How To Choose a PTZ Camera System For Houses Of Worship

PTZ CAMERAS: THE WHY & THE WHAT

More than ever before, houses of worship have realized the need to connect and reach out to audiences beyond the physical pew through livestreaming technologies. Similarly, in the tension-raising wave of attacks and security concerns facing many places of worship, leaders and clergy are beginning to seek ways and strategies to build or bolster up crime deterrent or detection measures in their worship centers. The two needs listed above and more scream the word- PTZ Camera System.

But first, what is a PTZ Camera?

A pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera, also known as a robo (an abbreviation for a robotic camera) is a small type of camera that is capable of remote directional and zoom control. PTZ Cameras are frequently used in and effective for video conferencing, live production, distance learning, surveillance and livestreaming.

Below are examples of PTZ Cameras;

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE ACQUIRING OR CHOOSING A PTZ CAMERA FOR YOUR HOUSE OF WORSHIP

When it comes to the audio/visual production set-up and strategies for places of worship, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach never works; the media personnel or leadership involved must put several things into consideration before concluding the choice or even the need for a PTZ camera.

Below are some key questions/considerations in this regard;

• Why do you Need the Camera(s)?

The old saying reminds us that ‘if the purpose of a thing is not defined, abuse is inevitable, this can never be truer in the case of choosing a PTZ camera for a house of worship. The key question is ‘what is the current priority of a camera facility in this place?’

Is the current priority on taking pictures of programs/services, special events, conferences, conventions etc?

Is the camera facility chiefly purposed for broadcasting or livestreaming?

Is it squarely for the purpose of beefing up security apparatus?

Or is it a combination of two or more key priorities at the same time?

With these questions asked and clearly answered, you are on your way to making a prudent and game-changing investment on a choice PTZ Camera.

For instance, if the sole purpose or current priority is to beef up security, then a CCTV PTZ Camera should be your wise pick. The choice of the PTZ Camera and its intended use for security also informs the need to set it up in a prime location and ensure it captures footage of unwanted visitors thereby serving for crime deterrence and detection.

• How big is the Place of Worship?

It goes without saying that the PTZ choice of a 100,000-seater-capacity mega worship center will definitely differ from that of a 100 seater-capacity worship center. 

Is the size of your worship center all small and cozy? Then one or two cameras will do.

Are we looking at a large space where you still want to have close-ups of activities such as music team, some part of the congregation, the preacher etc?  Then you’d need a top-notch PTZ Camera that can be set up from a remote location and capture high-quality multiple angles. Placing a PTZ Camera in the center of your house of worship would help zoom into the speaker/preacher or pulpit and still capture other activities when there’s a need to. Hence a PTZ Camera can reduce the total number of cameras needed in a large-sized worship center.

• How Close do You want to Get?

Interestingly, it’s not just about how big (or even small) your house of worship is, but how close you want to get with your shots.

If a worship center is intentional about livestreaming or broadcasting, then viewers and audience online deserve an immersive experience of live or recorded events. One way to achieve this is to give close ups of intense, engaging or significant moments of an event or activity; a worshiper on bended knees, a spectacular dance or expression of euphoria, the faces of a guest speaker etc. These are moments! Moments that shouldn’t be lost on your online audience. And of course, moments that a high-zoom level (optical zoom) PTZ Camera can do full justice to.

Optical zoom is the ability to enhance image magnification coming to your camera’s image sensor without losing digital quality of your images (as it obtains in digital zoom).

PTZ Cameras are available in  5X, 10X, 12X, 20X and 30X optical zoom and a 30X optical zoom for instance can capture a speaker’s head and shoulders up to 75 feet away.

FINAL WORDS

While there are other important considerations and concerns in regard to PTZ Camera System set-up (such as where and how to mount, PTZ Camera integrations etc), these three key questions (not meant to be exhaustive) suffice as a check-list for choosing a PTZ Camera for your house of worship.

And just so that you’d not miss any of the questions needed for a truly immersive audio/visual production delivery and experience, here’s a summary;

Why do you need the Cameras? (A question of priority)

How big is your place of worship? (A question of size)

How close do you want to get? (A question of details)

            Come to think of it, there may be a fourth question, perhaps even the most important one which is, ‘Where do you hope to get excellent-quality state-of-the-art PTZ Cameras from notable brands?’

And the simple answer is “Where else, If not at Holocene Innovations?”

NOTE: To access a wide range of PTZ Cameras for you House of Worship, kindly check them out on