How To Go About Setting Up Your Streaming Channel
The great thing about streaming is that anyone can do it.
While there are some personal qualities that might give you a bit of an initial boost, at the end of the day all you need is to get a good set up for your stream.
And a mountain of patience. Everything can be improved with enough persistence, research and experience but it takes time.
There are four major things you need to consider as soon as you start working on setting up your stream:
I. Choosing The Right Hardware
II. Your Streaming Platform/Console
III. Broadcasting Software
IV. Audio & Video
We’ll take a look at your options for each one. Some of these decisions are a no-brainer while others require extensive research. Since you’re just starting out, don’t waste too much money on your equipment but remember to put it at the top of your list with things to improve your stream.
I. Choosing The Right Hardware
Unless your hobby is researching and comparing gadgets, it might have been some time since you last looked into PC parts or external components.
It can be challenging to find the right fit, even when we’re talking about something as simple as a new pair of headphones. However, if you approach it like any other purchase and apply some common sense and critical thinking, you’re bound to see the solution.
- Decide on Your Games
Be realistic about the types of games you like and their requirements. Make sure you’re ready to stream your favorite titles early on. There are sites like Systemrequirementslab where you can see what each game needs, as well as the parts of your PC you can improve on in order to reach the maximum potential.
The games you choose to stream have a huge impact on the end result so you might want to read some more before you make your choice.
- See What Your Favorite Streamers Offer
Most streamers link their specs in their channels. Check them out! Some partner up with brands and, if they feature good products you happen to like, you can use their promo code for a discount that both you and the streamer can benefit from.
One day when you become the pillar of success you can promote brands yourself and help out the smaller streamers with their set up. Streaming is all about supporting the community.
- Make Sure You Need What You Want
We've all been tempted to get the latest processor even if we’re a few hundred dollars short of funding. Don’t fall into that trap.
Sometimes what you already have is perfectly adequate to sustain your gaming ambitions. Of course, if money isn't an issue you can go crazy on the upgrades but not many can afford that.
When it comes to maximizing performance people have been flocking to the term bottlenecking which shows if either your CPU or GPU isn't capable of keeping up with the other and it’s getting throttled by it. To check if such problems occur in your system, you can go to The Boottlenecker and use their helpful calculator.
- Research
Once you’re certain that you need an upgrade, it’s time to brace yourself and dive into the sea of information. Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose to read articles or watch videos related to the hardware you’re interested in.
Top 5 & Best of Articles
These types of articles are a good starting point since they don’t go into too many details but at the same time, they are written by professional hardware enthusiasts. Look for the pros and cons of the product and check the comment section for additional information if you something catches your eye.
Professional Reviews
While articles offer you a quick glimpse at the hardware, the real test is how it holds up to a professional review. These will provide an in-depth analysis based on the benchmarks for the product, as well as comparisons to other products and recommendations. There are thousands of sites you can use. Here are a few suggestions that aren't Amazon:
For comparisons, you can check out CPUBoss and GPUBoss.
Customer Reviews
Your final step before making a purchase would be to check out the customer reviews of the product in large online stores like Amazon, Newegg or any other website that you feel is big enough to listen to. While you can glance at the 5-star reviews to ensure that what you’re buying is what you expect, the real test of a hardware component can be found in the 2–4 star reviews where you can find any potential unresolved issues you might have at some point in the future.
II. Your Streaming Platform/Console
Even if you've decided already, it won’t hurt to double-check your options.
PC
This is the most popular platform to broadcast from. If you’re not very tech-savvy, you can buy a pre-built or a pre-owned PC. Those can cost you quite a bit, though. Again, it’s a good idea to do some research beforehand so you have a rough idea of what you’re getting.
A great alternative is to build your own PC. That way you know exactly what your machine can handle and it’s a good bet that you’ll be able to troubleshoot potential hardware problems immediately. You can look at it as a great opportunity to learn about the latest hardware trends. Besides, it’s cool to build your own PC. If you have no idea where to start, Pcpartpicker is a site that can help you out.
There isn't a particular configuration you need for streaming, but Twitch has helpfully given you the recommended PC specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i5–4670 or its AMD equivalent
- MEMORY: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM
- OS: Windows 7 or newer
Youtube also posted a great starting guide on encoder settings, bitrates and streaming resolutions. Such resources are extremely important when you’re just starting out and you aren't sure about all the broadcasting configurations.
Console
Both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are great platforms to stream from. Since they have dedicated software, the streaming process is extremely easy.
- PlayStation 4
Streaming on the PS4 is as simple as hitting the Share button on your controller. After that, the screen will prompt you to choose your favorite broadcasting platform and you’ll be on your way to the streaming heights! Easy as pie.
