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Ref #: 014

Summary:

The meetinghouse webcast solution provides local units of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the information and tools needed to broadcast local meetings over the Internet to other locations.  Webcast technology provides an alternative to travel for stake conferences, regional conferences, firesides, and training meetings.

Details:

Meetinghouse Webcast Basics
Webcasts broadcast audio and video from a central location to one or many other locations. Webcasts are transmitted over the Internet to a publishing system. Receiving locations connect over the Internet to the publishing system to receive the webcast.

Uses and Benefits
As the travel and time costs for members and leaders increase, webcast technology provides significant opportunities to reduce or limit these costs. For example, it can allow a stake to hold one Sunday session of stake conference and webcast the meeting to other locations within the stake.

Requirements
Several elements are required for the successful delivery of a meetinghouse webcast. See requirements section starting on page 3 of the Meetinghouse Webcast Guide.

Webcast coordinators.   A Stake Technology Specialist who has an understanding of the Internet and basic computer technologies should coordinate the preparation for and management of meetinghouse webcast events. In addition, others will be needed to manage the technology used at each location that receives the event. 

Meetinghouse Internet.  Meetinghouses used for sending or receiving meetinghouse webcasts must have Meetinghouse Internet properly installed and configured in each building location. Meetinghouse Internet is the Church’s firewall and security solution for local buildings.  Learn more.

Internet Speed.  Both the sending and receiving locations need to have reliable Internet connections. Internet connection speeds must be sufficient to support the audio and video content streamed over them. The table below provides guidelines for the connection speeds needed. See also the Bandwidth Guidelines for Meetinghouse Internet.

Meetinghouse Webcast Components. Several components are used in the creation and reception of a meetinghouse webcast event.  Essential items include:

• Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator (See Meetinghouse Webcast Guide, page 6.)
• Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver or computer (See Meetinghouse Webcast Guide, page 8.)
• High-quality camera (See Meetinghouse Webcast Guide, page 9. See also Camera Considerations.)
• Adapters to connect to the building audio system, video system, projectors, etc.
  (needs based on local building configuration)
• CAT5 (or better) Ethernet cable
  (needed to connect your building’s Internet data port to the Webcast Communicator or Webcast Receiver)
• Tripod
• Gaffer tape (if you have exposed audio, power or video cables in areas where people may walk)

Additional information on the meetinghouse webcast components can be found in the Order section of this document and in the Meetinghouse Webcast Frequently Asked Questions.

Supporting Building Items.  Additional items may be needed at the buildings participating in the meetinghouse webcast. For example, the building receiving the webcast will need a screen and a projector or one or more televisions to view the webcast. As existing equipment varies from building to building, the Stake Technology Specialist will need to conduct a technology assessment of each building participating in the meetinghouse webcast event. 

Ordering Information
In the United States and Canada, each Stake must pay for the purchase of the meetinghouse webcast components out its local unit operating budget. Equipment can be ordered from LDS Catalog ( http://ldscatalog.com ). Log in as a stake unit, go to Unit Administration, Communications Technologies. Please note: you will not be able to view the Meetinghouse Webcast items at ldscatalog.com if you are not logged in with your stake unit login information.

Outside of the United States and Canada, contact the area offices for assistance in ordering meetinghouse webcast components.

You can order some meetinghouse webcast components through the LDS Catalog and purchase others through local vendors. This allows you to get the mix of components that best fits your situation. What you need to order will vary by your location and the technology and tools already in place in the buildings you support. The only component you must order from the catalog is the Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator. See Meetinghouse Webcast Guide, page 6 or see Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator Quick Setup Guide.

For more information about ordering, go to Meetinghouse Webcast Frequently Asked Questions.

Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator. This essential component of the Church’s meetinghouse webcast encodes the video stream and sends it to web servers that distribute the webcast stream. This device needs to be in place in the location where your webcast event occurs. To view a video that shows how to set this up, click here.

Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver. The Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver provides one option for viewing a Meetinghouse Webcast. (Webcasts can also be viewed using a properly configured computer.) The Webcast Receiver (or computer) can be used to display the webcast on either an overhead projector or a television set. The Webcast Receiver requires a standard keyboard to operate (the keyboard is not included). See Meetinghouse Webcast Guide, page 8 or see Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver Quick Set Up Guide.

Webcast Cameras.  Meetinghouse webcasts require a high quality video camera. The camera used should include the following functionality:

• 10X optical zoom lens
• Auto focus
• Low light sensitivity
• Option to disable “auto shutoff” when not recording (allowing video to be streamed without recording)
• At least one composite video out (RCA) port or one S-video outport
• Ability to not display timestamp or other camera display information in video output

Several cameras available in the market will meet these requirements. Provided it meets these requirements, an existing camera can be used or a new camera can be purchased in your local area. See Meetinghouse Webcast Guide, page 9 or see Camera Considerations.

Cables and Cords. A variety of power, audio, and video cables and cords are needed to successfully produce a webcast event. We’ve made several of these available through the LDS Catalog. These can also be purchased through local electronics and hardware stores. What you need will depend on the audio/visual configuration and equipment already in place at your local buildings. Conducting an early assessment of each building involved with the webcast is essential to your event’s success. 

Usage Tips and Guidelines

Meetinghouse Webcast Guide. Review the documentation found in the Meetinghouse Webcast Guide . This document provides valuable information about setting up and viewing a meetinghouse webcast. The guide is shipped with each Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator and Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver. 

Testing. It’s critical that you build time into your schedule to test out your meetinghouse webcast implementation before your actual event. Before your first event build in time to validate that you have all the proper equipment including connecting cables and wires. Take time to validate that all your components work well together before each event. Run a test webcast using the Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator and validate the video and audio stream using the Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver or a computer. 

Backup Plan. Even with proper preparation and solid technology, unexpected issues can occur. For example, your Internet provider could make a change during your event that impacts the connectivity of meetinghouses participating in the webcast. Be sure to have a backup plan in place. We strongly recommend setting up a phone connection or audio bridge as a backup solution in case you have any unexpected issue with your Internet connection or the Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator.

Additional Answers. Review the Meetinghouse Webcast Frequently Asked Questions for corresponding answers on a range of meetinghouse webcast topics. We recommend that you review these questions before setting up your first webcast; many insights can be found here.

You can also connect with other stake technology specialists at http://tech.lds.org . You can share insights, learn from others’ experiences, ask questions, and get answers. 

If you have additional technical questions you can send email to webcastsupport@ldschurch.org .

Related Articles.

• Meetinghouse Webcast Guide
• Introduction to Meetinghouse Internet
• Bandwidth Guidelines for Meetinghouse Internet
• Camera Considerations
• Meetinghouse Webcast FAQs
• Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator Technical Specifications
• Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator Quick Setup Guide
• Meetinghouse Webcast Communicator Quick Setup Video
• Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver Technical Specifications
• Meetinghouse Webcast Receiver Quick Setup Guide

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