Live Streaming and Recording for local Mosque

[Zoom7000]

My local mosque at which I am a volunteer manager have asked me to source a live streaming solution so that all prayers and (most importantly) lectures can be live streamed over the Internet/via our website. It is a relatively large mosque. We currently have a speaker system in place that is connected to a mixer desk with 2 large amplifiers that serve many speakers dotted around the building. (Approximately 50 speakers).

 

Currently I have a regular jack connected to a USB converter that plugs in to a laptop and can then record using Audacity, which I then convert to MP3 and upload online. I would like to be able to automate recordings if possible or have a web based facility to initiate a recording as the current Teamviewer option isn't great if the laptop has been turned off. However, the main objective to start off with is to be able to live stream via the Internet so that all programmes taking place at the mosque can be listened to live on demand via desktop, tablet and mobile.

 

Any ideas on how I can achieve this?

[Oaktech]

I'm going to ask my friend, he does exactly the same thing for his JW Hall...

 

From memory he initially used UStream with some success.

[GTX]

Try shoutcast. I use it for my online radio. Really simple to setup etc. Give me a shout if you have any questions

[mb2k01]

If this was video-based streaming i'd say YouTube was perfect. You can broadcast live events these days, and they give you a customised (well, slimmed down) version of Wirecast to do the upload / streaming part.

If video wasn't wanted, I guess you could still use the same method but just stream the live audio with a graphic in place of the live video?

You'd be able to embed it nicely in to your website (providing you enabled the option when setting up the YouTube config for the stream)

[Zoom7000]

With all of the options above, would they need to be switched on as and when needed? Is there an option that would start broadcasting as soon as is detects an audio stream?

[GTX]

With all of the options above, would they need to be switched on as and when needed? Is there an option that would start broadcasting as soon as is detects an audio stream?

 

As far as i know it "Can" be done but with shoutcast its a quick.. Connect and off you pop.

[mb2k01]

With all of the options above, would they need to be switched on as and when needed? Is there an option that would start broadcasting as soon as is detects an audio stream?

 

In terms of what I wrote, kind of...

You'd need to enable / disable to stream in terms of Wirecast, but in terms of your website having the integrated YouTube feed you wouldn't need to do anything new - it would display a stream to a visitor if there was a stream for it to view etc.

[ChrisH]

https://obsproject.com/

 

https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/how-to-set-up-your-own-private-rtmp-server-using-nginx.12891/#p30243

 

You can do pretty much anything with OBS by the look of it.

[Zoom7000]

I decided to go with Mixlr in the end. Very straight forward and simple. Just plugged the input from the amplifier in to the PC, set the source in Mixlr and press the button and boom, you're live! It even records all your streams and you can then upload them to your Mixlr showreel for playback after the event. The free package allows you to stream unlimited number of times, but for only 1 hour at a time. It's $99/year for 3 hour streams and $199/year for unlimited streams. I might go with the $99/year option as we never really have programmes/events that go on for more than 3 hours.

 

The only problem I have now is... The amplifier and PC are in an office on the other end of the building from the prayer hall in which all the programmes take place. Is there any way I can make this setup simple to the layman to switch on? At the moment I am switching the system on and off remotely via Teamviewer. I'm thinking maybe buy a very cheap Windows/Android tablet (or even basic iPad) that is ALWAYS on with sleep disabled, plugged in to the wall with Teamviewer running and the PC set to never sleep too. This way the layman user can simply pick up the tablet, press the big broadcast button and live stream is enabled.

 

This might sound silly, but essentially, I need a physical switch they can press, that will activate a software option to go live. Is this even possible?!

[Alis_Klar]

I used an iPhone app that could control WinAmp, Windows Media Player and you could add custom keyboard shortcuts to buttons. Can't remember the names of them now but look here for a starting point https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Relmtech.Remote&hl=en

 

These sort of apps require a small program to be running on Windows PC that accepts the remote control requests. Some work better than others so try a few.

[Alis_Klar]

I used an iPhone app that could control WinAmp, Windows Media Player and you could add custom keyboard shortcuts to buttons. Can't remember the names of them now but look here for a starting point https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Relmtech.Remote&hl=en

 

These sort of apps require a small program to be running on Windows PC that accepts the remote control requests. Some work better than others so try a few.

 

Just had a look on Mixlr website. Why not use the iOS / Android app directly? It has a big record button.

 

Or this!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Cheeky-902-delivers-computer-Black-big-red-button/dp/B004D18MCK

 

Edited August 18, 2015 by Alis_Klar

[Zoom7000]

Just had a look on Mixlr website. Why not use the iOS / Android app directly? It has a big record button.

 

Or this!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Cheeky-902-delivers-computer-Black-big-red-button/dp/B004D18MCK

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]31907[/ATTACH]

 

I can't use the app, because that only records the stream from the internal microphone. The streaming I want to do has the input coming from the main amplifier and going in to a laptop.