I want to stream in fine style...
How to get equipped?

1-What's "streaming"?

On Youtube or Twitch, thousands of people are now trying their luck to become the new stars of the game. But what is streaming? In fact, it's "just" playing live videos on the internet, and therefore playing (the latest games... or not) live in front of hundreds of people. Of course, you need talent, charisma, or maybe a good sense of humour or a good sense of narration... but you also need the right equipment to stream efficiently. Sounds expensive, or even complicated? Not that much... You just have to proceed methodically. And don't forget: always according to your own means! Don't spend your money on the latest high-tech microphone if you want to share 3 jokes with your 8 subscribers!

2- I want to stream...

On my PC!

OK, fine. But do you have a single PC that will do everything (playing + streaming) or are you lucky enough to use 2 PCs (one for gaming, the other for encoding, etc)?
If you're in the first case, make sure you have a powerful enough configuration to avoid lagging: 16 GB of RAM at the very least, Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 for your processor…  You need at least that to manage both at once without too much difficulty! And above all, think future: performance is increasingly being demanded by the big AAA games!

If you can use 2 PCs, the one that will be in charge of the stream does not need to be very powerful. It will just need a  video capture card to be able to retrieve the stream from your game... and that's it!

On my console!

Depending on your console, you can either stream directly thanks to an integrated option (PS4, PS5 or via a PC with Xbox One), or you must have a video acquisition card. Otherwise, it's impossible to share your games... Oops!

Video acquisition box or card 

Whether you are on a PC or a console, the video capturing device will undoubtedly improve your streaming experience (if not mandatory)! It prevents the computer from monopolising its power, and allows the console to process your video stream. Still not sure? Check out the options offered; they will undoubtedly tip the balance...

• The streaming card: it is integrated directly on your motherboard, and is often the most powerful solution with the most options!
• The streaming box: ideal for consoles, it is more practical and can be taken everywhere with ease!

Whatever your choice, make sure that its USB or HDMI connections are up to the latest standards, and if possible with an audio output for greater convenience.

What about my cardboard connection?

Streaming means live streaming on the internet! If you ever want to improve your connection performance, don't hesitate to get a gaming router: it will make your speed faster and more stable. Also avoid splitting your bandwidth by multiplying connections... To put it in a nutshell, let's be clear: fibre is your best friend!

Me, myself and I in FULL SCREEN <3 

Streaming is great, but seeing yourself is better! Giving a face to your filmed parts is a good way to attract viewers and, above all, to keep them coming back. To show off your natural charisma (or just your funny face?) choose a webcam with 60 frames per second. The higher the resolution, the more you can rely on it over time: 4K is not a luxury.
Finally, consider the field of vision: do you prefer a wide shot or a close-up of your face? Several options will then help you decide: autofocus, integrated lighting, automatic cropping (ideal if you don't have a green background)...

And don't forget its connection: via USB (latest generation please) for more convenience, or directly to your motherboard or video capture box for better quality. It's up to you!

Testing 1, 2. Testing, 1, 2... Can everyone hear me?

Forget about using the microphone (or even your headset): the sound won't be great and may scare your audience away. This is one of the points to never neglect!
Many microphones are available depending on your needs:  cardioid (which drowns out distant noises), omnidirectional  (which records everywhere, ideal if you are playing with several people on different PCs), bidirectional (not very useful for streaming but perfect for interviews)... or all of these at the same time (known as "multi-pattern" microphones, that adapt to your needs).

For connection, check if the microphone offers a jack or XLR plug. An XLR connection is of better quality and often intended for sound professionals, but requires a sound card on your PC - or a sound card.

Let there be light!

Good lighting is essential if you don't want to be dependent on the (dark?) light of your stream-cave. Without having to spend a lot of money on professional lighting, you can take a small LED panel designed for streaming and allowing you to set your moods. Of course, think carefully about where you want to install it, and therefore the size of the stand, etc. We promise, it will have a quite effective impact!

And what about the rest… ?

The success of streaming makes it easier to find certain tips that will be very useful... In a few words:

Green backgrounds:  they allow you to insert images of your current game (or your chat if you want...) behind you, even if some cards or software offer more and more automatic insertion.

The Stream Deck : For even more comfort and reactivity, the Stream Deck from Elgato is a small box that allows you to control everything with a single touch. A real interactive mini-reality, you can launch a sound, an image, change the camera or the light effortlessly... and of course, we like it!

• Video acquisition
• Microphone
• Accessories
• Webcam
• Modem & router