Church Streaming Setup — Full Summary

OBS + Stream Deck MK.2 + Proclaim + Cakewalk Next + Behringer UMC202HD + Canon XA40 + Restream + Canva

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1. Stream Controller Recommendation

Winner: Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 (~$149)

• 15 LCD keys with full page support — enough for OBS scenes, Cakewalk controls, and future expansion
• Official Proclaim (Faithlife/Logos) plugin available free in the Elgato Marketplace
• Massive church streaming community with tutorials and pre-built profiles
• Detachable USB-C cable, interchangeable faceplates, adjustable stand
• Same software ecosystem across all Elgato devices — easy for rotating volunteers

Alternatives Considered

Device	Price	Keys	Verdict
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2	~$149	15 LCD	✅ Recommended
Treaslin N1	~$70–80	15 LCD + knob	⚠️ Good value, but no Proclaim plugin
Elgato Stream Deck Neo	~$99	8 LCD	⚠️ Too few keys for full setup
Elgato Stream Deck Mini	~$60	6 LCD	❌ Too limited for church use

Why not the Treaslin N1? The N1 uses its own VSD Craft software ecosystem and has no official Proclaim plugin. For a church running Proclaim + OBS + Cakewalk, the Elgato ecosystem is the only one with native support for all three.

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2. Full Hardware & Software Stack

Item	Purpose	Integration
OBS Studio	Live streaming & scene management	Native Stream Deck plugin (free)
Proclaim by Logos	Church presentation / lyrics / scripture / videos	Official Stream Deck plugin (free)
Cakewalk Next	Recording praise & worship audio	Keyboard shortcut macros via Stream Deck
Restream.io	Simultaneous multi-platform streaming	Configured in OBS stream output settings
Canva	Lower thirds, slides, graphics, stinger transitions	Export as PNG/MP4 into OBS
Behringer UMC202HD	Audio interface	Windows Audio → Cakewalk and OBS share it
Canon XA40	Primary camera (4K camcorder)	Mini HDMI → Capture Card → OBS

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3. Canon XA40 Camera Setup

The XA40 is a professional-grade 4K camcorder — significantly better hardware than most churches at this budget level. It does not support USB webcam mode, so it must connect to OBS via HDMI and a capture card.

Required Connection — HDMI + Capture Card

Item	Spec	Recommended Product
Cable	Mini HDMI (Type C) to HDMI (Type A)	Any quality Mini HDMI cable
Capture Card	UVC-compatible, 1080p+ input	Elgato Cam Link 4K (~$100–130)

Connection steps:

1. Connect the small end of the Mini HDMI cable into the XA40's Mini HDMI port
2. Connect the large end into the Elgato Cam Link 4K
3. Plug the Cam Link 4K into a USB 3.0 port on your PC (blue port)
4. In OBS → Sources → + → Video Capture Device → select "Elgato Cam Link 4K"

Enable Clean HDMI Output (Critical)

Without this, camera overlays (battery level, zoom indicator, timecode) will appear on your stream. To enable clean output on the XA40:

1. On the camera, press Menu
2. Go to Display Setup
3. Find HDMI output display → set to Off
4. Your OBS feed will now show a clean image with no camera UI

Recommended Camera Settings for Streaming

Setting	Value	Reason
Recording mode	MP4 / 1080p	No need to stream 4K — saves bandwidth and PC load
Frame rate	29.97fps or 30fps	Universal compatibility with streaming platforms
HDMI output resolution	1920×1080	Matches your OBS base resolution
Auto power off	Disabled	Prevents camera shutting off mid-service
OIS (Image Stabilisation)	On	Reduces camera shake on long shots

Power tip: Run the XA40 from the included CA-570 AC adapter during services rather than battery. Eliminates mid-service power risk entirely.

OBS Settings to Match the XA40

In OBS → Settings → Video:

• Base (Canvas) Resolution: 1920×1080
• Output (Scaled) Resolution: 1920×1080
• Common FPS: 30

In OBS → Settings → Output → Streaming:

• Encoder: Hardware (NVENC if Nvidia GPU / AMD VCE if AMD) — offloads work from CPU
• Bitrate: 6000 kbps (1080p high quality)
• Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds

Using the XA40's XLR Inputs for Congregation Ambience

The XA40 has two XLR inputs with 48V phantom power on its handle unit — a professional feature most cameras lack. You can use these to capture congregation atmosphere (clapping, singing, room presence) and route it directly into your stream mix.

