sound design. While this results in higher costs, the audio quality justifies the investment for those prioritizing sonic excellence.

Fulcrum Acoustic: Innovation and Quality

Fulcrum Acoustic showcased their new Constant Curvature Array (CC series), featuring subcardioid technology that significantly reduces sound levels behind the speakers. This design benefits stage performers by reducing on-stage volume and increasing gain before feedback—crucial advantages for worship environments.

The company’s Massachusetts-based manufacturing and scientific approach to speaker design continues to impress, with upcoming line array installations demonstrating their expansion beyond point source solutions.

Martin Audio: Budget-Conscious Excellence

Martin Audio presented compelling options for churches seeking quality sound within more modest budgets. Their point source speakers delivered impressive performance, making them worthy considerations for congregations looking to balance sound quality with financial constraints.

L-Acoustics: Immersive Audio Exploration

L-Acoustics heavily emphasized immersive sound technology, including speaker tracking that follows presenters as they move on stage. While technically impressive, the practical value for most churches remains questionable given the significant additional costs for processors, additional speakers, and amplifiers.

However, immersive systems do offer interesting possibilities, such as room emulation that could transform a dry acoustic space into a simulated symphony hall environment—potentially valuable for churches hosting diverse musical styles or special events.

Supporting Technologies

Shuttle Computing Solutions

Shuttle’s compact computers offer robust alternatives to consumer-grade solutions for on-site AV control. These systems provide the processing power and durability needed for running control software like Powersoft’s Armonia DSP, Dante Controller, and remote access tools without interfering with client computers.

Ape Rigging: Safety and Professionalism

Professional rigging solutions remain crucial for safe and clean speaker installations. Ape Rigging’s systems, often paired with Fulcrum speakers, demonstrate the importance of proper mechanical engineering in professional AV installations.

Industry Insights and Recommendations

The Importance of Proper Design

While all major manufacturers produce excellent speakers capable of incredible fidelity, the key to successful PA implementation lies in proper system design. The shape of the room, coverage requirements, and volume needs must all be considered when selecting appropriate components from any manufacturer’s lineup.

Professional Development Opportunities

For those serious about advancing their AV knowledge, AVIXA offers valuable certification programs. The CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) study guides provide comprehensive AV education, with specialized tracks for installation (CTS-I) and design (CTS-D). These resources can significantly benefit worship leaders and technical directors seeking to deepen their understanding of professional AV systems.

Brand Recommendations by Budget

Based on extensive listening and evaluation:

• Premium Tier: Meyer Sound for uncompromising audio quality
• Mid-Range: Fulcrum Acoustic for excellent engineering and value
• Budget Options: The search continues for consistently recommended entry-level solutions

Looking Forward

InfoComm 2025 reinforced the rapid pace of innovation in church AV technology. From AI-powered camera systems to advanced immersive audio processing, the tools available to worship production teams continue to evolve dramatically.

However, the show also emphasized that successful AV implementation depends more on proper design, quality installation, and appropriate component selection than on choosing the “best” brand. The most important factor remains matching the technology to the specific needs and constraints of each worship environment.

For churches planning AV upgrades, InfoComm demonstrates the value of working with experienced integrators who understand both the technical capabilities of modern equipment and the unique requirements of worship environments. The complexity and sophistication of current AV technology make professional guidance more valuable than ever.

InfoComm 2026 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Consider attending to experience these technologies firsthand and stay current with the rapidly evolving world of worship production technology.