No discussion on livestreaming is complete without talking about Twitch. Originally a side hustle by Justin.tv that was later acquired by Amazon currently enjoys a market share of 73% in terms of hours of livestreaming.
While you might think that platforms like Facebook and YouTube dominate the streaming market, with over 15 million daily users on the platform, Twitch is the preferred choice, especially for video game streams.
Anyone can get started with Twitch and it takes less than an hour to set it up and go live. Whether you're a newbie or looking for some additional information, here's a detailed guide to streaming on Twitch.
Preparation
You will need an account on Twitch as well as some basic hardware and software before you actually start streaming.
Creating an Account
- Read through the community guidelines thoroughly
- Sign up on the desktop-based website or download the mobile app and create your account
- If you're using a desktop, enable two-factor authentication
Choosing the Right Encoding Software
You will need to encode your video for livestreams. The simplest approach is to use encoding software unless you have access to a hardware encoder. The most popular encoding software are:
- Open Broadcaster Software
- XSplit
- Streamlabs
- Stream Design Bundles
- vMix
Hardware Requirements to Livestream With Twitch
- You will need a decent camera for capturing your video.
- You will need either a smartphone, desktop, laptop, or gaming console as your streaming device.
- The minimum device configuration should be an i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, and a stable internet connection.
- If you wish to chat with your followers, you will need to plug in a microphone and a good one at that. Simply using the microphone from your headphones may not be enough in this case.
- You can use LED softboxes for additional lighting effects for your video.
How to Livestream on Twitch
There are five basic steps required to start a live Twitch stream on a desktop.
1. Decide on the content you wish to stream
The reason you need to plan your content in advance is that your hardware requirements might differ based on the content type. You may need a superior camera or an upgraded microphone for certain kinds of content. By planning in advance, you'll be well prepared.
2. Ready your setup
Before starting to stream, make sure that you've plugged in all the required devices and additional gear. Test that your microphone is recording your audio and whether the camera angle is accurate, being certain to adjust the lighting according to what your content demands.
3. Install and connect
Once you're set with the hardware, install the software of your choice and configure it. You can either choose the auto-configuration option or set it up manually. If you're using software like OBS, you will have to select Twitch as a service from File>Settings>Stream. From Twitch, connect to your software account by copying the encoded "Primary Stream Key" and pasting it in the software configuration panel.
4. Add all the input sources to the software
Be certain to include any device you plan to use as an input for your livestream, for example, the microphone and camera that will be used to record your content.
5. Optimize the settings
Your encoding software, bandwidth, and the actual streaming content determine the settings for your livestream. The Twitch Broadcasting Guide contains information and specifications for two types of processors -- x264 and NVIDIA NVENC. It also contains a list of all the video formats available to upload for your stream. Go through this guide thoroughly to configure your settings before going live.
What are You Waiting For?
Get started with Twitch and expand your business. If you have further questions or want help to start live streaming, please contact us here.