6. Our initial budget for the project is...

"What will this cost" is always the first question everyone wants to ask. But I find it is often the least helpful metric to begin with.

I recognize that the budget is often a limiting factor but if cost drives the discussion you will miss out on a lot of possibilities. It is possible to setup an incredibly cheap streaming setup, (you could tape your cell phone to the coat rack, set it up near the front of church, and stream directly to Facebook) but there will always be limitations and downsides to cheap solutions.

By starting with your ideal outcome and narrowing it down to your must-haves, Phil (or a video professional) can now give you real numbers on cost. There are so many options and so many variables, it doesn't make much sense to talk about money before talking about features. (Yes, you can buy a sound mixer for $50, but it won't have the feature of the $5000 model. And I can't tell you which one you need unless I know what you want it to do.)

The conversation doesn't stop here, rather this may be the beginning of some back and forth. Once you know the cost, you can circle back to your priorities and make changes. You can add or swap features. You can consider alternatives. If you have a budget you need to aim for, Phil can show you what features from your list are feasible in that range. This also might be a chance for your committee to go back to the board or congregation with specifics about the plan and maybe a proposal for fundraising. (It is easier to fundraise when you have a set goal and objectives, rather than a nebulous concept.)

If you are new to the world of video production and you're just skipping to this page because you want to know how much stuff costs...

In general a quality camera is going to cost between $300 and $4,000, depending on the features you need. A streaming computer doesn't need to be super powerful, but you're likely spending between $800 and $2000. (PC prices often fluctuate.) A PTZ camera controller might cost as little as $300, but could cost $5000 for a really high end one. Video switchers also can range from $300 to $6,000. A good audio mixer might cost $2000.

Phil has helped churches work with budgets ranging from $2,500 all the way to $20,000. There are a lot of options out there and your system should be designed to meet your needs. This includes your budget.

This concludes Phil's "Simple" Onboarding guide. We hope you've found some valuable insights here. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. We'd love to help you out.