What is needed to Stream Video Sermons

Our list of equipment you will need to stream video sermons is based on three things.

1. Cost
2. Quality
3. Simplicity

DV Camera - We don't recommend a specific brand. We do however ask you get a DV camera with these two important features

1. Fire Wire output - This will enable your video and audio signal to travel to your computer at the same time.
2. Microphone Input - This will allow you to directly plug your audio signal into camera giving you quality audio.

Ground Loop Isolator - You can pick this up at Radio Shack. This will eliminate all humming noises when you plug your audio source into your camera.

Computer - If you are going to buy a new computer for streaming video sermons here are two key features to include.

1. Fire Wire port - this allows you to receive both audio and video signal from the camera
2. The faster, the better - this will cut down on compression time

Fire Wire Adapter - If your computer does not have a Fire Wire port then you can buy a fire wire adapter. If you have a laptop, then a PCI Fire Wire Adapter will work (they come in 2-3 ports and not single). If you have a desktop, then a PCI Fire Wire Card will work fine.

Tripod - When you buy a tripod, depending on where your camera will be placed the taller the tripod the better. Remember people will stand up and you do not want them to block the camera.

Encoding & Compression Software - We recommend Sorenson Squeeze. This will allow you to capture your sermons and then compress them into any format. Flash, Windows Media, Quick time, Real. However; we recommend flash. You can read more about why flash is the superior format by clicking here. Sorenson also makes it easy to export your video sermons for podcasting.