A solid camera that the synod uses for streaming and recording events is the Sony EVI-D70. We have three of them linked together using VISCA cables to control each one remotely. They are PTZ cameras (pan, tilt, zoom) that offer great video quality and can be mounted on a tripod or any other fashion (even upside down). They do not have any recording mechanism, so they are only a video source that can feed your computer, or other recording device via S-Video or standard component cables. Very small and could be fairly easily hidden in most church settings. They currently run about $950.

An excellent prosumer level camera is the Canon GL2. It has three-CCD to give an incredibly sharp image. Multiple outputs allow the camera to feed recording devices (DVR) as well as a computer for live web-streaming. Expect to spend $2,000-$2,200 for this camera.

2/23/09 - From Pastor Chris Koschnitzke, Christus, Delavan, WI -

On the video side, we had a Sony BRC300 Hi-Resolution Camera installed. It does a nearly 360 degree turn and turns out a really good quality of video. To control it, a Telemetrics joystick camera controller was installed. On this piece of equipment you can preset up to 6 camera shots, and also adjust focus and brightness. We had a 15" Planar LCD Monitor installed to view what is on camera, and a Toshiba DVD recorder, which records the service right to the DVD. Then, to make copies of the DVD, we got a Microboards 1x3 DVD Duplicator, and it duplicates the DVD in less than 10 minutes.