Live Streaming at a higher price range is an intermediate level way to live stream. Where using a webcam and mic is a plug and play experience, you plug in your devices to your computer and start live streaming, better equipment means there are more steps to set things up. It requires more advanced equipment, more knowledge, an extra program and a bit of patience but if you can follow these steps you can provide your audience with a much better streaming experience. Let's get started.

What you will need: 

• Camera
• Capture Card
• Computer
• Free OBS Studio download
• Audio interface
• Soundboard (from your church)

The set up will look like this Camera > Capture Card > Computer with OBS System < Audio Interface < Soundboard from your church. 

Your computer is your main hub that everything connects to. Your camera is connected to the capture card which changes the video file into data for live streaming and connects to your computer. Your audio comes from your soundboard. You plug your soundboard into and audio interface which is then connected via a USB to your computer. Once your audio and sound have been connected to your computer download and install the Free OBS Studio Software. The OBS Software will combine your camera and audio input and connect it to YouTube once it has been set up. To find out how to set up your OBS Software and YouTube this check out the blog How to Live Stream using an Encoder on YouTube

 

Equipment
 

A Computer

2 USB 3.0 Ports

A USB 3.0 port. A USB 3.0 port will allow for faster less laggy streaming. You can tell if your computer has one by the color, if the inside of the port is blue it’s a 3.0, and by the symbol located above the ports, SS connected to squiggly lines on the right side. A normal 2.0 port will be white or black on the inside with a symbol without the SS. While you can plug your device into a 2.0 port it will not function as well as if it was in a 3.0. It might cause lagging. There are adaptors for your computer to provide you 3.0 port. 

USB 3.0 Adaptor

Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Individual LED Power Switches

Price: $10 | Walmart
 

Camera

Canon VIXIA HF R800 Camcorder 

Price: $220 | Amazon
 

Tripods

If you have a good quality tripod already you can skip this.

Albott 70 Inch Digital SLR Camera Aluminum Travel Portable Tripod Monopod with carrying Bag

Price: $50 | Photo Surplus
 

Capture Card

Your capture card will depend on what input/output cables your camera has. There are many capture cards out there so really look into what your camera needs. 

Elgato Game Capture HD60 S

Price: $188.00 | Amazon
 

Audio Interface System (Connects Your Sound Board to Your Computer)

BEHRINGER Audio Interface, 1x XLR/TRS 1x 1/4" 2X RCA USB, Black, 1-Channel (UM2)

Price: $100 | Amazon

These are just a few options to help get you started finding the right live stream equipment for your church. Your setup may differ depending on your unique needs and budget. However, once you find the right computer, camera, audio interface, and software, it won’t be long before your live stream is up and running.