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The Essentials to Streaming: #2 Equipment for Twitch Streaming

3/16/2015

23 Comments

 
*Thanks to Andy, Orcastraw, and others for the recommendations*



Equipment is one of the most important aspects of streaming. Everyone is going to have a different vision of what they want their stream to become, and different equipment will be needed for different goals. In today's post we try to focus on key items that we believe are important to a successful stream. In future posts we'll dive a little deeper into the more technical aspects of equipment, while this post is meant to give you some recommended items to get you started! 



*There are image links provided for each product, but to view them you must disable adblock* 
PC Specs

PC specs are going to vary from streamer to streamer and are going to be completely different based on what you want to stream.  I personally use a very simple setup right now, that I will be upgrading in the near future. If you’re really looking to dive into some intense streaming, the following are what is suggested by Twitch themselves.

If you’re looking to stream…..Via Twitch

·         CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 or AMD Equivalent (Compare Your CPU)
·         MEMORY: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM
·         OS: Windows 7 Home Premium

How far you want to push the visual quality of your stream is up to you. If you’re looking to stream immense HD games, you’ll want a nice rig, while if you’re looking to stream old school games, you can get away with that semi-old laptop that you carry around. I always suggest people start out small and improve the set up as they grow their stream.

 
Head Set + Microphones

This is probably one of the most important aspects of your stream if you’re looking for growth. This is how you’re going to be communicating and interacting with your viewers.   A lot of people will simply leave your stream if your mic quality is bad, and making that first impression is huge! So what are some good microphones? It really depends on how much you want to spend. There is one main recommendation we're going to make here at Stream Big. Do not use a headset + mic that are combined. You're going to be hard pressed to find one that's going to give you good quality without spending a lot of cash.




Zalman ZM Mic1


This is one of the better deals out there if you're looking to get started streaming. This is a clip-on mic that has pretty high quality compared to how affordable it is. Pair this bad boy up with any pair of headphones, including ear buds and you'll be good to go for your microphone set-up.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone 
If you’re looking for a great USB microphone that looks and sounds professional, I don’t think there’s a much better microphone on the market in terms of value. I’ve been using a Blue Yeti for almost a year, and the quality is great. The fact that it’s a USB allows for easy set up and less hassle when it comes to wiring. It has multiple sound options that allow you to set up the microphone to fit your setup and what you’re looking to do. While the price might be a bit steep for those who are just starting out, it’s a great investment that will last you a long long time. I’ve had mine since August of 2014, and I’ve never had any issues.
Steel Series Siberia v2 Headset (USB) 

I bought the Siberia v2’s over a year ago, and the sound quality for the speakers are excellent for a USB headset. It comes with a built –in microphone that has pretty average to below average quality, but you can easily turn it off. Headset fits pretty comfortably on the head, and I’ve personally had no issues with the headset. I’ve heard from friends that defects do happen, but they’ve all been replaced with no real issue.  Great headphones if you’re looking to pair them with the Blue Yeti

Capture Cards

This is a very important piece to equipment if you see yourself as a console streamer. If you’re capturing directly from the console, you’ll need one of these devices in order to display it on your stream. What card you choose will really depend on what type of game you want to stream. If you’re going for more of an old school style stream where you play retro games such as NES, SNES, N64, PlayStation, you’ll want to use the Dazzle DVC 100. If you’re looking to stream more HD friendly games, you'll want something a bit nicer.
Dazzle DVD Recorder 

As someone who speedruns older games on SNES and N64, I’ve used the Dazzle DVC100 for the entirety of my streaming career. It’s an affordable and reliable option with very easy set up and little to no wiring issues, as it plugs in via a USB port. You can buy them brand new at Best Buy for a little more money, or you can get a used/ refurbished dazzle on amazon. They go for around $50 and I’ve only had to buy 2 over 3 years of streaming. 

GV-USB2 Capture Card

The GV-USB2 is the cheaper alternative to the Dazzle DVD Recorder. Those who have used both a Dazzle and a GV-USB2 usually prefer the GV when it comes to quality. The only downside to the product is that set up for the capture card is completely in Japanese, so certain steps can be confusing. But once you're past the set up, the quality is much higher than a dazzle.

