Ebenezer Evangelical Church, Neath Abbey adopts live streaming solution

Ebenezer Evangelical Church - Live Streaming - Vaughan Sound

Ebenezer Evangelical Church in Neath Abbey, between junction 43 and 44 of the M4, now benefits from an intuitive live streaming system to facilitate remote, online services.

The church, based on New Road, approached Vaughan Sound looking for a way to live stream their services during the pandemic, as coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines greatly restricted the number of participants that could physically attend the venue.

Ebenezer Evangelical Church had previously been pre-recording services and homilies, which were then uploaded to their YouTube channel and simply played back on a Sunday by members.

However, it was evident that the feeling of communal worship was missing due to lockdown and social distancing guidelines, so the venue wished to explore live streaming solutions to curate real-time services and events.

Following a site meeting and survey to ascertain the full brief and client requirements, Vaughan Sound proposed a full high definition moving camera (PTZ), which would utilise pre-configured pre-sets to allow smooth switching between the altar and pulpit, in addition to zooming in on the pastor/reader as the service progresses.

The PTZ camera was connected into a Black Magic Design ATEM Mini Pro, which captures the video camera and audio feeds before broadcasting them directly to the venue’s channel of choice; whether that be Facebook Live, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Twitch, YouTube or Zoom.

The existing sound equipment incorporated into the new setup includes wireless radio and fixed, installed microphones, which together provide a high level of audio – a crucial element of any live stream.

The Edis broadcast camera specified by Vaughan Sound features 30x optical zoom and 8x digital zoom, meaning it handles the various pre-set focal positions with ease. The camera also supports HDMI output, 3G-SDI and features an IP/network output.

Using the included remote control, or alternatively the onboard web server, all parameters of the camera can be configured and controlled easily.

Due to the distance involved, our solution included sending the camera signal over 3G-SDI, before converting it to HDMI at the ATEM Mini.

The live streaming system has been very well received by everyone at Ebenezer Evangelical Church. The intuitive nature of our solution and the simplicity with which users can start the stream before a service are key features.

Even when lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures are eased, the venue aims to continue using the live streaming system every week to expand on its network of channel followers and support those who cannot attend church due to illness etc.

The project was completed with Vaughan Sound configuring the system to enable recordings of services to be available on demand via Ebenezer Evangelical Church’s YouTube channel.

We also provided full user training, which involved conducting a test stream to ensure that everything worked as it should and church representatives were absolutely confident in using the system prior to launch.

“Many thanks again for all the help given right through this process. We are delighted with the results. It really has been a pleasure to do business with you. Please pass on our thanks to all who have been involved.”

– David Christopher, Ebenezer Evangelical Church

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If you have a similar requirement for live streaming solutions in your venue, then please get in touch today to discover the many ways we can assist you.

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