WCS![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/JHaYe.jpg)
So you’ve decided to stream on TwitchTV
Since you’re reading this on TeamLiquid you’re probably interested in streaming “VIDEO GAMES.” So let’s get started!
Later on I’ll be breaking down specifics for each genre of game (PC or Console; FPS, RTS, Fighter), but first let’s get down to the basics!
THE COMPUTER
So yeah, you will need one of these. Preferably a pretty speedy one, specifically talking about processor here (AKA the CPU).
The processor is the most important component in a streaming computer. The better the processor, the more you can do. This is especially true if you’re broadcasting PC titles such as StarCraft 2 and Battlefield 3 (CPU Hogs).
- Recommended Processors:
- Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz LGA 1155 95W
Hyperthreading - Introduction of Virtual Processors (Utilized by XSplit)
Minimizes in-game side effects (lag) caused by streaming
TheGunrun Approved ® - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 95W
Cost effective - Significantly smaller price point than the i7-2600k
Sufficient for most streamers’ needs
Eleine’s Seal of Recommendation™ - Intel Core i7-3930K/3960X
Latest generation of Intel processors
Extreme Hyperthreading usage - 6 cores/12 threads
Absolute monsters for streaming demanding games with little to no impact on performance. Pricey so your wallet will cry.
Trance’s Extreme Certification ©
As for the other components, get what’s “decent” these days: basically what normal people would have to run StarCraft 2 at Ultra settings.
Also for RAM, get DDR3-2133 if possible (slight advantage with encoding).
Basic XSplit Setup
This is a very basic and general guide to setting up XSplit.
You can download and register for XSplit here.
1. Adding your stream channel
- Go to Broadcast > Edit Channels
- On the right side click Add > Justin/TwitchTV
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/QRyne.jpg)
- Enter your TwitchTV username and password at the top
- On the TwitchTV Website, be sure to have visited your broadcaster dashboard at least once! - Quality - Set to 8
- Preset - Keep it at “XSplit Default.” Iif you have a very powerful CPU (inluding the recommended ones) you can try “faster” or “fast.”
- Max Bitrate - Keep this 500-600kbps below your max upload rate. (Going above 3000kbps may cause issues for viewers who do not have a sufficient Internet connection)
- VBV Buffer - The default 1:1 ratio is usually the best (same value for VBV buffer and bitrate).
- Resolution - Keep this at its default “Default Mixer Resolution.”
- Audio Encoding - 44.100 KHz Stereo with AAC LC as the codec (an audio bitrate around 96,000 is fine)
- Automatically Record Broadcast - Only to be enabled if you want XSplit to save recordings of your broadcasts locally.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/8Nzez.jpg)
2. Run location testing (very important before going live)
- Change the “Location” from “Default” to which ever is the closest region to where you are broadcasting from.
- Select “Test bandwidth” and let the test run
- If you’re green, you’re good to go! If not, modify your VBV Bitrate and/or Location until it is.
- Getting a red from this test may result in HEAVY LAG. Getting a yellow means things will run smooth overall, but some occasional hiccups might occur.
3. Click “Apply” to save settings.
4. Capture Settings -
This is still very general, computers that do not have a powerful enough processor will have issues with these settings.
- Resolution
View > Resolution > 1280 x 720 (16
) - HDTV (video) - Frame Rate
View > Frame Rate > 30.00 fps - XSplit Window Size
View > Scale viewpoint > 50% - Capturing Your Desktop (this method does not support games in fullscreen only mode)
(Also to be used with USB 2.0 Capture Devices)- Add (Bottom Left of XSplit) > Screen Region
- Select part of the screen, click and drag the frame to capture the desired area to be streamed.
- You may also click on your taskbar to capture the entire monitor.
- Pressing “1” on your keyboard after selecting the Screen Region (or any object in XSplit) will maximize the size to fit the edges.
- Select part of the screen, click and drag the frame to capture the desired area to be streamed.
