Years ago, “coming to you live” were the most exciting words in television. Today, live video streaming allows any organization to broadcast its content into homes and businesses around the world.
Video streaming is ideal for:
- Churches that want to share sermons
- Educational facilities that wish to create true virtual classrooms
- Military personnel or government agencies that wish to conduct live, remote briefings
- Visual conferencing for interviews, board meetings, collaboration sessions, and more.
But what sort of equipment is required to conduct clear and reliable video streaming sessions? On the surface, the answer to this question is very simple. Organizations will need to add five distinct components to their audio-visual infrastructures.
Cameras
A successful recording project requires at least one high-quality, 1080-psi camera. It’s also a good idea to place that camera on some sort of stable mount so the video doesn’t shake or appear otherwise unprofessional. The camera must be capable of capturing the entire filming area. In a church this may mean capturing the entire sanctuary. In a classroom, it may only be necessary to capture the professor standing in front of a whiteboard.
A fast Internet connection
When it comes to the Internet, the faster the better. Certain pieces of data management equipment and software packages can help overcome a slightly slower Internet connection in areas where more sophisticated Internet services are not readily available.
High-quality microphones
Many cameras have a built-in sound capture system, but few offer a sound capture system of high quality. Presenters require at least one good microphone if they’re going to be heard at all. Often, multiple microphones are even better. A series of ceiling-mounted microphones can ensure consistent sound quality for the viewers back home.
Great lighting
Great filming quality is all about lighting. These lights must be precisely placed, and they must be powerful enough to keep all actors and participants looking natural. Bad lighting reflects poorly on the professionalism of the organization offering the content. In addition, it’s a good idea to maintain some control of the lighting. There may be times when dimming certain lights or increasing the power of others will help to achieve specific production objectives.
Top-notch software
It’s not enough to hook a church or classroom up to Google Hangouts or Skype. Professional quality clips and live feeds will require a professional software package that can handle the continuous demands of the data and ensure that same data is transmitted smoothly to all viewers. The software also encodes the video and audio feed into formats that can be transmitted and utilized.
Video streaming solutions should be part of the overall audio-visual infrastructure
Most organizations will need additional audio-visual functionality for a variety of projects. They may need to conduct presentations onsite that can be seen and heard clearly by all attendees. They may also have a need for collaborative digital whiteboards or document cameras that allow a worldwide audience a close-up, personal view.
It is a good idea to call in an expert who will design a custom-made, cost-effective system for all of the organization’s needs. Data Projections designs unique, customized video streaming solutions for any type of business.