This article discusses a few examples of technology strategies undertaken by HOWs to increase the breadth and depth of their reach. The article leads with the following summary of the technology evolution:

“New streaming media technology and content delivery networks are enabling Houses of Worship to expand their outreach through online live and on-demand services. Video production, capture and editing systems, signal encoders and servers, and networks for hosting websites and streaming media are all part of the mix.”

The entire article is available for download (PDF) here.

Used with permission of Testa Communications from the April 2008 issue of Sound & Communications magazine. For more information, go to www.soundandcommunications.com.

1. Sign up for an UpStream Networks (USN) plan
2. Download Windows Media Encoder 9 (WME9) from Microsoft and connect a Digital Video Camera, WebCam or similar device
3. Enter in your USN account information into WME9 and start streaming live (or pre-recorded content)

That’s it!

Here are the details of each step, for those of you who are extremely detail-oriented or want a guide on how to do this.

Step One - Signing up for UpStream Networks

1. Visit the UpStream Networks site.
2. Decide on the type of live streaming service you want (Windows Media or Flash Video). USN also offers pre-recording streaming. For these instructions I’m following the Windows Live Media streaming path.
3. Use the “Easy set-up wizard” to determine the proper plan for you.
   
   
4. After selecting your plan, click ORDER and fill out the initial “Personal Information” page (after selecting the plan)
   
5. Fill out the “Billing Information”
   
6. Review your order summary on the “Order Overview” page.
   
7. Receiver your “Order Confirmation”
   
8. Once you get your order confirmation via email (a few days later), you simply log into your account with your credentials.
   
9. Your Active Media Files shows you your account information.
   
10. Once you do some streaming, you can also view statistics for that stream.
    

Now that you have a USN account, you need to configure your device and computer for streaming.

Step Two- Setting up your computer

1. First, ensure that you have the following:
   • Computer with a Windows Operating System
   • A video camera that is compatible with your computer and Windows Media Encoder
   • An Internet connection that is 20% greater than the quality of video in kbps
   • Your Upstream Networks account
   • Windows Media Encoder 9 (see below)
2. Get the Windows Media Encoder9 (WME9) from Microsoft (sorry, Windows only instructions here). There are a few versions. Make your selection here.
3. Install WME9 and ensure that your video device works with it

Step Three - Set your USN account up within WME9

1. Launch Windows Media Encoder 9
2. New Session wizard

From the New Session Wizard, click “Broadcast a live event”.

Click the “OK” Button.


3. Device Options

To stream Video and/or Audio, check the appropriate boxes and select the relevant source device(s). In the example below, a “Creative Live! Cam IM Pro” device is used.

Then click the “Next” button.


4. Broadcast Method

Select “Push to a Windows Media Server (the connection is initiated by the encoder)”.

Then click the “Next” button.


5. Server and Publishing Point

Enter the information received from UpStream Networks.

Server name: live.upstreamnetworks.com
Publishing point: #####-#####

Then click the “Next” button.


6. Encoding Options

Select the Video, Audio and Bit rate options for the Live stream.

Recommendation: Bit rate should be less than your upstream Internet connection.

Then click the “Next” button.


7. Archive File (Optional)

If you want to save a copy of the outbound stream for later use, click the appropriate checkbox and provide a location to store the output.

Then click the “Next” button.


8. Include Video Files (Optional)

If you want to include other pre-recorded videos for inclusion within the stream click “Yes” and follow the instructions. Otherwise, select “No”.

Then click the “Next” button.


9. Display Information (Optional)

Enter (optionally) any information that you want to have displayed during the Live event.

Then click the “Next” button.


10. Settings Review

Review the settings that you have entered. If the items look incorrect, use the “Back” button to go to the settings that need to be corrected.

Then click the “Finish” button.


11. Broadcast Password

When prompted, enter the Broadcast Password for your UpStream Networks account.

User name: [provided by UpStream Networks]
Password: [provided by UpStream Networks]

Then click the “OK” button.


12. Start Encoding

Once your stream has connected to UpStream Networks, click the “Start Encoding” button to enable the Live Stream.

Yes, that is a live stream (snapshot) from my cube!

You are now broadcasting LIVE on the Internet. I realize that this was not exactly 3 steps, but the process can take just a few minutes once you have your USN account. If anyone has a “best practices” for doing this on a Mac (not using Windows through VMware or Parallels), leave a comment!