Month: March 2022

There used to be a time when live streaming was something of a science or dark art, you needed the right equipment and right kind of knowledge to live stream. Now anyone can live stream from pretty much anything. A phone, potato PC, and game consoles all let you stream. Content is also broader, you even get streams of people sleeping! So where will live streaming be going in the years to come? Let’s hypothesize, dream, and hope about the future of live streaming!

8K and Beyond in the Future of Live Streaming

While not too many platforms support it, 4k and even 360 streaming have been a part of sites like YouTube. While the next logical step seems to be 8K streaming, I think that frame rate should be more of a focus for the future of live streaming. A number of flagship and mid-range phones support higher refresh rates, I mean it even appears on a lot of Apple’s latest devices. So high refresh rates aren’t something that would only be appreciated by gamers.

However, I feel what has delayed releasing this is the transcoding nightmare it would lead to. Not to mention the beast machines you’ll need to encode full HD 120 fps footage and beyond.

New Encoders

Speaking of encoding, X.264 and its derivatives will likely soon have to be put out to pasture for other video encoding methods that are more efficient at delivering high-quality video at lower bitrates. The current front runner seems to be AV1, which is open source and backed by major players in online video like Google, Amazon, Netflix, and more. Nvidia has included an AV1 decoder in its latest GPUs.

The next most popular is HEVC or H.265, however since this has licensing fees, it will likely take a backseat in the long run. The main hurdle at this point is there are no publicly available AV1 encoders, both software, and hardware-based. However once this changes and live streaming sites are able to ingest AV1 video, I imagine there will be a lot of opportunities for the people that will be using this technology as it will make encoding high frame rate video possible.

Is Live Shopping the Future of Live Streaming?

Throughout most parts of Asia, this is already a well-developed practice, but I think in North America this is going to catch on, either as a meme or seriously. Think of a home shopping network like QVC, but on Twitch.

We’ve seen Amazon themselves do something like this before and a few more companies have caught on to the idea. I’m thinking the energy, creativity, and excitement a content creator can bring to something is only going to help companies with fun activations that we all get to watch! Win-win!

TikTok

TikTok is the looming giant of all social media platforms and it feels like it’s basically just waiting to unleash the floodgates of its live streaming service. This year we’ve seen streamers jump between Facebook and YouTube, but I feel you’ll see someone be the pioneer and sign their TikTok deal. The nature of gaming clips, which is honestly the best part of Twitch, just works so well with their platform.

The question is can it solve the discovery problem that so many new streamers encounter? That will be something that if they can crack, may put them in as a potential front-runner.

Big Production Budgets

With the world, maybe, possibly, depends on what awful news comes out around the time this post releases, getting back to semi-normal and people can travel? I think we’ll see some serious production values on streams again now that streamers can go to physical events.

We’ve already seen the Twitch Ultimate Royale, the Botez sister’s travel stream. No longer are the scuffed webcam and scratchy microphones of remote streams going to be enough. We’re going to see the RED cameras, massive LED walls and drone shots make a comeback. Like seriously, give Sushi Ninja a budget and production team already! 

So these are just a few of the predictions I have for the future of live streaming, what about you? Let us know in the comments below!

So you’ve started your own virtual talk show, maybe it’s bringing video to a podcast or you’ve decided to interview people in your industry. Now the first show is done, but perhaps you had some technical issues, bad frame rates, low-quality audio, and missing cues. So what can you or your guests do to improve your virtual talk shows?

Pre-Production is Key to Virtual Talk Shows

Pre-production is that thing we all have to learn how to do the hard way. This includes preparing scripts or runs of shows, doing research on guests, and designing the look of a show.

But perhaps the most important element is rehearsals. Aside from learning timings and transitions, you also need to make sure the remote guests have good connections. If your schedule permits, it’s always good to take time to ensure the connection is stable and help your guest figure out any technical issues that may arise. It’s also a good opportunity to get your host and guests to get to know each other a bit so that the conversation during the recording or stream goes a lot smoother.

