[Rattler3]

Hey all,
not sure if this is the right place to post, but it looked close.

I have been told by the pastor at my church that he wants to start broadcasting services live on the net. I need, basically, a grocery list of what I'm going to need, hardware and software.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
DJ

[knight_47]

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Free FTP Software: http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/

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That's all you need and more to start your own website, and if you have any further questions, we're right here!

If you want a domain, you will have to pay 9 bucks a year, visit www.godaddy.com, and let me know so I can give you the 2 nameservers for xenweb (if you decide on going with xenweb.net)

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[thecoalman]

Start off simple, DV cam, broadband connection and of course a computer.

Download VLC here: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Hook the cam up to the computer that is connected to the brodband connection and start streaming using VLC. You can also do this with Windows Media encoder. You don't really need a website to do this but it would certainly help so you can provide a link. I've only experimented with this a little myself but it's about the best place to start.

[Rattler3]

thanks to the both of you.
Question for the coalman....would a web cam with zoom and remote work in lieu of the dv cam?

[Eriksrocks]

The other option I've seen, which might be similar to VLC or VLS because I don't know much about the video/server deal, is to use a webcam (or camcorder) and some free software called Active WebCam.

Once you've got it installed you can set up a webcam and then use one of the broadcasting options to get it out. It's an option to think about. It'll probably be easier than setting up VLC, but it won't be as flexible or robust.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Rattler3

would a web cam with zoom and remote work in lieu of the dv cam?

The source is irrelevant, you could even stream from a file. Having said that once you get your feet wet I'd look into getting a half decent cam. you'll get a better quality broadcast. Even an old Hi-8 would would be better, those can be picked up cheap used. Generally it's the mechanics that fail like the tape transports so even if you found one that will no longer work with a tape it will suit you fine. I'd imagine people throw cams like that away all the time... New ones can be purchased starting at about $200. One benefit of having the DV cam is you can also record to tape and have a permanent high quality archive.

[namenotfound]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

Start off simple, DV cam, broadband connection and of course a computer.

Download VLC here: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Hook the cam up to the computer that is connected to the brodband connection and start streaming using VLC. You can also do this with Windows Media encoder. You don't really need a website to do this but it would certainly help so you can provide a link. I've only experimented with this a little myself but it's about the best place to start.

So you don't need a website with VLC? I could set this up, and just give people my computer IP address and they could view me?

I just don't get how you wouldn't need a website. Usually you get streaming video from the internet, hence some kind of site.

Can you explain how this would work?

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by namenotfound

So you don't need a website with VLC? I could set this up, and just give people my computer IP address and they could view me?

Correct, it's no different that using it as a webcam except your providing the address to connect too.

I just don't get how you wouldn't need a website. Usually you get streaming video from the internet, hence some kind of site.

Yes but your computer is no different than a server, there's just nothing pointing to it as server and it shouldn't be serving anything.... Except in this case where you would specifically be setting it up for it. You could if you wanted host your website from your home connection but most ISP's don't allow that for consumer connections, plus there are other issues such as dynamic IP's.

Again it's not something I've I've done a lot with but for live streaming video/audio you need a hosting package that supports it. Live vs. file download are two different things, or you can simply do it from your own connection. I set a test up using Windows Media Encoder in about 30 seconds, it's that simple.

Can you explain how this would work?

I'ts easy, download Windows Media Encoder or VLC and start the wizards...