Church Online Hardware

October 9, 2011 — 1 Comment

At Oasis Church our church online configuration consists of the following hardware / software.

Hardware:

Black Magic ATEM 1 ME Switcher (PGM OUT w/ embedded audio used to feed the encoder)

(Black Magic Audio to SDI used to embed audio into a single HD/SDI feed)

Kulabyte Enconder with XStream Live 3.0 rev2177 software (provided by 316 Networks Worldcast Server monthly service package)

Bandwidth:

10 Mb up / 10 Mb down

Feeds:

We (currently) have 4 feeds configured in the XStream software:

300 kbps

500 kbps

1000 kbps

iDevice feed (custom)

In @OasisLA: What We Use
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Developing The Leader Within You – Chapter 3 “Integrity”

September 30, 2011 — Leave a comment

Integrity is defined as: “The state of being complete, unified.”

When I have integrity my words and my deeds line up.

Here are my 7 take-aways from Chapter 3 of Developing The Leader Within You by John Maxwell

1. Image is what people think we are. Integrity is who we really are.

2. Integrity builds trust. Cavett Roberts said: “For a leader to have authority to lead he needs more than the title on his door. He has to have the trust of those that are following him.”

3. Integrity facillitates high standards. Too many people are ready to assume their rights but not to assume their responsibilities.

4. Integrity results in a solid reputation not just an image.

5. Integrity means leading myself before leading others. A quality consultant said: “In quality control we are not concerned about the product. We are concerned about the process. If the process is right the product will be guaranteed.”

6. Integrity helps a leader be credible, not just clever. The final requirement of effective leadership is to earn trust. Ann Landers said: “People of integrity expect to be believed. They also know time will prove them right and are willing to wait.”

7. In the book Leadership Challenge authors say followers expect four things from their leaders: honesty, competence, vision, and inspiration.

In "Real" Talk, Book Reviews, Daniel's Reviews, Oasis Tech Culture
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GoPro HD Camera

September 19, 2011 — 2 Comments

HD POV (point of view) cameras “have arrived”.

GoPro has developed a high quality affordable HD camera, that is perfect for the church setting.

A typical signal chain for a broadcast HD camera including peripherals ranges from $15K to $100K.

The good news: The GoPro POV HD Camera can be integrated into any SDI / HD-SDI broadcast switching environment for under $900.

At Oasis Church We currently are using (2) HD Go Pro Cameras

For under $400 you can purchase an HD signal chain that can be attached to just about anything.

I am using:

HD HERO Naked

GoPro Roll Mount Bar

HD HERO Skeleton Housing

Black Magic Analog to SDI

BNC Male to RCA Female Connector

This entire signal chain can be gaffed and mounted to any old microphone stand.

Our signal chain consists of: a Naked Hero camera (with skeleton case) > 1/8″ mini to 3 wire RCA cable > (3) RCA female to BNC male adapters > Black Magic analog to SDI box > SDI cable to switcher

We currently position our GoPro cameras on / around the drums and on stage in various configurations.

These provide some great cut away shots to use during our praise & worship sets.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to see some pics or have any questions about configuration(s).

In @OasisLA: What We Use
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Intentionality

September 1, 2011 — Leave a comment

“Advancing church technology” requires a high level of intentionality.

Intentionality is directly related to purpose.

Intentionality asks the question: “What we are trying to accomplish?”

Intentional people seek counsel from the “right” person. They look for the “right” piece of gear not “hottest gear”.

In my last post “Signal Flow” I made this statement:

Before you do anything… Ask the Holy Spirit to do everything.

After you invite the Holy Spirit to “do everything”; “you” should be very intentional about what next steps you take.

Give the Holy Spirit some good source material to work with and watch how often He shows up and takes it to a new level.

Be advised, there is often an underlying lack of sensitivity & consideration to what is actually required to accomplish something “great”.

Intentionality is often a key component.

Great relationships, programs, events, are seldom accidental.

Remember, proper signal flow ALWAYS begins with the “Holy Spirit”, followed by a high level of intentionality.

In "Real" Talk
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Signal Flow

August 26, 2011 — 2 Comments

In any aspect of technology, signal flow is key.  Signal flow simply refers to the order.

Signal flow always begins with a source.  A good source (or source material) makes a difference.

The order by which any signal travels is key in understanding how to optimize the output of said signal.

I have learned that in technical ministry, proper signal flow is vital.

One component in the wrong order, one step overlooked, can wreak all kinds of havoc.

Here is the part  of the signal flow we often forget.  The part I often forget.