​
Avermedia C027 

Avermedia C027 Internal Capture Card. Internal cards are typically higher quality which is what I was going for. It also has SD and HD capabilities which is good for retro and modern consoles. HD has a dongle for component and also an HDMI port. SD has a dongle for composite and S-Video. Capture was definitely a step up from any other capture card I've had. Just a warning this is an internal card, so make sure you have space in your tower.

Avermedia Live Gamer Portable

If you're looking for an HD capture card that isn't an internal card and want something a bit more on the go, the Live Gamer Portable is for you. USB based, so a lot easier to set up, and you're getting close to the same quality as the internal with just a little more delay. This is a bit more pricey, but it will allow you to stream off a laptop on-the-go. 


Avermedia ExtremeCap U3


This capture card is for those looking for the upmost in quality for a portable capture device. It allows for 1080p 60FPS capture and also has very little delay, meaning you can play off of the capture device if you so wish. I personally make getting low delay capture cards a priority because I always run the capture card sound through my headphones when I stream because it seems most convenient. The only thing that may be an issue for some is that this device absolutely requires USB 3.0 ports on your computer. It also doesn't encode the frames on the device itself which means that you'll need a reasonably beefy CPU to encode both the capture card video and your stream's video.
Webcam

Ahhh the age old question - Do I use a webcam or not? Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer. My first recommendation is don’t use a webcam if you don’t want to. There’s nothing wrong with not using a webcam. There are a lot of top streamers in different games that don’t use one, and rely on great commentary and interaction. I will say this though, a webcam is a great way to make the stream more personal. Viewers love to see your reactions to different situations while you’re gaming, and it will definitely help you stick out. Just be aware that your webcam is always on and sometimes you might do something embarrassing like pick your nose without realizing. It can happen to anyone and be able to laugh at yourself when it does.

One point to note, the better your upload speed, the better quality your webcam will look. Even the nicest webcam out there will look bad if your upload is very low.

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

If you’re looking to make streaming something more professional I would highly suggest an HD camera like the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920. You can usually get it for under $80 and it’s what I currently use on my stream. The quality is great, and it’s super easy to set up. There have been a few reported issues with this camera flickering while using streaming software so be warned.

Logitech HD Webcam C310

If you’re looking for a more affordable webcam to get started, the Logitech HD Webcam C310 is a great starter webcam that you can snag for under $40. The quality won’t be as nice as the C920, but it’ll get the job done enough. I used this webcam for two years before switching to the C920.

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Be sure to also check out our Twitch Streaming Team 

Essentials #3: Software

23 Comments
x10power
3/15/2015 05:08:54 am

Love the run down of each set of equipment. Going to actually look into that internal capture card and see if that fixes some of the issues I am having with my Hauppauge HD pvr 2.

Reply
magmapeach
3/15/2015 05:35:36 am

The I-O Data GV-USB2 is a better option than the Dazzle DVC-100. It's cheaper ($40 on Amazon) and provides higher quality SD capture.

Reply
Whisle link
4/9/2015 05:49:04 pm

Are there any other alternatives to the Dazzle DVC-100 / I-O Data GV-USB2? The Dazzle costs around 100€ here and the latter i can't find at all :(

Reply
Iateyourpie link
3/15/2015 05:40:17 am

I'd be interested to get some more equipment on here that I'm not as familiar with. Like something a long the lines of a "Reader's Recommendation. I've never used the I-O Data GV-USB2, I'll have to check this out.

Reply
Slotter11
3/15/2015 10:37:49 am

Logitech C615 can be bought for ~$40-$50 and provides 1080p Quality aswell.

Blue Snowball can be bought from Amazon almost all the time for right at $50.

Reply
Joshua
3/16/2015 03:06:50 am

Thanks for making this site! Loved reading your story. Became a fan of yours after stumbling across your Paper Mario run on YouTube. I've wanted to get into game recording and streaming but could never decide on equipment. This guide helped a lot. Looking forward to other posts.

Reply
Twinge link
3/16/2015 04:46:12 am

Might also make a note that microphones like the Yeti are sometimes overly sensitive - even on the lowest gain settings it'll easily pick up keypress noise and the like (and yes, even without a mechanical keyboard). I've been happy with my Yeti overall but there are some downsides.

