Religious Institutions

To find out, we’ll need to ask a series of questions. What type of live show are you creating and what is the budget? Budgets are a necessary component when choosing all the options in a live streaming system. If operating on an entry-level budget, about $2000 will get you up and streaming. If the overall equipment exceeds the current budget, you can easily expand later as the budget increases based on the broadcasting results. A medium range budget would be between $4000–$7000 for most applications.

What media platforms are you targeting for the live stream: YouTube, Facebook, private websites? Are you streaming to one or multiple platforms? This is important because if streaming to multiple platforms, you’ll need either an upgraded software program package or two computers working in parallel to handle the processing speed requirements. Live streaming programs use a ton of computer processing and memory which slows computer performance unless equipped with a costly Intel Core i9 processor. Alternatively, there are monthly subscriptions to services like Restream making this possible with just a single computer running Intel Core i5 or higher.

What is the distance between the camera and the intended shots? You will need to decide the best zoom option for your application: 10x, 12x, 20x, or 30x. Based on this information, check our zoom calculator to help you decide.

What about control? PTZ cameras require motorized control of the Pan, Tilt, and Zoom functions. Popular control options include Joystick Controllers, IR Remotes, Control Programs, and Internal Web Interfaces.

Which type of connection is best for your application or environment? USB and HDMI are adequate for short distance runs while SDI cabling is great for runs up to 328 feet. LAN connections can also be utilized with streaming protocols such as NDI and RTSP.

Lastly, how will this stream be introduced to the web? Most BZBGEAR PTZ cameras offer the ability to stream from the camera itself when connected to the LAN. Another option is to use a dedicated Streaming Device like the BG-HAVS using a web interface for configuring and streaming to media platforms. The most common method is choosing a Live Streaming Software platform like vMix, OBS Studio, Wirecast, Xsplit, or ProPresenter.

The more familiar connections like HDMI, SDI, and USB 3.0 use a video cable from the camera to a Capture Device or Production Switcher. HDMI has a limit of about 25 feet, but as noted above, you can extend this signal with a Category extender or Active Fiber cable. SDI cabling is inexpensive and durable for long runs up to 328 feet while also using locking BNC connectors to ensure cables don't get disconnected. USB 3.0 cables are for short runs typically up to 15 feet. Anything longer will require an Active USB cable or extender. The LAN or IP Streaming port can be utilized for RTSP (Real Time Serial Protocol) or NDI (Network Device Interface) which works with the majority of Software Programs. NDI compression is the preferred method as it also includes the ability to send and receive control signals as well. There are a multitude of resources including Control Programs for this registered trademark by Newtek. NDI is successful thanks to zero latency and low compression standards, making it ideal for any House of Worship with a strong Local Area Network and manageable Network Switch for setting up VLANs.

And what about Software Programs? Well, this is a user preference choice. OBS Studio is nice as a free program but has many limitations including only being able to stream to one media platform at a time. You'll need to do more homework and watch videos since they do not offer tech support. BZBGEAR recommends downloading a few programs for free as trials to gauge your preferences on layouts and abilities such as third layers and audio adjustments. Picking the best software can be a chore, but essentially will be the maestro of the production so it's imperative to take the necessary time to get it right.