Webcast end of life question.

I have been told by some 'sources' that the Webcast system is going away. We may be relegated with the likes of Zoom. Our current camera equipment and setups are not very workable with Zoom. Is the Webcast tool going away (April 2022 is what I have heard)? If so I would like to know now so I as the STS can retool and retrain. I have several wards with elderly populations that have no plans to move away from broadcasting Sacrament meetings as this has literally been a 'Godsend' for our home bound membership who deeply desire to feel this kind of participation.

I have no special knowledge, but have read elsewhere in the forum that a letter was sent from church headquarters instructing all units to move off the Webcast system for sacrament meeting broadcasts and use their unit zoom account or some other platform such as youtube. That is the reason the church has paid for each unit to have their own Zoom account. There are lots of forum posts instructing ways to be successful using these other platforms (even for those who are challenged by the technology).

I believe (but again have no special knowledge) that the Webcast system is probably not going away unless they are developing something new - just that wards have been asked to not use it for their broadcasts.

We had invested in equipment such that the Webcast team told us we could stay on their system. We do use our unit Zoom accounts for other meetings which was also the reason for Zoom account assignments. If the Webcast direction is changing I simply want enough notice to react and train appropriately. We have tools that we use to notify viewers when the Sacrament portion of the meeting is taking place which our built in capabilities with our Mevo camera systems. Some wards use OBS to produce their meetings. We just need time to adjust. We have never planned on using Zoom for our Stake Conference Broadcasts as we have a building with an old mounted analog camera which we do not want to adapt for Zoom. Yes, there are solutions for all of these things with Zoom but we enjoy the elegance of the current Webcast system. If they are going to move our cheese we just want to know when.

poswald wrote: Is the Webcast tool going away (April 2022 is what I have heard)? If so I would like to know now so I as the STS can retool and retrain.
. . .
If the Webcast direction is changing I simply want enough notice to react and train appropriately.

I have heard the same rumor with a date a few months later than what you heard.

We have become so reliant on the Church webcast system that I would be amazed if the Church did not give us at least six months advance notice if the system really is going away.

If the Church were to make an announcement sometime in October, for example, I would read the announcement carefully, note any suggestions or preferrances the Church provided, and then go back through the comments here at the Forum to figure out what might work best in our stake. Only then would I begin to start moving to a new system if that were to be in my future.

So until there is an official announcement, I would just enjoy General Conference this coming weekend with my new satellite replacement solution. There is nothing as constant as change.

Everything that goes through the Taradek can be directed to Zoom as easily as it can to the Azure Based Could Webcast solution. I don't understand how this would be something hard to handle. We might lose a small, teeny bit of functionality like auto-setup, but that was only a recent (late) introduction into the system anyway, we were manually doing it for a very long time.

I only have one Taradek in my system of buildings and I have been told the current Taradek systems are out of production. My Mevo camera systems seem to have issues with Zoom. If I am forced to Zoom we will work out the noise cancellation issues among others issues as well or simply buy new systems. Webcast works great and has a nice landing page for members to select their meeting of choice. We will have to come up with our own landing page for the Zoom links which of course is a matter of choice for us. I just want to know if the Webcast is going away. YES or NO! A very simple question. I know the Webcast and Networking team monitor these forums. Would someone answer the simple question?

I'm afraid you're extremely unlikely to get an answer.

I presume you are trying to use the mevo in wired webcam mode for zoom? USB Cable length is critical here.
Another option that works well for us is to use the camera in NDI mode. This works consistently well when coupled with the PoE adapter to have a solid ethernet connection. Latency is not bad at all on our network.
Benefit is that the laptop used for zoom does not have to be in close proximity to the camera but can be operated anywhere on the same network. A clerk's computer could potentially even be used for example.

The Mevo Start has some very aggressive DSP to pick out voices if you are not using the 3.5mm jack input.
Zoom also has it's own highly aggressive DSP with the AGC and the echo reduction.

Best solution is to run a 3.5mm sound input into the mevo to disable the camera's internal microphones and then 'enable original sound' in zoom. This will defeat the signal processing and give you the best chance at not only the highest quality but also the most consistent sound.

Anyway. If webcast goes away completely or gets restricted right down to just regional conferences etc, i'm sure we'll get more than just a couple of weeks' notice.

johnshaw wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:24 am Everything that goes through the Taradek can be directed to Zoom as easily as it can to the Azure Based Could Webcast solution. I don't understand how this would be something hard to handle.

Except Zoom can't ingest an RTMP stream, so the Teradek can't directly stream to it like it can other services.