The part we often forget has everything to do with the source material.

Before you do anything…  invite the Holy Spirit to do everything!

Truth: Having the Holy Spirit as the source makes all the difference.

I hope this encouraged you the same way it encouraged me.

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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

February 16, 2011 — Leave a comment

Dysfunction

After reading this book I would highly recommend it.

This is actually the second time I’ve read this book and I’m so thankful that I read it again because I found so many great leadership insights pertaining to team building.

1.  When a team is focused on results and using those to define success, it’s difficult for ego to get out of hand.  No matter how good an individual on the team might be feeling about his or her situation, if the team loses everyone loses. p.72

2.  The key is to define our goals, and our results in a way that is simple enough to grasp easily, and specific enough to be actionable. p.78

3.  Everyone needs to adopt a simple set of common goals and measurements, and then actually using them on a daily basis to make decisions. p.82

4.  Everyone is responsible for each others area.   A holistic view of ownership and accountability on a team is necessary, we need to establish common goals and shared responsibility for realizing those goals.  When what we are trying to accomplish collectively is ambiguous, it makes it easy to focus on individual success. p.84-85

5.  If we don’t trust one another, then we are not going to engage in open, constructive, ideological conflict.  And we’ll just continue to preserve a sense of artificial harmony. p. 91

6.  You need commitment and buy in.  Committing to a plan or a decision and then getting everyone to buy in is key.  It’s why conflict is so important. p.94

7.  Disagree and commit.  You can argue about something and disagree but still commit as if everyone bought in to the decision in the first place. p.96

8.  Once we achieve clarity and buy-in, it is then we have to hold each other accountable for what we sign up to do, for high standards of performance and behavior.   p.98

9.  If everything is important than “nothing is”… p. 106

10.  When a company has a collection of good managers who don’t’ act like a team, it can create a dilemma for them, and for the company.  It leads to confusion who their “first team” is. p.137

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Should I Switch From AT&T to Verizon?

January 15, 2011 — 1 Comment

Switch?

There is alot of talk going around surrounding the recent news of Verizon acquiring the iPhone.

Beginning in February 2011, you will be able to purchase an iPhone if you are a Verizon customer.

With that said, I have talked to quite a fewfriends who are seriously considering “jumping ship” to Verizon.

Should You? My response it NOT YET!

Here is why:

Although, the truth is that AT&T, as of recent, has a terrible cellular network.

I have experienced a dropped call, failed call or poor reception every other phone call. No Lie!

The network is miserable.

However, I do have a family shared plan that with 4 phones total. With a shared plan and 4 phones, my bill is a very affordable, $85 per month for calling, unlimited data and unlimited texting.

Here are some major issues to consider when transitioning.

1. Because of the CDMA network, with Verizon, you can’t make a phone call and use data at the same time. No driving around one the phone and using your map, or google-ing an address. It’s one or the other, the phone can not simultaneously accomplish use data and make phone calls.

2. In June of 2010 AT&T changed the early termination fee from $175 to $325. That’s a major chunk of change to opt out of your contract.

3. 70 % of AT&T iPhone users are family plan users or corporate account holders, the likelihood of transitioning an entire group or family is unlikely, therefore you are probably looking at more cash for the same plan with Verizon.

With this said, personally I am going to wait till the dust settles before making a move.

There is sound reason to believe that a mass exodus to Verizon would in turn cause the AT&T Network to get better.

However, If you are currently on the Verizon network I highly recommend purchasing an iPhone 4. Personally I use my iPhone 4 almost as much as my laptop for answering email, texting, and apps.

I read a great article from Wired Magazine that explains more about this subject. Click here to check it out.

Love to hear your thoughts? are you going to jump ship?

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Fed Up

December 31, 2010 — Leave a comment

It’s very interesting that we “myself included”, sometimes, just expect great things to happen.

We “sit round and expect” great things to happen.

Wiser people actually “do and expect” that’s called sowing & reaping.

The people I speak of “sit and expect.”

We sit around and expect great opportunities, great relationships, great wealth, great teams, great churches, great ______ to fall into our laps.

Not sure why this is… I’m not even sure where we picked up the “sit and expect” idea.

However, on the flip-side, I have observed a certain catalyst for greatness.

This catalyst is less glamorous than others and often overlooked and classified incorrectly.

Often referred to as the “Tipping Point.”

It’s a familiar place for all of us; yet it’s often the birthplace of most noteworthy of change.

I call this place: FED UP

Usually when you arrive at FED UP, it’s after a lot of doing the same things and seeing nothing change.

