For many of us in 2022, streaming equipment is a necessity. Right up there with food, COVID news updates, and hand sanitizers.
Thanks to the health and safety measures we’re taking to curb the spread of the pandemic, most of our human interaction is now virtual.
This means live video streaming is essential for many individuals, entrepreneurs or businesses —whether it’s streaming video to stay connected with your fans or customers, streaming events virtually, or staying in touch with remote employees and colleagues, quality video content is currently in high demand.
If you’re just setting up your streaming gear, finding the best streaming equipment can be an uphill task.
Or a literal downward spiral through endless scrolling down product pages online.
There are just too many brands to choose from.
Your productivity and efficiency at work may depend on your choice, so there’s no time for trial and error.
Thankfully, you can get it right straight from the jump.
No need for Amazon returns.
Or frustrating long waits on the customer service line.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from audio to video devices for live streaming, to accessories and software for the best streaming setup.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to put it all together so you can hit record and broadcast high-quality live video.
Consider it our panoramic, sorry pandemic gift to you.
Let’s gear up and get into it!
The Essential Streaming Equipment You Need for Your Setup
To begin, let’s go over what you’ll need to broadcast sterling audio. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, setting up live streaming is a breeze.
Audio
Studies have shown that audio quality in a stream is more important than visual quality.
Most amateur video entrepreneurs make the mistake of focusing too much on capturing high-quality visuals for their videos at the beginning of their careers, and all too often, completely blow the sound.
Because of the misconception that the success of video production is heavily reliant on the quality of the video, audio is frequently overlooked.
The truth is, even if the video is far from perfect, if the audio is clear, the project may still yield positive results.
Most cameras have built-in receivers, but they are of poor quality and cannot eliminate noise.
That means you’ll get white noise and other background hums from household appliances.
For perfect recordings, invest in an external microphone.
Let’s check out the best microphone options on the market, and what you should consider before making a decision.
Microphones
Microphones are the most common audio source.
When looking for the right piece of audio live streaming equipment, consider the following:
- Content: The content you’re streaming determines the kind of sound equipment you’d use in your streaming setup.
- The number of hosts: If you’re recording multiple hosts, you’ll need several mics. preferably of the same brand and model to provide a consistent sound.
- Aesthetics: It’s best to choose audio equipment that is easy to conceal in visuals. USB mics, for example, are typically clumsy and can disrupt the seamless flow of your audio. Boom mics, on the other hand, can be bulky and difficult to conceal, causing distraction and making it hard to focus on the content.
There are three types of microphones based on connection type and sound quality:
- Amateur: A USB microphone is the most popular choice for live streaming because it connects directly to your computer and produces excellent sound. It is also pretty inexpensive and does not necessitate the use of any additional devices.
- Intermediate: A simple wired 3.5mm lavalier mic can produce crisper audio than a USB mic and is definitely a better choice for built-in microphones on low-cost video cameras or phones.
- Professional: If you’re going to be streaming a larger event, you should consider getting XLR microphones as well as a sound mixer. The sound blender’s output could then be fed directly into your PC.
Best Microphones for Live Streaming
Here are our best picks for microphones for all budgets:
- Best Cheap Mic for Live Streaming: If you’re facing budget constraints, stick with built-in microphones like the ones that come in webcams. Make the best of it by recording in a quiet environment, and speaking as audibly as you can. You can do improv soundproofing by turning off some household appliances.
- Best Middle-of-the-road Microphone for Live Streaming: If you have a few hundred dollars to invest in good audio, $200 to be exact, then the Blue Yeti is a great option. For that price, you get a microphone with decent audio, polar pattern switching, and a pop filter to prevent any popping sounds when you speak. Blue Yeti is an excellent choice for anyone who simply wants to plug in and play without spending hours fine-tuning audio settings.
