The unique circumstances surrounding the past year have led to many religious organizations recording and live streaming their religious services for the first time. Like the rest of us, these institutions have had to quickly adjust to new ways of operating. This resulted in many houses of worship piecing together rudimentary video recording and live streaming setups overnight without the luxury to properly plan and implement more permanent church camera solutions.
Although the world is slowly returning to normal and congregants are beginning to attend services in person once more, live streamed and recorded services will continue to be valued alternatives for worshippers with busy schedules and those that can’t physically attend due to a variety of reasons. There has never been a more appropriate time for religious organizations to upgrade and supplement their existing church camera equipment to ensure that they get the most out of their investments for years to come.
Church camera equipment solutions
While it’s never been easier to start recording and live streaming your religious services, having a camera mounted on top of a tripod in the middle of an aisle with cables running into a computer isn’t exactly the most elegant solution. In fact, it can actually become a safety hazard as more and more congregants begin returning to your houses of worship for in-person services. This can be especially problematic if you’re streaming from multiple cameras simultaneously.
Aside from the potential safety concerns, each camera will also require its own dedicated camera operator. They can be distracting and potentially obstruct the views of anyone sitting behind them. It’s time to invest in more streamlined and permanent recording and live streaming solutions.
Full HD PTZ Cameras
Luckily, PTZ (Pan, Tilt, and Zoom) cameras are excellent alternatives to traditional video cameras. Their much smaller footprints give them added flexibility, and they can be discreetly mounted onto walls, from ceilings, etc. Since you can remotely operate them using a single remote camera controller, you eliminate the need for multiple camera operators as well. The kits below are cost-effective, entry-level options for any organization looking to migrate to using PTZ cameras for their recording and live streaming setup. Both bundles include a trio of Full HD PTZ cameras as well as a standalone remote controller:
iKan OTTICA Bundle with 3x Full HD NDI|HX 20x PTZ Camera
This bundle includes 3 of Ikan’s OTTICA NDI|HX PTZ cameras as well as Ikan’s OTTICA IP PTZ Controller, perfectly suited for multi-camera streaming video productions. The PTZ cameras feature 1/2.8″ CMOS sensors, 5.5 to 110mm varifocal lenses with 20x zoom, and can capture video up to 1080p at 60 FPS.
Sony SRG-X400 Full HD NDI|HX/3G-SDI/HDMI/IP 20x PTZ Camera
The Sony SRG-X400 features a 1/2.5” Exmor R CMOS sensor with excellent sensitivity, low noise, and natural color reproduction, along with a wide-angle lens covering approximately 70 degrees that’s capable of up to 40x zoom in Full HD. The SRG-X400 can even record videos up to 4K via an upgrade license.
Sony RM-IP500 PTZ Camera Remote Controller
The Sony RM-IP500 is a compact and ergonomic PTZ remote controller that’s capable of controlling up to 100 PTZ cameras from the Sony BRC or SRG series over an IP network. The RM-IP500 automatically assigns IP addresses to connected cameras and can store and recall up to 100 camera angle/setting presets, a huge time-saver in multiple camera setups.
4K PTZ Cameras
Even though cameras with 6K and 8K recording capabilities are beginning to enter the market, 4K will continue to be the standard for some time when it comes to video recording and live streaming. If you’re currently using a camera that records at Full HD (1080p) resolution, you may want to consider upgrading to 4K PTZ camera options such as the Canon CR-N500 or Panasonic AW-UN70K to futureproof your setup:
Canon CR-N500 13.4MP 4K Ultra HD 15x PTZ Camera
Powered by a 1” CMOS sensor, DIGIC DV 6 image processor, and a 15x optical zoom lens, the Canon CR-N500 can capture Full HD video at up to 60 FPS as well as 4K UHD video at 30p. It also utilizes Canon’s advanced Dual Pixel autofocus technology and comes equipped with ND filters (1/4, 1/16, and 1/64) built-in.
Panasonic AW-UE80 4K60p SDI/HDMI/NDI Professional 24x PTZ Camera
Panasonic’s AW-UE80 features a wide-angle lens with a 74.1 degree field of view that’s capable of 24x optical zoom and is powered by the quiet and responsive Direct Drive System for unintrusive 4K/60p recording. The AW-UE80 can output video via 3G-SDI, HDMI, as well as IP. It also supports the FreeD protocol, making it an ideal PTZ camera for AR/VR productions.
Additional Components
While cameras are undoubtedly essential to every recording and live streaming setup, it’s important not to overlook other elements that complete the puzzle. The latest PTZ cameras utilize PoE+ connections for both data transmission and power via a single cable. These should not be confused with standard PoE (Power over Ethernet). Be sure that the PoE+ network switch you’re using is capable of delivering sufficient power to all of the PTZ cameras in your environment, such as this one from Ubiquiti Networks:
Ubiquiti Networks UniFi 150W Managed PoE+ 16-Port Gigabit Switch with SFP
Ubiquiti’s UniFi 150W switch is an intelligent, fully managed 16-port gigabit switch designed with convenient management in mind. It supports both PoE+ IEEE 802.3at/af and 24V Passive PoE standards. This makes it ideal for use with multiple PoE-powered IP PTZ cameras that only require a single cable for power and data.
Besides the PTZ cameras and PoE+ switch, here are some additional components you will need to create a comprehensive video recording and live streaming setup that can serve the needs of your organization for years to come:
- As fast a broadband internet connection as your organization can afford.
- A decently equipped desktop or laptop computer with relatively current components. In most cases, the existing computer that you’ve been using should be sufficient.
- A production switcher such as the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Live Pro, which supports real-time switching between up to four simultaneous video inputs. Larger options are also available if you’re using more than four cameras at your religious institution. In addition to real-time camera switching, the ATEM Mini Live Pro also supports USB webcam output, dual audio inputs, direct recording onto USB Flash Disks, loading title cards and other graphics, queueing up transitions and other digital video effects, playing presentations from your computer, and many, many more advanced broadcast features.
- A 24” or larger monitor. It’s super helpful to be able to see all of your video feeds simultaneously on a single screen when recording and live streaming with multiple cameras.
- A remote camera controller, such as the PTZOptics PT-JOY-G4 VISCA Over IP & Serial Joystick Controller, to operate the various PTZ cameras from a central, remote location.
Learn more about equipping your space and find the best solution for your team by visiting Adorama Business Solutions.
