How to use Clear Touch RL500 camera

[AArnott]

This morning we were surprised to see permanent cameras installed in two of our chapels in the stake. They look similar to one we already had in our stake center.
It's a Clear Touch RL500. The building I'm in doesn't have an A/V closet. And this new camera seems to have come installed with a new port plate near the back pew. The ports include a "RECORD OUT LINE LEVEL" port for audio and an HDMI port. Plugging a laptop into the HDMI port presents a "unrecognized USB device" error, I suppose because USB-C to HDMI cables are accustomed to transmitting video rather than receiving it.

This installation didn't come with any notification or instructions. No remote (that I can find) nor software. Where can I find out about how to use this new camera?

[Mikerowaved]

You're correct in that USB-C to HDMI cables are only for outputting video, not capturing it. you'll need an HDMI to USB-C A/V capture device. These are not very expensive for a basic adapter.

Here's a prior thread that discusses how to find a manual and communicating with the RL500 over a LAN cable, if that's an option for you:
https://tech.churchofjesuschrist.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41700

[brad_p]

This morning we were surprised to see permanent cameras installed in two of our chapels in the stake.

Huh. A couple years back the directive we got was that the mounted cameras in non-stake center chapels was fundamentally not allowed, and our FM said this came straight from the Presiding Bishopric.

I'm assuming this policy has changed.

[russellhltn]

I'm assuming this policy has changed.

Hard telling. We never get to see FM's Handbook.

[ambldsorg]

Huh. A couple years back the directive we got was that the mounted cameras in non-stake center chapels was fundamentally not allowed, and our FM said this came straight from the Presiding Bishopric.

I would be interested if you find some official guidance on that since our non-stake building has credently gotten a mounted camera.

[Mikerowaved]

Huh. A couple years back the directive we got was that the mounted cameras in non-stake center chapels was fundamentally not allowed, and our FM said this came straight from the Presiding Bishopric.

I'm assuming this policy has changed.

We received the same [rather stern] directive at about the same timeframe as you. Fast forward a few years and we now have the green light in our stake to mount cameras in ward buildings. This may not be the same for all stakes so YMMV.

[drepouille]

Huh. A couple years back the directive we got was that the mounted cameras in non-stake center chapels was fundamentally not allowed, and our FM said this came straight from the Presiding Bishopric.

I'm assuming this policy has changed.

We received the same [rather stern] directive at about the same timeframe as you. Fast forward a few years and we now have the green light in our stake to mount cameras in ward buildings. This may not be the same for all stakes so YMMV.

Same here! I was shocked when I received an email from the FM group telling me that they were installing a RL500 PTZ camera in our meetinghouse. Just a few years ago, the FM group firmly denied our request to install a PTZ camera on the wall of the chapel. Times change!

Now I just need to learn how to connect our laptop via Liahona to the RL500 video/audio stream, and share it with our Zoom meeting.

[BrianEdwards]

I'm not saying anything everyone else isn't already thinking, but if anyone does get any kind of insight into the guiding policy behind these changes, that would be really helpful to share! I know quite well it's generally hidden from view, so even just a glimpse, any detail would be nice.

Perhaps it's the typical variance from FMGroup-to-FMGroup, or perhaps it's a more general implementation throughout the USA. It definitely doesn't seem to be related to specific local requests or local needs.

There's a couple of units in a few of the stakes around us (geographically quite large, with minimal tech support at a stake or unit level) that are struggling mightily with their zoom experiences. Even if they were able to know that their building is on a timeline to receive a mounted and integrated camera "at some point", that would immediately lower their stress levels.

[russellhltn]

Not that long ago (pre-COVID), the only exception to "no video in the chapel" was for Stake Conference to other chapels. So it makes sense that the stake centers were the only ones to get cameras.

Then, during COVID, many units started webcasting to those at home. The policy changed, and now post-pandemic it is permissible for wards to webcast to the homebound.

I suspect FM's policy is just catching up to the Handbook. I'll speculate that part of the delay may be budget related.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but we get to see the Handbook that wards and stakes operate by. But we never get to see the policy CHQ hands down to FM. We end up having to take FM's word on everything. The lack of transparency is - well, it leaves the door open to those that can but just don't want to.

[johnshaw]

I suspect FM's policy is just catching up to the Handbook. I'll speculate that part of the delay may be budget related.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but we get to see the Handbook that wards and stakes operate by. But we never get to see the policy CHQ hands down to FM. We end up having to take FM's word on everything. The lack of transparency is - well, it leaves the door open to those that can but just don't want to.

And even more importantly, often these budgets come with a time limit or a $$ figure. So if you don't get it the upgrade during the time the Budget $$ are set aside, you will never get it, until the next time a budget $$ is assigned.

So get your requests in!