- Best Professional Microphone for Live Streaming: For video entrepreneurs who can afford to go pro with audio for live streaming, we recommend the HEiL sound PR-40 Dynamic Studio Microphone. It’s named like a mean machine, and it certainly is. Designed by American sound engineer, Bob Heil, the PR-40 has a surprisingly wide frequency range for a dynamic microphone. This means low self-noise and subsequently, crisp audio. Some may even mistake its detailed output for that of a condenser.
The PR-40 is a versatile microphone, great for use with spoken word, music, and even lower-toned instruments like bass guitars and djembe drums.
For $329, the HEiL mic delivers a good bang for your bucks.
Video
Now that we’ve addressed how to get great audio on your live streams, it’s time to talk visuals. We’ve figured out how to get heard, but it’s important that you be seen as well.
A video camera is the first thing you’ll need for professional live streaming.
Video quality depends on the kind of camera you film with, and there’s a wide range of those out there promising HD megapixels and poreless skin.
To help you make the best decision, here are the features you should look out for when selecting a camera for live streaming:
- Output Resolution: Opt for a camera with at least 1080p resolution. 720p (standard HD) and 1080p (Full HD) are the two levels of high-definition resolution. But, HD video is the norm in today’s world. When shopping for new cameras, you’re unlikely to come across any that don’t support HD resolution. However, if you’re looking at used cameras, make sure they can produce at least 720p resolution.
If you’re wondering whether you need 4K output, you probably don’t.
Despite the increasing availability of 4K displays, streaming in 4K is still unnecessary in the majority of cases.
Why?
Well, first off, the majority of viewers watch videos on their mobile devices (over 70% of YouTube viewers), where 1080p is more than enough for an enjoyable experience.
Another reason is that sending and receiving 4K requires substantial resources in terms of encoding and bandwidth.
Essentially, it’s a large investment for a questionable advantage. Investing in a 4K camera (and powerful encoding hardware) makes sense only if you know your live video will be watched on 4K displays.
- Frame Rate: Another factor to consider is the frame rate, which is especially important if you intend to stream fast-paced activities such as sports. For average-paced activities like interviews or your random internet rant, 30 frames per second is good enough. However, if you’re capturing fast action, we recommend you get a camera that can shoot 60 to 120 frames per second, or else you’d have lagging visuals.
- Autofocus: We’ve all seen those videos where the camera seems to be unable to focus on anything. If you intend to move around in the shot or show a close-up of something, quick and dependable autofocus is critical.
Another aspect that is frequently overlooked is the autofocus’s volume. If the camera’s focusing makes a lot of noise, microphones may pick it up and ruin the audio.
Before purchasing a camera, we recommend researching what other users have to say about its autofocus mode.
- HDMI Out: To live stream from a camera, you must first capture the signal from its HDMI or SDI out port. Some cameras will send all of the user interface (UI) elements visible on the display in addition to the video feed (e.g., battery life, exposure, aperture). To be suitable for live streaming, your camera must be capable of sending a “clean” signal over HDMI, that is, a signal that does not contain any UI elements. Unless it’s clean by default, there should be a menu option to change it.
A simple way to check whether your camera has a clean HDMI output is to search online for “_your camera model_ clean HDMI output”.
- Purpose: Most importantly, consider the kind of content you need a camera for. Webcams are adequate for Zoom calls and basic YouTube productions. Go for DSLR cameras if you intend to shoot multiple subjects or more motion-intensive content.
A mirrorless camera provides the same excellent video quality and ultra-high image resolution in a more compact package.
Unfortunately, both DSLR and mirrorless cameras require the use of a video encoder in order to send live video to streaming platforms.
Camcorders are great for shooting long-duration videos because they don’t have streaming time limits like their DSLR counterparts.
Camcorders are also super versatile, they’re compact and can be used in a variety of settings since one lens fits all, but keep in mind that that means less control over cinematics.
Best Cameras for Live Streaming
Here are our best picks for live streaming cameras for all budgets:
- Best Cheap Camera for Live Streaming: Because of its ease of use and versatility, the Logitech HD Webcam C310 is our best pick for entry-level live streaming cameras. It has multi-platform support so it’s great for video entrepreneurs regardless of whether they are on team Mac, Windows, and ChromeOS, and even Chromebook. More importantly, its omnidirectional microphones position it as the best webcam for YouTube.