- Xbox One
In order to stream on your Xbox One, you’ll first need to download the app for your broadcasting platform of choice. After you log into it, enter the game you’d like to stream, open up the Xbox snap menu and start the app.
- Switch
Streaming on Switch is currently not a very easy mission to accomplish. In order to get your gameplay out there, you’ll need to buy a capture card which you’ll then install on your console, run through your PC and then use the same broadcasting options.
A good option for an external HD capture card is the Elgato HD60. Once you plug that into your computer, things will get much more familiar. The only difference is that you’ll need one more HDMI cable to connect the Switch to the capture card.
Streaming Platforms
Twitch used to be the obvious choice but Mixer, Facebook Live and Youtube Gaming are starting to change that.
The major game streaming platform is not a very hospitable place for newcomers, especially if you decide on playing one of the top ten popular games. That said, a lot of great communities have been established on Twitch and it’s THE place to be if you’re ready to face the fierce competition.
In terms of growth, Mixer is slightly limited in audience growth potential but it’s way more welcoming in the beginning. Many people complain about the levels of toxicity on Twitch and see Mixer as a nicer alternative for that reason.
On the other hand, Youtube automatically turns your stream into a video after it ends which saves you some work and increases your chances of getting discovered even when you’re offline. Facebook offers the advantage of promoting your stream and it presents more opportunities to gain viewers but again the audience is limited.
III. Broadcasting Software
In order to connect to your favorite streaming site on your PC, you’ll need some broadcasting software. There are currently several popular choices:
- OBS — It’s free, easy to use and it comes with all the general tools you’ll need — layers for overlays, settings for your camera and microphone, as well as hundreds of small details you can tweak.
- Xsplit — It also offers free software with great basic features. At the same time, they have Professional and Premium paid packages that give a huge boost to functionality, especially when it comes to game streaming.
Once you have chosen one of the above-mentioned software products, you’ll need to set it up. It might seem a bit challenging at first, but in a very short time you’ll easily start to add more and more things to your stream.
The most important thing to enter into the software is your Streaming Key which you can find in your profile on whichever site you've decided to stream on. This is how that site will know that you’re the one who’s broadcasting. Everyone who has your key will be able to stream to your channel. That’s why you should keep it private.
Another aspect of streaming you should focus on is your overlay. You can put whatever pieces of art you like around your video stream. Whether we’re talking about shaping your camera a certain way or putting assets from the games you’re playing — it’s all possible.
A valuable tool for creating a more personalized experience for your viewers is adding Follower and Subscriber announcement plug-ins. The most popular examples are Streamlabs and StreamElements. The applications come with overlay options, too, which makes for a nice combined customization software package.
IV. Audio & Video
While not a requirement per se, communicating with your viewers is the biggest predictor of the success of your channel. Pro skills in video games make for a great viewing experience but that personal touch with your audience is the heart and soul of Twitch. It’s what everything’s been built on.
Microphone
Do you know that the number one deciding factor for viewers to watch a particular channel is whether or not the streamer has a microphone? It’s also the best and the easiest way to communicate with your audience.
Thankfully, microphones are very cheap and you can pick one up from almost any store. Professional streamers might use expensive studio hardware but for a beginner, even a pair of headphones with an attached microphone is enough. The key is communication itself.
An excellent semi-professional microphone would be the Blue Yeti. It has astoundingly good reviews and it’s highly recommended for just a little over $100.
If you’re tight on cash, a good option under 50$ is the Shure SM48. It’s one of the best in this price range.
Camera
Unsurprisingly, the camera is the second deciding factor which gives great value to your followers. Displaying your reactions properly makes for a much more personal experience. Some streamers have practically made a living out of their reaction faces.
It’s a worthwhile investment and it can be relatively cheap. In the beginning, you can pick a 720p camera with 30fps. Going up on the quality and the price will add value but it’s not necessary for inexperienced streamers.
For your first semi-professional camera, the Logitech C920 is a great choice. It’s almost universally praised in the industry and offers excellent quality in the under $100 price range.
Streaming on Your Laptop
Laptop users have the benefit of an integrated camera and microphone. While the quality is usually pretty low, it’s also an acceptable start.
Upgrades are more than welcome but aren't that crucial at the beginning. If you’re still unsure about streaming, don’t go spending your whole salary or pocket money on professional gear.
Breaking into streaming
With all the basics covered, you’re ready to press that Start Streaming button and conquer the world. Hopefully, you've already decided on your type of stream, the games you’re going to play live and your schedule.
Being a professional streamer is a highly rewarding career but it’s not for everyone. You won’t turn into a pro overnight but with enough patience and determination to grind, it just might be the thing for you.
Do you have what it takes?
Who are we?
Stream Edge is a new project dedicated to helping streamers grow through personal analysis. We've talked to hundreds of streamers with the purpose of finding solutions to their most common problems. For more information, check out our main channels:
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