Recommended microphones for congregation ambience:

• Rode M5 Matched Pair (~$160) — small condensers, excellent for overhead/room capture
• Mount them at the front of the stage facing the congregation, or hang them overhead
• Connect via XLR to the XA40's handle inputs
• In OBS, the audio from the XA40 will come through the Cam Link capture — add it as an Audio Input Capture source and label it "Congregation Ambience"

Mixing technique: Keep congregation mics low during loud worship, and bring them up during quiet moments and prayer. Online viewers hear the room come alive — it makes a significant difference to how connected they feel to the service.

Future Camera Expansion

The XA40 works well as your primary wide/sermon camera. When ready to expand:

• Second camera recommendation: PTZOptics 20X SDI (~$500–700) — remotely controlled pan/tilt/zoom, Stream Deck plugin available, no camera operator needed
• NDI Tools (free) — install now so future cameras can connect wirelessly over your church network without HDMI cable runs
• Buttons 12–15 on your Stream Deck MK.2 are already reserved for additional camera scenes

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4. OBS Scene Layout for Sunday Service

Simplified Setup — Proclaim Handles All Content

Since Proclaim is already used for all videos, background images, lyrics, and slides, OBS only needs one content source — the Proclaim Window Capture. You do not need separate Media Sources or Image Sources in OBS for videos or backgrounds. Proclaim manages all of that content; OBS just streams whatever Proclaim is displaying.

In OBS: Set up a Window Capture source pointed at Proclaim's output/audience screen — not the operator editing view. If Proclaim outputs fullscreen to a second monitor (projector/confidence screen), use a Display Capture pointed at that display instead — often more reliable.

Core Scene Structure

Since Proclaim handles all content (videos, backgrounds, lyrics, slides), you only need 4 core OBS scenes. Your camera is the only live video feed — everything else comes through Proclaim.

Scene Name	What's On Screen	When to Use
Proclaim Display	Proclaim full screen	Lyrics, slides, scripture, videos, backgrounds
Camera Display	Camera full screen	Pastor speaking, worship band, altar call
Proclaim + Camera PiP	Proclaim full, small camera corner	Sermon — slides prominent, pastor visible
Camera + Proclaim PiP	Camera full, small Proclaim corner	Worship — band full screen, lyrics as overlay

Each scene maps to one Stream Deck button. That button simultaneously switches the OBS scene AND jumps Proclaim to the correct group.

How to Build Each Scene in OBS

Proclaim Display:

1. Click + under Scenes → name it "Proclaim Display"
2. Click + under Sources → Display Capture → select the monitor Proclaim outputs to (your projector/second screen)
3. Add an Audio Input Capture source → select UMC202HD (WASAPI)

Camera Display:

1. Click + under Scenes → name it "Camera Display"
2. Click + under Sources → Video Capture Device → select your camera
3. Add Audio Input Capture → UMC202HD (WASAPI)
4. (Optional) Add a Text (GDI+) source for pastor lower third — toggle visibility per service section via Stream Deck Source Visibility action

Proclaim + Camera PiP:

1. Click + under Scenes → name it "Proclaim + Camera PiP"
2. Add Display Capture (Proclaim) — this fills the full frame
3. Add Video Capture Device (camera) on top
4. Click the camera source → drag handles to resize to a small box → position in bottom-right corner
5. Right-click camera source → Filters → add Crop/Pad to tighten the frame if needed
6. Add Audio Input Capture → UMC202HD (WASAPI)

Camera + Proclaim PiP:

1. Same steps as above but reversed — camera fills the full frame, Proclaim is the small overlay in the corner

Source Types in OBS

• Display Capture — captures Proclaim's audience output screen (the one your projector shows)
• Video Capture Device — your camera
• Text (GDI+) — lower third with pastor/speaker name (used in Camera Display scene)
• Audio Input Capture — UMC202HD via WASAPI driver

