Best Equipment for a YouTube Streaming Setup
Last year YouTube introduced a new gaming hub that has made it easier than ever to start streaming live on their platform.
There’s no better time to start streaming your games on YouTube but you can’t start without first getting the right equipment.
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own streaming setup for YouTube then get started now. We can help! Check out this complete guide to start your own streaming setup.
Value of the Best Streaming Setup
Anyone can jump into the fray of streaming their games live on YouTube. That’s why the competition is steep. While having the right personality and style help, you also need to have the right setup in order to stand out from the crowd.
It takes a lot of processing power to not only load your game but also to stream it live. Viewers get frustrated if the video freezes or the audio cuts out constantly—meaning they’ll probably stop watching once they lose patience with your video.
If you’ve chosen YouTube as your main streaming platform, then you should know that it tends to work better on Android devices. This means if you plan to stream on your phone, having an Android phone is a plus. This is probably thanks to YouTube being owned by Google.
Can Your PC Handle It?
If you’ve chosen to use your computer to live stream your games, then it will need to have the following recommended capabilities. An Intel Core i5-4670 or the AMD equivalent.
You should also have at least 8GB of RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium or later and a graphics card running DirectX 10 or above. YouTube, unlike Twitch, doesn’t set these as its minimum requirements. However, having the baseline equipment can only help your channel.
To be honest, you may want to invest in better hardware. With the bare minimum mentioned above, you’re not going to be able to even play a AAA title at higher resolutions.
If you’re not prepared to build your own PC, Alienware and Origin are a reliable starting point. Plus, they guarantee their parts are optimized to work well together. You can always opt to upgrade individual components when more power or memory are necessary.
Internet Hook Up
Streaming online doesn’t just rely on the ability of your computer or devices. You also need to have a great internet connection with decent upload speed. The bare minimum for quality is going to be around 3 Mbps, but to stream in HD at a high FPS you’ll need closer to 20+ Mbps.
You can determine what your actual current Internet Service Provider’s speed is by using an online tester like this one to find out. Always aim for higher than the bare minimum requirements, and not that actual speed is often lower than advertised speed.
Capture All the Action
You can’t start streaming without the right equipment to record you playing. That includes a webcam and a quality audio feed. Part of the reason your fans are tuning in is to watch and listen to your candid reactions.
Some computers already have a decent webcam and audio recording. You may not even need to invest in additional devices. It’s worth testing them out with some recordings prior to going live to see if you need an upgrade.
Picture Perfect
If your webcam can use an upgrade then an HD 1080p webcam should do the trick. Especially one that will adjust accordingly to lower light. Some webcams will even blur out the background of the recording and only focus on you.
Crystal-Clear Audio
Viewers won’t miss a word with a separate microphone to capture all of your candid reactions. Some include different modes such as cardioid mode that isolates audio coming from someone directly in front of the mic. It’s specifically designed for gamers.
If you’d rather not waste precious desk space on a whole microphone hook-up you can also opt for a versatile headset. You’ll get the benefits of hearing amped up sounds and also communicate with confidence to all your listeners.
Broadcasting Applications
Now that you have all of your tech ready, you will still need to choose your broadcasting application. A broadcasting app is what takes your gaming stream and sends it to YouTube as it is happening live.
We’d recommend an app like OBS Studio. It is free to use and easy to install.
XSplit Broadcaster is another popular choice by gamers and has some pretty powerful offerings. Keep in mind that it only works on Windows. You can install this app for free. However for video resolutions that are higher than 720p you are required to make monthly payments. Still, it’s known for being easy to use and straightforward when it comes to setup.
Your broadcasting app will allow you to overlay your webcam video, plus audio on top of your game feed. That way your viewers can take in all of the action at once. You can also add a watermark using the apps mentioned above.
This is a great way to label your video content and create brand awareness as you build your audience.
Pros and Console
If you’d prefer to stream from your gaming console, then the setup is simpler. Consoles tend to have their hardware built into the machine itself. It’s easy to set up your video and audio using cameras designed for your specific console.
Plus, Playstation 4 makes it easy to connect by simply using a DualShock 4 controller that has a “Share” button built-in so you can instantly start streaming live once you’ve logged into your computer.
Xbox One players will need a capture card to live stream on YouTube. This allows you to send your stream to a computer first. Typically they opt to stream on Twitch instead, which is much easier for them.
Capture cards such as the Elgato HD 60S, will sit between your console and television. It sends a separate feed to your computer so you can take more control over how your stream looks. You also have the option to take content from another console.
Quality is Key
When it comes to streaming live don’t skimp on your streaming setup. It’s easy to get your channel started with the right tech. Then you can save time for the fun part, gaming with your favorite people.
Looking for more advice and pro tips on live streaming and other insights? Check out our blog for the latest news in the PC gaming world.
