Help with streaming for a Church

[Dracicida]

Howdy all!
I help run the streaming services at my church. Everything is working wonderfully! There is an issue however, most of my congregation is rather elderly, and a few of the folks who help me run the stream are having a hard time starting the streaming services we broadcast on. I was wondering if there was anyone who happens to know if there is a way to script certain actions such that we do not need to have folks struggling with getting Facebook or YouTube going. Any advice or tips?
Many thanks and blessings!

 

[KUCTech]

Hello Dracicida: Without knowing your particular setup and workflow, I wouldn't know exactly what functions need to be automated. However, I also run a church live stream, and as a general approach, here is what I would look into:

• ". . . getting Facebook or YouTube going.". In our case I stream to Restream (using a free account), which then directs the live stream to wherever you specify. So I would predefine the YouTube and Facebook events ahead of time, and add them to the Restream destinations.
• Then, if your streaming start time is predictable, I would then look into the OBS Plugin Advanced Scene Switcher to trigger Start Streaming at the scheduled time.

I have not used Advanced Scene Switcher, so my suggestion is a bit thin on details, but I believe it to be at least worth looking into. And, in case it helps, here is what AI (Perplexity) has to say about this functionality:

Yes, the OBS Plugin Advanced Scene Switcher can be used to issue the Start Streaming command. Here's how you can set this up:

1. Open the Advanced Scene Switcher settings in OBS by going to Tools -> Advanced Scene Switcher.
2. Navigate to the "Macro" tab.
3. Create a new macro by clicking the "+" button under the Macros list.
4. In the "Edit macro" panel, add a condition that will trigger the start of your stream. This could be based on various factors like time, hotkey, or another event
5. In the actions section of the macro, add a new action by clicking the "+" button.
6. From the action types, select "Streaming" as the action.
7. Configure the action to "Start streaming"

• This setup will allow you to automatically start streaming based on the condition you've set. For example, you could create a macro that starts streaming at a specific time or when a certain scene becomes active.
• It's worth noting that the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin is highly versatile and can automate many aspects of your streaming workflow. In addition to starting the stream, you can use it to switch scenes, play media, adjust audio, and perform many other actions based on various conditions.
• Remember to test your setup thoroughly before using it in a live situation to ensure everything works as expected.

I hope this helps. . .

Tony N.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

I'm another Advanced Scene Switcher(AdvSS) user for House of Worship
I set up Timing automation to change Scenes, start Recording/Streaming, and more
I use a specific start up sequence so we more frequently get the right video thumbnail, and have content for 5 minutes before the start of regular service (to give people time to connect)... most of that automated. That includes a 3-minute 'welcome/walk-up' video, copyright slide with livestream licenses info, etc

Personally, I prefer the security of NOT using Persistent Stream Keys, so we use Operating System Browser (inPrivate mode) to connect to stream preview before every service to get stream key... that Preview window is then effectively the 'Digital usher'
- but I get that not all scenarios have volunteers up to that level of sophistication (and many balls in the air at same time)

 

[Joshua Phillips]

Absolutely understand what you're going through — I help out with church streaming too, and getting volunteers (especially older folks) comfortable with platforms like YouTube or Facebook can be a bit tricky.

What worked for us was simplifying everything as much as possible. Here are a few things you might want to try:

• Use streaming software like OBS and set up a hotkey or desktop shortcut to start everything with one click. You can also use a stream deck or something like AutoHotkey to script the start/stop actions so volunteers don’t need to fiddle with buttons.
• Pre-schedule your streams on YouTube or Facebook — this way, all someone needs to do is open the software and hit “Start Streaming.” It connects automatically.
• If you're streaming to multiple platforms, consider using tools like Restream — it simplifies the process by sending your stream to multiple places at once from a single dashboard.

And if you ever outgrow the public platforms or want a more centralized and distraction-free place for your congregation to watch (no ads, no comments, no login fuss), we started exploring options like VPlayed — it’s a customizable streaming solution that can be hosted on your own site. It’s definitely not plug-and-play like YouTube, but once set up, it’s really smooth and easy for your team to manage without the constant tech hassle.

For More informations checkout: https://www.vplayed.com/religious-streaming-solution.php

 

[bcoyle]

Our church does have the same problem with streaming and volunteers. They do things by rote without understanding and when something goes wrong, have no troubleshooting skills. Just this Sunday (i'm on the video team), I was listening on the intercom and they were having trouble getting on air. So I went up to the OBS/Streaming setup , verified that obs was transmitting, went to the youtube streaming menu , verified that youtube was getting a "excellent connection" and then pointed at the little message in the upper right hand corner that said "push to start stream". It was that simple. I do believe in training in operation and trouble shooting which I willrecommend. Of course, you know , in a church, if you you point out anything , they point at you to fix the problem. LOL.

 

[bcoyle]

We have been working on setting up our 4 camera service to have the cameras look all the same. Also measuring audio delay to fix lip - sync problems. We have 2 black magic cameras and 2 canon ones. Different frame delays and white balance.

 

[KUCTech]

We have been working on setting up our 4 camera service to have the cameras look all the same. Also measuring audio delay to fix lip - sync problems. We have 2 black magic cameras and 2 canon ones. Different frame delays and white balance.

Hello @bcoyle: Seems like there oughta be a sub-forum for us church live streamers! I run the live streaming for our church and a lot of what has been discussed is familiar to me.

