AnnouncementBasics of Streaming Sacrament Meetings with Reference Table

On 25 September 2020, a notice was sent to local unit leaders (including Stake Technology Specialists) regarding principles to consider when determining how to stream sacrament meetings.

The attached documents are to help those new to broadcasting understand the basics of how to do stream a live event, to provide links to other documents we have posted, and to provide a reference document of broadcasting tools which we have tested and have proven to give good results. This document will be updated as additional options are evaluated but does not include all possible streaming solutions available, nor is it a list of required solutions. Many STSs have posted additional solutions in this forum that work well for them and may be good options for others as well.

Google Meet (G Suite) is not mentioned in either document, probably because it is better for interactive meetings, rather than a non-interactive broadcast. G Suite has a live stream broadcast option. However, whoever is the administrator for the church G Suite account has not enabled the live stream option for our G Suite accounts.

In the letter sent from the church, I believe it mentions being able to use the Church Webcast platform using a mobile device as the source. I have not seen references to this, what are they referring to?

The only way I am aware of to use the Church Webcast is via the Teradeks, and buying these and cameras for every building is cost prohibitive.

I am leaning towards borrowing laptops, webcams and a usb mic, and using YouTube Live. Anything I may be missing?

They are referring to the Larix Broadcaster app, available free for Android & iOS.

Here's my step-by-step instructions for setting it up.

I bought a couple cheap gooseneck suction-cup car phone holders to mount to the pulpit. Done.

jepthy wrote:In the letter sent from the church, I believe it mentions being able to use the Church Webcast platform using a mobile device as the source. I have not seen references to this, what are they referring to?

The only way I am aware of to use the Church Webcast is via the Teradeks, and buying these and cameras for every building is cost prohibitive.

I am leaning towards borrowing laptops, webcams and a usb mic, and using YouTube Live. Anything I may be missing?

You can stream to the church webcast system with any tool that can stream to RTMP. A paid Zoom account can do this. The free OBS software (Win/Mac/Linux) can do this. Microwaved also mentioned some options. I'm sure there are others.

drepouille wrote:Google Meet (G Suite) is not mentioned in either document, probably because it is better for interactive meetings, rather than a non-interactive broadcast. G Suite has a live stream broadcast option. However, whoever is the administrator for the church G Suite account has not enabled the live stream option for our G Suite accounts.

Our stake has a G Suite non-profit account. We tried to use the Meet broadcast feature, but, at least at the time, all participants had to have a G Suite account within the broadcasting domain. Which isn't exactly convenient... handing out a new Google account to an entire unit?

A simple HD webcam on a music stand riser to an old computer/laptop is easy and works well for Video using any of the platforms. Getting the audio OUT of the church PA and into the computer running the webcast is the part I think most are struggling with (I know I am). All we need is a simple transmitter to connect to USB or Mic in on a laptop. Anyone able to share a working audio out of the church system into a computer (wireless or otherwise, see no need to buy an expensive video encoding system)?

We have several audio options:
- Record Out (line level output) jack
- Webcam mic
- Wired Lavalier mic
- Wireless Lavalier mic
- Comtek ALS receiver

Can those who participate in Virtual meetings at home be counted for the Sacrament Meeting attendance?

Yes, once the livestream is over you can see how many people watched the livestream.

In the Attendance Report for a webcast you can see how many connections were made, but not how many people were watching at any connection. Who would we submit a suggestion to have the popup that asks for a name also include a box for the number of people watching at that connection to? Our Ward Clerk's are asking for that detail.

With Webcast going to the wayside I wouldn't count on any popups, best you could do with that would be to ask the ward to place a number by their name of how many are in the house viewing the event.

I am not able to reach the rtmp destination. What’s going on?

PotterFan92993 wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 12:05 pm I am not able to reach the rtmp destination. What’s going on?

Can you give us more info? Are you trying to connect to YouTube, the church's service, or something else?

What tool are you using to send out the RTMP? Teredek, Zoom, OBS, some other software or device?