You experience a lot of tarmac and no lift off…

The symptoms look as simple as fatigue, frustration, but can lead to more serious problems like poor health and even depression.

My 10 month old son Jacob fist pumps and whails like a banshee.

As neg as this might sound there is a positive flip side to being FED UP.

Here is the good news.

When we arrive at FED UP, we have the opportunity to change.

Notice I said WHEN not IF.

We have the opportunity to make something happen. To be the factor of “difference”.

We have the opportunity to see things never before seen,

We potentially have the opportunity to rewrite destiny.

At one point everyone will arrive at FED UP.

Make no mistake, what you do at the FED UP marker, speaks volumes about your character.

This is make or break territory, what you do here, will define you, one way or the other.

I challenge and encourage you to press in!

This year my word for 2011 is listen.

That means in 2011: I’m listening to God, for God, and I’m listening to those around me who love me and who seek God.

Being such a high speed, go getter, maximizer, executer I can already tell you this word is going to stretch me. I’m pretty sure God is going to wreck me. And yet at the same time, I have a peace that surpasses understanding that 2011 is going to be the best year yet.

If you find yourself FED UP, do something about it! If you are there now, choose to advance. If you are not there yet choose to predetermine your outcome now, don’t wait till your standing knee deep in it.

Pastor Philip wrote a great blog this week about a 21 day fast in January.

I would strongly encourage everyone who reads this strongly consider fasting with us in January.

I don’t know about you?

But as for me, personally, I need God’s best in 2011.

The only way to find out what “God’s best” is, is to ask him for yourself.

Remember the word says: “In our weakness His strength is made perfect…”

So in 2011 make it a point to conquer FED UP.

You just might realize that if you can navigate thru this season well, by doing so you arrive at place where you are forced to draw some lines in the sand.

Once those lines are drawn you’ll be able to experience the break thru and blessing that would not be possible any other way.

For more information about Oasis Church please visit our website or follow us on twitter: @OasisLA

For more information about Pastor Philip Wagner (Lead Pastor @ Oasis Church) check out his blog or follow him on twitter: @PhilipWagnerLA

For more information about Pastor Holly Wagner follow her on twitter: @HollyWagnerLA

For more information about Tech @ Oasis Church email me at: daniel@d-riv.com or follow me on twitter: @daniel1179

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Holiday Antidepressants

December 28, 2010 — 1 Comment

I overheard a conversation the other day in the purchasing line at Urban Outfitters.

The two young women in their 20′s were talking about how depressed the get during the holidays.

One of them mentioned,” I hate Christmas, too much commercialism and greed.”

As they dumped their large bag overflowing with “commercialism and greed” on the counter it hit me.

I’m sure there are a lot of people who feel the same way about the holidays. Not just Christmas, holidays in general.

Based on what I heard in line, I thought I would offer a solution.

Here is the D-RIV.com holiday antidepressant prescription: GIVE

I don’t know anyone who makes Christmas special for someone else who complains about being depressed.

I can’t think of a single person I know who makes it a priority to enrich others, and still walks around complaining about holiday depression.

So here is word to the wise, ditch the Prozac and the Paxil and go out and “do something for someone else”

Keep it simple, bring someone else dinner, give someone else a gift, it doesn’t have to be expensive to add value and make an impact.

Be the “difference” in someone’s life and I assure you your odds of being depressed will diminish drastically.

Proverbs 11:25 says: “That those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed”

If you are feeling isolation or depression come on you like wet blanket, find someone else who is in greater need and meet the need.

What I’m sure you will discover is that the key to improving your situation is actually making the difference in the life of someone else.

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Finshing

December 24, 2010 — 1 Comment

It’s really easy to start something.

At the inception phase passion and excitement are at all time highs.

However, at some point along the way you wake up one morning and that passion and excitement have mysteriously evolved into hard work.

There really is no mystery as to why this happens.

Finishing in our culture is not glamorous, not exciting and definitely not sexy.

How many of us have “finishing strong” on the forefront of our minds when we begin something new.

In 2011 I have a new resolve to not start something unless I plan on finishing it.

It’s amazing how many people wander around looking for what do next… having never finished the last thing they started.

I was just thinking about all of the people I admire and respect, and just about all of them are great “finishers”.

In II Timothy 4:7 Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race…”

I hope that you and I can resolve to be a people who run in such a way to finish.

Fast, flashy starts are fun to watch and often impressive…

However, those people get winded quickly , and end up by the wayside.

Let’s be people who finish. Don’t start something great and not finish. Like Paul learn to run your race in such a way that finishing is a priority.

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