MEMBER BLOG

Free Streaming
Posted on Monday, December 24 2012 @ 14:03:00 Eastern


...well ...sort of.

Odds are if you are streaming to Twitch.tv, Livestream or Ustream - you are already interested in streaming and have the infrastructure necessary for maintaining a successful stream. This guide will most likely be for console gamers, but if you're a PC gamer with a rig that can decipher Alien DNA, I will mention your option a bit at the bottom since your setup will be extremely simple. For the rest of the world (console), try your best to let the information I'm giving you wash over you.

Steps to Broadcast:

• Sign up for a Ustream Account (Free - How to->http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20952870)
• Create a channel (Free - How to ->http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20907196)
• Download Ustream Producer for Windows/Mac (Free - http://ustream.tv/producer)
  • For PC gamers these are the only steps you will need to follow. Once you've gotten this software installed and your account setup, your broadcast is as simple as using desktop presenter to create a screen grab http://www.ustream.tv/producer#Screencasting --- and you're off!

If you are already streaming, you can begin to broadcast to Ustream without issue. The big draw here is using Ustream Producer to customize your broadcast to fit your needs and your bandwidth capabilities. If you are new to broadcasting, then you might need a little bit more information. In short, the amount of $$$ you spend will be directly related to your hardware needs based on how you connect your console's video/audio to the hardware you plan on broadcasting with. I'm not going to teach you how to connect one plug into the next; you are the gaming generation. If you can't match color cords or are trying to plug a Firewire cable into your Television, do us all a favor and kill yourself. [He jests, of course... ~Ed. Nick]

Broadcasting tips to remember:

• Test your bandwidth on Speakeasy.net/speedtest (connect to the SF server)
  • Your upload speed is the important variable and will determine your broadcast quality
• Your average bitrate upload should be twice the amount of your dimension size [set in your broadcast settings].
  • So if you're broadcasting at 640x360, your recommended upload bitrate should be 800kbps [again determined by your internet speedtest]
  • If you're broadcasting at 1280x720p, your bitrate speed should be 1400kbps (or 1.4Mbps)
  • These settings are recommended and aren't mandatory, but anything less you may experience viewing issues.
• Do NOT watch the broadcast from a browser on the same computer you are broadcasting with [Broadcasting is CPU intesive and it will bog down your CPU]
• Connect to the internet using a hardlined ethernet cable and not a wireless connection [wireless speeds fluctuate and can choke your bandwidth making the stream choppy]

Cheap and Easy hardware:

• -Easy Cap [USB Connection]
  • Found online for $6. Windows only. There may be some Mac software out there for it, but it's built for Windows OS - for $6, well worth the risk.
• -Dazzle [USB Connection]
  • Can be found for $50 at your local Bestbuy/Target [both Mac and Windows]
• -Hauppauge [USB 2.0 to USB Connection]
  • Ordered Online for $150 - for Windows
• -Black Magic Design Intensity Shuttle [USB/Thunderbolt]
  • Ordered Online for $180 - for both Mac [Thunderbolt] and Windows [USB]

Obviously, if you would want your stream to be of higher quality you would invest in the higher priced hardware and a solid internet connection. But for you neckbeards that prefer your setup like your masturbation - quick and dirty - Urbz has got some of those options posted too. 

You got questions about your setup? Post 'em if you got em - I'll amend this post as needed. In the meantime - Follow me: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/urbanmasquegr so you'll know when I go live with games


Ugh, get your ass back online - I love watching you die!

The opinions expressed here does not necessarily reflect the views of Game Revolution, but we believe it's worthy of being featured on our site. This article has been lightly edited for grammar and image inclusion. It has been submitted for our monthly Vox Pop competition. You can find more Vox Pop articles here. ~Ed. Nick