Zoom cameras

In light of the 10/26/2023 letter "New Tools and Guidelines for Managing Local Broadcasts" it seems like using Mevo cameras to stream using Twitch, while really easy, will need to change.

Mevo has been really nice for our Ward and Stake leadership as there is a simple app on their smart phone to control the camera and the stream.

Does anyone know of a similar camera that will work with Zoom? Or of some kind of Zoom device that can interface with the Mevo cameras and control from a smart phone/tablet?

I know if I bring a laptop I can use OBS and NDI Tools but I'm trying to keep it simple for ward and stake leadership.

Thanks in advance.

First of all, the new letter is just guidance, no command has been given to discontinue what you're currently doing.

Secondly, if you are using a mevo, just add a laptop into the chain and you can connect to zoom. You already have your audio and video sorted with the mevo so why change?

Just swap from the twitch selection to wired or wireless webcam mode on the mevo. Very simple to do.

Wattsuk wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:32 am Secondly, if you are using a mevo, just add a laptop into the chain and you can connect to zoom. You already have your audio and video sorted with the mevo so why change?

Just swap from the twitch selection to wired or wireless webcam mode on the mevo. Very simple to do.

I've been using a laptop and turning on NDI tools and doing just that for stake conference broadcasts. Harder to do that for each of the individual wards when Ward members may not have fast computers (tried doing that with someone and their old laptop was really bad). Was hoping someone had found something like Mevo that works from an app on a cell phone that could directly go to Zoom.

NDI is more resource heavy than wired webcam if that's an issue.

Although my 7 year old Dell XPS laptop works fine with NDI.

An alternative is keep streaming to twitch and then use a separate device to screen share the twitch feed into zoom.

We've tried a couple of devices that have zoom apps integrated and found varied success but the A/V quality was very poor, especially compared to the mevo which is good quality for something so user friendly and hassle free.

I agree there's no need to abandon what's already being done (for now), but it's not too early to search for alternatives.

The key phrase for research is "Zoom Rooms" They exist for "macOS, Windows, or Appliances". I don't have time right now for that rabbit hole, but I thought I'd get the group started.

There's also people running it on a Raspberry Pi via a "box86" emulator.

Zoom rooms does incur a lot more cost in hardware and licensing.

Hi,

Laptop Streaming (OBS etc)
1. Go into the cell phone mevo app settings and change the setting to "webcam mode" to on.
2. Plug the usb-c into the back of the mevo webcam and usb into your laptop

Cell Phone Streaming
1. Go to Mevo.com or YouTube (many tutorials on how to set it up)

First person to post instructions on how to use cell with zoom wirelessly gets kudos!

Simon

A nice little trick to enable wired webcam without accessing the mevo app is to double tap the power/multifunction button.

Wattsuk wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:59 am A nice little trick to enable wired webcam without accessing the mevo app is to double tap the power/multifunction button.

Wow, thank you

However, how do you know if the sound is working? Sometimes there is feedback from the stage, and also how do you fix the fact it may perhaps not be pointing in the right position, and if your on the left or right of the congregation with the app you can zoom into the face of the speakers. etc... also who calls someone that is not technically minded who doesn't have technology? Makes my mind boggle.

Simon

Audio can be an issue.

The video feed will be displayed on the computer connected anyway if you need to take care in your frame.

Some of our local buildings have mevos hard wired and mounted now so it's a non issue for them.

It is still an issue for them if the link sent out is not from join.zoom.us and the setting to allow to see the browser link to join without an account, app, or software, not setup in the zoom settings of the account. Do you not agree?

Simon

Could any or as many of you please let me know what your hardware is in use?

Our ward currently uses an Android phone that is on a tripod set off to the right of the podium. We run a wired mini mic that clips next to the podium Mic. A member with access to the phone starts the current google meet and adds people who requested access. This method is not only a pain and unsightly, really needs to be simplified and I want to move to zoom so now is as good of a time as any.

I happen to be the agent Bishop to the building and am comfortable acquiring the right hardware so we can have a permanently mounted camera set up that all 3 wards can use at their discretion. I just want to save time coming up with a solution by learning what others have successful done.

I see the church offers a "Sony EVI-D80 Camera" to purchase; I can see it has remote capabilities to change zoom, focus, direction, etc. However, I think that hardware is years old. Again, curious what others have found to be effective as I would like to make a modernization change that is well needed.

Thanks,
TKH

TKhanson wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 1:15 pm I happen to be the agent Bishop to the building and am comfortable acquiring the right hardware so we can have a permanently mounted camera set up that all 3 wards can use at their discretion.
...
I see the church offers a "Sony EVI-D80 Camera" to purchase;

Please keep in mind that anything permanently installed needs FM approval.

When you can buy the camera from the church, it used to be it could only be installed in the stake center. I don't know if FM's rules have been updated.

As far as I know, the only way to feed Zoom is with a Zoom client, like a PC, Mac, or Cellphone.

Just this last week I asked our FM contact about mounting cameras in our buildings and was told "Unfortunately mounted cameras are not authorized outside of stake centers. " YMMV

russellhltn wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 1:51 pm

TKhanson wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 1:15 pm I happen to be the agent Bishop to the building and am comfortable acquiring the right hardware so we can have a permanently mounted camera set up that all 3 wards can use at their discretion.
...
I see the church offers a "Sony EVI-D80 Camera" to purchase;

Please keep in mind that anything permanently installed needs FM approval.

When you can buy the camera from the church, it used to be it could only be installed in the stake center. I don't know if FM's rules have been updated.

As far as I know, the only way to feed Zoom is with a Zoom client, like a PC, Mac, or Cellphone.

Thank you for your reply. I'm well aware I would need FM approval. Already asking on that topic. In fact, I reached out this very morning.

In my experience, the FM group listens to the Stake President long before they care what any Bishop wants. If you have a valid use case and they refuse, perhaps your Stake President can convince them. We recently moved from a standard ward building (not a stake center) that had a mounted camera. In fact, every building in our stake had professionally mounted cameras installed during COVID.

I have had other experiences (that I won't elaborate on the forum) as examples where the FM group only responded to a request (for the same thing a Bishop requested) from the Stake President.

davesudweeks wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:09 pm In my experience, the FM group listens to the Stake President long before they care what any Bishop wants. If you have a valid use case and they refuse, perhaps your Stake President can convince them. We recently moved from a standard ward building (not a stake center) that had a mounted camera. In fact, every building in our stake had professionally mounted cameras installed during COVID.

I have had other experiences (that I won't elaborate on the forum) as examples where the FM group only responded to a request (for the same thing a Bishop requested) from the Stake President.

Fair point. I will be leaning on the Stk Pres next. I have a high degree of confidence he will agree to get something mounted as my request is slightly more than just a convenience.

ok merci beaucoup pour votre travail et nous vous demandons de pour veuillez pour notre pieu.

TKhanson wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 1:15 pm I see the church offers a "Sony EVI-D80 Camera" to purchase; I can see it has remote capabilities to change zoom, focus, direction, etc. However, I think that hardware is years old. Again, curious what others have found to be effective as I would like to make a modernization change that is well needed.

I wouldn't invest in a EVI-D80 as they are older standard definition (480i 4:3) cameras. You'll want something at least 720p 16:9 or better. Work with your stake technology specialist as he might be able to list what else is needed besides a camera, e.g., notebook or mini PC, video capture device, methods to capture the building's audio cleanly, etc.