TIP: Proposal to Transition Council Meeting Streaming from Discord to Zoom
Overview
This TIP proposes that the Telcoin Association transition its primary meeting host and streaming platform from Discord to Zoom, while continuing to leverage Discord as a communication and scheduling hub. The purpose of this change is to elevate the professionalism, accessibility, and audio/visual quality of TAN Council meetings and associated governance events. OBS and Restream will continue to be used for rebroadcasting to YouTube, Telegram, X (Twitter), and additional social media platforms.
This proposal complements the intent of TIP-576: Expanding Council Meeting Coverage, by not only broadening the Council’s reach but improving the production and delivery quality of its communications.
Rationale
While Discord has proven effective as a community and moderation tool, it lacks the reliability and feature set required for high-quality, large-scale, public broadcasts. Moving to Zoom allows the Association to deliver a more polished, professional experience to both internal participants and the global Telcoin audience.
This change is particularly relevant as Telcoin expands its governance efforts and seeks broader legitimacy in the global fintech and regulatory ecosystem. A platform like Zoom, widely used in enterprise and government sectors, better aligns with this direction.
Benefits of Transitioning to Zoom
1. Professional Audio/Visual Experience
- Zoom delivers high-fidelity audio and video, with better consistency and noise handling than Discord.
- Participants appear in clean, spotlighted layouts ideal for streaming and archival footage.
2. Phone Dial-In Capability
- Participants without stable internet access can join via dedicated PSTN dial-in numbers, increasing inclusivity and reliability.
3. Moderator Tools and Production Control
- Designated hosts and co-hosts can:
- Mute/unmute participants
- Spotlight speakers
- Manage screen sharing
- Coordinate transitions for presentations
- These tools allow for seamless coordination behind the scenes without disrupting the public broadcast.
4. OBS + Restream Compatibility
- Zoom integrates natively with OBS via:
- Virtual Camera
- NDI (Network Device Interface)
- OBS then feeds into Restream, maintaining simultaneous distribution across:
- YouTube (Live and Archived)
- Telegram
- X (Twitter)
- Any additional platforms
5. Scalability and Growth
- Zoom Meetings support up to 1,000 participants with upgrades available.
- Zoom Webinars allow for 10,000+ viewers, ensuring Telcoin governance communications can scale with community growth.
Discord Integration for Continuity
Zoom will serve as the primary meeting and broadcast host, while Discord remains an integral part of the ecosystem for:
Scheduling and Notifications
- Calendar bots (e.g., Sesh or Apollo) can be configured to post and update meeting schedules in Discord.
- Custom bots can post Zoom meeting links, dial-in details, and stream destinations in appropriate channels.
- Scheduled events can be created directly in Discord and linked to external Zoom meetings.
Pre/Post Meeting Discussion
- Discord continues to serve as the primary forum for community engagement, proposals, and Council Q&A before and after meetings.
- A dedicated “Live Events Info” or “Council Meeting Feed” channel can automatically reflect updated meeting info and replay links.
Embedded Video & Archive Integration
- YouTube livestreams (from Zoom → OBS → Restream) can be embedded directly in Discord channels for passive viewing.
- Meeting recordings posted to YouTube can be automatically linked or pinned within Discord shortly after each event.
This hybrid approach ensures backward compatibility, minimal user disruption, and continued community accessibility.
Implementation Plan
- Acquire Zoom License
- Zoom Pro or Business license with optional Audio Dial-In and Webinar add-ons.
- Configure OBS Integration
- OBS set to capture Zoom using Virtual Camera or NDI plugin.
- Maintain existing OBS scenes and overlays for brand consistency.
- Sync with Discord Calendar & Bots
- Update bots to fetch Zoom meeting links and notify relevant channels.
- Embed livestream and archive links automatically post-event.
- Trial Period (Optional)
- Pilot a TAN Council meeting using Zoom for evaluation and community feedback before full transition.
Estimated Costs
| Item | Monthly Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Zoom Pro License | $15–20 |
| Audio Dial-In Add-on | $100+ (Optional) |
| Zoom Webinar Add-on | $40–90 (Optional) |
The base monthly cost is modest, with optional add-ons providing scalability as needed.
Conclusion
The transition to Zoom will significantly improve the technical quality and professionalism of Council meetings, helping Telcoin present a more credible and accessible image to community members, regulators, and prospective partners. By maintaining Discord for scheduling and conversation while using Zoom for production, the Association balances stability, familiarity, and future readiness.
This TIP proposes that the Telcoin Association adopt Zoom as the primary platform for hosting and broadcasting governance-related meetings, beginning with TAN Council sessions. OBS and Restream will continue to be used for multistreaming, with Discord acting as a communication and scheduling hub.
