PC Gaming Streaming Hardware: Everything You Need To Know.
There’s nothing quite like watching a professional eSport’s tournament or someone playing your favorite PC game live. PC game streaming is now the norm for PC gamers, and having the right streaming hardware is essential for a successful stream. But with so many options out there and so much money potentially on the line, what should you look for in the best streaming hardware for PC gaming?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what streaming hardware is, explain the best streaming hardware for PC gaming and explain the importance of using the right streaming software. We’ll also provide our top tips to make sure you’re getting the best out of your streaming hardware.
What Is Streaming Hardware?
Streaming hardware is any peripheral device used during live streaming. These devices usually provide a method of inputting, processing, and encoding video content for streaming over the internet. The most common type of streaming hardware for PC gamers is capture cards and encoders.
Capture Cards
Capture cards are plug-and-play USB-based hardware devices that allow you to stream from your computer to the internet. They allow you to record and stream a high-quality image of your PC game at the same time. The capture card captures the PC game’s video and audio, encodes them, and then sends them to the streaming site.
The most popular capture cards are from Elgato, Hauppauge and AVerMedia. They come in a variety of different models, each with a different feature set. Make sure you find the correct model for your setup – you don’t want to go over budget and end up with a card that doesn’t meet your needs.
Encoders
Encoders are used to compress the video and audio data captured by your capture card. This allows the data to be streamed over the internet more quickly and efficiently. There are a variety of different software encoders available, such as Open Broadcast Software (OBS), XSplit and Wirecast. Make sure you find the correct encoder that is compatible with your streaming service and capture card.
Importance of Streaming Software
The importance of streaming software cannot be overstated. It is the software that connects all of the streaming hardware and services together. You can use the software to adjust the video and audio quality, select the resolution and frame rate for streaming, and to apply post-production effects such as color correction or de-interlacing. It is also important to have reliable internet speeds and a stable connection to ensure you’re streaming without any issues.
Top Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Streaming Hardware
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of streaming hardware, here are our top tips to make sure you’re getting the best out of your streaming hardware:
1. Be patient: Don’t immediately jump into streaming. Take the time to research the different hardware and software options to make sure that you get the best deals for your money.
2. Test it out: Before you start streaming, make sure you properly test out your capture card and software setup to make sure everything works as expected.
3. Use a higher bitrate: The higher the bitrate of your stream, the better your quality will be. High quality streams will attract more viewers and make your streams look more professional.
4. Monitor performance: Periodically check your performance stats to make sure your stream is running smoothly. This will enable you to make changes to your setup if needed.
5. Invest in a good microphone: Your microphone is as important as your capture card and software, as viewers will pay attention to your audio quality more than your video quality. Invest in a quality professional microphone to ensure the best sound quality for your viewers.
Conclusion
PC game streaming has become a popular way to share your gaming experience and connect with gamers around the world. Despite the complexity of the different streaming hardware and software, having the right streaming setup is essential for a successful stream. With the plethora of capture cards and encoders on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the right hardware for your setup. By knowing which hardware and software is most suitable for your stream, taking the time to research and test it out, and investing in good quality peripherals such as a microphone, you can ensure you have the best streaming hardware for PC gaming.
Image Credit: Pexels