Getting started
How to begin producing video services
Where do you begin?
Building a brand new production setup may sound difficult, but there are just a few things that you need to produce your first video service.
Equipment
If you do not currently have a production setup for live streaming, the basic components include a video switcher, an audio mixer, a computer, and a video camera.
Some of these items you may already have. For example, you might have an audio mixer of some form for live sound. You might already have a computer to project lyrics and Bible verses on screens.
However, you might not have a video switcher, and you might not have a video camera. Here are the basics to get you started.
Video Switcher
At the heart of video production is a video switcher. Some churches used free and open source software such as OBS Studio to switch between video sources.
A simpler and more powerful option for a church using up to 3 video cameras is the ATEM Mini Pro ($495 USD). Using a video switcher like the ATEM Mini Pro makes production easy, and it avoids excessive wear and tear on your computer that software like OBS Studio can create by overusing computing power and leading to sluggish performance.
This switcher provides a total of four HDMI inputs with the functionality of recording video to an external hard drive, streaming directly to the Internet without a computer, and multiview.
The video switcher has HDMI output for video projectors, and it connects to a computer by USB as a webcam source that you can use to stream to your favorite platform, such as YouTube, Facebook Live, Vimeo, or even video conferencing programs like Zoom or Google Meet.
Video Camera
For a church that does not own a video camera, you can easily use an iPhone or Android smartphone. I recommend the FiLMiC Pro app ($14.99 USD), which provides a clean HDMI output with sound. You also have the ability to zoom in and out. The ATEM Mini easily switches between graphics from a computer and up to three iPhones.
Audio Mixer
If you already have an audio mixer, you want to purchase a digital audio interface, which takes the audio signal from the mixer and converts it into a digital signal for live streaming, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, and I highly recommend this interface. Connect the AUX Output on the mixer to the interface via XLR and then connect the interface to the computer via USB.
If you do not have an audio mixer, I would recommend purchasing a small digital mixer that connects to the computer via USB. This ensures a clear signal going from the mixer to the computer. The FREEBOSS 6-channel mixer digital audio mixer allows a connection with two XLR microphones along with other inputs for guitars and keyboards.
Presentation
Many churches use presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or ProPresenter. If your church already uses presentation software, you can easily use the video output for graphics.
If your church does not yet use presentation software, I recommend Faithlife Proclaim. Team production is one of its strong points, and you can add many members for free to collaborate and produce the presentation. In addition, it has the option to provide song libraries for copyright logging and the ability to send and receive MIDI signals, which is key for automated productions. This subscription software is priced based on the number of church members.
With a little bit of preparation, you can use graphics to display names and lyrics in creative ways. You can display call and response elements along with Scripture readings on half-screens where the leader is visible on the left side of the screen and the text is displayed on the right. You can also use a picture-in-picture feature of the ATEM switcher to display the singers in a box on part of the screen with the lyrics. Since Proclaim is template-based, you will not have to reinvent the wheel each time you add slides and service elements.
Putting it all together
Once you have all of your equipment together, it’s time to put them all together so that the signals go to the right place.
Click the button below for instructions on connecting your equipment together.
Need support?
There are many possibilities to produce a great live experience of the worship service. Ultimately, the online broadcast is an expression of the church, and producing services with simplicity and excellence is key to a sustainable online ministry.
Should you need more help with getting your church online, please do not hesitate to contact us.