Call Software for Virtual Talk Shows

While VOIP software like Zoom, Discord, Microsoft Teams have evolved quite a bit in response to more people working remotely, they still lack some of the fundamental tools and controls to make producing virtual talk shows seamless.

Vmix Call is a popular option, but if you have the time, VDO.Ninja is a free open-source alternative that offers all the customization you need. You can actually check out our extended VDO.Ninja tutorial below but some key tools are the ability to separate audio and video sources for your callers, a director’s video/audio channel to manage talent, and basically ALL the customization you’d ever need.

Tools for Remote Callers

Sometimes, remote guests will have problems with their setup. This can range from a noisy AC unit to a messy background, or a struggle to share their screen or presentation. Thankfully XSplit provides tools to improve and simplify this process.

First is XSplit VCam, this can help them with their background by blurring or replacing it. If they don’t even have a webcam, then they can use VCam with XSplit Connect: Webcam to turn their mobile phone into a camera. Then you can add VCam in XSplit Broadcaster. You can also screen capture in Broadcaster and add your google slides as well.

The key tool in XSplit Broadcaster is the virtual microphone. This outputs whatever audio your produce in Broadcaster to your video chat app. Some useful tools in XSplit Broadcaster add noise reduction to your microphone and VSTs to tweak your microphone like EQ or Limiters. Then you just set XSplit Broadcaster as your microphone in the video chat app.

Segments and Time Limits

While some people you can just listen to endlessly, it’s good to create segments or set time limits for certain topics. Certain topics you just run out of things to talk about and it’s good to move on to another topic to keep things fresh and interesting. You see a lot of sports shows where they’ll display that episode’s topics with a timer on how long they’ll be discussing that topic.

Now you don’t have to use that method, but if you’ve prepared a run of shows as mentioned earlier, your host can follow this and help move guests over to the next segment of the virtual talk show. Unless of course, the show you are producing is a free form talk show, then just let your guests rock for however long you like!

Think About Post-Production

Finally, you need to always be producing with post-production and promotion in mind. While it would be great if the podcast or talk show could promote itself as the main content, we live in a world where hot takes, drama, and headlines are what is going to get eyeballs on stuff. So again it’s important to create segments within your show so whoever is editing will know where to look for clips on specific topics.

If you didn’t know XSplit Broadcaster can record multiple profiles and you can determine which scene to record to a particular profile. So if you were on a 3 shot, but one guest went on an extended monologue, if you had a scene recording that particular guest’s camera, you can focus on that recording and create a highlight out of that segment. The greatest chance you’re going to have for your content to be found is on social media, so make your podcast as TikTokable as possible.

If you’re looking for new ways to grow your channel’s audience and reach this year, one thing to consider trying is multistreaming. This means that, instead of going live to just one channel on a single platform, you send your stream to multiple platforms at the same time. It can be done directly from inside XSplit Broadcaster, giving you an easy pathway to new potential viewers and subscribers. Read on for our guide on why and how to multistream.

Getting yourself out there

Before we discuss the benefits, you may be wondering exactly how to establish a multistream. Fortunately, it’s more simple than ever to get your channel live on more than one platform. You can use XSplit Broadcaster to set this up easily. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have connections to your channels such as Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, etc established.

Go to Broadcaster and create a new output from the dropdown ‘Broadcast’ menu. You’ll see the most notable streaming services listed here for quick and simple connections. If you’re using another streaming service, however, you can also go to ‘Find More Outputs’ to add the one that works for you. Once you’re all set up, you’ll just need to activate each of your outputs and you’ll be multistreaming in no time. If you don’t see an option for your platform of choice you may need to set up a custom RTMP.

More platforms can mean a bigger audience

You will likely be keen to maximize your content’s reach as much as possible, especially when starting out as a streamer. The bottom line is that the more platforms you’re on, the more potential viewers you will reach. It’s worth mentioning that if you are partnered with one platform, it’s generally against their partnership agreement to stream to another at the same time.

