Agenda Item Title:
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City Council Office presenting options for video streaming upgrades to the Council Chambers.
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Presenter:
Mike Applegarth
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Description/Background:
On January 23, 2018 the City Council voted to install equipment in the Council Chambers to enable the live video streaming of City Council meetings. GenComm completed the work in February, and the Council Meetings began live streaming on March 6. The total cost of hardware, programming and installation was $22,072.88 which was to be funded from the Council Capital Project Contingency.
While the new system allows for various camera views that can be adjusted during the meeting, there is an unacceptable amount of latency when cameras are switched. As a temporary solution, we are not currently utilizing the switching equipment, but are broadcasting a split screen depicting two camera angles and the video signal from the lectern computer.
Options to eliminate the latency in the system include moving from a live streaming system to a broadcast system. When live streaming, each individual video signal (camera, computer, etc) as to load each time it is switched. A good way to think about this is switching between various videos on YouTube; there is a slight delay as one video closes and another begins streaming. A broadcast system takes the various camera and computer signals and blends them into a single, uninterrupted signal.
GenComm has provided product demonstrations and cost estimates on two possible upgrades and is offering a $10,000 credit on the equipment already installed. Advantages, disadvantages, and costs are summarized in the attachment.
The balance of the Council's Capital Project Contingency is $278,308.
Fiscal Impact:
Should the Council direct an upgrade, there is an additional cost to the Council Capital Project Contingency of either $1,079.80 (Lumens 4-Channel), or $15,456.48 (Vaddio 8-Channel).
Further action to be taken:
Council Office and Facilities will ...
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