In particular, we are currently in the process of acquiring a 3rd PTZ camera, and I have the same concern about matching the quality/appearance of the other two cameras. The salesman assures me that it can be done.

And I seem to be for ever fighting the video/audio sync. I can get it synced for one source (e.g. the wired microphones coming in through the sound board) , but then everything else is off. There is a point in our services where the minister rings a Singing Bowl by striking it with a soft hammer, and in the live stream I often notice that she will have her arm raised above her head, ready to strike, and the bowl is already ringing! The magic, self-ringing bowl.

And as far as training others to operate the live streams, that isn't too difficult as long as nothing goes wrong. But it's all the associated tasks that take time to become familiar with: checking for OBS Studio updates, checking that the plugins match the OBS release, checking the forums to see if others are having new release problems that would apply to us, updating Restream, setting up YouTube events, keeping documentation up to date, and just general troubleshooting before, during and after the actual live stream. Sometimes it feels like a real job!

Anyway, interesting to hear others face the same issues.

Regards. . .

Tony N.

 

[bcoyle]

Basically the mic source is realtime. The cameras and mixer board add delay to the video by X number of frames. Each camera is different. We have 3 wired (sdi ) and one wireless.I measured the camera delays using a klacker and recording via obs.
The measured video delay we 7,5,5,10 frames for the 4 cameras. The audio control board can delay the audio and we will use a 7 frame delay (7*33ms) or 231 ms audio delay. This will change the perceived delay to 0,-2,-2, 3. neg means video comes early before sound, pos is after sound. The big bug I have to work out is playing a video that has no delay. I have to talk to our sound guy.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Having all audio route through a single source certainly helps... in my case, the issue is an older analog mixer, and the need for more mics for livestreaming (choir loft, pipe organ, piano, etc)... And the limitations of OBS Studio on Windows natively limited to the Windows Audio sub-system. ugh. I'm aware of the plugins, but also some of those plugins problems.... really would like a better native audio interface within OBS Studio on Windows OS. At this point, I follow, and recommend others do the same, of doing all audio mixing outside of OBS Studio. What I need now ( due to audio mixer in the tiniest of closets that can't really be manned) is to get a new mixer that can be remotely controlled (model identified, probably purchase late this year)
In our case, an older Presonus AR12 USB, with a couple of Shure BLX wireless mics, and rest XLR connected. We use NO audio delay at all as the sync is close enough as it is.

As for camera delay... yea, mixing camera technologies really complicates matters. I just picked up 2 more 1080p NDI PTZ cameras from same vendor as our first, used on eBay for ~$200 each... Same LUT, video latency etc... with volunteers, etc... so much easier when using same tech across the board... granted, took a LOT of patience to get these extra cameras at that price. Sometimes you jusyt have to make due

Normal House of Worship constrained budget challenge

 

[bcoyle]

Our audio department has 2 stations, a mixer eq'ed for house and one for stream. So we have one audio source coming up to our black magic video switcher. All the above stuff is to measure the average video delay and therefore at the same time, add the average audio delay to the audio going to obs. obs just takes audio asis and video asis. Nothing fancy in obs.

 

[bcoyle]

Do you have a procedure for making all you cameras look the same?

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Do you have a procedure for making all you cameras look the same?

Using the same line and model range of cameras means that isn't an issue for us.
Having a photography background, I'm familiar with white balance, LUTs, etc... but have never had to put any of that into practice matching across video cameras. Typically, the recommended approach woudl be to white balance/apply LUT at the camera level, assuming it is capable of such. The challenge is if you want to be able to adjust that during a service (typically not advisable, but depends on scenario). To apply a separate video filter per camera takes CPU, so one would need to be careful on OBS Studio PC hardware resource utilization

 

[bcoyle]

Using the same line and model range of cameras means that isn't an issue for us.
Having a photography background, I'm familiar with white balance, LUTs, etc... but have never had to put any of that into practice matching across video cameras. Typically, the recommended approach woudl be to white balance/apply LUT at the camera level, assuming it is capable of such. The challenge is if you want to be able to adjust that during a service (typically not advisable, but depends on scenario). To apply a separate video filter per camera takes CPU, so one would need to be careful on OBS Studio PC hardware resource utilization

@Lawrence_SoCal Yeah, we have 2 types of cameras and a wireless which causes the most lip sync problems. We measured the delays and can set an ave audio delay in the audio board. We are working on figuring out pro-presenter because it has no audio lag compared to the cameras when playing a video. The lag for a slide is un-important.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Ugh, a wireless camera... that is bound to add a massive amount of latency compared to everything else.

 

[bcoyle]

@Lawrence_SoCal . Yes, wireless make lip sync horrible. Current current delays (camera to obs input) are:
1. Black magic - 5 frames
2. Canon boom - 7 frames
3. Canon thru a holliland wireless system - 10 frames

A previous effort to fix this involved using a 100 ms (3 frame) audio delay., a small help, but not good enough.

I determined that a 7 frame average delay would work, [0,-2,-2,3] frame delays.

If we could afford a teradeck wireless, it has 0 delay and would help with our roaming camera.

Now the problems with the 7 frame delay , which would really help with the camera is that our graphics presenter has 0 delay, so any video played would have the video earlier. Reading some on-line material, pro-presenter may have a offset delay + and -. SO need to find out before making a big change.

We had pretty good success color matching the cameras. If you wish to see a sample stream, out church is lifepoint , minden nevada. You can search on youtube..

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Our ( hero guy, tech support) left for a different church. So the rest of us are trying to pick up the slack.