Tips

• Name OBS scenes exactly as shown above — the Stream Deck OBS plugin references scenes by name
• If Proclaim is not outputting to a second display, use Window Capture instead and select the Proclaim presentation window
• Pre-load the pastor's name in the lower third text source before each service
• Set the BRB button to require a long press (5 seconds) in Stream Deck to prevent accidental triggering
• All videos, backgrounds, and images stay in Proclaim — no separate Media or Image sources needed in OBS

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5. Stream Deck Setup — Step by Step

Step 1 — Install the Software

1. Download and install the Stream Deck app from elgato.com/downloads
2. Plug in your Stream Deck MK.2 via USB-C — it auto-detects
3. Open the app — you'll see a 5×3 grid of empty buttons and an Actions panel on the right

Step 2 — Install the Plugins

1. In the Stream Deck app, click "More Actions" (bottom right of the actions panel) → Marketplace
2. Search "OBS Studio" → click Get → Install
3. Search "Proclaim" → click Get → Install
4. Both plugins now appear in your Actions panel under their own categories

Step 3 — Connect OBS to Stream Deck

1. Open OBS → go to Tools → WebSocket Server Settings
2. Tick "Enable WebSocket Server"
3. Note the port number (default: 4455) and set a password
4. Back in Stream Deck app → drag any OBS action onto a button
5. It will prompt you to enter the server IP (127.0.0.1), port, and password → click Connect
6. A green indicator confirms the connection

Step 4 — Connect Proclaim to Stream Deck

1. Open Proclaim with your service plan loaded
2. In Stream Deck app → drag a Proclaim action onto a button
3. Proclaim auto-detects — no manual connection setup needed

Step 5 — Create Pages

1. In the Stream Deck app, click the "+" at the top of the button grid to add pages
2. Create 3 pages: Live Service, Cakewalk, Proclaim Controls
3. You can rename pages by double-clicking the page tab

Step 6 — Build Your Scene Buttons (Multi-Action)

For buttons that need to trigger both OBS and Proclaim simultaneously:

1. Drag a Multi-Action from the Actions panel onto a button
2. Inside the Multi-Action, click "+" to add actions in sequence
3. Add OBS: Switch Scene first, then Proclaim: Go to Item
4. Label the button by right-clicking → Edit → type a name and choose an icon

Example — Pre-Service button:

Step	Plugin	Action	Setting
1	OBS	Switch Scene	"Proclaim Display"
2	Proclaim	Go to Item	"Pre-Service" group

Example — Worship button:

Step	Plugin	Action	Setting
1	OBS	Switch Scene	"Camera + Proclaim PiP"
2	Proclaim	Go to Item	"Worship" group

Step 7 — Set Up the BRB Long Press

1. Right-click the BRB button → Edit
2. Toggle "Long Press" to On → set duration to 5000ms (5 seconds)
3. This prevents accidental triggering during service

Step 8 — Test Everything

Before Sunday, run through each button with OBS and Proclaim open:

• Confirm each scene switches correctly in OBS preview
• Confirm Proclaim jumps to the correct group
• Confirm Cakewalk record/stop buttons work as expected
• Test the BRB long press

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6. Stream Deck Button Layout

Page 1 — Live Service (Primary)

Button	Icon	OBS Scene	Proclaim Action
1	🙏	Proclaim Display	Jump to "Pre-Service" group
2	🎵	Camera + Proclaim PiP	Jump to "Worship" group
3	📋	Proclaim Display	Jump to "Announcements" group
4	🎤	Camera Display	Jump to "Sermon" group
5	📺	Proclaim + Camera PiP	— (flexible use)
6	✋	Camera Display	Jump to "Altar Call" group
7	📷	Camera Display	— (camera only, no overlay)
8	⏸️	Proclaim Display (long press)	Jump to "BRB" slide
9	🔇	—	Mute/unmute mic (OBS audio)
10	🔴	—	Go live (start stream)
11	⏹️	—	End stream
12–15	+	Reserved for future cameras	—

Page 2 — Cakewalk Recording Controls

Button	Icon	Action
1	⏺	Start P&W recording
2	⏹	Stop P&W recording
3	▶	Playback
4	🔇	Mute track

Page 3 — Proclaim Controls (Optional)

Button	Icon	Action
1	▶	Next slide
2	◀	Previous slide
3	⬛	Blank screen
4	🎵	Next item

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7. Proclaim Integration

The official Faithlife Proclaim plugin is available free in the Elgato Marketplace. Once installed:

1. Open Stream Deck software
2. Go to Plugins tab → search "Proclaim"
3. Install and drag actions onto buttons

You can advance slides, go back, blank the screen, and jump between service items — all from the Stream Deck. During worship, Proclaim displays lyrics; during sermon, it displays scripture. Your stream volunteer and your Proclaim operator can work independently — the Stream Deck just captures whatever Proclaim is currently showing.