Mikerowaved wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:00 am

johnshaw wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:24 am Everything that goes through the Taradek can be directed to Zoom as easily as it can to the Azure Based Could Webcast solution. I don't understand how this would be something hard to handle.

Except Zoom can't ingest an RTMP stream, so the Teradek can't directly stream to it like it can other services.

Setup RTMP server and pull it into OBS and then output source to zoom? Bit of a hassle to workaround like that, but it is possible.
Much easier to just output to youtube.

Wattsuk wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 3:04 am Much easier to just output to youtube.

Agreed.

poswald wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 2:52 pm I have been told by some 'sources' that the Webcast system is going away.

You might want to check back with your sources.

I also heard that rumor, but it said there would be an announcement by the end of the month. The end of the month has come and gone. Given the time line slipping, there could easily be a change in the plan.

If you have to make a decision, I'd suggest on moving away from webcast for weekly meetings. We've already been encouraged to do that. Using Webcast impacts the church financially. The more it's used, the more it costs them. Zoom is a fixed cost.

As for Webcast for stake conferences, my Magic 8 Ball says "Cannot predict now.". To completely eliminate Webcast would either make the church totally dependent on YouTube (uh-oh), force them to up their Zoom licenses ($, and it tops out at 50,000), or find another solution (also $). It's gone as well.

I'll also note that no one seems to have heard a rumor of something "new and improved" that would make us want to switch to that.

Switching the Teradek over to send viewers to Zoom is the easy part, the difficult part is that our Stake Camera system is analog and there currently is not a way to get the camera signal and audio converted over into a computer running zoom which then broadcasts back out to the internet. We would have to basically re-wire everything or run a small camera and laptop from the front row of the Chapel. Audio would have to pick up ambient from the laptop/camera position. In other words, it would take a lot of effort and planning. Perhaps there is another solution through the newer digital stack set up, but until we get one, we are still analog all the way. Will the Church have a solution for this? Equipment? Especially for Stakes? I have a LOT of questions.

russellhltn wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 12:00 pm You might want to check back with your sources.

So, ah, yeah, it's going away.

I was already using OBS with Zoom, but this is definitely a more involved, complex setup. Granted it gives me much more power over what I broadcast, but it's nowhere near as easy.

BEWilson wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 5:17 pm Switching the Teradek over to send viewers to Zoom is the easy part, the difficult part is that our Stake Camera system is analog and there currently is not a way to get the camera signal and audio converted over into a computer running zoom which then broadcasts back out to the internet.

If you're already converting to HDMI to go into the Teradek, you could get a USB adapter like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/BlueAVS-Capture- ... B097D5CJ4T

I have that same adapter and have used it successfully many times for various broadcasts.

If you have audio running into the line in on the Teradek rather than coming in through HDMI, you can use an adapter like this to bring audio and video in, or you could get a USB sound card with a separate mic input and use that.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RX69KR8 (have used, works well) or https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-External- ... B01N905VOY (haven't used but looks like it should work)

Also the Church sent an announcement out just barely confirming the discontinuing of the Webcast system in July 2022. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/let ... 6&lang=eng

For our sacrament broadcasts we've been using Twitch but via an embedded video frame in a custom web page to cut out all the extra Twitch stuff. We use the Mevo cameras but the Teradek should be able to push to Twitch as well. Other stakes in my area have been using YouTube successfully from Windows laptops. Lots of options.

I just got an official letter stating they encourage us to start using Zoom. It states the WebCast system will be discontinued in July 2022. The letter is dated today.

It was stated that the Webcast System is being discontinued, The Stake/Ward zoom accounts only allow for 500 User, How do we deal with events that have over 500 People logging in. Now we can use webcast, but with this being discontiues it is no longer an options. Eg. A few weeks ago, I had 1069 connections on the webcast of a funeral, how do we cater for this number of attendee's using Zoom.
Also involved in webcasting Multi-Stake Devotional which have over 500 users joining, Please let me know how we deals with this, and the zoom accounts being upgraded to deal with more than 500 connections.
Thanks

cmelkin wrote:How do we deal with events that have over 500 People logging in.

The Zoom accounts are not being upgraded. I have not seen an "official" recommendation for larger groups, but I suspect that something similar to YouTube Live will become a popular solution, whether officially recommended or not.

cmelkin wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 5:54 pm How do we deal with events that have over 500 People logging in. Now we can use webcast, but with this being discontiues it is no longer an options. Eg. A few weeks ago, I had 1069 connections on the webcast of a funeral, how do we cater for this number of attendee's using Zoom.

