DMS Streaming Cart Proposal
DMS Dedicated Streaming Cart
Concept: A dedicated mobile cart that will contain inexpensive entry level video, audio, and lighting gear as well as a computer with various streaming software programs. The primary use case will be to 1) Livestream classes to TWITCH, YouTube, Facebook Live, Google, etc and 2) Capture classes for storage and later re-watching on demand. Other use cases such as streaming meetings may be accommodated but are not the primary intended use case.
Equipment: The equipment choices are made on a economical bang-for-the-buck preference, not necessarily the best/top of the line choices. Additionally, I am leaning towards gear I personally have used with good results at various craft fairs & conventions as a vendor, and therefore feel confident will be of sufficient durability to survive DMS. The cart should be under the ownership/purview of the Education Committee, and all equipment is to remain with the cart.
Storage: The cart will utilize a dedicated/shadowboard storage system for the contents of the cart so it will be easier to rapidly unpack and repack the various items, and to determine if anything is missing. I would suggest the cart be stored in the RFID badged storage closet off of the main common room to help track keep track of when it is checked in/out so that if items go missing, it is easier to backtrack who last had used the cart to locate the wayward items.
Software: OBS https://obsproject.com/, Streamlabs https://streamlabs.com/, DroidCam Client https://www.dev47apps.com/, and other software as specific needs are pointed out. Please note that the software choices should be kept to a basic minimum, and should not be all encompassing or narrowly focused in any specific area. The basic computer hardware (computer, monitor/keyboard, mouse, etc) hopefully can come from the current existing stock of computers from Infrastructure.
Below is a starter list of suggested items to populate the cart. I have not included multi-person meeting oriented microphone setups (suggestions needed), or the camera (decent webcams [Logitech 920, etc] are insanely expensive right now).
***[Addition 9/8/2020]*** The WyzeCam V2 with the manufacturer provided firmware hack has been suggested as a viable, inexpensive webcam that has both acceptable quality and is still readily available.
NEEWER 2-Pack 160 Dimmable LED Light $41.99 (x2) 83.98 [1]
LED Light AC Power Adapter $20.99 (x4) 83.96 [2]
11 inch Inch Articulating Magic Arm + Super Clamp $14.85 (x3) 44.55 [3]
AmazonBasics 2-Pack Aluminum Light Tripod Stand $28.99 (x3) 86.97 [4]
9 x 15 ft. Green Chromakey Muslin Backdrop $43.10 43.10 [5]
Adjustable Heavy Duty Backdrop Support Stand $45.98 45.98 [6]
USB Large Condenser Mic with Stand $29.99 29.99 [7]
Suspension Boom Scissor Mic Stand w/USB Cable $19.99 19.99 [8]
4 Port Powered USB 3.1 10 Gbps Data Hub $39.99 39.99 [9]
Generic CamLink clone $25.99 25.99 [10]
Plywood, casters, drawer glides, and assorted hardware for cart Up to $200.00 (Reimburse receipts up to $200 for finished cart)
Added 10/6/2020
Dedicated Computer
mATX format, AMD based, 3400G CPU to start. Estimated cost under $750. All parts available locally except the CPU, which is available online or local ship-to-store options by Oct. 15, 2020 (as of the creation of this proposal on 10/6/2020).
The initial proposal was going to use the ASRock a300 (currently being used by Laser), but the restrictions imposed by the use of that form factor will be an issue after we start to establish regular use of the Streaming Cart. The additional PCI expansion slots offered by using a mATX form factor will allow for the future use of specialty audio and/or video hardware. Additionally, the selection of a motherboard that is confirmed to be compatible with the next generation of AMD Ryzen CPUs will allow an easy, inexpensive upgrade path for additional computational power if the desired uses of the Streaming Cart evolve into necessitating the expansions of it's capabilities in such a direction.
Sample purchase list (all parts from MicroCenter)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H17 (or similar) $50.00
https://www.microcenter.com/product/504427/thermaltake-versa-h17-matx-mini-tower-computer-case---black
Power Supply: NZXT C650 650 Watt 80 Plus Gold $130.00
https://www.microcenter.com/product/618684/nzxt-c650-650-watt-80-plus-gold-atx-full-modular-power-supply
Motherboard: MSI B550M PRO-VDH (WiFi) AMD AM4 mATX Motherboard $105.00
https://www.microcenter.com/product/625050/msi-b550m-pro-vdh-(wifi)-amd-am4-matx-motherboard
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3400G $130.00
https://www.microcenter.com/product/608328/amd-ryzen-5-3400g-picasso-37ghz-quad-core-am4-boxed-processor-with-wraith-spire-cooler
Memory: 16Gb (2 x 8GB) G.Skill RIpjaws DDR-4 3600 $79.00
HD: WD Blue Mainstream 1TB (or similar) $45.00
https://www.microcenter.com/product/415198/wd-blue-mainstream-1tb-7200rpm-sata-iii-6gb-s-35-internal-hard-drive
Case fans: Cooler Master 120mm Case Fan (or similar) $8/each, x2 - $16.00
https://www.microcenter.com/product/623321/cooler-master-sickleflow-rifle-bearing-120mm-case-fan---black
