Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No. 91

Page 35

Get the expert’s view on streaming [ SINCE THE FIRST

national lockdown in 2020, live streaming of some form has been high on the agenda for most churches. With so many options to choose from, an easy-to-understand guide became essential. Such a guide was published by church streaming specialists DM Music. It carries a wealth of information to help churches in choosing the right live streaming solution for them. Here we offer a digest of that guide.

Internet connection The first thing everyone is going to need is a fast, reliable broadband connection, ideally with an upload speed of 6-10Mbps or more. The easiest way to check that is to use Google’s speed test feature. Some platforms support streaming in standard definition – an option for upload speeds below 6Mbps.

Streaming platform You might want to do a bit of research into which is best for you; however, for the majority YouTube and Facebook Live are the two main contenders. They’re free to use and, if you don’t mind the odd advert, could be just what you are looking for. Most churches will typically link from their website to either their Facebook page or YouTube channel for viewing. Both of these options also allow for social interaction and engagement. An alternative approach is to use Zoom for meeting online as a church congregation. Many will have used Zoom for other meetings during lockdown periods. However, using it for Sunday services can be a lot more challenging.

That sound should not go back through the church speaker system, as it is likely to cause feedback.

Encode Finally, you’ll want to decide how you will get your video and audio content to your chosen streaming platform: will it be via hardware or software? A stand-alone ‘hardware‘ box solution can provide an extremely straightforward, robust option, which can start/ stop an encoded stream at the push of a button – or even be programmed to start the stream on power up. It doesn’t therefore require a PC for operation. Using a computer to encode can be relatively easy through ‘software‘. It can also be low cost – if you have a reasonably powerful computer available and use free software like OBS. However, you may need to purchase additional hardware to capture video from an AV system, camera or other computer onto your streaming computer. DM Music also recommend that, if a church is considering taking the plunge into live streaming, they should read their Before You Start Streaming Quick Expert Guide. The company believes it is essential to the way the subject is approached. q

Cameras Next, you’ll want to think about what type and how many cameras you want in your system. The choices you make here will have an impact on the interfacing hardware required before any images reach your live stream. Fixed cameras are perfect where the same shot is required every time. If what you’re trying to capture isn’t fixed, or you need to zoom in or out during a service or event, then a PTZ camera could be what you are looking for. You will need someone to operate a PTZ camera or, at the bare minimum, switch between preset shots. Multiple cameras can allow for a much more professional looking live stream. Switching between cameras could be done via hardware such as a video mixer, switch/scaler or in software. If there is already an AV system in the church you might want to think about using existing cameras if they are suitable, or making sure any new cameras can be used for local viewing in the church if required.

Audio Audio is crucial to any live stream and its importance cannot be overstated. If you have an existing PA system then a feed taken from that may be enough to get you up and running. Combine that with the video signal and you’re almost ready to go. Many streaming encoders and video mixers have an analogue audio input, so you can also combine audio and video that way. If you don’t have a PA system then you may want to look at investing in a wired or wireless microphone to capture audio from the service or event. In order to create a sound that makes it feel more like actually being in church, one or more ambient microphones will be needed. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Articles inside

Shedding some light on the new Part L Building Regulations

4min
page 48

Steel windows – protecting our architectural heritage

3min
page 49

Leading brick maker reiterates its sustainability goals

4min
page 47

Summertime…and the lightning is striking!

4min
pages 45-46

Parishioners’ kindness alleviates COVID restrictions

3min
page 44

Mastic asphalt: it’s versatile and green, and can be applied to roofs or floors

1min
page 43

Reroofing project posed a slippery problem for NT’s bats

3min
page 42

Get the roofing training that’s specific to your needs

2min
page 38

Locally-made tiles allow a jewel of the Jewellery Quarter to shine again

3min
pages 40-41

Rise in thefts prompts insurer to reissue guidance

1min
page 39

Get the expert’s view on streaming

3min
page 35

How to modernise heritage sites and remain compliant

5min
pages 36-37

Spending a legacy on a sound system – what to upgrade?

4min
page 34

Heating specialist notches up a half century

2min
page 26

Exterior lighting scheme is latest in a long line of special projects

4min
page 23

Co-ordination allows numerous repairs to be carried out at once

3min
pages 27-28

Thinking of an AV installation? Here’s some advice...

3min
page 32

Church regains control after obsolete lighting is replaced

1min
page 24

AV’s institute meets again to mark anniversary

2min
page 31

Easter message is brought to life virtually by C of E

2min
page 33

With historic lighting, you can replace or you can repurpose

3min
pages 21-22

And there was light: but carefully controlled

2min
page 20

St George’s tames the dragon of poor sound

3min
page 13

Roofing specialists help keep Durham’s jewel in good order

3min
page 16

Kentec’s new K-Mesh wireless technology wins praise for Chester Cathedral project

3min
page 17

Cathedrals must offer a welcome to

2min
page 18

Audit sheds light on improving access to cultural heritage sites

2min
page 19

Integration of ancient and modern is the aspiration

1min
page 14

The care of cathedrals is something we should all care about

2min
page 12
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