YouTube. Even small channels can livecast. I believe the subscriber threshold applies to using the YouTube app on the phone.

Even before this, some have been feeding YouTube from Zoom. The YouTube link is used for English, and those needing other languages are directed to Zoom which allows for translators.

I currently run 8 Ward Sacrament Meetings from 3 buildings every Sunday using the Church's Webcast solution with Teradek equipment for over a year. It has been rock solid. The membership of the Stake love how easy it is to use from a viewers perspective and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Today I don't need a computer to run a webcast using a Teradek device. A phone or a tablet is all that is needed to monitor and end the Webcast when needed. That is something that all 14 of our webcasters already have. Looks like an additional expense is being transferred to the Stakes to continue using webcasts. Now I will need an adequate computer at all three buildings.

Alas, there is nothing as constant in the church as change. Official announcement came out today as noted above.

As previously mentioned, there is no way to input a RTMP stream into Zoom. We have performed several tests using various HDMI converters to get audio/video into Zoom from our external camera systems. They have all had audio sync or picture quality issues (or both). No, we were not using an under-powered laptop. I learned a long time ago that hardware video encoding is ALWAYS as good, or better, than software encoding, and certainly more reliable.

Number of connections is also a factor for several events throughout the year. 500 is not going to cut it for those.
Whatever the solution is, it has to be good enough to not be distracting to the viewer so that they can be taught by The Spirit. Otherwise, we are wasting our time.

Looks like the church announced in an official letter that it is ending support for the Webcast system in July 2022. We just had the FM group install a camera and microphone system in the Stake Center that goes to a Teradek in a technology closet. It’s a great setup, for the Webcast platform. I am not sure how we are going to use it for Zoom.
Is anyone aware of documentation on how to connect the Teradek to Zoom?

jepthy wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:05 pmIs anyone aware of documentation on how to connect the Teradek to Zoom?

As mentioned earlier in this thread, the Teradek CAN'T connect to Zoom Meeting or Zoom Webinar. Period.

For those currently using the Teradek encoder (or equivalent), the recommended way to stream to Zoom is to disconnect the Teradek completely and route the HDMI audio/video signal to an HDMI to USB3 adapter connected to a notebook computer running Zoom. None of these extra "pieces" are available from FM, meaning individual stakes will have to buy or borrow the needed equipment.

One alternative is to webcast using another streaming service, such as, YouTube Live. The required equipment list is identical to the church's soon-to-be-discontinued Meetinghouse Webcast system. We've been doing this for quite some time with great success. Our stake has their own YouTube channel, where all the wards are represented. https://youtube.com/LaytonUtahKaysCreekStake. I'd be happy to help others setup a similar channel, if this is what they want to migrate to.

Yeah, agreed that the Zoom solution can work really well, and we've been using it extensively for some time. There are many ways to do it, but just probably will require some learning curve from some. We recently got an A/V overhaul in our Stake Center with everything connected to the Teradek, as is the case elsewhere. But the Teradek has sat unused for quite some time since we have been using OBS or Zoom (or both) for the past year. And frankly our Teradek has been more temperamental than the Zoom/OBS solutions. I'm just offering some reassurance that the Zoom solution is really easy and inexpensive to implement. But may require some re-thinking of your setup.

My biggest concern mirrors those mentioned earlier. I logged into the forum tonight to express my concern about the 500 login cap on Webinar accounts, but it appears a few others beat me to it. This will definitely be an issue on occasion. We can push overflow to YouTube or elsewhere, but I'll have to overcome some local resistance to that option, since some local leaders are opposed to it. I wonder if church Broadcast Support might offer some support for large regional meetings where several thousand may be in attendance (maybe on BrightCove)? I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

We may be headed to Youtube for simplicity sakes. Thanks for all the feedback and thanks for the official announcement for the the end of life on the webcast.

Great rollercoaster of a thread as the announcement is made.

Hi,

I came here to ask the same about the Teradek box. It costs about $1000 and now will be redundant unless someone can log in and change the settings to use with Zoom or Youtube.

The issue is also that the new stake centre's audio/visual system won't work with a direct HDMI to PC connection without an encoder like a teradek box. I tried with $50 ones but didn't work.

So can the church people look into freeing up these Teradek boxes to use with Zoom, please?

Regards,

ccordoba24 wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:06 amI came here to ask the same about the Teradek box. It costs about $1000 and now will be redundant unless someone can log in and change the settings to use with Zoom or Youtube.

