In the beginning on your streamer career, probably checked what streamer equipments are available on the market, and you may wrote some goals as well, when you will buy it. With a good tactic, and with basic tools, computer, microphone and webcam, that you can find at your home, you can start streaming. But there’s chance that these are unusable, or you don’t have any. Maybe your computer performance is not enough, there’s no webcam, but you may started growing and you want to change and upgrade your setup. And you should move up your streaming quality as well.
For that purpose, you find the best compilation, best article, where we discuss the best options, which streamer equipments that you must have. Let’s speak about webcam, microphone, softbox or streaming software.
In this guide, we check out streamer equipments with different price tags, like from low to expensive, as in software, to be able to choose widely. Of course, you should buy them based on where your streaming career right know. Because If you started right know, you don’t need the high-end XLR microphone, and the required external sound card. But definitely you can see right know, what is the achievable on the area of streamer equipments.
1. Computer – PC
It’s funny to place the PC on the first place, however It’s not obvious what specs need to have, to reach a certain quality. You can start streaming from an old notebook or a computer. Also a 4-5 years old one is good enough to begin streaming, but it doesn’t matter how much it costs at the time of the purchase. We already talked about what are the minimum specs for a computer at the “How you should start streaming” article, but let’s focus on that right now in more detail. Later on we will examine it in another article.
Most of the time you should stream on a desktop PC, not on a notebook. But with todays preferences, a notebook also a good choice, for those who pick the last option these are the minimum requirements:
- Processor: 4 core, 8 thread
- RAM: 8GB – (At least! Make sure, you can upgrade later, so there’s two slot, and only one are reserved. Also the RAM are not soldered into the motherboard.)
- Dedicated videocard (It’s a must, especially If you streaming gaming.)
- SSD + HDD or a min. 1 TB SSD (For the records, and for high-speed gaming)
For desktop users, there are equivalent recommendation:
- Processor: 4 core, 8 thread
- RAM: 16 GB (Also you can buy with 8 GB, just be sure there are another slots for upgrade)
- Videocard (With min. 1-2 GB of RAM)
- SSD + HDD or min. 1 TB SSD
In terms of processors you have two brand choice, AMD or Intel. We discuss them later on, in another article, however, there will be a bottleneck, If you purchase an AMD processor with Nvidia graphics card.
2. Webcam or Camera (DSLR)
For many people It’s a discomfort, but the truth it you can start streaming without a webcam. However, If you want to be outstanding and If you want to make a memorable show, then It is indispensable. You can read more about it, in our “How to be a successful gamer?” e-book.
So you have two choice, you can use a webcam, or the second one is a camera, probably DSLR or digital one. Let’s start with the first one. We already made a whole about webcams, so you should check out it, but the best decisions are the follows.
Logitech C922 Pro Stream – C920
Logitech, year after year create a new series at the category of the webcams, but the best choice currently are the Logitech C922 Pro Stream and the older one Logitech C920 webcams. Probably you should check out StreamCam as well, but in terms of price-value the previous ones are standing in the first place.
Moving to the second choice, firstly you should buy an equipment that transforms the video signal for the computer. This is Elgato Cam Link, If you have a spare $20-30 then purchase the 4K version. Because with this tool, you can use any DLSR or digital camera, which has a HDMI output. And you can stream it in 1080p and 60 FPS. Check out some of the best DSLR cams, what are the good choices, also you can use them for vlogging.
Panasonic Lumix G7
We speak about a digital camera, which has interchangeable lens, and 4K recording options. There’s a built-in Wi-Fi, so you can control with a smart phone as well, and you can use it for vlogging too.
Sony ZV-1
The newest Sony camera, is specifically built for vloggers. There are many automatic functions from focus-changing to flip-out screen. But what you will most interested in is that the newest firmware upgrade, which made it, with direct USB connection, a streaming webcam. You don’t need anything, but the original hardware, then you can select it in OBS Studio.
3. Microphone + Headphone
In the beginning, a gamer headset is enough, which have a more professional built-in microphone, as the lower categories. For example these ones are good examples:
- HyperX Cloudx gaming headset
- Razer Blackshark V2 headset
- Logitech G332
But these brands other headsets are good choise as well. If you want to step up one category, than you will have two choice. The option is a condenser microphone, and the two solutions are the USB one and the XLR with a sound card or a mixer. For the USB choice, the followings are good ones:
- Razer Seiren Mini
- Blue Yeti USB
- HyperX SoloCast
You should not purchase a microphone under these ones, however you can find many in the supermarkets. In sound quality they will not reach the headsets’ level. In fact, probably they will catch more white noise as the headsets, then you can tweak the OBS Studio settings to exclude them.
Condenser XLR Microphones
With that category you’ll enter into the professional mode. You should choose this option If you have more than thousands follower base and you earning some income from streaming. Let’s start with the mics.
With these microphones, basically you can start a studio for singers and voice actors. Of course, also inside the XLR mics, there are different price categories, but you can start with these ones:
- Rode NT1-A
- Blue Microphones BlueBird SL
- Lewitt LCT 240 PRO
- Shure SM7B
For the mic you should have a moveable mounting:
- Blue Microphones Compass desktop microphone standing
- YENKEE XMC 20
- Elgato Wave microphone arm
The jointed arms are more durable and it comes with less noise as the springy versions.
As we spoke about the graphics card – processor bottleneck issue, also in this are can be a problem. When you have a good mic, but a shabby sound card. For that purpose you should choose a high-end sound card, to ensure the quality. The followings are the good choices right now:
- M-Audio AIR 192
- Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1
- RODE AI-1
- Focusrite Scarlett Solo
4. Softbox – Studio lightning
A good lighting setup will improve the quality of a middle class webcam or camera. You just going to ask that “My camera is able to do this?”. So it’s necessary to stream in great clarity. There are some tricks for better positions, which we check it out right know, quickly, but you can read more later on.