Although the Logitech HD Webcam C310 has a maximum resolution of 720p HD, output visuals are enhanced by Logitech’s Fluid Crystal technology.
The camera does a decent job of providing sharp, clear imagery and makes the most of its limitations. You can grab one for $22 on Amazon.
- Best Middle-of-the-Road Camera for Live Streaming: For $599 (body only, no lens included) on Amazon, you can cop the Canon EOS REBEL Sl3 Digital SLR Camera. The SL3 not only has one of the best beginner-friendly guide modes we’ve seen on a camera for streaming, but it’s also capable of producing excellent images in a variety of situations. It’s also super compact, enjoyable to use, comfortable to hold, and has an incredible battery life if you use the optical viewfinder.
It can capture up to 22 RAW photos at a steady 5 frames per second, which is great news for editing geeks because RAW formats hold up well in post-processing.
5fps is a slower burst rate than some similarly priced mirrorless cameras can achieve, but those cameras frequently struggle to maintain their top speeds for more than a second.
The SL3 can also shoot 4K video quality at 24 frames per second, and with its on-sensor autofocus feature, it’s a decent pick for those who want a simple, functional camera.
- Best Professional Camera for Live Streaming: If you’d prefer a more professional take on video cameras, opt for the Sony A7 III.
A practical prosumer camera, it provides facial recognition autofocus across the entire frame, rather than just in the center of the image, as do full-frame DSLRs.
With the right lenses, autofocus is virtually instantaneous, and even with good consumer lenses, it can track fast-moving targets in the dark at night.
If you enable face recognition in a menu, the A7 III recognizes faces instantly, focuses on them, and tracks them as they move around.
This camera also operates in complete silence, with full autofocus at 10 frames per second.
You can shoot a crisp 4K video on the A7 III, and you can extract 8MP stills shot at 30 FPS from said video.
There’s a convenient touch screen for navigation, although you’ll probably only use it for AF point selection because the camera is so intuitive at adjusting to different lightings.
And oh yes – this A7 III has a CIPA of 710, meaning that you can take up to 710 shots before you run out of battery juice.
Priced at $1998, the A7 III delivers an astounding bang for your almost two thousand bucks.
Not to be conspiracy theorists or anything, but it’s almost suspicious that Sony, a leading manufacturer of the world’s best cameras, would offer such features for such a price.
Especially since there are the higher-priced Sony A9 and A7R III models with not much groundbreaking difference feature-wise.
Let’s hope Sony is not about to pull a Kodak on us (remember how Kodak used to sell their cameras below cost just to get us to buy more film?)
Streaming software
Now that we’re done with streaming hardware, let’s move on to the software side of things.
The streaming software is another essential component of your setup.
When people speak of “live streaming software,” they are referring to a software encoding program.
An encoder is required for live streaming because it converts video input into a digital format that can be viewed on a variety of devices.
Many software encoders do more than just convert video and send it to a platform, which is why they aren’t technically “live streaming software”.
You can use video streaming software to combine multiple camera sources to create a professional-looking HD broadcast.
What to Consider When You’re Choosing Streaming Software
The most popular streaming software options share a few characteristics.
For example, it would be difficult to find a solution that does not support H.264 encoding, the most widely used video encoding standard today.
But there is a lot that distinguishes different streaming solutions. If you’re determined to find the best streaming software, look for a few key features, such as:
- Compatibility: Compatibility issues are possible, and frankly frequent. The Real-Time Multimedia Protocol, or RTMP, is used for the majority of stream ingestion. Most live streaming software will work with social networks and streaming websites. However, if you’re using a different content delivery network, make sure the streaming software doesn’t have any server ingest compatibility issues.
- Advanced Features: There are several tiers of live-streaming software, each with a different level of complexity and features. You may fall in love with a solution’s promised benefits only to discover that it does not meet your needs. Don’t take anything at face value; examine the features before settling on a particular software package.
