OT:webcasting a wedding

BrianJK wrote on 5/9/2008, 4:34 AM
I've been asked to webcast a wedding to a sick family member in Europe... LIVE. Posting it on a website asap after the wedding won't do. The customer understands that they won't be getting any of the usual wedding video shots; soft focus, PIP, etc. They're fine with that. They don't want any bride & groom prep. Nothing after the church either. Just get the wedding into the sick relative's house in Europe. I've produced many wedding DVDs in the past but the Internet aspect of this project is a bit outside my scope. The only thought I had was to hook one of my DVX-100Bs to a laptop by firewire and use Microsoft Live Messenger to place a video call to Europe. I know! I know! This hinges on there being an internet connection in the church & a hundred other details. This might be a case of, "When all you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail". I welcome any & all advice.
Thanks
Brian

Comments

TeetimeNC wrote on 5/9/2008, 4:51 AM
Brian, I haven't done this (but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night). I think you want to use a Web cam. There is a good article on all the basics of setting this up here: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/webcam.htm

Basically, you will need a broadband connection at the church for streaming, and you client in Europe will need access to the web to view the stream.

Jerry
BrianJK wrote on 5/9/2008, 6:38 AM
Jerry, my webcam is about the size of a golf ball. Not the greatest video quality but OK for the $40 it cost me. I was planning on using my DVX-100B to squeeze as much quality out of this wacky situation as possible. I know it interfaces with the software. I'm just not sure that Live Messenger is the best software choice.
Coursedesign wrote on 5/9/2008, 9:23 AM
Use Skype instead.

Great quality, you can hook up your DVX-100B, and the price is right.

Read more on their web site, I gotta run.
johnmeyer wrote on 5/9/2008, 11:01 AM
If you are just going to stream using available technology, then at least use your regular camera. If your software insists on using USB connections, as many do, then connect your regular video camera via some sort of USB device. I do this all the time with Skype, and the quality is fantastically better than any "webcam" can provide. You can even get your soft focus or anything else any of your cams can do.

More in this thread from four years ago:

OT WebCam
jeff-beardall wrote on 5/9/2008, 2:45 PM
why not use ustream.tv or yahoo live...i think you can go private on ustream and i've used it with success for webcasting. ustream is bonehead simple to use.
Coursedesign wrote on 5/9/2008, 3:22 PM
I haven't tried ustream.tv or yahoo live, but I found a big difference in picture quality in Skype's favor when communicating video U.S. to Europe and back, which I have done many times over the last year.

Dirt simple also.
Jim H wrote on 5/9/2008, 5:16 PM
film it with your good camera like your streaming it... go home and post it to a website with a big flashing banner that says "LIVE STREAM" and just don't tell anyone...
BrianJK wrote on 5/9/2008, 6:22 PM
Coursedesign, you're right, I had forgotten about Skype. I've only ever used it with my web cam. I'll see if it'll speak to my DVX

Thanks for the old thread Johnmeyer. I gave it a once over. Lots of good info.

Wonderotter... First time I've heard of ustream.tv or yahoo live. I'll have a look.

JimH - you dirty, underhanded, coniving... wait a minute... that's not a bad idea. LOL

Thanks for all the input. That's the power of this group. I'll check back tomorrow.
Brian