The Teradek box is NOT compatible with Zoom, plain and simple. Neither is to blame, they just do things differently. The Teradek IS compatible with other streaming services, YouTube being one of them.

ccordoba24 wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:06 amThe issue is also that the new stake centre's audio/visual system won't work with a direct HDMI to PC connection without an encoder like a teradek box. I tried with $50 ones but didn't work.

There are many in the forum that have had success in getting a $50 HDMI to USB adapter working with a notebook PC. Without posting the make/model of the adapter you tried and the make/model of the computer you tried it with, it makes it very difficult for people here to offer assistance.

ccordoba24 wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:06 amSo can the church people look into freeing up these Teradek boxes to use with Zoom, please?

It won't happen because it's technically not possible.

Everyone just needs to relax and take a deep breath. If you're currently using the church's Meetinghouse Webcast system, it will continue to function as it always has until the end of July 2022. They've given us plenty of time to come up with different solutions, or to migrate over to Zoom, if that proves to be the best way to go.

+1 for going with the YouTube solution. When the original letter came out asking us to move to other streaming services for our weekly sacrament meetings, it was easy to transition over to YouTube. You can establish a single stream key configuration in YouTube and keep reusing it for multiple broadcasts each week... I've configured the Teradek once and haven't had to mess with it since, and there's no need for it to retrieve any kind of remote XML configuration file each time.

If other wards in the building are also using the same Teradek, then you would have to change the Teradek to use a different stream key for each ward. Fortunately the Teradek has the ability to save different manual configurations in a drop down list. The other two wards that meet in our building have since discontinued webcasting altogether (no need, apparently), but we have been successfully going on YouTube for several months now.

The only downside is that with each new meeting you do get a new, unique viewing link to share with the members. Your individual circumstances may vary, but in my case my bishop has asked that we keep our broadcasts "unlisted" and semi-private, because the bishop is encouraging members to physically come to church when possible. Only a select group of families are on a list to receive the webcast each week because of high-risk or other special conditions that prevent them from mingling with the rest of us, so I have to send out a weekly email to that approved list with the upcoming link. If we weren't making unlisted webcasts, we could simply direct members to bookmark a static link for the YouTube channel.

Additionally, my Stake PFR went and got us an HDMI/USB capture device in the event that we need to do anything more interactive through Zoom. Lately for any Stake meetings that are broadcast, the stake president has not requested for any interactivity, so the church webcast system has been used for those few events, but will now also be moving over to YouTube.

Just my $0.02.

- Mike Lewis
Cheyenne, WY Stake

Mikerowaved wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:45 pm Our stake has their own YouTube channel, where all the wards are represented. https://youtube.com/LaytonUtahKaysCreekStake. I'd be happy to help others setup a similar channel, if this is what they want to migrate to.

I would be interested in learning how to set up a Stake YouTube where all our wards are represented and how to use it to broadcast our sacrament meetings. Also, are there any limitations to broadcasting this way? Are 3 wards able to broadcast at the same time? Do you also use YoutTube for your stake conferences as well?

At this point, YouTube sounds like the easiest route to migrate to, especially with a lot of our ward techs broadcasting in different ways right now. This would be a great way to get them all on the same page so we can work together to support each other as issues arise.

Just a reminder that many of these Zoom vs YouTube vs other options have been discussed here: viewforum.php?f=27

For those stake techs wondering what to do next, I'd recommend looking through the conversations.

It would be great if the Church Webcast Department could post some simple instructions for options. We have old analog systems in our Stake Center and it isn't so easy to capture audio and video from the mounted camera into a computer to send out to Zoom. I am not an AV expert by any means and could use the guidance.

I may have to do some digging through those threads to see how attendance has been captured.

Zoom webinar and church webcast do this very well. We can capture the names and submit the exact attendance.
We could estimate the attendance from the YouTube viewer numbers but it's not the same.

I know a Google form or similar can be used as a 'gateway' to the YouTube video link but it's hardly an elegant solution.

Hmmmmm

RR_GraphixGuy wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:35 am The other two wards that meet in our building have since discontinued webcasting altogether (no need, apparently), but we have been successfully going on YouTube for several months now.

Great point. I'd hope that by July 2022, all pandemic restrictions would be dropped. The only regular webcasting that would continue will be those in support of General Handbook 29.7 which "are not meant for the convenience of those who could reasonably attend in person."

While many wards do have such needs, others do not. Of those that do continue to stream, I'm sure there will be a movement to simplicity and sustainability. More elaborate setups such as multiple cameras will be questionable as the audience is reduced to a handful of members.

