Why a map saves money
When a church asks for a quote without describing what it has, the safe assumption is that it’s starting from nothing. That’s the most expensive quote there is.
When we can see your booth, we can reuse what still works, like good cameras, a capable sound board or a switcher you already own, and quote only what’s missing. That’s why the best way to get the best price is to map what you have first.
You don’t need to be a tech person to do it. You need about 20 minutes, a phone camera, and the list below.
Use the same three columns as our diagram
Our Livestream Systems wiring diagram splits every church system into three parts. Map yours the same way.
1. What plugs in
- Cameras: how many, and what kind if you know (HDMI, SDI, network/NDI, USB)
- Lyrics or slides computer: ProPresenter, EasyWorship, another program, or none
- Sound board: brand or model, and whether it’s digital or analog
- Camera joystick or controller, if you have one
- Stream Deck or button panel, if you have one
- Battery backup (UPS), if you have one
2. What does the work
- Streaming computer: roughly how old, and the processor or graphics card if you know
- Capture card or adapters: brand if you can see it
- Hardware switcher: ATEM, Roland, or another, if you have one
- Streaming software: OBS, vMix, or something else
- Network in the booth: is the computer wired? Do you know your upload speed?
3. Where it goes
- Livestream: YouTube, Facebook, your website
- Projectors or IMAG screens: how many
- Lobby or overflow TVs: how many, and how far from the booth
- Confidence monitor for the stage
- Recording of every service
For each item, write one of three answers
- Have it, plus a model or count if you know it
- Need it
- Not sure
“Not sure” is a perfectly good answer. It tells us where to look.
Take five photos
- The whole booth, from where the operator sits
- The back of the streaming computer, where the cables go in
- Any equipment rack, front and back
- The sound board
- Each camera, with its label if you can reach it
Write down what goes wrong
Two or three sentences in your own words: “The stream freezes about 40 minutes in.” “Only Jim knows how to switch cameras.” The problems matter as much as the equipment. (See what’s wrong with my church AV system?)
Send it
The quickest way is our map-your-system checklist. It follows this same list, with buttons for Have it / Need it / Not sure, and attaches your map to a free consultation request automatically. Then we’ll recommend one of our Livestream Systems, a tailored version, or a modernization plan built around what you already own.
For a lasting record, the Signal Map in Tech Manager, free, documents every device and cable in detail and prints a wiring diagram for the booth wall.
What happens next
See what a church AV system review looks like: a free, no-pressure conversation, and a clear list of what to keep, what to fix, and what to add.
Related questions
- What should we prepare before a church AV consultation?
- A simple map of your current system: what plugs in (cameras, slide computer, sound board), what does the work (streaming computer, capture, switcher, software), and where it goes (livestream, screens, overflow, recording). For each, note whether you have it, need it, or aren't sure, plus a model or count if you know it. Photos of the booth help too.
- Why does mapping our system lower the price?
- Because a consultant who can see what you own can design around it: reusing good cameras, a capable sound board or a working switcher, and quoting only what's missing. Without a map, a quote has to assume you're starting from scratch.
- Do we need to know model numbers?
- No. 'Two cameras, not sure what kind' is a useful answer. A photo of the back of the equipment, where the labels are, is even better.
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