Classroom live streaming equipment

[Sonic3]

I've been asked to research into the possibility of live streaming and recording classes for when/if we're in a situation where some pupils are able to attend school and some must learn from home. We're thinking wireless clip-on microphones for the teachers, connected to the PCs with a webcam and broadcasting software.

My main concern is getting suitable wireless clip-on microphones (there are a lot of potentially cheap-and-nasty ones on Amazon), though some recommended cameras would be appreciated too. Any ideas?

[dhicks]

My main concern is getting suitable wireless clip-on microphones (there are a lot of potentially cheap-and-nasty ones on Amazon)

 

A lot of the cheapest microphones on Amazon will probably be cheap enough (£20?) that you can get one now to try out, and if it breaks / doesn't work it's no huge problem. Studio Spares do belt-pack lavelier mic sets from £50:

 

https://www.studiospares.com/Microphones/Mics-Wireless/Gemini-VHF-01HL-VHF-System-Headset-Lapel-1741MHz_290420.htm

 

There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of those in stock, though.

 

If I understand correctly, most modern noise-cancelling bluetooth headphones (from £30-ish) will also act as microphones (because they already have mics as part of the noise-cancelling mechanism), so a set of headphones worn around the teacher's neck might work just as well.

[SamanthaD]

Maybe consider a USB boundary mic instead of a headset. Samson UB1 is our go to for these kind of things.

 

As an aside - do you need cameras? Would desktop capture and audio be enough? Would do wonders for your bandwidth.

[slugshead]

You've got a few options to be honest...

 

If you like headsets, then something like this would work

 

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/SubZero-Mini-Digital-Wireless-Headset-System/2DCF

 

Couple that up with OBS and a webcam, set it up so it's showing the desktop of the screen the teacher is working on, use the webcam so show the teacher, make the video feed small in the corner (1/5 size) and hit record within OBS.

 

 

 

On the flip side, some other rooms I've put multiple boundary condenser mics in the ceiling around the room plugged into a mixing desk in a rack in the corner and output that to the line in of the PC. Multiple cameras hooked up with the Blackmagic ATEM mini and you've got a tonne of options to play with

[dhicks]

On the flip side, some other rooms I've put multiple boundary condenser mics in the ceiling around the room plugged into a mixing desk in a rack in the corner and output that to the line in of the PC. Multiple cameras hooked up with the Blackmagic ATEM mini and you've got a tonne of options to play with

 

I'd considered something similar - how reliable is the above proving to be in use? Are teachers managing okay with it? I can imagine some of our teachers struggling with OBS - a panel with big, glowing buttons that they can press to switch camera angles sounds more like something they could handle easily. What cameras are you using - the Blackmagic ATEM Mini is HDMI input only, is there a small (and, ideally, cheap) webcam-like camera that outputs HDMI? What sort of cost per classroom - under £1,000?

[SamanthaD]

OBS could be rolled out quite easily if you setup the scenes as a standard solution then export the scene collection for teachers to use. If you're happy using plugins OBS ninja is a great way of getting camera sources (tablets, phones etc) into OBS without extra hardware. As for big glowing buttons have a look at Elgato Stream Deck - £140 buys 15 backlit configurable buttons. Start / Pause / Stop recording, show desktop, show camera, PiP options... lots of possibilities!

[slugshead]

The multiple mics with the mixer is fine, they just need to turn it on and dont worry. I set the levels beforehand and put a marker on the fader.

 

We're actually using Nikon D5600's on tripods - Overkill, but lets face it, student photography classes aren't happening any time soon.. But that setup would be 4 mics (£150 each for beyerdynamics), Behringer RX1202FX mixer (£120), ATEM mini (£400) then the cost of the cameras.

 

Needless to say it can be done for cheaper, but for me it's all about giving the options

[dhicks]

The multiple mics with the mixer is fine, they just need to turn it on and dont worry. I set the levels beforehand and put a marker on the fader.

 

That makes sense. Does anyone make a small wall / ceiling mountable HDMI-output camera, ideally running off 5V DC power so we could run a USB cable to it from the mains or a battery pack? Affordable, maybe around the £50 sort of area? I can find a few devices on Amazon and eBay but I'm not quite sure how reliable they are.

[SamanthaD]

Can't recommend anything off the top of my head - I just want to mention the maximum length of HDMI and if you're looking to wall mount the camera in a position where it has good field of view you're likely to be exceeding the length by quite a margin, or having to use an active cable which will cost more than the camera you're looking to purchase.

[dhicks]

Can't recommend anything off the top of my head - I just want to mention the maximum length of HDMI and if you're looking to wall mount the camera in a position where it has good field of view you're likely to be exceeding the length by quite a margin, or having to use an active cable which will cost more than the camera you're looking to purchase.

 

Good point - we've used HDMI-over-ethernet adaptors before which, if I remember correctly, worked okay and cost around £30 or so, so that might be a reasonable solution.

[SamanthaD]

If you're not adverse to adapting also consider SDI cameras, a decent SDI > HDMI adapter costs around £40 inc. VAT (Blackmagic Design MC SDI-HDMI). However at £50 budget for the camera I think you'll either be looking at CCTV cameras or basic webcams with USB extenders!

[dhicks]

If you're not adverse to adapting also consider SDI cameras, a decent SDI > HDMI adapter costs around £40 inc. VAT (Blackmagic Design MC SDI-HDMI).

 

Ah - that might be just the thing, thanks! I've just found this camera on Amazon:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/V-See-Indoor-1920x1080P-HD-SDI-Security-Black/dp/B00D4R056U/ref=sr_1_5

 

A small, very locatable-looking CCTV-style camera, £85, with what looks like a removeable M8 lens, so I should be able to position them and use a suitible lens to cover whatever area is needed. Call it £150 per camera by the time I've bought a SDI-to-HDMI adaptor and SDI cabling. 3 of those plus the Blackmagic ATEM Mini is around £800 - not bad, and should all work off a single power switch (easy for a teascher to switch on and off) and be seen by a computer (ChromeOS included) as a simple webcam. As you point out, microphones are separate - I was looking at maybe 2 of these Hanging Condenser Mics (£50):

 

https://www.studiospares.com/Microphones/Mics-Installation/Hanging-Condenser-Mic---Studiospares-HM10_449500.htm

 

Plus a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (£150):

 

https://www.studiospares.com/Studio-Gear/Audio-Interfaces/Focusrite-Scarlett-2i2-3rd-Gen_392520.htm

 

Around £250, and again should be seen by any computer as a simple USB audio device. Around £1,000 for the lot.

[SamanthaD]

Looks like a good solution - though I'd recommend taking the output of the Scarlett and putting that into the ATEM mini, so the PC only sees the ATEM switcher - makes it easier for configuration?

[dhicks]

Looks like a good solution - though I'd recommend taking the output of the Scarlett and putting that into the ATEM mini, so the PC only sees the ATEM switcher - makes it easier for configuration?

 

Oh, good point - yes, that would be simpler.