To stream or not to stream?

I'm trying to decide if I should flesh out the live streaming at the convention. Right now it looks like we won't have the manpower -- and it would save me a couple thousand in material if we didn't worry about it. So, the question is -- How important is the live aspect of the convention? Would you be just as happy getting the material to watch online later that day, or is live really important? We will be recording classes for sure in either case and we already have the equipment for that. You would still get to ask questions and interact with the teachers -- just not in real time (which there will probably be a 1-2 minute delay with live streaming anyway). I think we may just be doing this "because we can" and not because it's really necessary.

Whaddaya think?

[sharinglife]

Tim,

Even though I won't be able to be there like I had planned...I'd say not to spend the extra resources to do it live. I'll be happy getting to watch the sessions on video later.

And since most of those guys are on here...we'll have some access to them for questions and stuff later on.

[donk]

In my case, I won't be able to watch the classes live anyway...so recordings are just fine with me. If we have questions, I'm sure we can get them answered on-line.
Don

[Gene]

I usually can't watch everything I want to live anyways, so a delay isn't a big deal. Save the money and manpower for more important things (like Coldstone runs )

[Mark Finley]

what kind of manpower are you thinking it will take? I stream every week with a camera crew of two. Heck, lest week I did it with a crew of two 11 year old kids. One operated camera one and the video mixer, and the other operated camera 2. Camera three is a static shot that can be repositioned by the director.


that being said... I'm not sure live is all that important, as long as the videos are online later.

How about streaming the stuff from the main auditorium (like the keynote speakers, the worship music, and the MO guys) and record everything from the smaller classrooms.

[tedanderson]

I'd rather rent the DVD when it comes out.

[new-life]

Live isn't necessary, but watching online later is a definite desire.

I have the recording stuff set up and it should be easy. The live streaming requires some additional equipment, set-up and monitoring. So we need at least 4 people to monitor each stream and chat. I'm just trying to uncomplicate things a bit. We can't just put it out to u-stream because then anyone could watch it. That means we have to set up our own streaming channels and special software. I know how to do it, but it means several days of testing and purchasing equipment and software that we don't currently own.

I'd like to keep it simple at this point. Unless there are any major objections I'd like to just record the sessions and upload them for online viewing. If someone wants to take over the live streaming project then I'm not opposed to doing it -- but spending the money doesn't make a lot of sense to me right now. We could theoretically do it with some software and webcams, but we would need a computer tied into the network in each classroom....

(Oh -- and don't worry, Mark, we'll still eat up that extra bandwidth you got for the church! )

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

Can the stream. If it doesn't work right we'll stress. Let's just record and play online later

[Mark Finley]

how does this effect the MO guys?

also you could stream it using a ustream password.... everybody would just have to be on the honor system about not sharing it.

Shall we plan on using my three camera set up in the auditorium, and use any extra cameras we have for recording in the classrooms?

[[Director] Joseph B]

I think the object with them was that you didn't have the recording online.
Maybe set up a This is a one time only and not leave it up after it plays through.

[MGHunter4462]

Save the money and have it online later.