Software EncodersĪ software encoder is an application you install on your computer for compressing and streaming video online. Two types of encoders exist: hardware and software encoders. Due to the time-sensitivity of live streaming, you need an encoder that is powerful enough to process your content feed in real-time.

A video encoder compresses your content’s audio-visual feed into a digital, web-friendly format. RAW audio-visual feed is bulky, and streaming this signal online will result in lagging video, causing your audience to click away. With a microphone signal input via your camera, you can embed the audio into the video as a single source, simplifying your streaming configuration. Ideally, you should invest in a high-quality microphone instead of using the built-in mic of your earpods or webcam.Ī webcam or camcorder lets you show your face while adding commentary to your stream. A microphone lets you add commentary to your stream or chat with your followers. Additional Audio and Video SourcesĪdding video and audio sources to your streaming configuration allows for multi-level interaction with your audience, making your content more engaging. An i5 processor with 8GB RAM should be sufficient to ensure a decent upload speed and video quality. When using a computer, ensure that your processor is powerful enough to handle gaming and encoding simultaneously. Screen Recorder 4 available as a plug-in within the video editor PowerDirector is a viable option, thanks to its professional recording options and Twitch-specific streaming features. If you are using a computer as your primary streaming device, high-end screen recording is critical. Using a computer lets you integrate a high-end broadcasting solution into your stream, making interesting effects and overlays possible. While you can use any streaming device, most streamers prefer to use a computer or laptop for broadcasting while creating the content using their mobile device or gaming console. Twitch users typically use PCs, Macs, mobile devices, and gaming consoles, such as PS4 or Xbox, to capture and broadcast their streams.

The first thing you’ll need is a streaming device. Later on in this guide, we explain specific livestream configurations, including how to stream PCs on Twitch. If you want to stream from multiple sources to Twitch, you need the correct components to record and broadcast your content simultaneously. This section discusses everything you need for your live streaming setup. What You Need to Start Streaming on Twitch

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