Jumping to Proclaim Groups via Stream Deck

Since Proclaim is used for all content (videos, backgrounds, lyrics, slides), each Stream Deck service button can be set up as a Multi-Action that simultaneously switches the OBS scene AND jumps Proclaim to the correct group.

Setup in Proclaim:

• Organise your service plan into clearly named groups: "Pre-Service", "Worship", "Announcements", "Sermon", "Altar Call", "BRB"
• Each group contains all the slides, videos, and backgrounds for that section
• Your Proclaim operator advances within each group as normal — the Stream Deck just gets Proclaim to the right starting point

Setup in Stream Deck (Multi-Action per button):

Step	Action
1	OBS: Switch Scene (e.g. "Pre-service")
2	Proclaim: Go to Item → select group by name (e.g. "Pre-Service")

Example — Pre-Service button Multi-Action:

1. OBS: Switch to "Pre-service" scene
2. Proclaim: Go to "Pre-Service" group
3. (Optional) OBS: Start Stream

Note: The "Go to Item" action requires the Proclaim Stream Deck plugin to be up to date. Look for actions labelled "Go to Item", "Jump to Slide", or "Select Presentation Item" in the plugin. If you only see next/previous, update the plugin from the Elgato Marketplace.

Service Section Button Map

Button	OBS Scene	Proclaim Group
🙏 Pre-service	Pre-service	"Pre-Service"
🎵 Worship	Cam + Proclaim	"Worship"
📋 Announcements	Slides	"Announcements"
🎤 Sermon	Sermon	"Sermon"
✋ Altar Call	Camera only	"Altar Call"
⏸️ BRB	BRB scene	"BRB" slide

This means one button press coordinates both OBS and Proclaim — your volunteer never has to manage two apps separately mid-service.

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8. Audio Routing — UMC202HD

Driver Setup (Critical)

Both apps read the UMC202HD at the same time, so neither may take exclusive control of it:

App	Driver	Reason
Cakewalk Next	Windows Audio	ASIO and exclusive mode lock OBS out of the interface
OBS	WASAPI (Windows Audio)	Streaming capture from the same interface

Do not set Cakewalk to ASIO. It is the lower-latency option and the obvious choice for a DAW, but it claims the device exclusively and OBS then gets no audio. Windows Audio at a 512 buffer is fine for this job — see Audio Mixing 5.2 for the full preferences list.

If Cakewalk reports "audio device in use," check that it is set to Windows Audio and not ASIO.

Signal Flow

Microphones/Instruments
        ↓
  UMC202HD Inputs
     ↙        ↘
 ASIO Driver   WASAPI Driver
     ↓               ↓
 Cakewalk        OBS Studio
 (Records P&W)   (Streams live)

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9. Cakewalk Record/Stop Shortcut via Stream Deck

The Problem

Stream Deck hotkeys only fire into the focused window. Since OBS is active during service, standard Cakewalk shortcuts won't reach Cakewalk.

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Option A — Custom Global Hotkeys (Cleanest)

In Cakewalk Next:

1. Go to Help → Keyboard Shortcuts
2. Reassign "Record" to Ctrl+Alt+R
3. Reassign "Stop" to Ctrl+Alt+S
4. Save

In Stream Deck:

• Button "⏺ Start Recording" → Hotkey action: Ctrl+Alt+R
• Button "⏹ Stop Recording" → Hotkey action: Ctrl+Alt+S

Single-button press, no window switching, no delay. Test before Sunday — some users report Cakewalk doesn't always receive global hotkeys reliably depending on system configuration.

