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PRAIZEVISION FAQS
Praizevision makes Streaming simple
Many churches believe streaming is technically complex and expensive. Neither is the case. Often streaming can be set up from scratch in a single day with minimal costs. Here are the basics:
Begin with content. For audio-only streaming, this can be as simple as an audio feed off of your church’s PA system. You would typically use the same feed that would go to a tape deck used for recording your services. If you are already video recording your services for duplication or for image magnification on large screens, then perhaps you should consider streaming your video. In either case the video and/or audio are fed conventionally to what is called an encoder.
Add an encoder computer. This is a computer that is dedicated (at least during the church services) to encoding video and/or audio. Almost any desktop computer purchased today is powerful enough for encoding. For audio-only the computer’s sound card will work fine for capturing your services audio. Video streaming requires a compatible video capture card that can be obtained for less than $200 for capturing analog video and audio.
Fully functional professional encoding software (such as Windows Media Encoder) can be downloaded at no cost. Although there are several formats available (such as Windows Media, Real, QuickTime and Flash), the Windows Media format is by far the most popular streaming format.
Until recently Windows Media was lacking in its Mac support; but now there is a free Windows Media format plug-in for the QuickTime player. This gives Windows Media support for well over 99.9 percent of your potential viewers. For live streaming the service is digitized with the encoder and sent through your church’s Internet connection to the streaming service provider.
Secure an Internet connection. A broadband Internet connection with enough “upload” connectivity (typically 400-600 kbps depending on the target video encoding quality) is needed to stream video. Live audio-only streaming of a church service can be accomplished with a good quality dial-up Internet connection. A single digitized stream is sent through the Internet connection to the streaming service provider. The encoder PC can also save an archived file of the service on its local hard drive. This file can then be uploaded as an on-demand file for later viewing or listening.
While not a substitute for attending church services in person, streaming can be the next best thing. As broadband and Internet access spreads across more of the world, the potential audience of any church is staggering and covers every country of the earth. Streaming will play an important part in tomorrow’s church. The good news is that the future is here today.
Contact us at support@praizevision.com to start streaming your church services today.
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