With the growing need for online engagement, churches are investing in the right technology to ensure their services reach as many people as possible—whether in person or remotely. To offer an engaging worship experience, it’s crucial to have the right combination of hardware and software. This allows for smooth broadcasting and also improves the experience for in-person congregants. Let’s explore the key tools and setups that church technical teams should consider.
Hardware for Streaming Church Services
Hardware forms the backbone of any live-streaming setup, and choosing the right equipment can make a huge difference in the quality of the broadcast. Here are the main components you’ll need:
Cameras
To stream high-quality video, it is critical to choose a good camera. Many churches opt for DSLR cameras or dedicated camcorders because of their sharp image quality and ease of use. Investing in 4K cameras provides clear video and helps future-proof your setup as streaming platforms now support higher resolutions.
A popular choice for many churches is PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras. These cameras allow for remote operation, enabling you to adjust angles, zoom, and track speakers or musicians without physically being present behind the camera. This is especially helpful when you have limited staff or volunteers. However, there may be a lag with the camera controller and PTZ camera movements. As auto-tracking and auto-framing cameras technology continues to advance, these automatic PTZ cameras become more precise.
Audio Equipment
High-quality audio is just as important as video in live streaming. Poor audio quality can turn even the best video into a poor experience for the viewer. Investing in high-quality microphones and having separate audio mixers enhances the sound. Headworn or lapel (lav) microphones often work well for pastors and speakers, while handheld or headset microphones can be ideal for worship leaders.
Because worship space audio sources are mixed to reinforce the ambient sound in the room, it is best if churches set up a studio with is acoustically isolated from the worship space. This studio should have a separate mixer, studio monitors, and a video monitor fed showing the stage area. This permits the operator to see the activity and mix the audio so that the online audience will hear the complete service. This is a very different mix than the “live” worship space audio system, but it gives the online audience an “in-person” experience.
Video Switcher
If your church uses more than one camera, a video switcher becomes critical to the production of the video stream. A switcher allows you to transition between different camera angles, video sources, or even pre-recorded media during the live stream. This adds a professional look, giving your stream the feel of a high-quality production. A simple switcher may suffice for basic needs, but larger churches may benefit from more advanced features.
Encoder
An encoder is a device that converts your live video and audio into a digital format that can be streamed over the internet. There are two types of encoders to consider: hardware and software. Hardware encoders are dedicated devices designed to handle this task reliably, and they are preferred by many for their stability, especially when streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously. Software encoders, like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), are more flexible and less costly but require a powerful computer to avoid performance issues. Churches with smaller budgets or simpler needs often start with OBS, while those with larger streaming audiences may opt for a hardware encoder.
Software for Streaming
While hardware captures and processes the raw audio and video, software ensures that the broadcast runs smoothly and reaches your audience effectively. Selecting the right streaming software can drastically improve the user experience.
Streaming Platforms
Churches use a variety of different platforms to stream their services. It is very common to stream directly to Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Others often embed their stream into their website using Vimeo to host the video.
Church Management & Streaming Integration
A lot of churches use ProPresenter to manage lyrics, Bible verses, and multimedia during services. This software can integrate seamlessly with both in-person and online presentations, making it easier to display content for your live audience while also streaming it to your remote viewers. Restream is another useful tool for churches that stream to multiple platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, and other custom destinations. This service allows you to broadcast to several channels at once, expanding your reach without requiring multiple setups.
Improving the In-Person Experience
As churches embrace digital tools for online congregations, it’s important not to overlook the in-person experience. Enhancing the physical space where worship takes place can create a more immersive and engaging environment.
Large Displays
Large display screens are essential for projecting song lyrics, sermon notes, videos, and other media. You can opt for high-quality projectors or LED displays depending on your church’s needs and budget. LED walls, while more expensive, provide sharper images and are visible even in bright spaces, making them ideal for larger sanctuaries. The placement of these displays is just as important as the equipment itself. Displays should be positioned where they are easily visible to the entire congregation without obstructing anyone’s view of the stage or altar.
Assistive Listening Systems
Many churches are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide assistive listening devices for those with hearing impairments. These systems ensure that all congregants can fully participate in the service. There are different types of assistive listening systems, including FM, infrared, and Wi-Fi-based solutions. Some systems, like Listen Everywhere, allow attendees to stream the service’s audio directly to their smartphone and listen with their own headphones or hearing aids, making it a convenient option for modern audiences. In addition to enhancing in-person services, some churches integrate assistive listening systems into their online streams, offering a separate audio channel tailored for those with hearing impairments.
Proper Speaker Coverage
Sound is a critical element of any worship service, and line array speaker systems can provide even sound distribution across a large room, ensuring that no part of the congregation misses out on music or spoken word. Adding subwoofers enhances the clarity of lower-frequency sounds, which is particularly important during musical portions of the service. Consider using zone audio to adjust speaker volume in different parts of the sanctuary. For instance, those seated further away from the stage may need higher volume levels than those sitting closer.
Additional Considerations for Enhanced Experiences
There are a few additional factors that can take both in-person and online worship experiences to the next level.
Lighting
Proper stage lighting ensures that speakers and musicians are well-lit, improving visibility for the audience and making the live stream look more professional. Without good lighting, it is very challenging to create a good-looking stream. A combination of warm and cool lights can help highlight different parts of the stage, while backlighting prevents those on stage from blending into the background on camera. Lighting plays an important role in setting the mood for different parts of the service. Consider investing in programmable lighting systems that can shift in color and intensity to match the tone of worship or a sermon.
Internet Connection
Streaming services require a strong and stable internet connection to prevent buffering or stream interruptions. Ideally, your church should have a dedicated internet line with an upload speed of at least 10-20 Mbps, especially if you’re streaming in HD. Whenever possible, use a wired Ethernet connection rather than Wi-Fi to avoid any potential disruptions during the broadcast.
Ford AV is ready to help
Ford AV has been instrumental in enhancing the worship experiences at various churches through cutting-edge audiovisual upgrades.
Wellshire Presbyterian Church in Denver, CO, transformed its sanctuary with two large 181” x 102” LED video walls, significantly improving visibility. The installation of five PTZ cameras allows for high-quality, uncompressed video streaming, while five confidence monitors positioned around the sanctuary promote active participation. This project shows how thoughtful technology integration can enrich both in-person and online experiences.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Las Vegas, NV, Ford AV’s upgrade included advanced audio, video, and lighting systems designed to engage worshippers fully. The installation features large display screens for better visibility, complemented by a modern sound system that enhances clarity during services. PTZ cameras were integrated for capturing and streaming services, ensuring that both in-person and online congregants enjoy a seamless worship experience.
Westgate Memorial Baptist Church in Beaumont, TX introduced a sophisticated digital audio network capable of multichannel audio for both recording and broadcast mixing. The church features 4mm direct-view displays flanking the stage, alongside a high-definition display in the video booth. It utilizes wall-mounted PTZ cameras and pre-recorded materials, all managed through an integrated control system that simplifies the operation of video walls and lobby displays.
By investing in the right hardware and software, churches can elevate their worship experience for both online and in-person congregants. A high-quality camera, reliable audio equipment, and appropriate streaming software are all essential for creating a smooth online service. Meanwhile, enhancing the in-person experience with large displays, proper speaker coverage, and assistive listening systems ensures everyone can fully engage in worship.
With careful planning and investment, churches can create an inclusive, engaging, and technologically advanced environment that enriches the worship experience for all.
Reach out to Ford AV to learn what your next steps can be to improving your church’s technical experience!