Reply
Dangodofthunder link
3/16/2015 05:31:54 pm

In my experience, I operate my tiny stream using a Logitech HD390 Headset/Microphone. I have never had anyone who's commented about sub-par audio quality, and it can be found for 25-35 dollars on Amazon. While it doesn't hold up vs. a Blue Snowball or a Blue Yeti, I feel like this headset is actually extremely solid overall, and an excellent value purchase.

Reply
Ruu
3/17/2015 12:04:14 pm

Pie, did you stream with webcam from the start of your stream, or did you add that in later?

If you used it from the start, what was your motivation?
If you added it in later, what was your motivation there too?

Reply
iateyourpie link
3/17/2015 06:05:21 pm

I originally did not use a webcam when i first started, but I had a mic right away.

In terms of why I started to use webcam. I felt like it made the stream a lot more personable. I feel like you can relate a lot more to the streamer when you can see their reactions. But it really comes down to what you're comfortable with as a streamer.

Reply
Juicy
3/18/2015 03:14:47 pm

The Samson Go Mic is not a bad little choice either for commentary. It has great quality and usually goes for about $40.

Reply
Deoxys114
3/24/2015 02:27:24 am

You say that Capture Cards are important if you want to get into console streaming. However, if I want to stick to PC streaming, do I still need to worry about Capture Cards? I guess I'm still not quite sure how capture cards work specifically.

Reply
iateyourpie link
3/24/2015 07:26:45 am

Capture cards are used for capturing video off of a TV. Because streaming software is prebuilt to capture off your computer monitor, a capture card is not required for PC gaming.

Reply
Deoxys114
3/24/2015 09:49:10 am

Alright, thank you very much. :)

Whisle link
4/9/2015 05:46:29 pm

a capture card can get help you getting some load of the CPU when streaming PC games though.In some scenarios that can help!
Love the blog btw, just started streaming more often today! :)

Mike link
4/17/2015 12:11:38 am

Great post! It exposed me to certain weaknesses I wasn't aware I had, but I'm thankful I know about them now. I have some follow up questions please though if you get a chance:

1. Can Dazzle handle original Xbox? What about an XBOX 360 playing an original Xbox game (I assume this distinction wouldn't matter, as long as the game is original Xbox)

2. Is the C920's onboard mic a no-go? I'm currently using an onboard webcam mic and the quality does suck, but so far nobody says anything about it.

3. Can the Yeti be off to the side somewhere, or does it have to be directly in front of you? I feel anything directly in front of me will negatively impact my gaming performance. I've seen some streamers whose head position is perpetually dictated by where the mic is.

Reply
Pie link
4/17/2015 12:46:24 am

1. It will stream it, but it will definitely not look as good as a normal HD capture.

2. Webcam mic's are generally really really bad. I'd avoid them at all costs.

3. Blue Yeti's are super sensitive and pick up a lot, so they do not have to be directly in front of you in order for them to work.

Reply
Mike
4/17/2015 01:26:28 am

Thanks a lot buddy, I will definitely take your advice. GL with the new Peach route. I enjoy your stream a lot.

Cayleo
4/23/2015 06:58:29 am

Do you have any advice about becoming a successful streamer WITHOUT a webcam?

Reply
Scorne9000
8/20/2015 05:39:45 am

This is probably a scrub question, but is there any way to get rid of the tiny delay between the TV and the Dazzle DVC 100? I see speedrunners using headsets all the time on games that require audio cues to perform tricks, and I always wondered if they just learned to adapt to the delay or if there was a fix. I use AmaRecTV for the video capture if that makes a difference.

Reply
Wallac
9/7/2015 12:11:17 pm

What about OS (MAC) streaming? You didn't mention that at all

Reply
Karat
4/20/2016 10:53:22 pm

Why isn't a graphics card mentioned?

Reply
ScumperJumper
6/8/2016 08:03:38 pm

This is a great website
Really impressed on how they break up every single thing you need and nothing more
Really good guys

Reply

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    I'm a 32 Year Old Full Time Streamer most known for speedrunning. I love interacting with viewers and helping people reach their goals with streaming!

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