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Option B — Multi-Action with Window Focus (Most Reliable)

If global hotkeys are unreliable, use a Multi-Action sequence:

"Start P&W Recording" Multi-Action:

1. System: Open → [path to Cakewalk Next .exe]
2. Delay → 400ms
3. Hotkey → R
4. Delay → 200ms
5. System: Open → [path to OBS .exe]

"Stop P&W Recording" Multi-Action:

1. System: Open → [path to Cakewalk Next .exe]
2. Delay → 400ms
3. Hotkey → Spacebar
4. Delay → 200ms
5. System: Open → [path to OBS .exe]

The "Open" action on a running app brings it into focus without relaunching it. OBS regains focus after the keystroke fires. Expect a brief half-second flicker — the stream is unaffected.

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Cakewalk Default Transport Shortcuts (Reference)

Action	Default Key
Record	R
Play	Spacebar
Stop	Spacebar
Rewind to start	W

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10. Production Quality Upgrades

These recommendations are tailored to your existing setup (XA40, Restream, Canva, UMC202HD). Most are free or low-cost.

Visual Quality

Animated Lower Thirds from Canva (Free) You're already in Canva — use it to build a branded lower third:

1. Create a new design at 1920×1080 with a transparent background
2. Design your lower third bar with church colours, pastor name, and logo
3. Export as PNG with transparent background (Canva Pro) or as MP4 video
4. In OBS: add as an Image Source or Media Source over your Camera Display scene
5. Assign a Stream Deck Source Visibility button to toggle it on/off — show for 10–15 seconds when the pastor begins speaking, then hide it

Stinger Transition from Canva (Free) Instead of a plain fade between scenes, create a branded transition:

1. In Canva, design a simple animated slide (colour sweep or logo reveal) at 1920×1080
2. Export as MP4 with transparent background (requires Canva Pro)
3. In OBS → Scene Transitions panel → click + → select Stinger
4. Point it to your Canva MP4 file
5. Set transition point to when the screen is fully covered (usually 50% through) Result: a smooth branded wipe plays between every scene switch — instantly broadcast quality.

OBS Studio Mode (Free — Enable Now) This is how professional broadcast directors work:

1. In OBS → click Studio Mode button (top right of the interface)
2. You now see Preview (left) and Program/Live (right) side by side
3. Your volunteer lines up the next scene on the left before cutting live
4. Prevents wrong-scene switches mid-service — no more accidental cuts to a test scene
5. Assign a Stream Deck button to toggle Studio Mode on/off

Scene Transitions — Use Fade Not Cut In OBS → Scene Transitions panel → change from "Cut" to Fade at 600–800ms for sermon/talk scenes. Keep Cut for worship where fast switches feel more energetic. Assign a Stream Deck button to toggle between them.

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Audio Quality

Separate Stream Mix — already in place The house mix and the stream mix are different feeds, and this is already built: Sub 1/2 drives the PA, Sub 3/4 feeds the UMC202HD with SUB TO MAIN off, so stream levels can be set without touching what the congregation hears. See Audio Mixing 3.2. Use it — heavy room bass that sounds great live often sounds boomy and muddy through phone speakers.

OBS Audio Filters (Free)

The OBS filter chain is documented in full in the Audio Mixing guide, section 5.1 — five filters in a specific order, with settings that have been tuned against real recordings. Set them there, not here.

Congregation Ambience via XA40 XLR Inputs The XA40's handle unit has two XLR inputs with 48V phantom power. Use these to capture the congregation's singing, clapping, and atmosphere:

• Connect a pair of Rode M5 condenser mics (~$160) pointing toward the congregation
• Route into OBS as a separate audio source labelled "Congregation Ambience"
• Keep this source low during loud worship — bring it up during quiet moments and prayer
• Online viewers hear the room come alive — this single upgrade transforms how connected they feel

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Interactivity & Viewer Engagement

Acknowledge Online Viewers Directly Encourage your pastor to briefly greet the online congregation by name once or twice per service: "If you're watching online, we're glad you're with us." This signals that home viewers are not an afterthought.

Scripture On-Screen for Online Viewers When the pastor references a verse, switch to Proclaim Display so online viewers can read it. Many viewers watch on phones and cannot see your in-room projection. This is a direct pastoral act that costs nothing.

On-Screen Giving / Prayer Link Overlay In OBS, add a Browser Source with a simple transparent HTML overlay showing your giving link or prayer request URL. Design it in Canva, export as PNG, and add as an Image Source. Toggle it on/off via Stream Deck during the offering moment or sermon response.