- Pricing: Some of the streaming software is available for free. The most popular solutions, in fact, are completely free. However, some for-pay upgrades can go a long way toward improving the quality and performance of your live stream.
Now that that’s sorted, let’s check out the best streaming software available for video entrepreneurs
The Best Streaming Software
Here are our best picks for live streaming software, from free and functional to the monetized options with all the bells and whistles:
- Restream: Restream is a cloud-based streaming service that allows you to stream videos to over 30 platforms at the same time, including Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. They even offer native integration with popular streaming software such as XSplit, OBS Studio, Elgato, and others.
It’s also one of the few streaming platforms that supports “real-time platform and channel switching.”
This means you can edit and add channels while you’re “On Air,” without having to stop your broadcast or restart your encoder.
Restream allows you to track the success of your live stream across multiple platforms – all from a single dashboard.
You can see the most popular part of your stream, the peak time, the total number of viewers, watched minutes sorted by platform, and other information.
- Twitch Beta Studio: Twitch Studio is a free streaming app that allows you to broadcast live on Twitch. Twitch created it to enable its users to live stream video games from the same platform.
It provides a streamlined setup to assist you in broadcasting live streams even if you use complex setups.
You also get detailed onboarding, automatic hardware detection, and suggested settings to make your streams look professional, which is great for streamers who don’t have much tech experience.
- Lightstream: LightStream Studio allows you to stream to Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and custom RTMP servers. It offers cloud-based broadcasting that can be accessed via a web browser. Even without a capture card, which is used to connect a camera that isn’t USB to your computer, you can record Xbox and PlayStation gameplay for streaming to Twitch.
You can choose between the Gamer plan, which costs $8, $12, or $16 per month, and the Creator plan, which costs $25, $28, or $50 per month.
The prices displayed for each plan indicate the maximum resolutions at which you can stream.
There are also discounts available if you make a one-time annual payment.
- Gamecaster: Gamecaster focuses squarely on gaming, as its name suggests. You can use it to go live on Twitch, Facebook, or YouTube in 1080p. It takes advantage of the latest NVIDIA and AMD technology to stream lag-free. And isn’t that every gamer’s dream?.
It comes loaded with hundreds of free overlays that include alerts, trains, goals, and widgets. These include professionally animated overlays.
Gamecaster’s Scene Editor makes creating complex alerts and widgets simple.
Gamecaster includes multiple integrations, including Elgato, Streamlabs, Spotify, and Restream.
Accessories
One of the simplest ways to quickly improve the quality of live-streamed content is to pair your streaming hardware with a few simple accessories.
Investing in the right tools does not have to be expensive, and best of all, it can elevate your content with no additional effort.
Start by focusing on these pieces of streaming gear:
- Lighting
Lighting is a key factor that determines the quality of any live stream.
Regardless of the camera power, less-than-optimal lighting can ruin your visuals and render your content unappealing.
The standard lighting requirement for video production is a 3-light setup including the main light, filler light, and backlight.
The main light supplies the key, eye-level lighting to illuminate the subject, and the other two balance out the background.
Here are our recommendations for the best lighting setup for live streaming:
- Mactrem 6in LED Ring Light: Mactrem 6” ring light provides lighting equipment for amateur and professional portrait photography, vlogs, and makeup applications.
Because the light is only 6-inches long, this ring light is best suited for photos and videos in which only the upper half of your body is visible. The three-color lighting modes and 11 brightness levels allow you to select the best setting for your shoots.
You only get a small tripod stand with this ring light. Despite the fact that it is expandable, you must still place it on a flat surface to focus the ring light on your face.
- Neewer Ring Light Kit: If you need a simple lighting setup that produces soft light to help smooth shadows and improve the appearance of the skin, this is the light for you.
Another reason you might want this ring light is if your home video studio is small.
The Neewer ring light contains 240 daylight (5500K) rated dimmable LEDs with a total power rating of 55W. That is roughly equivalent to a single 135W CFL bulb in terms of brightness.
