Streaming a webcam on integrated graphics?

[FakeNSA]

Hi all,

Long time, no see! Sorry, life got pretty busy. Anyway, I was asked by my pastor for recommendations for a streaming computer for their services, as their current system (approximately 10 years old) is not cutting it anymore.

 

I need to recommend a prebuilt, as I won't be around to support this system come fall, due to college. They want to stay under $1000 if possible.

 

If they are simply single streaming at 1080p (30fps), will an i5 9500 (/UHD 630) cut it? I'll be recommending h264 fast, and 16 GB RAM, because I want this computer to last, but I just wanted to run it by you all before I made a permanent decision.

 

Thanks!

[GDRRiley]

wait a few weeks for AMD APU based systems to be out. those should have more than enough power if they end up doing more on it

16gb of ram and I'd use the hardware h.264/265 not software

[Mug]

A run of the mill laptop would do them better (with an 8th gen i5 or better). Portability is probably important, who wants to be carting round a massive desktop around a church and having a mega setup each time.

 

Just think, when you're gone, they're gonna have to do everything themselves, if you give them something that's all in one unit it would do them better.

 

As a reserve, make sure you get something from a store with a really good returns policy and a warranty. Who knows what it's gonna be like in 10 years' time.

[GDRRiley]

24 minutes ago, Mug said:

A run of the mill laptop would do them better (with an 8th gen i5 or better). Portability is probably important, who wants to be carting round a massive desktop around a church and having a mega setup each time.

 

Just think, when you're gone, they're gonna have to do everything themselves, if you give them something that's all in one unit it would do them better.

 

As a reserve, make sure you get something from a store with a really good returns policy and a warranty. Who knows what it's gonna be like in 10 years' time.

no a laptop isn't the answer here nor is an all in one.

costco or get it direct from a manufacture with a 3 year warranty;

[BobVonBob]

1 minute ago, GDRRiley said:

no a laptop isn't the answer here nor is an all in one.

costco or get it direct from a manufacture with a 3 year warranty;

I'd say a laptop is absolutely the answer here. This is going to be used by someone with minimal to zero computer know-how. The fewer parts the better for applications like these, and streaming an unaltered webcam is easy for a modern computer, so more horsepower isn't necessary.

 

Perhaps add in a higher quality webcam from Logitech or similar, since the ones on laptops generally are only barely passable.

[FakeNSA]

4 minutes ago, Mug said:

A run of the mill laptop would do them better (with an 8th gen i5 or better). Portability is probably important, who wants to be carting round a massive desktop around a church and having a mega setup each time.

 

Just think, when you're gone, they're gonna have to do everything themselves, if you give them something that's all in one unit it would do them better.

 

As a reserve, make sure you get something from a store with a really good returns policy and a warranty. Who knows what it's gonna be like in 10 years' time.

That's a good point: I'll have to talk to them about it. Currently they have the larger church "AV booth" setup, so its relatively permanent, but they may want that flexibility.

And definitely agree on the return policy.

[FakeNSA]

Just now, BobVonBob said:

I'd say a laptop is absolutely the answer here. This is going to be used by someone with minimal to zero computer know-how. The fewer parts the better for applications like these, and streaming an unaltered webcam is easy for a modern computer, so more horsepower isn't necessary.

 

Perhaps add in a higher quality webcam from Logitech or similar, since the ones on laptops generally are only barely passable.

I need to clarify: They have an existing streaming setup, with a dedicated camera, that they will be using.

This is for broadcasting a full service, across an auditorium with a few people in it (our state is allowing churches to meet in person).

And they have a fair amount of AV know-how, all they need is the initial setup. If I make it look exactly like what they have been using, they should be fine.

[GDRRiley]

5 minutes ago, BobVonBob said:

I'd say a laptop is absolutely the answer here. This is going to be used by someone with minimal to zero computer know-how. The fewer parts the better for applications like these, and streaming an unaltered webcam is easy for a modern computer, so more horsepower isn't necessary.

 

Perhaps add in a higher quality webcam from Logitech or similar, since the ones on laptops generally are only barely passable.

its not for sitting at home. its going to be set up next to the rest of the AV gear and never moved. Why would you stream from a webcam based on waht he is saying.

 

this is not a webcam use. get a camcorder so you can feed it wall power and an HDMI/SDI capture card from someone like blackmagic or epiphan.

maybe a blackmagic ATEM Mini pro

[BobVonBob]

1 minute ago, FakeNSA said:

I need to clarify: They have an existing streaming setup, with a dedicated camera, that they will be using.

This is for broadcasting a full service, across an auditorium with a few people in it (our state is allowing churches to meet in person).

And they have a fair amount of AV know-how, all they need is the initial setup. If I make it look exactly like what they have been using, they should be fine.

Well in that case yeah, just about any desktop box will work fine. I was thinking along the lines of a first time streaming pastor, something like what I had to set up for a great-uncle a few months back.

[BobVonBob]

3 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

its not for sitting at home. its going to be set up next to the rest of the AV gear and never moved. Why would you stream from a webcam based on waht he is saying.

 

this is not a webcam use. get a camcorder so you can feed it wall power and an HDMI/SDI capture card from someone like blackmagic or epiphan.

maybe a blackmagic ATEM Mini pro

I misunderstood the situation this was being used in, my bad.

[FakeNSA]

Just now, BobVonBob said:

I misunderstood the situation this was being used in, my bad.

It happens.
Thanks for the help!

[GDRRiley]

13 minutes ago, FakeNSA said:

It happens.
Thanks for the help!

maybe look at black magics ATM line of swtiches the mini pro can stream straight from it

[Zodiark1593]

1 hour ago, FakeNSA said:

Hi all,

Long time, no see! Sorry, life got pretty busy. Anyway, I was asked by my pastor for recommendations for a streaming computer for their services, as their current system (approximately 10 years old) is not cutting it anymore.

 

I need to recommend a prebuilt, as I won't be around to support this system come fall, due to college. They want to stay under $1000 if possible.

 

If they are simply single streaming at 1080p (30fps), will an i5 9500 (/UHD 630) cut it? I'll be recommending h264 fast, and 16 GB RAM, because I want this computer to last, but I just wanted to run it by you all before I made a permanent decision.

 

Thanks!

Any other peculiarities here? Audio and video equipment? Plans for future expansions as well? I’d assume that in the future, they will probably want to move to 4K. 

[FakeNSA]

3 minutes ago, Zodiark1593 said:

Any other peculiarities here? Audio and video equipment? Plans for future expansions as well? I’d assume that in the future, they will probably want to move to 4K. 

They have a dedicated audio system, and I need to have a sitdown with them, probably next weekend, asking how it all goes together.

As for 4k..... I live in a pretty small town in northern Arizona. Most of their viewers will be lucky to watch at 720p.... I don't really see that happening. But I'll ask about that as well.

 

Future expansion is also probably pretty minimal: They are trying to spend as little money as possible, but they want to be able to stream effectively to those who are unable to attend in person.

 

Thanks for looking in!