Gillette Church Of Christ Streaming Upgrade

Church Livestream System Installation – Gillette Church of Christ

Brink Design recently completed a church livestream system installation for Gillette Church of Christ designed to significantly improve video quality, audio clarity, and production flexibility for both in-person services and online viewers. The church previously relied on a simple phone-on-tripod setup for streaming, which limited both image quality and the ability to capture different areas of the sanctuary.

To address these challenges, Brink Design designed and installed a professional livestream system using BirdDog broadcast cameras, NDI video distribution, and dedicated streaming hardware. The new system allows the church to capture multiple camera angles, deliver clear audio directly from the house mixer, and produce a polished livestream that better represents the experience of attending services in person.

Video Capture Upgrade

One of the most significant improvements to the church’s livestream setup was upgrading the video capture system.

The previous solution relied on a smartphone mounted on a tripod, which limited the viewing angle and produced inconsistent video quality. Brink Design replaced this setup with two professional-grade BirdDog cameras designed specifically for broadcast and livestream production.

BirdDog PF120 Camera

The BirdDog PF120 camera was installed with a fixed focus on the pulpit. This camera provides a consistent and stable shot for sermons, scripture readings, and announcements.

By dedicating a camera to the pulpit area, the church now has a reliable primary shot that ensures the pastor remains clearly visible throughout the service.

BirdDog P200 PTZ Camera

The second camera installed was a BirdDog P200 PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera, which adds flexibility and dynamic camera control.

The P200 allows operators to quickly reposition the camera and zoom into different areas of the sanctuary using preset positions.

Several presets were configured, including:

• Stage View – Captures wider shots for worship teams, music performances, or group presentations.
• Baptistry View – Automatically frames the baptism area for special services.
• Sanctuary Coverage – Provides flexible coverage for different service elements.

The PTZ functionality allows the church to switch between these views smoothly during the livestream, creating a more engaging experience for online viewers.

Audio Integration

High-quality audio is one of the most critical aspects of any livestream system.

Instead of relying on separate microphones or camera audio, Brink Design integrated the livestream computer directly into the church’s Front of House (FOH) audio mixer.

This approach ensures the livestream audio matches the sound heard by the congregation inside the sanctuary.

Benefits of this configuration include:

• Clear and balanced audio for online viewers
• Elimination of echo or background noise
• No need for additional wireless microphones on the pastor

By capturing audio directly from the house mix, the church now delivers a significantly more professional livestream experience.

NDI Video Distribution

The new system uses NDI (Network Device Interface) technology to transmit video from the cameras to the livestream computer across the local network.

NDI allows high-quality video signals to travel over standard Ethernet connections without the need for long HDMI runs or additional video cabling.

Benefits of the NDI workflow include:

• Flexible camera placement
• Reduced cable complexity
• High-quality, low-latency video transmission
• Easy expansion for future cameras or displays

This network-based video infrastructure also provides a strong foundation for future AV upgrades.

Dual Computer Workflow

To improve reliability and performance, Brink Design implemented a dual-computer system for the church.

The existing projector computer was replaced with a newer system dedicated specifically to presentation slides and sanctuary displays.

A separate computer was installed exclusively for livestream production.

This separation allows the church to run presentation software and livestream software independently, improving system stability and simplifying operation during services.

Results

The upgraded system provides Gillette Church of Christ with a professional and flexible streaming solution that dramatically improves both production quality and ease of use.

Key improvements include:

• Multiple camera angles for a more engaging livestream
• Broadcast-quality BirdDog camera hardware
• Clear audio directly from the house mixer
• NDI-based video routing for flexible system expansion
• Dedicated computers for presentation and streaming workflows

The result is a polished livestream experience that better reflects the energy and message of the church’s services while making the system simple enough for volunteers to operate.

Brink Design provides church AV installations and livestream system design throughout Rapid City, the Black Hills, and surrounding regions, helping churches deliver high-quality services both in person and online.