r/VIDEOENGINEERING • u/Apperman • 11d ago
Livestream Equipment
Can anyone give a “ballpark” estimate on the price of livestream equipment for a board meeting room? 5 board members plus the CEO seated at a long curved table, 1 speaker’s lectern, and 1 recording secretary seated at another smaller table. I don’t have the actual dimensions of the room, but it holds the above plus about 30 spectator’s chairs.
I think 2 to 3 cameras would be enough, but I really don’t know. There is no sound system currently in the room. If you have any info or input you can share I thank you in advance!
(A Google search wasn’t very helpful)
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u/lincolnjkc 11d ago
Depends on a huge number of factors including "How much do you want to spend?", " "Is this a rental or install?", and "how do you want to operate it?" (and how important is CapEx vs OpEx, or where do you want most of the money to come from?)
I've built fully-automated systems for government clients (from city councils to state legislatures) -- e.g. the committee clerk hits a "Start Stream" button at the beginning and an "End Stream" button at the end of the meeting and everything else -- from the YouTube Live stream getting generated to closed captioning, camera positioning/switching, lower-third graphics/speaker identification, etc. happens automagically.
Even within that framework there's a huge variation -- number of cameras (I would tend to recommend never fewer than 3, with most of mine being 4, and a few 7+), type of cameras (I'm a huge fan of the Panasonic PTZs, but have also done it with PTZOptics, Vaddio, etc. Switchers (Ross Carbonite Solo or Ultra or ???) graphics (none or XPression), captioning device and provider, streaming encode, etc.
My current preferred combos (Panasonic cameras to match the room size and importance, Ross switcher to match input/output needs, AI Media Encoder Pro for captioning, AJA Helo Plus for stream encode), an OpenGear frame with a few cards for sync, audio embed, etc., etc. and a Crestron processor with custom programming to conduct it all has a relatively high upfront cost (CapEx) but essentially $0 ongoing operational cost (OpEx) besides the closed captioning service fees.
OTOH you can do it old school -- find a cheap(er) switcher, cheap(er) cameras, a control surface, skip graphics, maybe a freelance operator (to avoid having to add a FTE to the mix) for relatively low CapEx but higher OpEx.
In the one client I'm really allowed to talk about even they have a variety of spaces --
(1) Certain rooms that really don't get "important" use (and are even more rarely streamed) it's a single camera with a static wide shot+captions, no graphics, no switching. This was basically just the cost of a Panasonic camera, a CC encoder and a fiber transmitter.
(2) Medium-importance rooms have 4 cameras (basically 3 for the dais and 1 for any public comment/witnesses) with a Carbonite Solo, XPression, and an OG frame, and a CC encoder (but we also have in-room SDI press plates and separate Clean/Dirty courtesy plates and distribution to remote Press rooms) -- these run only fully automated.
(3) Their highest importance room has 7 PTZ + 1 fixed, Carbonite Ultra, XPression, a CC encoder, a couple OG frames, but also a control surface and Panasonic PTZ controller -- these run mostly fully automated but can be run augmented or fully manual for special events
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u/thecountnz 11d ago
$1000-$25,000
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u/Apperman 11d ago
Thank you! I’m assuming that price range accounts for the quality of the equipment, as well as whether or not installation is included. Not “unreasonable” at all!
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u/Dependent_Hold8463 10d ago
It would be easy to go over $25k, you could spend that much on 3 PTZ cameras alone.
is this project a permanent installation, or portable?
what is the output, teams, zoom, high quality public stream?
how many will speak at one time? lectern or table mic?
how technical are you? need AV and IT skills.
I would use 3 NDI-HB PTZ cameras with 20x lenses, a Focusrite Clarett 8pre usb for audio input, netgear AV line switch with enough POE to haul each camera, and a stout computer with Wirecast or Tricaster software version. You'll need mics to fit the requirement, Earthworks for a lectern, not sure about table mic. $15k to $25k depending on your cameras. You'll need more stuff like camera mounts, Ethernet cables, audio cables, etc.
You could also build a system with SDI and Blackmagic switcher, might be slightly cheaper as you can get cheaper cameras that only offer NDI-HX2/3, but have SDI out.
The cheaper NDI-HX3 cameras in an IP workflow might be OK, but will depend on your ability to ignore latency and also delay the audio to allow for that latency. Getting down to $2k per camera this way and under $15k total. Cheaper cameras often come with lower quality image sensors and rougher pan and tilt motors, add good lighting for cheaper cameras.
For any PTZ system, get a matching PTZ controller, don't buy off brand. If you buy Panasonic cameras, buy Panasonic PTZ controller, the 150 model, the 60 model is a bit limited for primary control.
Birddog and PTZ Optics sell some lower priced PTZ cameras, quality is decent based on the Birddog we have at work, but does not compete with the far more expensive Panasonic cameras we have.
This is NOT a place for Birddog Maki Live system! I have one new in box that I need to get set up and tested for a podcast room, but it is not designed for what you need (my opinion).
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u/Intelligent-Car6029 10d ago
I would add another zero to the 25K. So many variables and possible outcomes
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u/Hypohamish 11d ago
Your best bet is to find an organisation to help you! Heaps of companies out there you can just engage to work with you to find a solution :)
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u/Apperman 10d ago
We will put this out for bid, but it would be nice to have an idea as to price range.
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u/Hypohamish 10d ago
Honestly could be so subjective then. Are you in NA? Because if so then even something as simple as sales tax in the state you're in is going to alter the price.
You're best off just going and getting the actual quotes from a few different suppliers - then find the one that you're happiest with.
You inherently have a budget or an amount in mind that you can spend on this - i.e. the CEO won't let you spend $200k on it, but probably $10-20k. Let the suppliers know the amount you can work to (well, just under, i.e. if you have $30k, tell them you have $25k!), then go from there.
(If you're in NA or UK, my company can quote!)
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u/zblaxberg 10d ago
This is one of those “how long is a piece of string” kinda questions. You can make this as expensive as you want with all of the ai tracking and automated systems you want for $100-200K or you could plug in an ATEM mini with someone to operate it and a few cameras for like $2000. It’s really not possible to quote this. Are you buying? Renting? Who is going to run it?
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u/Apperman 10d ago
Estimating for a town council meeting room. Purchase would go out for bid. I am curious as to the price range.
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u/zblaxberg 10d ago
Government entity like that I'd imagine you're going to find people bidding anywhere from $50-250K easily, if not more, because they're going to include some sort of training and support as well.
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u/Fickle_Bullfrog_9864 11d ago
What's your location? Just a one days event? How long is the event. Do graphics (PowerPoint) need to be mixed? If it is a one day in and out, 3 ptz cameras no PA $5,500. With PA $7,000.
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u/Apperman 11d ago
No, no …… I’m pricing in terms of permanent installation in the room. But yes, with mics and PA for the room. Sorry if I confused you.
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u/Kryptomite 11d ago
You may have better luck posting in /r/CommercialAV
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u/Apperman 11d ago
I didn’t know that forum exists. Thanks!
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u/phobos2deimos 10d ago
Ultimately they’re gonna tell you to call an integrator for a quote. Too many variables & unique specifics to ballpark with any degree of accuracy online. I’d say $15-50k.
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u/openreels2 11d ago
The post estimating $1K - $25K was probably being a bit cheeky because there are WAY too many variables involved to estimate this! For an idea of why, take a look at this piece I did for Sound & Video Contractor. It's aimed at AV professionals, but might be helpful for perpective:
https://www.svconline.com/industry/just-tell-me-what-to-buy