As for stake conference, webcasting was originally intended to support remote meetinghouses and maybe a few shut-ins. Only those with inadequate facilities to host the entire stake in their buildings in one sitting would be pushing Zoom's 500 connection webinar limit.

BEWilson wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:14 pm It would be great if the Church Webcast Department could post some simple instructions for options. We have old analog systems in our Stake Center and it isn't so easy to capture audio and video from the mounted camera into a computer to send out to Zoom. I am not an AV expert by any means and could use the guidance.

For those who have an existing hardware AV setup in place, and they want minimal changes, I'd recommend YouTube + OBS.

YouTube is a near direct replacement for the church's broadcasting system. You just have to learn how to schedule a broadcast, turn off comments, likes, and DVR, then get the RTMP address and key.

OBS is a software equivalent of what the Teredek does. The Teredek hardware box takes 1 audio source and 1 video source, mixes them together, then sends it out to a broadcaster via RTMP. OBS lets you take any number of audio sources and any number of video sources, mix them together, and send it out to a broadcaster via RTMP (and a variety of output options).

The biggest changes here are

1) Learning new systems. Any new system is frustrating at first and takes a few hours.
2) Using YouTube means your URLs are going to change each week, so you need a way to distribute that. (We just have our own webpage like how the church broadcasting system had a webpage.)
3) Your "roll" system is just a max number of viewers.
4) OBS isn't automatic like the Teredek. You likely want a laptop that can accept HDMI input (requires buying an HDMI to USB adapter, I recommend an Elgato capture as it has zero lag), and one that can accept 3.5mm input (may require purchasing one or two more cheap adapters). So each week you have to set up a laptop, make sure inputs work, start broadcasting, then stop the broadcast. The Teredek system tried to automate that.

Again, check out the non-interactive broadcasting forum, many of us have discussed details from there. Honestly, there still is no "one right solution" yet. Many of us are still looking for a good permanent solution and haven't got there yet due to either limitations from FM or understanding our tech needs. It seems the church is still slowly trying to figure this out as well. Be patient.

Tmorrill wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:51 am

Mikerowaved wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:45 pm Our stake has their own YouTube channel, where all the wards are represented. https://youtube.com/LaytonUtahKaysCreekStake. I'd be happy to help others setup a similar channel, if this is what they want to migrate to.

I would be interested in learning how to set up a Stake YouTube where all our wards are represented and how to use it to broadcast our sacrament meetings. Also, are there any limitations to broadcasting this way? Are 3 wards able to broadcast at the same time? Do you also use YoutTube for your stake conferences as well?

I can help you set it up. Drop me a Private Message to get started. Yes, YT allows for any number of concurrent live streams, as long as they all have a unique RTMP stream key - which is easy done using their stream key manager.

We have a stake conference coming up in 2 weeks and we will be using YT Live. The stake president has asked me to keep the Saturday adult session unlisted, with the viewing URL given out only to him. He will work with his bishops in sending the link to those adults in the stake that really need it. The rest are asked to attend in person. For the Sunday general session, 2 wards will be invited to attend at the stake center, the rest will be able to watch it at home.

Tmorrill wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:51 amAt this point, YouTube sounds like the easiest route to migrate to, especially with a lot of our ward techs broadcasting in different ways right now. This would be a great way to get them all on the same page so we can work together to support each other as issues arise.

I went through a similar thought process.

bradpeterson@gmail.com wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:28 pm For those who have an existing hardware AV setup in place, and they want minimal changes, I'd recommend YouTube + OBS.

If I'm not mistaken, the Teradek and YouTube are perfectly happy with each other.

OBS gives you more control and options, but you'd need to add a computer to run it.

russellhltn wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:58 pm

bradpeterson@gmail.com wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:28 pm For those who have an existing hardware AV setup in place, and they want minimal changes, I'd recommend YouTube + OBS.

If I'm not mistaken, the Teradek and YouTube are perfectly happy with each other.

OBS gives you more control and options, but you'd need to add a computer to run it.

Oh yes, you're right. For those who don't feel tech savvy but want to use their existing setup as much as possible, Teredek to YouTube is much simpler.

I think the biggest challenge of keeping the Teredek is finding a mechanism to turn off the camera video and audio if the sacrament is mid meeting (many stakes have started transitioning back to that in the last month or two). I haven't heard many good options how to handle this. My favorite low-tech solution was just putting a sign in front of the camera that says "Sacrament in progress"

russellhltn wrote:Only those with inadequate facilities to host the entire stake in their buildings in one sitting would be pushing Zoom's 500 connection webinar limit.