If not, the possibilities are huge. Let’s say you’ve been trying to make your way in the Twitch world, this platform has a daily user base of around 2.4 million for you to attempt to capture with your content. Also, you may not be aware that YouTube Gaming Live has an average daily viewership of about 640,000, and simply adding a YouTube stream to your broadcast would increase your potential exposure by another 27%. It is certainly worth looking closely at the stats and perhaps thinking about platforms you may not have considered previously.

Testing your content with multistreaming

Multistreaming is also very useful in helping you figure out where to focus your efforts as a content creator. While it may initially seem that all live streaming platforms are more or less the same, the demographics of each vary wildly. Perhaps you have considered trying to stream to a smaller platform such as Trovo but are unwilling to give up your set Twitch schedule? Not a problem. Just use XSplit Broadcaster to stream to both platforms simultaneously, and see what happens. If you’re concerned about bandwidth and want to stream to multiple channels at once, you could also make use of the Restream plugin through Broadcaster.

You’ll need to head over to Restream first, to set up an account (where you can choose between a free one or one of the paid premium accounts, depending on your needs). Once you’ve done this, you can open up Broadcaster and download the Restream plugin from the plugin store. After downloading it, you just need to select Restream as the output from the Broadcast menu.

Why not give multistreaming a try? It could help broaden your audience. Check out our guide to better streaming through storytelling for tips to jumpstart your channel’s growth.

It’s never too late to jump on the streaming bandwagon, but to do so you’ll need a few basic things. This can include a webcam coupled with a microphone, a reliable internet connection, streaming software, and a PC to run it on. Let’s look through the options available so that you’re clued up on how to stream games quickly and without any fuss.

Do you need a webcam to stream games?

While you can stream games to Twitch without a webcam, putting a face to your name can boost your brand as a streamer. So you may want a quality webcam to help you achieve that. Logitech is perhaps one of the biggest names in the business, and both their StreamCam and C922 HD Pro models offer excellent picture quality even in low light.

You may not even need to buy a webcam if you already have an existing digital camera. Many manufacturers including Canon and Panasonic have made it possible to use DSLRs as webcams, which will give your streams a polished look. You could of course also use your mobile phone as a webcam. XSplit Connect: Webcam is a handy tool that lets you do this. All you need to do is download the XSplit Connect Mobile App, XSplit VCam for your PC, and you’re good to go in seconds.

The other alternative is that you don’t actually need a webcam at all. There are plenty of streamers that connect with their audiences without showing their face. Lately, using a virtual avatar in place of your face is also becoming increasingly popular.

The importance of sound

Regardless of what type of camera you use, your audience will want to hear your commentary as they follow your gameplay on screen. Often players will utilize the mic built into their gaming headsets. These are mostly designed for the chat within the game itself. For streaming, it’s preferable that you use a separate mic that offers higher sound quality. A headset is more likely to muffle your voice you don’t want viewers to be put off by bad audio and background noise!

USB microphones have risen in popularity largely due to podcasting, but these can also be used for streaming. The Blue Yeti X is one of the most widely used. If you’re keen to give your stream a bit more dazzle, check out the HyperX Quadcast S that comes complete with built-in lighting.

PC specs and internet speeds

If you’re planning to stream games to places like Twitch, the first thing you should do is check out some hardware recommendations. Ideally, you’ll need a processor that can run at least 3.4Ghz with 8GB of RAM.

For streaming, a hard-wired internet connection is highly recommended. Also, finding a service provider that offers 7 to 11 Mbps upload speeds for consistent 720p streaming at 60fps. This will probably be one of the premium options and can depend on your location and supplier rather than your hardware.

Which streaming software to use

You’ll be surprised to learn, we recommend XSplit Broadcaster! You can use it for free and it comes with stream integration for Twitch, as well as other streaming services like YouTube and Facebook. It has a Chroma key feature to remove backgrounds, scene transitions and even allows for source and extension plug-ins. This means that you can customize your steams and style them around your personality, gaming preference, or brand.

You can opt for the premium version that not only removes the watermarks that are embedded in the free version but opens up the possibilities of simultaneous broadcast, stream delay, and more audio options.