Restream Chat Moderation Assign someone (not the stream operator) to monitor and respond to YouTube/Facebook Live chat in real time via Restream's dashboard. Viewers who receive a response feel genuinely welcomed into the community. This single practice builds online congregation more than any technical upgrade.

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Stream Quality Settings (Optimised for XA40)

OBS Setting	Value
Base Resolution	1920×1080
Output Resolution	1920×1080
Frame Rate	30fps
Encoder	Hardware (NVENC / AMD VCE)
Bitrate	6000 kbps
Keyframe Interval	2 seconds
Audio Bitrate	192 kbps

Before each service: Run a speed test at speedtest.net. You need at least 8–10 Mbps upload to stream 1080p reliably via Restream to multiple platforms simultaneously. Connect the streaming PC via ethernet cable — never rely on Wi-Fi for a live stream.

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11. Weekly Service Prep Checklist

Before each Sunday, your tech volunteer should run through this:

Camera & Video

• Canon XA40 powered via AC adapter (not battery)
• Clean HDMI enabled on XA40 — no overlays visible in OBS preview
• Cam Link 4K plugged into USB 3.0 port — camera feed visible in OBS
• OBS base and output resolution confirmed at 1920×1080 / 30fps

Audio

• UMC202HD connected — audio levels visible in OBS audio mixer
• Cakewalk Next open with this week's project loaded
• Praise & worship tracks armed for recording (record-enable buttons lit)
• OBS audio filters active (compressor, limiter, noise suppression)

Proclaim & OBS

• Proclaim service plan loaded with groups correctly named and ordered
• Proclaim audience screen output visible in OBS Display/Window Capture
• All 4 OBS scenes verified in preview
• Pastor/speaker name updated in the lower third text source in OBS
• Canva lower third PNG loaded and toggled off (ready to activate)
• OBS Studio Mode enabled

Stream Deck

• Stream Deck on Page 1, Button 1 (Pre-Service) ready
• All Multi-Action buttons tested (OBS scene switch + Proclaim group jump)
• BRB long press confirmed working

Network & Streaming

• Ethernet cable connected to streaming PC (not Wi-Fi)
• Speed test run — upload speed above 8 Mbps confirmed
• Restream destinations active (YouTube + Facebook)
• Test stream started 15 minutes before service (private/unlisted on both platforms)
• Restream chat monitor assigned and logged in

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12. Future Expansion

When you're ready to grow the production:

• PTZOptics 20X SDI (~$500–700) — remotely controlled pan/tilt/zoom second camera; has a native Stream Deck plugin so your volunteer can call preset shots with one button press. No camera operator needed.
• NDI Tools (free) — install now; lets additional cameras connect wirelessly over your church network without HDMI cable runs
• Rode M5 Matched Pair (~$160) — plug into XA40's XLR inputs for congregation ambience audio
• Elgato Key Light Air (~$80–100) — aimed at the pastor/speaker, dramatically improves how they appear on camera
• Buttons 12–15 on your Stream Deck MK.2 are already reserved for additional camera scenes
• No need to replace any current gear — the setup scales by adding scenes and buttons

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13. Budget Summary

Item	Cost	Status
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2	~$149	To purchase
Elgato Cam Link 4K (for XA40)	~$100–130	To purchase
Mini HDMI to HDMI cable	~$10	To purchase
NDI Tools	Free	Install now
Proclaim Stream Deck plugin	Free	Install now
OBS Stream Deck plugin	Free	Install now
OBS Studio Mode	Free	Enable now
Canva lower thirds & stinger	Free (existing)	Build now
Restream.io	Free tier (existing)	Already active
Immediate total	~$260–290	Well within $200–$500 budget
Future upgrades
Rode M5 Matched Pair (ambience mics)	~$160	Phase 2
PTZOptics 20X SDI (second camera)	~$500–700	Phase 2
Elgato Key Light Air (speaker lighting)	~$80–100	Phase 2

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Generated from a full setup consultation for a church streaming environment running OBS, Proclaim by Logos, Cakewalk Next, Behringer UMC202HD, Canon XA40, Restream, and Canva.