- Add (Bottom Left of XSplit) > Screen Region
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/LvriS.jpg)
5. Going Live
- Broadcast > Justin/TwitchTV - *Insert Your TwitchTV ID Here*
6. Going Offline
- Broadcast > Justin/TwitchTV - *Insert Your TwitchTV ID Here*
- Note: This only works when you’re online, if you are offline you are actually Going Live
Useful Links & Apps:
- XSplit Blog (more tutorials there) - https://www.xsplit.com/blog.php
R1CH’s Stream Privacy Program - http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=225200
R1CH’s Scene Switcher - http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=241231
Dealing with Skype Volume Issues - http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/p3g80/skype_volume_adjustment_solution/
TwitchTV’s Partership Page - http://www.twitch.tv/p/partners
TwitchTV’s Blog - http://blog.twitch.tv/
Capture Methods
- Ok, here’s where the breakdown occurs. You either want to stream a PC game, or something off of your console. For PC games, most people can just run XSplit’s Screen Region as the main video input or their Game Source technology (which ingests game video right from DirectX or OpenGL).
But for console users (PS3, Xbox 360, Phantom..) or streamophiles (PC Ballers), capture devices are the way to go!
Capture Methods: The Portable Streamer
- For the portable user, there are a couple of hardware options. The current USB solutions for capturing video are the AVerMedia AVerTV HD-DVR, Hauppauge HD-PVR, or Blackmagic Design Intensity Shuttle.
Both the AVerMedia and Hauppauge devices uses USB 2.0, while the BMI Shuttle requires USB 3.0 (and a motherboard which can handle the intense bandwidth).
The way AVerMedia and Hauppauge get away with using USB 2.0, is due to the encoding that goes on within the box to make it fit USB 2.0’s limited bandwidth. And because of this process that feed you receive is delayed.
The BMI Shuttle is the best option for quality and speed, but is limited by its USB 3.0 compatibility. If you are considering a BMI Shuttle, please do the research to make sure that your streaming machine is able to use it!
"Not all USB 3.0 are created equal" - TheGunrun
Some XSplit notes (as of February 1st 2012): The AVerMedia and Hauppauge, in order to be used by xsplit, will have to be screen captured (by xsplit) on your monitor through the software that is included with each device (AVer MediaCenter / ArcSoft TotalMedia Extreme). Only the BMI Shuttle is recognized as a video source by xsplit.
- AVerMedia HD-DVR and Hauppauge DV-PVR
- Captures Component and Composite
- For Console Streamers (and the PC stream who isn’t afraid to play at only 1280x720.. or likes 1080 with interlacing)
- Audio through Component/Composite (Red/White cables)
- For Console Streamers (and the PC stream who isn’t afraid to play at only 1280x720.. or likes 1080 with interlacing)
- 720p at 60fps
- Along with 1080i and lower than 720p resolutions
- (As of February 1st 2012) Requires to be screencaptured, in order for use with XSplit.
- USB 2.0
- Will Split Component
- Allows you to go component out into a TV to ensure no delay for the player
- Blackmagic Design Intensity Shuttle
- Captures HDMI, Component, Composite, S-Video
- For Console and PC streamers
- Audio through both HDMI and Component/Composite’s RCA (Red/White cables)
- For Console and PC streamers
- 1080p at 30fps; 720p at 60fps; (See the full sheet - look for “HD Format Support” for the “Intensity Shuttle USB 3.0”)
- USB 3.0 Only
- (NOT ALL USB 3.0 PORTS ARE THE SAME; DO YOUR COMPATIBILITY RESEARCH)
- Splitter for HDMI
Capture Methods: Internal Devices (PCI Express)
- For the broadcaster looking for that ultimate quality or the guy who just wants to keep streaming from affecting gameplay, internal capture cards are the way to go!