Streaming on PC VS Streaming on consoles

What if you want to learn how to stream games from a console instead of straight from a PC? There are a couple of options. The last-gen and current-gen consoles are able to stream natively from the console. However, with the PS4 or PS5, a standard webcam will not work. This means buying the official Sony camera, which can be expensive for a single-use camera.

Alternatively, you can run the stream from a console through your PC using a capture card. Elgato has upgraded its HD60 S with the HD 60S+ to support the more recent consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series X.

With these essentials, you should be able to stream games to Twitch in no time. Not only that, but this setup can be used to stream other content beyond video games, such as tabletop games, music, and even podcasts. Check out Things to stream: More Than Just Gaming to expand your streaming horizons.

If you’re looking to upgrade your streaming setup to a more professional camera or to bring console gameplay into your stream this year, you’re going to need a capture card. But with new products and technology upgrades hitting the market each year, choosing the right card can be tricky. Fortunately, in this blog, we’ve got our expert breakdown of the best capture cards of 2022 for a variety of streaming needs.

The best external capture cards for console gamers

A name you’re going to see show up a lot on this list is Elgato – and for good reason. They’ve been making cards since 1992 and are considered the top brand by most streamers. Their current model aimed to console streamers is the HD60 S, widely hailed as one of the most reliable 1080p 60fps (frames per second) game capture cards on the market.

Another card to check out for console streaming is AVerMedia’s Live Gamer Portable 2 PLUS. This is an excellent card with an easy setup and some interesting features, including an audio jack to capture console party chat directly from the game itself. It also tends to price out lower than the HD60 S.

The best external capture cards for cameras

Elgato also makes a dongle-sized capture device called the Cam Link 4K. Cheaper than their HD60 S, it lacks the HDCP decryption chip required to pass through but can pass a camera signal at resolutions up to 4K at 30 fps (frames per second). The Cam Link uses the UVC or Universal Video Class driver, meaning that cameras plugged into the device will be compatible with nearly every app, allowing for stress-free integration into any streamer’s setup.

Also of note in this category is Blackmagic Design, a company that has for years created professional-grade studio equipment and cameras. Recently they’ve channeled that knowledge into a pocket-sized combination HDMI and SDI capture device, the Ultrastudio Recorder 3G. Combining impressive capture quality with a competitive price, this card should be on every streamer’s list to consider. But be aware that to get the most out of this device, you’ll need to have a USB-C input on your computer.

Why not both?

Many content creators will need to add both a camera input and gameplay capture as they level up their live streams. For those who do, we recommend checking out the first internal card on our list, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo. Combining two inputs with 1080p60 capture capability on a single PCI Express card, the Live Gamer Duo provides a reliable way to bring both the stream’s talent and gameplay together in full HD, all while providing 4K60 fps pass-through to your monitor. This means that even while streaming at a lower resolution, you’re still enjoying the game on your own monitor at max settings.

The best 4K capture cards

While you’re probably not currently streaming in 4K, you might want to be ready to flip that switch when the time comes. To do that, you’ll need a card that can not just display but actually capture your gameplay at the highest possible resolution.

Also from Elgato is the second internal card on our list, the 4K60 Pro. Taking full advantage of the blazing speed of an onboard PCIe slot, the 4K60 Pro provides steady reliability and incredible capture quality with almost no latency, even with HDR (high dynamic range) video at the highest resolutions. Because of the speed and processing power advantages, we highly recommend going with an internal card for 4K capture.

But if internal cards aren’t a fit for your setup? Meet the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+, an external card that can capture at resolutions up to 4K at 60 fps, and also supports HDR video. This card is about as future-proof as you can get at the moment and supports onboard recording to an SD card. It can be a little tricky to set up, however.

You don’t need to add physical inputs to get more cameras on your stream. XSplit Connect: Webcam lets you wirelessly integrate your phone’s camera within any software like XSplit Broadcaster – an inexpensive option to increase production value. Now your capture card is sorted, find your next upgrade in our guide to the top streaming upgrades.