That number is increasing, since the Church stopped building large stake centers a number of years ago.

lajackson wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 3:02 pm That number is increasing, since the Church stopped building large stake centers a number of years ago.

A factor, but not the only one. I think the bigger question is how many buildings in the stake can accommodate the full Sunday turn out in single session.

russellhltn wrote: I think the bigger question is how many buildings in the stake can accommodate the full Sunday turn out in single session.

Well, none in our stake. But in the stake we belonged to before we were divided, the stake enter could easily hold 2,000 or more.

I am not complaining. I am all for the efficient use of my tithing dollars, and IMO a huge meetinghouse for capacity use only two times a year is not so wise any longer with the advent of technology.

We are inviting only 2 wards to attend stake conference in person, the others will be asked to watch it at home. There's no way we have enough room for the whole stake in any of our buildings, nor would there be enough parking.

bradpeterson@gmail.com wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 2:11 pm I think the biggest challenge of keeping the Teredek is finding a mechanism to turn off the camera video and audio if the sacrament is mid meeting (many stakes have started transitioning back to that in the last month or two). I haven't heard many good options how to handle this. My favorite low-tech solution was just putting a sign in front of the camera that says "Sacrament in progress"

Just posted a slick solution for pausing a Teradek-encoded webcast for the sacrament here: viewtopic.php?p=227164#p227164

Mikerowaved wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:14 pm We are inviting only 2 wards to attend stake conference in person, the others will be asked to watch it at home. There's no way we have enough room for the whole stake in any of our buildings, nor would there be enough parking.

Our Stake President asked us to broadcast stake conference into 2 other buildings other than the stake centre so that anyone who wanted to gather with other saints could. Those who wanted to view from home could do that as well. Zoom Webinar with youtube overflow was used. Seemed to be a reasonable balance.
Sometimes more options are good, sometimes they're not?

BEWilson wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:14 pm It would be great if the Church Webcast Department could post some simple instructions for options...

The MHTech Help pages were recently updated. There is now more info relating to different broadcasting methods. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/hel ... s?lang=eng

poswald wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 9:10 am I just want to know if the Webcast is going away. YES or NO! A very simple question.

Yes. Webcasting is going away in July 2022.

Mikerowaved wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 9:52 pm

bradpeterson@gmail.com wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 2:11 pm I think the biggest challenge of keeping the Teredek is finding a mechanism to turn off the camera video and audio if the sacrament is mid meeting (many stakes have started transitioning back to that in the last month or two). I haven't heard many good options how to handle this. My favorite low-tech solution was just putting a sign in front of the camera that says "Sacrament in progress"

Just posted a slick solution for pausing a Teradek-encoded webcast for the sacrament here: viewtopic.php?p=227164#p227164

Ah, so just use YouTube's backup stream feature. Have the backup stream continually display "Sacrament in progress". At the start of sacrament, stop broadcasting the main stream. And the end of sacrament continue displaying "Sacrament in progress".

bradpeterson@gmail.com wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 8:23 pmAh, so just use YouTube's backup stream feature. Have the backup stream continually display "Sacrament in progress". At the start of sacrament, stop broadcasting the main stream. And the end of sacrament continue displaying "Sacrament in progress".

The first part (prior to the sacrament) will work.* After the sacrament, you'll need to start the main stream again, and unless you stop the "Sacrament in progress" feed, it won't switch back to the main stream.

* Just a word of caution of how long you let the streams run simultaneously. If the main stream glitches, even momentarily, YT may cut to the backup stream and keep it there.

Mikerowaved wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 6:25 am
The Teradek box is NOT compatible with Zoom, plain and simple. Neither is to blame, they just do things differently. The Teradek IS compatible with other streaming services, YouTube being one of them.

ccordoba24 wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:06 amThe issue is also that the new stake centre's audio/visual system won't work with a direct HDMI to PC connection without an encoder like a teradek box. I tried with $50 ones but didn't work.

There are many in the forum that have had success in getting a $50 HDMI to USB adapter working with a notebook PC. Without posting the make/model of the adapter you tried and the make/model of the computer you tried it with, it makes it very difficult for people here to offer assistance.

ccordoba24 wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:06 amSo can the church people look into freeing up these Teradek boxes to use with Zoom, please?

It won't happen because it's technically not possible.

Everyone just needs to relax and take a deep breath. If you're currently using the church's Meetinghouse Webcast system, it will continue to function as it always has until the end of July 2022. They've given us plenty of time to come up with different solutions, or to migrate over to Zoom, if that proves to be the best way to go.

