Examples
Three sample setups with pretend budgets to give you some ideas.
Simple - Single Camera Setup (No PTZ)
Ideally in this setup you can run the PA and congregational mics into the camera, but if that isn't possible (if the camera doesn't have audio input capabilities) then a small audio mixer or XLR to USB interface will be required.
| Item | Description | Quantity | Cost/Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camcorder | Manually operated camera with HDMI out | 1 | $500-$2,000 |
| Tripod | A stand for the camera | 1 | $100-200 |
| Capture Card | Device to get HDMI into a computer | 1 | $120-200 |
| SDI Cable | 3 | < $50 | |
| Computer | Any relatively recent computer. Desktop/laptop. | 1 | $0-2,500 |
| Headphones | 1 | $20 | |
| Congregational Mic | To get ambient & congregational audio | 1 | $150 |
| Audio Mixer/Interface | (May not be required.) | 1 | $100-200 |
| Total Cost | $1,000-5,500 | ||
3 PTZ Setup over SDI with hardware switch
In this setup, things get a little more complicated. I'd typically recommend something like this if you plan to send video to another area of the church. Especially if you already have audio running to that location.
With PTZ cameras you're probably running audio separately. This setup would include a small audio mixer to provide mixing for multiple pastor mics, muting congregational mics, and choir mics.
(Note: This setup would be very similar if you went with a software switcher.)
| Item | Description | Quantity | Cost/Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTZ Camera | Remotely controlled camera | 3 | $1,600-$2,000 |
| PTZ Controller | Unit to control remote cameras | 1 | $650 |
| Network Switch | Unmanaged Network Switch with PoE | 1 | $200 |
| Capture Card | Device to get SDI into a computer | 1-2 | $50-500 |
| SDI Cable | 3 | < $50 | |
| Cat6 Cable | 3 | < $50 | |
| Computer | Any relatively recent computer. Desktop. | 1 | $0-2,500 |
| Computer Monitor | One or two computer monitors. (One for multi-view.) | 2 | $150-200 |
| Headphones | 1 | $20 | |
| Congregational Mic | To get ambient & congregational audio | 1 | $150 |
| Audio Mixer Board (With USB) | You'll need to split audio out of the PA system into this. | 1 | $500-1000 |
| Total Cost | $7,000-13,000 | ||
3 PTZ Setup with NDI
With NDI you only need one cable running to each camera, everything is running over Cat6 cabling and a switch with PoE.
| Item | Description | Quantity | Cost/Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTZ Camera | Remotely controlled camera | 3 | $2,000-$2,200 |
| PTZ Controller | Unit to control remote cameras | 1 | $650 |
| Network Switch | Unmanaged Network Switch with PoE | 1 | $200 |
| Cat6 Cable | 3 | < $50 | |
| Computer | Any relatively recent computer. Desktop. | 1 | $0-2,500 |
| Computer Monitor | Computer monitors. (Optional second screen.) | 1 | $150-200 |
| Headphones | 1 | $20 | |
| Congregational Mic | To get ambient & congregational audio | 1 | $150 |
| Audio Mixer Board (With USB) | You'll need to split audio out of the PA system into this. | 1 | $100-200 |
| Total Cost | $9,000-13,000 | ||