There is a new addition to the video streaming tools – XSplit software. As of December 2011 this application is in public beta, with most of the features completed and fully functional. We performed testing of the application and were pleased with what the software can offer. XSplit offers ability to combine video from multiple sources, such as video cameras, screen capture, images, text overlays and video files. Each source can fill-in entire screen, or just section of the screen. Text overlay or text labels can be static, or dynamic, pulled from web sources and updated on periodic intervals. Currently, beta tester can receive special (pre-release) pricing on the software. But even list price of $99 a year is attractive enough to enhance your church services webcasting. Church Video Streaming services are compatible with XSplit RTMP streaming, and we will provide more details of Xsplit streaming functionality in upcoming days.
XSplit features, as listed on the XSplit.com web site
- Mix screen capture, cameras, videos, flash and images
- Make compositions with 3D effects, z-order and color control
- Use text labels with static text or dynamic text from web sources
- Change scenes with advanced and customizable transitions
- Record and broadcast your presentations preset service providers
- Connect to your own custom RTMP server or CDN provider
- Conduct several broadcasts in different qualities at the same time
- Use Xsplit.net service to stream one stream to multiple targets
- Capture output sound from speakers and mix microphone input
- Use as camera source with Skype™ or Adobe Flash™
Church Video Streaming supports iPhone/iPod/iPad video streaming. If your church is looking to broadcast video to popular Apple products, it is certainly doable. Not all of the electronic devices are made the equal, especially when the device name is iPhone, iPad, or iPod. These devices do not support video streaming using Flash technology. Video streaming to iPhones requires special video and audio encoding by the broadcasting software. Video codec needs to be H.264 and audio codec is AAC. Video broadcasting in this format is possible via Wirecast software, Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder + MainConcept AAC encoder, and Apple’s Quicktime Broadcaster.
If you have this software, your video stream can be made compatible with iPhones and iPads.
If you have additional questions on how to broadcast church services to iPhones and iPads, please contact us.
Happy video broadcasting to iPads and iPhones!!!
You see them everywhere. Phones, phones, phones…. They even ring at your church service, regardless of multiple announcements to turn them off. When you turn your head to see which teenager forgot to turn the mobile phone off, you realize it is not a teenager, but one of your elders … Expansion of smart phones is very rapid, seems like everybody needs one, even if it cost a fortune. Your church services can be streamed live to Android phones that support Adobe Flash technology. If you have a modern Android phone with version 2.2 of the software, Adobe Flash can be installed to show video streaming of your church. Nothing special needs to be done, if Adobe Flash player is installed on the phone. No special development, no special mobile only applications or sites need to be designed. People with Android phones can simply navigate to your church web site and view live broadcast of your church services. And you can say – ” That was easy!!!”
Do you need some hard facts about Internet speed in your area? Do you ask your friend or neighbor about Internet speed they have, to decide what is an optimal video streaming bit rate would be for your church? Well, US government did this homework for you. FCC has published searchable map outlining Internet connections speed including 25 million searchable records. This is available on broadbandmap.gov web site. See for yourself what is available Internet speed in your area and decide on the best live video streaming bit rate for your church.
Will you take down a big fire with a garden hose? Hardly… Lets hope that a fire hydrant is near to help with that task. This comparison between garden hose and a fire hydrant is a good illustration of the network throughput or network speed required to stream live video from your church. If you only have a handful of viewers, Internet connection that you have at your church may be sufficient to broadcast your church service to them. As your viewers number increase, that Internet connection at your church may no longer be sufficient.
First, lets understand some numbers. When you subscribe for Internet service you are usually given two numbers such as 12 Megabit a second download speed and 1.5 Megabit a second upload speed. The emphasis is usually given to a larger number such as 12 Megabit a second. This is the download speed, or the maxim speed with which you will receive the data, such as web page downloads, file downloads, or viewing videos from YouTube.
Another, usually smaller number, that is identified as upload speed indicates the maximum speed to transmit the data from your computer to the Internet. Live video streaming from your church falls into this category. Streaming videos to your viewers will be a process of uploading the data. How many viewers your church can support depends on the upload speed and the quality of the video stream. If the quality of the video stream is 500 Kilobit a second, then only 3 viewers can be connected to your church video broadcast. 1500/500=3.
What if the number of viewers is 30, 50 or maybe 300? A bigger pipe is needed, just like a fire hydrant. Church video streaming offers a solution of re-streaming your church video broadcast. Only a single connection will be established from your church computer to a server that has a lot more bandwidth to support growing number of viewers. Our lowest plan provides a speed of 10 Megabit a second, which can be increased to 100 and even 1000 Megabit a second.
A good live video encoding tools that your church may want to purchase and use is Wirecast software. It is more than just video encoding and broadcasting tool. It has rich functionality that your church video crew will like. It supports multiple streaming options and video formats, including AAC audio encoding, if you plan to stream, or record files for viewing on iPhones. But probably the best feature of Wirecast is its ability to mix various sources for broadcasting. You can broadcast live video feed from a video camera, display a static image, broadcast a video file from disk, select live audio input or an audio file.
Wirecast supports video broadcasting to flash streaming servers via RTMP. To configure flash live video streaming select Broadcast->Broadcasting Settings from the menu and specify video server and stream properties. Additionally, you may chose to save video stream to disk for future upload of this video to church video archive.
Whenever you have a guest or your senior pastor preaching, you can add titles to your video broadcast to inform your viewers about people and special events.
Additionally you can split your video output onto sections and broadcast video overlays, side by side or picture in picture shots.
Overall Wirecast is one of the best live video streaming encoders to be used by your church.
churchvideostreaming
com