How to Live Stream a Wedding
Live streaming continues to grow in popularity. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of watching events online, even among people hesitant to engage with new technologies. According to a recent study, by 2024, over 164 million Americans are expected to watch at least one live stream every month.
Just a few years ago, most people wouldn’t have even thought of live streaming a wedding. Couples expected people to attend in person or, maybe, get to see photos or videos later on. Then came 2020. In May of 2020, 81% of the scheduled weddings worldwide were postponed mainly due to COVID-19 restrictions or concerns. As people started rethinking their weddings, it became more accepted to have at least some wedding guests attend virtually.
Now, it has become somewhat routine for friends and family to be a part of a couple’s special day, no matter where they are. The timing is perfect. Even with less worry about COVID-19, getting guests to travel to a wedding or other event is still as difficult as ever.
More people are moving away from home to other states and counties. Jam-packed schedules can make any travel seem impossible. Add to that an aging population that may have trouble making the trip and vulnerable people concerned about attending an event with a large crowd. Suddenly, live streaming a wedding seems quite practical.
Thanks to new, affordable technology, it is easier than ever to live stream events like weddings. There is no longer a need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on equipment or hire a crew of camera operators. With PTZOptics cameras and accessories, you can stream a wedding with broadcast-quality video with just one operator. PTZOptics can also help you avoid the need to deal with cables for video and power. With the right gear, you can be set up in minutes and capture all the action without distracting from the couple’s special day.
The Cameras
PTZ cameras are the perfect solution for live streaming events like weddings. PTZOptics cameras offer the broadest range of options and features, so you can be sure you have exactly what you need. PTZOptics cameras are available in HD and 4K and offer broadcast-quality frame rates. They are also available in multiple zoom levels from 12x to 30x. This is excellent news if you find yourself streaming a wedding in a large venue. With zoom capabilities like these, it is possible to get clear close-ups no matter how far away you are.
Cameras from PTZOptics also offer multiple options for connecting to your computer or switcher. These include USB for situations when you want to connect directly to a computer, HDMI for prosumer-level switchers and capture cards, and 3G SDI for broadcast standard quality over coaxial cable. PTZOptics even offers NDI® cameras that support power, video, audio, and remote control over one single ethernet cable across a local area network. With this many options for wired connections, it is easy to create the perfect setup for live streaming weddings using PTZ cameras.
Remote Control
The best feature of these cameras is the ability for an operator to pan, tilt, and zoom remotely. That means you can make all these adjustments from a computer, smartphone, tablet, or a joystick controller like the PTZOptics SuperJoy.
As mentioned, PTZ cameras allow complete control without having an operator at each camera. Everything can be controlled by one operator in one location. While there are multiple remote control options, for the most flexibility and control, the PTZOptics SuperJoy offers the latest features.
It doesn’t matter if you control your cameras via NDI, IP, or serial connection. The SuperJoy offers control over any of these connections simultaneously. It can even control multiple camera brands, including PTZOptics, Sony, NewTek, and others. The Superjoy features up to 255 PTZ presets and camera control groups for automated control. This means when live streaming a wedding, you can set up all the shots you want in advance and then access them with one touch.
Go Wireless
Wedding venues come in all shapes and sizes, making running cables challenging. This is especially true if you want to keep them out of sight and avoid a tripping hazard. Thanks to the PTZOptics WirelessCable, you can use NDI®, IP, and serial connections for video, audio, and remote control with no wires. It is like connecting via ethernet cable except without any wires.
The WirelessCable can carry signals up to 1,300 feet. Even better, you can daisy chain up to five units to extend your reach to a mile. So you won’t have any trouble keeping those cameras connected even in the largest venues.
Just add one of many available power banks with AC outlets to eliminate wires completely. This way, you can place a fully wireless, remote-controlled camera anywhere in the venue with no cables to deal with. Even better, if you need to move the cameras for any reason, you can just pick them up and go without rerouting the cables.
Setting Up Your Cameras
Depending on your setup, there are many options for setting up PTZ cameras to capture the action. Given PTZOptics cameras’ small form factor, they can go just about anywhere. For the quickest setup, take advantage of the tripod thread on the bottom of the unit. Many tripod accessories are also available so you can have room to mount your PTZOptics WirelessCable.
With the right configuration of PTZ cameras and Wireless Cables, you can capture some truly stunning angles. Since the setup is small and there is no operator, you can place a camera nearly anywhere. You can have a camera at the back, on the side, even facing the happy couple. Then, you can remotely zoom in and get that perfect shot to help those at home feel a part of the moment.
References:
“Livestreaming Supplements In-Person Interactions During Quarantine Shelagh Dolan, Insider Intelligence, November 4, 2020
“Report: Global Impact of COVID-19 on Weddings”, Bridebook
