While spending summer indoors may leave you feeling a little cooped up and missing some form of social interaction, we’ve all been considering playing around with the idea of streaming some form of content, right? Contrary to popular belief, content creators don’t need the latest hardware to show off their creativity! Although your end-game dream setup might consist of all the works, such as 4K-compatibility gear, a dual PC setup, and some sick RGB lights to match, we all have a starting point, so why not make the most of the summer and dive into the world of streaming?
Perfect for beginners, or people that have been curious about content creation, we’ve got some AVerMedia starters that are budget-friendly and easy to set up—the hardest part is actually pressing the “Go Live” button.
The necessities:
Think about what makes you stay hooked into a stream or a video. Is it the personality, content you’re watching, or…something else? A lot of times, we don’t stop to think about it, but audio happens to be the biggest reason for people sticking around for any type of content! After all, who is likely to chat if they can’t hear you clearly? Find a microphone that doesn’t have problems with muffled, static, or fuzzy noises—common problems that you might come across when you’re using a built-in or laptop microphone.
With clear audio in mind, the next step is an optional one, but is widely popular in live streams due to how easily you can engage with a streamer and see their reactions—that is, by using a reliable webcam. Keep in mind that with any sort of webcam, a little bit of natural lighting, in addition to some alternative sources of light, will go a long way in terms of helping your webcam detect and render colors accurately. A webcam with a solid resolution is a simple and easy solution to capturing anything that you’re eager to showcase, be it your face, your DIY projects, or maybe even your latest cooking creation.
If you need a webcam that works for your stream, podcast, or videos, we recommend the wide-angle, 1080p60 PW315. With a crisp picture, advanced features through CamEngine, and an affordable price, it’s a starter item that will go the distance.
Lastly, believe it or not, the third aspect is whatever you’re capturing! This content might not have to be the clearest in quality if you make up for it with polished audio and video, but it definitely still plays an important role—after all, if this is the biggest chunk of what your content is on, you’ll want viewers to see everything in clear detail. This is where capture cards might help. Most console games are streamed with the help of a capture card; for example, broadcasting or recording content from your Nintendo Switch to the PC would require the help of the Live Gamer MINI.
Each of these three components play an important part and can even affect the way your stream grows. Think of balancing audio, visual, and your captured content as best as possible. When you lack one component, such as a webcam, you’ll want to make up for it through another method, such as having higher quality gameplay, with very sharp and crisp audio for clear commentary as you play. However you choose to go about experimenting with your content creation setup, these flexible essentials are easy for people to use and understand, even for beginner content creators who don’t consider themselves tech savvy.
To get you started with some ideas, below are some ways to use these products for your creative endeavors:
Podcasting:
As a USB condenser microphone that’s versatile and can pick up your voice with ease, the AM310 is an easy solution for starters that still want clear and reliable audio. If you’ve always been interested in sharing and expanding upon your passions, consider an affordable option like the AM310 to test the waters. Once you’re more comfortable with the world of podcasting, and learn more about the in’s and out’s of audio, there may be other options, such as our dynamic XLR MIC 330 that you could consider investing in. (Consider checking out our blog: Why Dynamic? if you’re curious!)
DIY and Demonstrations:
Looking to show off your DIY skills, demonstrations, or even just your latest collection of anything from collector’s cards to board games… and you’ll probably need multiple angles for your stream setup, which is where webcams come in handy. For a beginner friendly setup, using two webcams for one setup (or your phone and a webcam!) is probably the easiest solution, as it involves less investment compared to items like mirrorless cameras. Choose a versatile webcam, such as our ultra-wide angled PW315 to capture as much as you can, while using another as your face cam.
A typical stream overlay for crafting might look like this:
Gaming:
In terms of capture cards, the MINI is a solid option that’s practically a match made in heaven for the Nintendo Switch. It only requires USB 2.0, and it doesn’t need additional drivers, making it compatible with just about any device as a trustworthy and budget-friendly capture card. However, if you’re looking for some other options that are quite beginner friendly, consider these alternatives:
Live Gamer Portable 2+ | GC513
For next-gen consoles that might be up to 4Kp60, we’d recommend the Live Gamer Portable 2 PLUS if you don’t need to capture 4K. It’ll pass through that video like a champ while recording 1080p60. Additionally, if you find yourself needing to record footage or gameplay when you’re not at home, the Live Gamer Portable 2+ doesn’t require a PC to work, and also acts as a SD card reader, so it’s even ideal for recording footage from places such as LAN tournaments, like we’ve mentioned before:
Live Gamer ULTRA: GC553
Maybe you’ve got your heart set on streaming or are looking into seriously growing your content even further. Or maybe you’ve got a next-gen console that needs a next-gen capture card–this is where the GC553—the Live Gamer ULTRA, comes in. With powerful specs capable of 4Kp30 and ultra low latency (like the name implies), this is the best external capture card solution when you’re set on pushing out content with amazing quality.
Once you’ve got your hardware intact, be sure to tweak your settings and test it out to ensure your stream goes smoothly! From your first few streams, you’ll likely be able to determine areas for improvement, or maybe you’re beginning to think about some other questions about streaming, such as how to steadily grow your audience, how to manage your time, and how to settle on a unique way to grow your content. Curious? Be on the lookout for our next blog article that goes in depth about how you can find your unique voice.
How will you #boldlycreate with AVerMedia?
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