1. 1 Equipment Guide The Church has made great improvements over the years in the quality of video broadcasts and use of other technology. In many ways I believe there is a perception that we need to duplicate the high quality we see in the Church’s broadcasts in our webcast. One thing to remember is that it is a stake webcast and not a full blown television broadcast. While reviewing the LDS tech forum there are some who have some very high quality multiple camera setups with strong computers for encoding. It takes many skilled professionals to put on that type of quality production. Quality technology can be expensive. Plus technology changes very fast now and can become out of date quickly. More importantly you never know how long those members who know how to use the technology may be living in the Stake. I believe technology should be easy to use so that anyone can set up a webcast.

2. 2 Equipment Guide Here is our equipment list. −We purchased one Logitech C910 webcam. This camera can deliver 1080p resolution. It has a Carl Zeis lens. It can also be found at Best Buy for around $70. You don’t need to be a video rocket scientist to use it. More importantly it can be used for future personal video conferencing used by the stake. There are options to purchase other traditional cameras, remote control cameras, but all of them have a high price tag. You also need a person who knows how to use them. The webcam is easy. Install software, plug it in to USB on your computer and it works. −For primary webcast audio we purchased a Chat50 usb microphone from Clearone Communications. It’s very easy to use and delivers GREAT audio. I purchased it for around $100 although I believe it will be available via LDS purchasing for less.

3. 3 Equipment Guide We used the Logitech C910 webcam. It’s a great camera for under $100. It can be used by the stake for future personal video conferencing. Carl Zeis lens (good) + will do up to 1080p.

4. 4 Equipment Guide (Mission Control)

5. 5 Equipment Guide

6. 6 The webcam’s location worked best about two feet in front of the stand. We ended up using a mic stand with a DIY riser for placement. A 3/8” 4ft dowel paint black was used to get the camera at the right height. Ideally it would have been better to somehow connect it to the stand but time was short. While this solution worked we had to raise the mic stand higher and shorten the dowel extension due to the air conditioning blowing on the camera (causing it to wobble). Shortening the dowel length 16 inches provided better stability for the camera.

7. 7 Equipment Guide We used the ClearOne Chat50 for webcast audio. It’s easy to use and I believe it is a better solution than the PA system (picks up choir real good). It can also used by the Stake for Personal Video Conferencing in the future. www.clearone.com/personal-usb-speakerphone.html

8. 8 Equipment Guide

9. 9 Backup Audio −Each Meetinghouse typically is equipped with one or two ‘crab’ boxes. These devices are used to convert audio signal and connector types. The EJ-8 and EJ-10 have been around for many years. There is also newer equipment available. The TAIT is a newer device. It’s primary use was to provide backup audio over the telephone for General Conference.

10. 10 Equipment Guide You can also use the EJ-8 or EJ-10 ‘crabs’ for backup audio. See the Ldstech WIKI

11. 11 Equipment Guide The TTAIB magically appeared in the cabinet under the stand one day. I never knew we had it. One important item if you use this device is that it needs a specific handset to work. You must use a wired phone that does not have the dial in the handset (most common phones). You will need a phone without a dial in the handset like the old ATT 2500

12. 12 Equipment Guide Computer (processor and OS) as of 2011 −This was key for success in using the right equipment for the right job. As with other types of technology computer processors are constantly evolving. By the time you read this it may be out of date. −We originally tried a laptop with an AMD dual core processor rated at 1.6 GHz. It was also running Microsoft Windows Vista. BAD IDEA. You need a dual core processor rated at 2.3+ Ghz for the equipment we used. Vista was also a BIG Problem. The PC in our clerks office met the technical requirements. It also was still using Microsoft XP OS. We upped the RAM to 3 gigs. The ram was less than $50. Others on the forum were using Windows 7 with good results. XP has been most reliable for businesses. That’s why it is still in use. −To me it seems wasteful to purchase a dedicated computer that is only going to be used only twice a year. Using the existing computer in the clerks office makes better sense. (*Video Conferencing coming to a stake near you? If anything purchase a laptop as it could be used with the equipment we used for future personal video conferencing for the Stake.)

13. 13 Equipment Guide Required software as of 2011 −The Church provides at no charge the video streaming software. It is very easy to use. We used version 3.0 −This software requires that you also have.NET framework from Microsoft. There is no charge for this. −The streaming software requires Microsoft Expressions software. This is for encoding your signal. There is a free version on the Microsoft website. −Logitech software came with the camera. It’s very easy to use. One advantage is that it also allows you to tilt, pan and zoom in the camera. This is done digitally and not optically which could impact your picture quality. With limited adjustments it worked out very well. −Windows Media Player 11 was used to view the webcast. Next time I will use VLC media player as it has the ability to match lip-sync.

14. 14 Equipment Guide Accessories −A 10ft. USB extension cable was purchased for the camera and the Chat 50 mic. The computer had USB 2.0 ports. Currently an extension can not exceed 16 ft. and maintain 2.0 standards. There are longer USB extension but they have ‘booster’ in the cable to boost the signal. They are also more expensive. −I also used various cable ties, gaffers tape (like duct tape) and some velcro products. This was used for a camera stand. −We used wired ethernet connections to the internet. While wireless may work, it is more prone to interruptions from other device radio signals. To extend the drop in the stake center bulk category 6 cable was purchased. Please note two things. To maintain the Cat 6 standard your cable run should not be over 300ft. I would also recommend purchasing finished cable with connectors instead of bulk cable. There are various types of Cat 6 cable, riser, plenum, etc. Check with your local FM group to determine the type required for your building.

15. 15 Final Thoughts.. Start early in planning. Test and retest your video stream and backup audio. Do multiple bandwidth speed tests. Test your upstream connection on the same day and time you will be doing the webcast. Test the audio quality at the receive point. Audio quality is paramount! Make sure leaders at both sites have a backup plan in the event you lose audio and video. Have a backup bulb for your projector. (I would also really like to use a better projector as I believe it would make the receive point video a MUCH better viewing experience Don’t use Windows Vista (personal bias)