Actually, maybe I expressed myself incorrectly here. What happens is that our input for video is at the rear of the chapel then the output is under the sacrament table. So when I have the camera in the rear of the chapel and take out HDMI from the sacrament table to a laptop directly, I get a test pattern (sounds is OK). I tried with an 8Ware HDMI to USB adaptor cable but get a test pattern and no sound then. So the problem is the chapels video feed which won't work with the average hdmi/usb adaptor

But connecting the camera directly to the laptop (with HDMI to USB cable), then video is normal. So we contacted facilities and they say that the chapels sound/video system isn't compatible with HDMI directly connected and we need a converter like Teradek VidiU Pro to use the chapel's video control system. Hence the need to unlock those Teradek boxes because I can see in several places that we could configure it for a laptop HDMI or Facebook live or youtube but it is currently locked to the church's servers and webcasting so we can't use that Teradek box after next June. We will then need to buy an expensive converter next year, for June of course.

We could place the camera near the sacrament table to connect the camera directly to the laptop's HDMI and use a Bluetooth mic to the laptop using OBS studio to stream ( after next June ). But that angle to the pulpit is less than ideal of course and the sound isn't very good in a large room with a Bluetooth mic. The chapels system is much better quality.

Anyways, I guess we will have to spend some money to be able to use the (very good) chapel audio/visual system to stream conferences. We have 3 units that are far away and depend on streaming for many members, so we will have to keep using it somehow.

The Teradek box is (or should be) completely under the control of the stake technology specialist. He or she can set it to stream to the church's system, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, or any number of streaming services. The church doesn't control what goes on inside the Teradek.

How are you connecting a camera located at the back of the chapel to under the sacrament table? You mention HDMI, so I assume you're using an HDMI extender of some kind, or just using a L-O-N-G HDMI cable? What resolution are you running? 720p30? 1080p60? 1080i59.94?

Mikerowaved wrote: Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:48 am The Teradek box is (or should be) completely under the control of the stake technology specialist. He or she can set it to stream to the church's system, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, or any number of streaming services. The church doesn't control what goes on inside the Teradek.

How are you connecting a camera located at the back of the chapel to under the sacrament table? You mention HDMI, so I assume you're using an HDMI extender of some kind, or just using a L-O-N-G HDMI cable? What resolution are you running? 720p30? 1080p60? 1080i59.94?

Yes, I'm the stake tech specialist, but I can't get into the Teradek box to change any settings, And the global help centre told me that they are blocked to use only with church webcasting (seemed odd since what happens if it fails?)

The input in the back of the chapel goes into a wall socket or HDMI input wall socket (we call them wall socket, not sure in US but its similar to phone line socket). Then under the sacrament table is an audio/visual control box that controls the screen (automatically goes down when the control box is switched on) and there's an output plug for HDMI that comes from the rear of the chapel plus the projectors on/off switch, plus sound level and a plug for sound out too. It's all automatic and shut off from me, so I don't know what resolution that projector or the HDMI cable back to the table has. (cable I guess runs under the building but don't know)

But do you know if there is any way to reset that terakek box to at least factory settings?

I couldn't do it with the normal paper pin into the back reset hole thing, as we would do for things like routers.

Try this...
https://support.teradek.com/hc/en-us/ar ... 5005209347

ccordoba24 wrote: Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:24 am Actually, maybe I expressed myself incorrectly here. What happens is that our input for video is at the rear of the chapel then the output is under the sacrament table. So when I have the camera in the rear of the chapel and take out HDMI from the sacrament table to a laptop directly, I get a test pattern (sounds is OK). I tried with an 8Ware HDMI to USB adaptor cable but get a test pattern and no sound then. So the problem is the chapels video feed which won't work with the average hdmi/usb adaptor

You may need to find what format the a/v system is outputting the HDMI signal and then look for an adapter that can support it. When you connect two devices together, they can negotiate. But when dealing with splitter or distribution boxes, they may be less flexible.

Here is a tale of two stakes. I was in one stake for a number of years before moving to my current stake almost five years ago. I still know enough people in stake A that I talk to on a regular basis that I know very little has changed, even with covid.