However, because it is a ring, the illumination appears to come from all directions around your camera, producing a very flattering soft light.
The 61-inch tripod stand comes with reverse foldable legs. So, you can easily fold and carry it anywhere.
- Neewer 700W Professional Photography 24×24 Softbox Kit: The Neewer 700w Softbox kit is perfect for those who want to go pro with live streaming. With its dish-like design, it produces 600W magnificent lighting as well as round reflections for video production.
- Green Screen
Whether you want to spice up your Zoom call backgrounds or superimpose more appropriate backdrops and elements, a green screen is necessary for live streaming.
It’s not advisable to buy any green or blue fabric, because wrinkles and dents in the fabric can become a pain in post-processing.
The best green screens are easy to set up, made of non-reflective material, and easy to wash if need be.
Here are our recommendations for the best green screens for live streaming:
- Elgato Green Screen: With the Elgato Green Screen, there is no need for any assembly. All you have to do is remove it from the shipping box, undo the latches, and pull it up. It only takes a few seconds and is extremely simple. Packing is a straightforward reversal. It is 100% polyester material, wrinkle-free, and the perfect shade for chroma key. But, it is pretty large and may be a burden to lug around or store away.
- Webaround Big Shot: As a green screen that attaches directly to a person’s chair, the Webaround Big Shot takes the cake for most easy to use. The green, 56″ diameter Webaround, comes in a zip-up bag about the size of a standard tote. However, be warned that it should be opened in an area with several feet of open space because it quickly springs out into its full form.
- Hardware Switcher
When you have a lot of camera angles, hardware switchers come in handy.
These devices allow you to quickly switch between cameras by pressing a button.
When you’re selecting a hardware switcher, consider the size and user interface.
You want something that’s easy to handle and control without interfering with your flow while streaming.
Here are our recommendations for the best hardware switcher for live streaming:
- Mevo: The Mevo Start camera transmits the video over local area networks via WiFi.
It has a mobile app that connects to the Start directly over the same WiFi network so you can manually control the output from your phone.
The Mevo shares its screen with a paired mobile phone so that you can see the current settings in real-time.
Plus, Mevo Start can be used as a webcam with Mac and Windows computers or laptops through a USB connection or the Mevo Wireless Webcam Utility.
- Blackmagic ATEM mini: The Blackmagic ATEM mini is a simple hardware switcher that’s perfect for beginners and intermediate video entrepreneurs. ATEM Mini, which is aimed at YouTubers and bloggers, is simple to set up.
Because the ATEM Mini functions as a webcam, you can easily connect it to any video software or another screen or projector via the USB out or the HDMI out.
The control buttons are well-designed, with obvious on/off lighting indicators. They are simple to press and use, but strong enough that you can rest your fingers on them without fear of switching to the wrong camera before you’re ready.
You can connect up to four HDMI inputs to the ATEM Mini. It will quickly allow you to switch between cameras, or use simple fades and dissolves for added style or effect.
If you’re a game critic, it will also support picture-in-picture mode, allowing you to show your viewers what you’re playing while talking them through the gameplay without any lag from separate sources.
- Audio Mixer
An audio mixer is a piece of streaming equipment that customizes multiple sound sources and combines them into a single audio signal.
Streamers have a lot of control over their audio thanks to mixers.
You can control the volume, remove noise, and fine-tune the equalization with a good audio mixer for streaming.
They’re also great for muting and switching between audio sources.
These features will be extremely useful if you are streaming with more than one person or need to emphasize different audio sources from time to time.
Here are our recommendations for the best audio mixers for live streaming:
- GoXLR Mixer: The GoXLR audio mixer is a powerful machine that was created with streamers in mind. The mixer allows you to control up to four different audio sources in real-time.
The GoXLR’s best attribute is its simplicity. It has a lot of capabilities but does not require a lot of technical knowledge.
Once you’ve plugged everything in, the simple controls are all you need to mix and equalize your streaming audio.
