Meetinghouse Webcast

[SheffieldTR]

[font="]Meetinghouse Webcast has now been released![/font]

[font="]It is available through www.ldscatalog.com! [/font]

[font="]Now what is Meetinghouse Webcast?[/font]
[font="]This service sends a one-way audio and video Web broadcast from a central building to other buildings or remote locations.[/font]

[font="]Benefits to the Church[/font]

[font="]Eliminate multiple stake conference sessions[/font]
[font="]Stake conference can be Webcast to several meetinghouses to accommodate overflow needs.[/font]

[font="]Reduce travel costs[/font]
[font="]Members and leaders can travel to closer buildings for stake conference and other meetings.[/font]

[font="]Increase family time[/font]
[font="]Less travel time means members and leaders can spend more time with their families.[/font]

[font="]Increase stake conference attendance[/font]
[font="]More members may participate in stake conference by viewing the Webcast at a closer location.[/font]

[font="]Possible Uses[/font]

• [font="]Regional/Stake Conferences[/font]
• [font="]Area/Regional/Stake Training[/font]
• [font="]Regional/Stake Firesides[/font]

[font="][/font]
[font="]Requirements[/font]
[font="]Before ordering Meetinghouse Webcast, stakes need to:[/font]

• [font="]Receive an official notice from the Office of the Presiding Bishopric authorizing Meetinghouse Webcast[/font]
• [font="]Have a qualified Stake Technology Specialist[/font]
• [font="]Have Meetinghouse Internet in each location that will send or receive a Webcast[/font]
• [font="]Ensure Internet connection quality is acceptable:[/font]

Bandwidth Requirements

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[font="]Meetinghouse Webcast Components[/font]

[font="]Several components are used in the creation and reception of a meetinghouse webcast event. Essential items include: [/font]

• [font="]Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator[/font]
• [font="]Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver or computer[/font]
• [font="]High-quality camera[/font]
• [font="]Adapters to connect to the building audio system, video system, projectors, tripod, network cable, etc. [/font][font="](needs based on local building configuration)[/font]

[font="][/font]
[font="]How to order[/font]

• [font="]Available now at http://ldscatalog.com[/font]
• [font="]You MUST log in as a stake with the unit number and password or you will not see the equipment or be able to place an order[/font]

[INDENT][font="]- Click on Unit Administration[/font]
[font="]- Click on Communication Technologies[/font]
[font="]- Click on Meetinghouse Webcast[/font]
[/INDENT]

• [font="]Order equipment[/font]

[font="][/font]
[font="]Items to consider[/font]

• [font="]Each location’s equipment should be tested before the first event as there may be significant variations in Internet connection quality[/font]
• [font="]Limited to one-way communication[/font]

[font="][/font]
[font="]FAQ's at:[/font]http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=b7498868fc1aa110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=cb4c507634b6f110VgnVCM100000176f620a____

[lionelwalters]

Hi there,

This is great news! Shame it's still only one-way, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. Can you tell me what format and resolution the stream is broadcast in? I've experimented with broadcasting using Windows Media Encoder and a high quality webcamera from one meetinghouse to another and, depending on the bandwidth, it seems to do quite well. Interesting to see how this new solution improves upon that.

Thanks,
Lionel

[mamadsen]

Can you tell me what format and resolution the stream is broadcast in?

I don't know about the resolution, but my understanding is it is based on the Media Player 9 version.

[SheffieldTR]

We are using the Windows Media Encoder and you need the Windows Media Player 9 or newer to receive the signal. There are a few preset qualities and a custom setting so the reality is you cans send a stream anywhere from 200 kbs to 700 kbs. Our test has proven that you will want to at least double that size for your upload and down load speed. So it really becomes a factor of the size of broadband connection you have or can afford.
Troy

[lionelwalters]

We are using the Windows Media Encoder

Would it be possible then to utilise the Church's WME server to broadcast directly from the WME software client on a PC on the Church's network, using the naming conventions, etc., outlined in the instruction booklet for the webcast hardware?

[jbh001]

Would it be possible then to utilise the Church's WME server to broadcast directly from the WME software client on a PC on the Church's network, using the naming conventions, etc., outlined in the instruction booklet for the webcast hardware?

Noting that you are posting from "down under," are you eyeing this as a possibility to reach those in remote locations, perhaps has an alternative to holding meetings via conference call?

I'm not sure if that was part of the original intent of the webcasting, but I could definitely see it being worthwhile to incorporate that type of functionality down the road. Unfortunately I am not part of that decision making process, and thus am only voicing my perspective.

[harddrive]

I'm starting to investigate doing this in our stake. I would like to see some documentation on the equipment that the church will supply so that I can learn what I need to "make it work." Basically what is the connections on the device and other stuff.

This way I can present nearly all my findings to my stake president for approval to move forward.

Thanks for letting me know.

[mkmurray]

I'm starting to investigate doing this in our stake. I would like to see some documentation on the equipment that the church will supply so that I can learn what I need to "make it work." Basically what is the connections on the device and other stuff.

This way I can present nearly all my findings to my stake president for approval to move forward.

Thanks for letting me know.

There's a ton of information in the very first post of the thread.

But for some really detailed info, check out the two links in this post (especially the PDF link): http://tech.lds.org/forum/showthread.php?p=24410

Also, an LDS Tech Wiki page has gone up about the topic as well: https://tech.lds.org/wiki/index.php/Meetinghouse_Webcast

[splassle]

Is there any particular camera that is recommended to use?

[aebrown]

Is there any particular camera that is recommended to use?

No, there is no particular model mentioned. However, the Meetinghouse Webcast Guide lists these requirements:

Meetinghouse Webcast requires a high quality video camera. An existing camera can be used or a new camera can be purchased in your area, if it meets the video camera requirements listed below. More information is available in the Meetinghouse Webcast Guide (available at http://clerk.lds.org).
■ 10X optical zoom lens
■ Auto focus
■ Low light sensitivity
■ Option to disable “auto shutoff ” when not recording (allowing video to be streamed without recording)
■ At least one composite video out (RCA) port or one S-video out port
■ Ability to not display timestamp or other camera display information in video output

The Meetinghouse Webcast FAQ adds this note:

Several cameras available in the market will meet these requirements. Provided it meets these requirements, an existing camera can be used or a new camera can be purchased in your local area.