In stake A a new stake building was build about 17 years ago, and had all of the bells and whistles, and was designed to be another stake building, if the current stake grew large enough. For the Saturday evening Adult sessions of stake conference everyone able to meets in the official stake building. Everyone is within, or at, a hour drive from the official stake center. For the Sunday session the new building would be used as the main chapel, with all of the stake presidencies on the palladium, with a video camera set up between the chapel and overflow area, and a projector with screen set up for the cultural hall, with TVs set up in RS and Primary for the cry rooms and local Spanish speakers. Since the new building was at least a hour 45 minutes from the west most branch, and there was a Spanish speaking branch as well, and other considerations, the Sunday stake conference is broadcast to three other chapels - the main stake center, one south of the stake center for the Spanish speaking members, and one northwest for half of the YSA ward and the west most branches. I have not asked if they have started to live stream the stake conferences for people to view at home, yet with it already being broadcast to church buildings (most likely using the meetinghouse webcast that is being discontinued) I don't think they are, or they could just share the webcast link. For them it will be easy, as they are already wired up with the latest and greatest, and I am sure they have been receiving upgrades as they became available, so they should be current.

Stake B, where I live now, did stream one stake conference once, yet the stake presidency asks that everyone attend in person, wearing masks, and social distancing. They no longer broadcast stake conference. Being part of the branch presidency (clerk and exe sec) I am expected to attend the Saturday leadership session, and stay for the evening adult session. This means I drive 1 1/2 hours one way to attend any/all stake sessions, and get to make the trip back home afterwards. The stake building is on the far east side of the stake, I am on the far west side.

In my current branch we have always been a small analog chapel, and now we are fighting to be updated/upgraded. First the satellites and the switch to digital streaming devices (a work in progress), now this. Currently we only have the branch president's tablet on the pulpit (nice nose hairs), and me with my cell phone in the back switching from live view to sharing a screen shot (me sharing a picture of the last supper with text saying sacrament in progress, be right back)/placing on hold the panelist, then switching back, all on the Zoom app. I am sitting in the back of the overflow area so no-one at the stand is trying to push buttons and making for a distraction. While our solution works for us, right now, what happens if one of us can't make it one Sunday? And what happens if we go from one tiny branch to three large wards in the building?

Tmorrill wrote: Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:51 am

Mikerowaved wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:45 pm Our stake has their own YouTube channel, where all the wards are represented. https://youtube.com/LaytonUtahKaysCreekStake. I'd be happy to help others setup a similar channel, if this is what they want to migrate to.

I would be interested in learning how to set up a Stake YouTube where all our wards are represented and how to use it to broadcast our sacrament meetings. Also, are there any limitations to broadcasting this way? Are 3 wards able to broadcast at the same time? Do you also use YoutTube for your stake conferences as well?

At this point, YouTube sounds like the easiest route to migrate to, especially with a lot of our ward techs broadcasting in different ways right now. This would be a great way to get them all on the same page so we can work together to support each other as issues arise.

I would also be interested in learning how to set up a Stake YouTube where all our wards are represented and how to use it to broadcast our sacrament meetings. I'm new so I don't have access to PM. Is there another way to get this information, possibly email? Is this something that could be posted to the forum?

I got to this post a while back looking for a solution to integrate our "old" VidiU setup with Zoom. Thought I should take the opportunity to post what worked for me if it might help someone else.

In our Stake Center we have a KanexPro Composite or S-Video with Audio to HDMI Converter that is connected via HDMI to our VidiU.

I took the question re an HDMI to USB capture card to a good brother I worked with recently (during a recent Stake Conference) who is a Systems Engineer from the church's Broadcast Planning and Support group. He responded letting me know how it should work and suggested a device that they had good success with. I was unable to purchase the device he suggested as the delivery times I was finding on Amazon would have put me well past our upcoming Stake Conference. After he reviewed the specs of the device I was considering, I went ahead and ordered (through Dell):

VisionTek UVC HD60 Capture Card 1080p
https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/visiont ... ccessories

I tested the device today during my Ward's sacrament meeting and it worked near flawlessly with Zoom. Basically unplug the HDMI from the VidiU, plug that into the HDMI in on the conversion card, plug in the usb cable from the coversion card to your comptuer. Make sure to match the sound and video inputs in Zoom to the input from the conversion card.

In this case the device came with an HDMI cable, as well as a USB Type-A to Type-C Adapter which worked great for me as I have a USB-C port on my laptop.

According to the attached PDF file the Webcast system will go away July 2022.

"Over the past year, the Church has adopted virtual meeting technologies which
have allowed members to participate in worship and gospel learning from their
homes. As part of the Church’s ongoing effort to improve member experiences while
carefully managing available resources, we encourage units to start using Zoom
Webinars for meetings that are currently using the Church’s webcast system. The
Church’s webcast system will be discontinued in July 2022."