Streaming service for church? Frustrated and confused! at DVinfo.net

Ted Bragg · January 22nd, 2010, 12:39 PM

I'm trying to help our church get services streamed live. For awhile it worked with uStream, then we tried Justin.TV (better framerate)

We were using a simple one-camera connection via firewire. It worked. Not great, but it worked. Now we're running three cameras out of an analog switcher, and I've hit an unexpected roadblock. The capture devices we've tried are not compatible/unseen by Flash Media Live Encoder. What's crazy is, NOBODY can tell us which devices WILL work.

I thought WDM drivers were supposed to solve this. I've tried ATi TV Wonder PCI, a Pinnacle D550, a WinTV160...in a fit I even tried a Dazzle DV170 (ok, stop laughing)

Nothing. WME9.0 is in the same boat -- it can detect fw or usb cameras.

I've spent a great deal of time and money and the church staff's patience is wearing thin.

I need a cheap solution. The Canopus AVDC110 is $100 too high. ANYBODY have a suggestion? Solution??

J. Chris Moore · January 22nd, 2010, 03:50 PM

I personally don't have a solution to your problem but I have worked with churches on video projects and understand their budget conscious nature. But I would say that if $100 is all that is holding you back from producing a quality streaming experience for your viewers then just spend the extra $100. If the church can't find the money in the budget then maybe take up a special offering, an amount that small shouldn't be hard to raise.

Sorry, I didn't have a technical solution but this is what I would do personally.

William Hohauser · January 22nd, 2010, 04:46 PM

Do you have a DV deck available? DSR-11 or BR-DV3000. If you do, run the analog signal into it and use it to convert the signal into FireWire. I use that set-up for live webcasts over LiveStream another service which I suggest you look into.

Seth Bloombaum · January 22nd, 2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Bragg

...The capture devices we've tried are not compatible/unseen by Flash Media Live Encoder. What's crazy is, NOBODY can tell us which devices WILL work...
...I need a cheap solution. The Canopus AVDC110 is $100 too high. ANYBODY have a suggestion? Solution??

However, the Canopus AVDC110 is the solution of choice. I've used it with FME, with Wirecast, with WME. It is the least expensive best way to get SD switcher output available to a live encoder.

Live firewire capture is also somewhat dependant on the chip in the firewire card. OHCI is essential, the TI chip seems more reliable than VIA. If your FW card is working for camera capture, it's probably OK.

Kevin Fox · January 26th, 2010, 12:59 PM

Canopus AVDC-55. Single direction only, but cheaper than the 110. (Although I have to agree with the other posters that $100 is not worth the headache. Tell the church to find the money if they want the broadcast).

AVDC-110 would still be my first choice, though!

Good luck,

kfox

Bredly Root · January 27th, 2010, 11:22 AM

thanks for info

January 22nd, 2010, 12:39 PM	#1
Ted Bragg Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 105	Streaming service for church? Frustrated and confused! I'm trying to help our church get services streamed live. For awhile it worked with uStream, then we tried Justin.TV (better framerate) We were using a simple one-camera connection via firewire. It worked. Not great, but it worked. Now we're running three cameras out of an analog switcher, and I've hit an unexpected roadblock. The capture devices we've tried are not compatible/unseen by Flash Media Live Encoder. What's crazy is, NOBODY can tell us which devices WILL work. I thought WDM drivers were supposed to solve this. I've tried ATi TV Wonder PCI, a Pinnacle D550, a WinTV160...in a fit I even tried a Dazzle DV170 (ok, stop laughing) Nothing. WME9.0 is in the same boat -- it can detect fw or usb cameras. I've spent a great deal of time and money and the church staff's patience is wearing thin. I need a cheap solution. The Canopus AVDC110 is $100 too high. ANYBODY have a suggestion? Solution??

January 22nd, 2010, 04:46 PM	#3
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Do you have a DV deck available? DSR-11 or BR-DV3000. If you do, run the analog signal into it and use it to convert the signal into FireWire. I use that set-up for live webcasts over LiveStream another service which I suggest you look into. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

January 22nd, 2010, 03:50 PM	#2
J. Chris Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 96	I personally don't have a solution to your problem but I have worked with churches on video projects and understand their budget conscious nature. But I would say that if $100 is all that is holding you back from producing a quality streaming experience for your viewers then just spend the extra $100. If the church can't find the money in the budget then maybe take up a special offering, an amount that small shouldn't be hard to raise. Sorry, I didn't have a technical solution but this is what I would do personally.

January 26th, 2010, 12:59 PM	#5
Kevin Fox New Boot Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winchester, VA USA Posts: 23 Images: 15	Canopus AVDC-55. Single direction only, but cheaper than the 110. (Although I have to agree with the other posters that $100 is not worth the headache. Tell the church to find the money if they want the broadcast). AVDC-110 would still be my first choice, though! Good luck, kfox

January 27th, 2010, 11:22 AM	#6
Bredly Root New Boot Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Posts: 18	thanks for info