Tech Forum

Our ward has been sharing zoom video of services using a mobile phone. Not working as we need. Anyone have suggestions about cameras that can be used to better facilitate those who cannot attend in person being able to see/hear what is happening. The camera would be 70 feet or so from the stage.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Phil Ricci

To try to beat the rush of suggestions: If the camera were only about 15 feet from the podium, a Logitech C920 or C920s works great. The wards in my building have been using that from the beginning of webcasting. Last year, I installed Reolink security cameras around my house. They have some rather nice PoE security cameras for better prices than other brands, but most of their models are much higher resolution than you would want for sacrament meeting.

I'm not sure what my ward uses, but it's just a web cam on the podium itself.

As for sound, you'd want to tap into the sound system for a feed.

If it really must be 70 feet from the podium then it will be more expensive and complex.

USB PTZ camera with at least a 10x zoom.

In my experience, the camera is actually not important at all. The sound is the critical thing.

I don't know what the problem is with the mobile phone you're using but they can be very effective as they have great cameras and you can feed a direct line into them from the sound system to get perfect audio.

Pretty sure that there should be availability for PTZ cameras through the general fund that does not impact the stake fund. Ours is a ClearTouch RL500

Munniac wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 9:51 pm Pretty sure that there should be availability for PTZ cameras through the general fund that does not impact the stake fund.

You can always ask FM, but from what has been reported here, one camera for the stake center. There's no budget for anything else.

I believe Russel is correct, I seem to recall one or two FMs stating they are only to provide one camera. Anything additional would be on the Stake and the FM Group would not be able to support any additional equipment outside of the scope of what the building is authorized. I have heard of some Stake presidencies being "warned" by church authorities not to be adding extra bells and whistles to their A/V stuff and to keep things simple and practical. At one time (and still might be now) the church reminded those wanting the latest and greatest of gadgets and broadcasting stuff that General Conference is not broadcast in HD. Stake and Ward stuff doesn't need to be as well.

My former Stake, as much as I love them, went way above and beyond when it came to broadcasting stake conference. We had a big closet full of audio and video gear. All for what.. so that those watching could hear the choir sing or musical numbers a little better vs what they would normally hear with just the basic microphone setup? It's one thing to "magnify your calling" it's another to go to to excess on what is truly needed and will get things by just fine and in a manor satisfactory to the Lord.

RyanGard1977 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 2:45 am ...
At one time (and still might be now) the church reminded those wanting the latest and greatest of gadgets and broadcasting stuff that General Conference is not broadcast in HD. Stake and Ward stuff doesn't need to be as well.
...

I personally agree with your opinion about going too far in making AV work fancier than it needs to be. General Conference now appears to be available in HD, at least for download. From the main Church website, then going to Media Library and to General Conference, Elder Bednar's talk from April 2023 can be downloaded in 360p, 720p, or 1080p.

I'm all for streaming in 360p, but I do think some care and attention should be paid to the audio.

Most can watch a grainy, poorly framed video as long as the audio is clear but you could have the greatest 4k camera and lighting and if your audio is weak, people just won't persist.

I have seen it overlooked so many times in church settings and it is often a very cheap and easy fix to get the audio spot on.

Going back to the OP. I would take a gamble and say that the issue with the phone streaming is not to do with the video feed but the audio signal. Several cheap and easy ways to resolve that and improve the experience for those at home.

I would like to report that our Stake Pres has allowed under inspiration the installation of a camera in all of the ward buildings. We were allowed to search for cost effective PTZ cameras. So after searching and pondering we decided to purchase through Amazon and install these while we only drilled two holes to accommodate the wiring making sure what we selected was a poe camera with one line to the router with a poe switch. If any one would like further info I'm at [email address removed to protect privacy]
Don't be afraid to listen to the spirit and trust your Stake leaders