Live streaming is highly beneficial to Christian missionary outreach. Among many other potentials, live-streaming of church events helps to connect worshipers together and carry along people who cannot, for various reasons, attend church in person. Other benefits include the potential to facilitate gospel propagation as well as in promoting the image of a Church. With the right equipment and gadgets therefore, live-streaming church services is an essential for modern gospel preaching. Live-streaming can easily enhance the propagation of sermon, even in multiple languages.
The equipment to acquired will not only facilitates a church’s desire to live-streaming it services, but also enhance the quality of the streaming production. To be able to deliver a satisfactory live service streaming program, therefore, below are the basic equipment that you must have.
1. A High-Capacity Computer System
A reasonably high-capacity computer system is the first essential equipment to acquire for church live-streaming. It acts as the hub for every other equipment to be connected and utilized. You will need to set such computer on a high video resolution standard. However, when streaming, endeavour to both stream in high definition (HD) and standard definition as your viewers experience will largely depend on their internet speed – a factor you may not be able to influence
2. Internet Connection
The Second must have, is a good internet connection. Again, your video resolution adopted with determine the amount of upload bandwidth needed. A reliable internet connectivity will forestall any potential for the streaming to go on and off while broadcasting. This will negatively impact the audience worship experience. Conventionally, your internet upload speed should be 13 Mbs for 1080p or, at least 6 Mbs for 720p. This may need to be increase if you are dealing with a high-quality streaming upload. You should ultimately test your live-streaming privately before broadcasting to be sure of what your audience experience will be like.
3. Digital Camera
This is the most significant acquisition to invest in. Ultimately, your production quality depends on your camera capacity and functionality. Digital camera varieties range from basic webcams, to camcorders, DSLRs and action cameras. There are some cameras which are specifically designed for live-streaming coverage. When on a slim budget, the webcam is about the most affordable digital camera option. However, for a standard church live-streaming coverage, the webcam is the least ideal. This is majorly limited by the fact that it needs to be closely connected to a nearby computer while operating. The Camcorder or the digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are more ideal. They have better video quality output and some of these cameras even have Wi-Fi or HDMI capacity for more straightforward operation. If a preacher is prone to moving around often, then, an action camera should be ideal as they have more stability guaranteeing features.
4. Audio Interface Equipment
For a church service live-streaming, a very good audio interface is needed. Usually, multiple events are expected to be simultaneously covered – the choir may concurrently be leading the praise and worship as the pastor leads a prayer session. Consequently, to ensure that the audio quality is good enough, a good audio source must be setup. It is best to connect external microphone directly with the camera or an HDMI inserter that help connect the video signal to the Church’s sound board. You can equally obtain a live-streaming dedicated mixer to aid the audio quality production.
5. Live-streaming Software
Typically, there are varieties of software that aids live-streaming. Each often offer varying storage capacity, security characteristics and professional tools. Basically, critical attention must be given to video hosting, recording features and monetization. The best software to adopt should be one that allows for you to both live stream your service and record concurrently. If download options are available, your audience will be able to re-watch the program later. Also, when a software allows for video hosting, many service programs could easily be stored up on the platform; like a playlist, hence, ensuring easier accessibility and related content search. However, when a church is working with a tight budget, it may choose to run on a free live-streaming software or platform. Examples of such are the popular social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
6. Video Switching Equipment
This is mostly needed when there are more than one streaming source. A video switcher equipment helps to live switch between different video source. The quality of your video switch is largely determined by its transition support, number of inputs, and pro-features like network device interface support. This features also determine the cost you may need to part with. Some low-cost video switchers are known to insert a black frame or tear off video images while switching. Quality video switchers aid for excellent broadcasting experience. They enhance all-in-one easy switch solution and a custom broadcast-style streaming.
7. Live-streaming Encoder
You can either go for hardware or software encoder. Usually, software encoders are cheaper. However, you may be faced with challenges such as the need for Windows update while on a live-streaming broadcasting. Also, your computer system capacity and processor speed need to be of the highest quality – typically a core i7 processor with at least a 5 Gigabyte memory capacity. In addition, your computer must have a good video capture card.
Hardware encoders are however more expensive but you will never need to update a Window. The cost of both hardware and software streaming encoder may likewise equate if the church does not already own a high-capacity system and the needed video capture card.
Other basic accessories for a church live-streaming
- Tripod
A tripod is a support tool, standing on three legs, fostering the camera’s steady positioning over a long period of time. A good tripod is quite durable and allows the camera to tilt and pan without any consequential jerky output. Tripod aid for great video quality, protecting the output from shaky coverage.
2. Microphone
The preacher’s microphone must be carefully chosen and must be one that aid for a clear audio comprehension. When church streaming is being conducted, an external microphone is best adopted. It deals better with internal room echo which are common with most churches. Also, If the preacher rarely stays in a single spot, a wireless microphone is best adopted. You can get a convenient collar clipping wireless microphone with good sound effect.
- HDMI cable and HDMI extender
For a clear camera video signal actualization, an HDMI cable is needed to transfer video signals from the camera to the encoder or computer. Also, you will need an HDMI extender if the camera is positioned far off from the encoder.