Upgrading the Worship Experience: A Camera and Switcher Upgrade at Iglacia Hispanic Victory
Hey, everyone! I’m Luke Jackson, and today I want to share a behind-the-scenes look at the camera and switcher upgrade we recently completed at Iglacia Hispanic Victory in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If you’ve been involved in church tech for any amount of time, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date with your gear to provide the best possible experience for both in-person and online worshipers. In this post, I’ll walk you through the details of the upgrade, why it was necessary, and how the new equipment is making a huge difference.
From Old to New: Upgrading the Switcher
At Iglacia Hispanic Victory, they were previously using an older ATEM Television Studio switcher, which had a mix of HDMI and SDI inputs and outputs. While it got the job done for years, they were ready to take things to the next level with a camera upgrade. When we started talking about the needs for inputs, outputs, and routing destinations, it was clear that the switcher needed an upgrade too.
We decided to upgrade to the Blackmagic Constellation 2 M/E switcher. This powerhouse not only provides more inputs and outputs, but it also functions as both a switcher and router in one unit. It’s a great space-saver and gives the tech team more flexibility in routing their feeds.
Cabling for Success
Along with upgrading the switcher, it was important to ensure the quality of the connections. We recommended Belden 1694 cable and the matching Belden 1694 HD connectors. This cable is perfect for long SDI runs, whether you’re going through walls, ceilings, or over long distances within your space. It’s durable yet flexible, making it ideal for most church setups.
The Power of ATEM Software Control and Stream Deck
In the broadcast room, we set up ATEM Software Control, which is the go-to tool for managing the switcher. We’ve paired it with a Stream Deck for easy operation. The Stream Deck, with the help of Companion software, allows the team to trigger their inputs, transitions, and macros at the push of a button.
This setup gives Iglacia Hispanic Victory the ability to run different feeds for their in-room IMAG screens and their live stream, ensuring the right content is shown in each context. It’s all about keeping things efficient and easy to operate, especially for volunteers.
Multi-View Setup: A Game Changer
With the Constellation 2 M/E switcher, you get the ability to have multiple multi-view outputs. This means one feed can be dedicated to the room’s side screens for IMAG (Image Magnification), while another can be dedicated to the live stream broadcast. The flexibility this offers is a game changer for churches looking to tailor their in-room experience while maintaining a high-quality online stream.
Blackmagic Web Presenter and Restream.io
For streaming, we set them up with a Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K. This device takes the feed from the switcher and sends it to Restream.io, allowing them to broadcast to multiple platforms like YouTube and Facebook at the same time. The Web Presenter has been a rock-solid piece of gear for us, simplifying the whole streaming process.
Cameras: Blackmagic Design Studio Pro G2 and Micro Studio 4K
When it comes to cameras, they invested in Blackmagic Design Studio Pro Generation 2 cameras and the Micro Studio 4K Generation 2. These cameras offer incredible image quality and flexibility. With tally lights, micro four-thirds lenses, and SDI connections, these cameras were a perfect choice for Iglacia Hispanic Victory.
The cameras allow for seamless integration into the switcher, with full camera control right from the ATEM Software Control. The ability to adjust settings like shutter speed, ISO, and white balance without having to touch the camera makes it much easier for volunteers to manage during services.
The Micro Studio 4K cameras are especially versatile, making them great for creative placements like stage-side shots or mounted above for interesting angles. They’re compact but pack a punch, giving you flexibility in how you capture your worship experience.
Final Budget: Quality on a Budget
The best part? The entire camera and switcher upgrade, including lenses and control accessories, came in under $20,000. For four cameras, a new switcher, and all the necessary accessories, this setup is an excellent solution for churches looking to take their broadcast quality to the next level without breaking the bank.
Lighting Upgrade for Better Broadcast Quality
In addition to the camera and switcher upgrades, the church also made improvements to their front wash lighting. Adding Pro Wash Max Pro Church Lights helped enhance skin tones and improved overall broadcast quality, which is crucial when it comes to delivering a professional-looking live stream.
Wrapping Up
A huge shoutout to John and the team at Iglacia Hispanic Victory for trusting us with this upgrade. It’s been awesome to see the impact that these changes are making, not only for their in-person services but for their online community as well.
If you’re considering an upgrade like this for your church, or if you need help assessing your tech needs, feel free to reach out to our team at Churchfront.com. We’re here to help you accomplish your goals and enhance the worship experience for your congregation.
Thanks for checking out this post! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you haven’t already. And if you have any questions about the gear we used or how you can implement similar solutions, leave a comment below—we’d love to help!
