FAQ about Video-driven presentations:
My video downloads have no sound.
Zipped files download, but won’t open.
The videos in my PowerPoint downloads won’t play.
How can I change the presentations?
What am I supposed to do with these resources?
How do I get my iPad downloads to my iPad?
Other Questions:
How much does it cost to join EIN?
What’s the difference between a “hiking” and a “non-hiking” trip to Israel?
Will EIN offer more resources?
I’d like to do more research similar to this. Where do I go from here?
My video downloads have no sound. That’s right! They don’t have sound. The idea behind this concept is that you’ll narrate the virtual tour of a particular presentation. It might take a little practice, but you’ll soon see why this is such a powerful tool. You don’t have to stop your presentation to let an “expert” teach your group. Just continue in your natural teaching style as the video rolls behind you. This will allow you to mix the application you want to make to your particular group in with the virtual tour. The instructional videos will help. So will the background information. Try it!
Zipped files download, but won’t open. More than likely, the entire file did not download. Check the size of the file you’re trying to download, and compare it to the size of the zipped file that downloaded. If the file on the web site indicated it would be 203MB, but the file in your download folder is only 163MB, something happened in the download process. Try downloading it again. Download issues are directly related to your Internet connection and speed. These are big files, so be patient.
The videos in my PowerPoint downloads won’t play. These PowerPoint files were created with PowerPoint 2013. If you have an earlier version of PowerPoint, the video files probably converted to a single photo. You can solve this problem in one of two ways. First, you can upgrade to PowerPoint 2013. There are multiple benefits to an upgrade, and you might find this a great reason to make the investment. Second, you can download the WMV video files we’ve provided for this very purpose. After you’ve downloaded them, you’ll need to insert the video files into your PowerPoint presentation. Pay attention to these details:
1. Keep the original PowerPoint file and the .wmv video files in the same folder. The older versions of PowerPoint accesses video files, which is why the files need to be in the same folder. The latest version embeds the file inside the presentation.
2. Make sure the “address” to the folder is short. Don’t bury the folder deep into your file system. Perhaps you’d file them under “My Documents/EIN.” PowerPoint doesn’t like long “addresses.”
3. When you insert a video into a PowerPoint slide, you’ll have an option to play the video automatically, or on a click. Be sure to choose the automatic option. When you change slides, the video will begin to play.
4. The videos are designed for a 16:9 (widescreen) playback. If you’re using a 4:8 screen, be sure the videos are still playing on the 16:9 format, or the picture will be skewed unnaturally. Make sure the background is black and the difference will not be noticeable.
How can I change the presentations? Changing the presentations is simple. In either PowerPoint or Keynote, you can add slides, delete slides, or change the message on the slides. We’ve even included some photos in each presentation package designed for your creativity. Add application points for your particular group. Add details from a Bible lesson. Add slides with the scripture included. Be as creative as you like!
What am I supposed to do with these resources? This might be the best question of all. These presentations are designed to compliment your teaching/preaching/small group facilitation. The videos unpack a world of information in short bursts. Even people who’ve been to Israel usually haven’t comprehended much of the information you can share. Since you’re in charge, you can use these tools as you best see fit. If you want to play a video a second time, you can. If you want to pause it in order to make a point or answer a question, you can do that, too. The presentations can be delivered in any time frame, in any environment. The handouts and extra photos are yours to use, ignore, or to create new resources. The land of Israel is the cutting edge of Bible education. Use these images to accomplish your ministry or teaching goals!
How does Apple TV work? You’ll want to refer to instructions already available on the web on how to make Apple TV work for you. You’ll have to purchase Apple TV hardware and use it with an available wireless connection.
How do I get my iPad downloads to my iPad? To use the iPad downloads, you’ll need to have Keynote downloaded to your Mac computer and to your iPad. Transfer the files through iTunes. Refer to instructions available from Apple on this process. The regular Keynote files work on an iPad, but the files designed for iPad use are much smaller and will take less memory.
What is Keynote? Simply put, Keynote is Apple’s version of PowerPoint. If you have a Mac computer, Keynote is definitely worth the investment ($20). These presentations have the highest quality when presented through Keynote.
How much does it cost to join EIN? EIN membership is free. Joining allows you to receive immediate discounts of 50 percent or more on the video presentations. You’ll also receive alerts when new presentations or other resources are available, and when we offer trips to Israel.
What’s the difference between “hiking” and “non-hiking” trips to Israel? As you might expect, there’s a lot more walking in a hiking trip. Our groups typically hike about 75 miles through often rough terrain on the hiking trips. We’ll walk 5 to 10 miles a day on the hiking trips. We climb mountains, crawl through caves and try to enter sites the way travelers in Bible times would have entered them. Non-hiking trips still involve a lot of hiking. Every trip to Israel, with any group, will probably result in 3 to 5 miles of walking each day. However, instead of climbing Masada, we’ll take the tram on a non-hiking tour. Instead of crawling through caves, we’ll find caves with easier access. Instead of a four-hour hike through the Judean wilderness, we’ll slip in and out through easier access. We provide a couple of extra days for the hiking trips, but both groups will spend significant time in Jerusalem, around the Sea of Galilee, and all of the must-see sites.
Will EIN offer more resources? Absolutely! We’re adding free downloads constantly and will offer full-scale presentations as soon as possible. The income we receive from video purchases will help us create more great Bible studies you can use in your ministry or teaching position.
I’d like to do more research similar to this. Where do I go from here? There are two areas of study that constitute the cutting edge of Christian education. One is the land of the Bible. The other is the Jewish heritage of the Christian faith. There are many incredible resources being develop every year to help us understand both areas of study. Perhaps you’d like to read “Secrets from Ancient Paths,” available from our website. Other basic tools include general study Bibles (visit your local Christian bookstore to browse several options), videos from Ray Vander Laan, and subscriptions to journals like Biblical Archeology Review. If you’re reading a passage in the Bible and it mentions a location, find out all you can on the location. At the same time, ask yourself, “What does it mean that Jesus was Jewish?” You’ll spend the rest of your life finding the answers to both areas of study!