- Yamaha Mg10Xu Stereo Mixer: The Yamaha MG10XU is a versatile audio mixer that’s perfect for just about any kind of recording you’re into. With clearly marked input and output sections and straightforward controls, it is ideal for professionals who need a quick, fuss-free setup. Providing 10 audio channels, it is great for bands, multi-host podcasts, and other such productions with multiple audio sources.
- Encoders
Video encoding is the process of compressing video files so that they are saved as one continuous video rather than as individual images.
Video encoding allows you to compress large files without sacrificing quality. Encoders are classified into two types: hardware and software.
Hardware Encoders
Hardware encoders are dedicated processors that encode video and data into streamable content using a custom algorithm.
These live streaming encoders are available in smaller, portable boxes as well as larger permanent fixtures.
Typically, they can accept a variety of inputs, but the most common are HDMI and SDI. They are typically built to last and can support continuous video streaming without crashing, making them ideal for professional use.
We recommend VidiU X and LiveShell X, which allow you to go live anywhere — in 1080p and in a matter of seconds.
Software Encoders
Software encoders are programs that run on a computer, such as a laptop or desktop. They must be paired with a capture card or other means of connecting your live streaming cameras to your computer in order to capture video.
Unless you’re a professional content producer or have a lot of money to burn, you’ll almost certainly need to use a software encoder.
Hardware encoders are expensive, and since encoding is all they have to offer, you’re better off with a software encoder that possesses extra features.
If you’re looking for the best software encoders for live streaming, we recommend OBS Studio and Wirecast.
RTMP-enabled Encoders
RTMP stands for “Real-Time Messaging Protocol”, and its primary role is to deliver content from an encoder to an online video host. This RTMP function is referred to as “RTMP ingest.” Videos encoded by RTMP servers tend to have low latency and minimal buffering, which truly enhances the user experience.
Buying Guide—What should You Consider before Choosing a Streaming Setup
Before we finish, let’s get into recommended streaming setups for all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced streamers.
Recommended Streaming Equipment Setup for Beginners
If you’re just starting out with streaming, the following streaming equipment will do:
- Microphone: The Boya BY-M1 lavalier microphone is a great start for amateur streamers, whether you’re streaming from a smartphone, webcam, or camera.
- Camera: The Logitech HD Webcam C310 is our best pick for an entry-level live streaming camera.
- Software: The OBS Studio functions is a great entry point software for those new to live streaming.
- Accessories: Get a quality ring light like the Mactrem 6” ring light for extra lighting for your videos.
Recommended Streaming Equipment Setup for Intermediate
- Microphone: The Blue Yeti is a good start for in-between streamers who are particular about audio quality.
- Camera: The Canon EOS REBEL Sl3 Digital SLR Camera is our best pick for intermediate streamers because of the range of shooting options it offers.
- Software: Wirecast, one of the best switcher software available, is a perfect pick for a budding streamer.
- Accessories: Get a green screen like the Webaround Big Shot to amp up your production with a variety of backgrounds.
Recommended Streaming Equipment Setup for Advanced
- Microphone: We recommend the HEiL sound PR-40 Dynamic Studio Microphone for pro streamers because of its versatility and output quality.
- Camera: For visuals befitting of a professional streamer, opt for the Sony A7 III or the Sigma FP mirrorless camera.
- Software: Restream is the perfect software for pro streamers, offering live streaming to over 30 platforms simultaneously.
- Accessories: For sterling lighting, get the Neewer 700w Softbox kit. You’ll need the Yamaha MG10XU to mix perfect audio if you’re using multiple sources and go for the Elgato green screen for versatile editing potential.
After All is Set Up and Running…
Sourcing the best live streaming equipment does not have to be a nightmare, and we hope that this article helped you uncomplicate the process.
Of course, after all the gear is purchased, you have to ensure that you put out quality intellectual content and market your brand right.
Stream for a Living is a small team of gamers, full-time content creators, and streamers who are dedicated to helping you grow your stream.