- Can Capture both HDMI and Component/Composite/S-Video
- For Console Streamers (and the PC stream who isn’t afraid to play at only 1280x720.. or likes 1080 with interlacing)
- Audio through both HDMI and Component (Red/White cables)
- For Console Streamers (and the PC stream who isn’t afraid to play at only 1280x720.. or likes 1080 with interlacing)
- 720p at 60fps
- Along with 1080i and lower than 720p resolutions
- The least expensive
- No splitter
- If you’re a console streamer who cares about input lag, you may have to purchase a dedicated HDMI or Component Splitter/Amp to feed both into your TV/Capture card
- Captures HDMI, Component, and VGA
- For Console and PC streamers
- Audio through HDMI
- It will not take audio through its VGA (comes with an AUX cable for you to use with your PC’s line-in)
- For Console and PC streamers
- 1080p, 720p at 60fps (multiple PC resolution options)
- No splitter
- Captures HDMI, Component
- For Console Streamers (and the PC stream who isn’t afraid to play at only 1280x720.. or likes 1080 with interlacing)
- Audio through both HDMI and Component/Composite’s RCA (Red/White cables)
- For Console Streamers (and the PC stream who isn’t afraid to play at only 1280x720.. or likes 1080 with interlacing)
- 720p at 60fps
- Along with 1080i
- Will Split Component
- Allows you to go component out into a TV to ensure no delay for the player
- Captures HDMI, Component, Composite, S-Video
- For Console and PC streamers
- Audio through both HDMI and Component/Composite’s RCA (Red/White cables)
- For Console and PC streamers
- 1080p at 30fps; 720p at 60fps; (See the full sheet - look for “HD Format Support” under for the “Intensity Pro”)
Splitter for HDMI - ViewHD 2 Port HDMI 1x2 Powered Splitter Ver 1.3 (HDMI)
- RadioShack® 4-Way Component Video Distribution Amplifier (Component)
The big devices in this field are the AVerMedia AVerTV HD DVR, AVerMedia Game Broadcaster HD, Hauppauge Colossus, and Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro.
(The BMI Shuttle can work in this situation too)
All of these devices are recognized by XSplit as a video input source, so no screen capture is needed here.
When choosing a device, here are some notes:
The AVerTV HD DVR [MTVHDDVRR]
The AVerMedia Game Broadcaster HD
Hauppauge Colossus
Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro HDMI
Splitters that I’ve used:
TheGunrun’s Bonus Notes:
How to Gain and Keep an Audience
- Talk to your audience, don’t just sit there. Call some friends on Skype, promote them to moderators in your chat, and interact with your viewers!
Just tweeting alone about your stream isn’t enough. You have to entertain others, not just yourself.
A few ways people do this is through self commentary (the Artosis method). Vocalize your thoughts as you play, drop some knowledge bombs.
Encourage people to follow you! The following feature on TwitchTV can be really handy to figure out when your favorite streamers go live (email notifications!), give your viewers a nice reminder once in a while. Same can be said about your Twitter and Facebook
Entertain people with your leet skills! Be good at the game. Or make fun of how bad you are. Convey that incredible sense of disappointment as you forget to research ling speed, or when you don’t hold down shift when using Sand King’s ult with the blink dagger.
You’re probably part of a gaming community, frequenting gaming message boards, forums, and subreddits. Make sure you promote yourself and your stream. (without being too spammy!)
Don’t “just stream” a game - set goals and milestones for yourself. If you’re playing a multiplayer game, actively improve a specific part of your gameplay or go for a crazy killstreak. If you’re playing a single player game, a speedrun or 100% completion. Hell, I’d die to watch a Far Cry 2 perma-death run on stream.
Just keeping that frustration in illegitimizes the experience for your viewers, expressing emotion is the best! ^_^
Throw out some shoutouts. Let that cleaver chatter feel at home and validated while watching your stream.
Webcams are always a plus, show off how good your gamer hardware is in the field. Get those facial expressions in there too and really add that emotion. Prove that you’re not in anyway tool assisted
Drama starting to stir up the community? React to it live on stream, and really put yourself out there with that chat! (ADVANCED LEVEL STREAMING ENTERTAINMENT - This is NOT for everyone)
Some Reminders
- TwitchTV does not limit any stream’s bandwidth, resolution, or maximum viewers. Both partners and non-partners enjoy the ability of streaming with the highest quality they like
The broadcaster dashboard needs to accessed at least once before xsplit will recognize your TwitchTV username as a channel.
If you’re a moderator on a fast moving chat, it’s best to click on a user’s name just to void accidental bannings.
Typing /help in chat will display all of the chat commands.
Thanks for reading! Hope this was helpful
- TheGunrun
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Ksz45.png)
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