- Never be the light behind you – If this happening your picture can be grainy
- Don’t be in focus and near of the lighting – Let be a minimum 1-2 meter distance between you and the lightning. Therefore won’t be any harsh lightning, but moderate.
We can do many things with the help of the sunlight, however the main streaming hours are at the nights stream, when you haven’t got any outside lightning. One of the best lightnings right now are:
- Elgato Key Light – Specifically made for streaming
- Elgato Key Light Air – Which is the little brother
- Kingjoy R219 – O-ring lightning
- Softboxes
If you purchase only one lightning, the best one is a o-ring, because the light will not come from one source, but from a circle. However the best choice if you purchase two same pieces (small ones are enough), which you can position left and right, with the same distance. Then on your face won’t be any shadow, and you can make better setup.
In the high-end category, there’s a chance that you can change the color temperature. (Mostly with a higher price tag.) But If you purchase your first setup probably, you don’t need it.
5. Streaming software
We already have many articles about streaming software, but basically you have three choices currently on the market. You can start with OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS, the last ones is a upgraded version of the OBS Studio, which has a many built-in compitable function with Streamlabs. Before you pick one, you should check out both, and read our “How to start streaming?” article.
6. Keyboard – Mouse
When you pick keyboard and mouse you should conside how you would use them. For example, mostly for working, or gaming. For that purpose we should write a whole article about them, because we can deep dive into the world of mechanics keyboards and how the different switches are made and function. The laser or the optical mouse is the better and how they differ. But probably you already made that choice, however let’s see what are the durable and verified pieces. For the mouse:
- Razer DeathAdder V2
- Logitech G502 Hero
Keyboards
- Logitech G413 Carbon – Mechanical
- HyperX Alloy – Mechanical
- Razer Cynosa
7. Background – Green Screen
You background should be based on what your streaming. For most of us, the best choice is a green screen, but there’s a chance that you would like to show your room. But for that you need to prepare and purchase the best background items. Before that let’s check out the green screens.
There’s many background, you can choose, not just green, but blue as well. Probably, you have a blue-color shirt, and it’s more regular color, than the vivid green. You can purchase the Elgato Green Screen background, which also you can move easily. But you can buy the cloth at most fabric shop, and with some clipers you’re ready to go. It’s important that the color should not be dark or more bright, because the exclusion will not work properly.
The other important element of the green screen is the good lightning. If your camera or the software need to analyze, and exclude the green color, the picture will be grainy. The colors are not distance perfectly from each other, and maybe your face will be excluded as well.
Furnished background
If you want to set up a perfect background, you should follow the todays trends, but should be a unique one, and tailorized for your stream. If a viewer only sees your stream for only one minute, it should be recognizable and memorable. “This is you.”. You can purchase instantly a Nanoleaf, or a high-end led strip will do the job. Indeed.
If you purchase a led strip, you should choose a one, that built-in with Wi-Fi and you can controll them centrally. For more accessary, you can find them in local stores and shops. We will talk about them later.
8. Video Editing Software
One of the best content strategy, If you started streaming right now, that you create videos for YouTube, or for other platforms. But for that you need a video editing software. With OBS Studio, or other softwares, you can record your screen, but most of them are not capable for video editing. Continue with some editing software, which has good price-value.
Free video editing softwares:
- OpenShot – A basic video editing software
- Davinci Resolve – A more advanced one, which mostly used in movie editing. You should prepare your computer, because you need performance to use it.
One-time purchase softwares:
- Vegas Pro – An old-time video editing
- Pinnacle Studio
- Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
You should follow HumbleBundle, due most of the time there’s some package, which contains a video or photo editing software. (Some of them worth $100+). For the professionals, the Adobe Premiere Pro will be the best choice, however it is a subscribe-based software.
9. Display
For the monitor setup you can prepare the double version, if you already haven’t. Basically It’s crucial to have another monitor for chat, and to get a feedback for the streaming quality. The previously mentioned purpose you can choose a stated monitor, along with a main one, which is mostly for gaming.
If you have a low-performace computer, you don’t need to purchase piece, that has 2K resolution and 120Hz frequency. Essentially, a maximum 1920×1080 pixel is enough for streaming, and It is the best, If your display is also the same resolution. Not to mention, that a curved monitor can be a better experience. Let’s see what are the best ones:
- AOC C24G2AE 24″ – Curved, FullHD, Latency: 1ms
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG27VH1B – Curved, FullHD, Latency: 1ms
- Samsung Odyssey G5 – Curved, 2K, Latency: 1ms
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG249Q – FullHD, Latency: 1ms
For the second display, you don’t need these types of preferences, and price category, but keep in mind, that you will see it more than 4-5 hour per day.
- Dell P2419H Professional – With standing mode
- Samsung S22F350
But for the vertical mode, you can use a monitor arm, but check out, that it’s built with VESA adapter.
Where you should start?
We talked about many products, equipments, and tools. These are helping you, to stream easily and make a better show with good quality. Of course, as we started this article, you don’t need to purchase a high-end versions of these items, especially If you started streaming right now. But you should start somewhere.
These, probably $1000+ items worth nothing, If your streaming and show not following the trends, and you do not consider your viewers feelings and feedbacks. For that, our “How to be a successful streamer?” e-book, is a good start. It’s give you a great base to start, and how you can find yourself in the world of streaming.
