Beginner’s Guide: Everything you should know about Live Streaming

Live streaming an event can be downright intimidating for the first-time live streamer. It can seem as though there are a million different details that require attention. Let’s look at some basic preparations to be completed to ensure that everything will run smoothly.

Purpose of Live Streaming

Live streaming is growing in popularity with many content creators, and it’s easy to see why that’s happening. Live streams are uploaded to the internet in real-time, cutting on editing time and adding authenticity to the streamers’ creation. One of the first things covered in this live streaming guide is the equipment needed to complete the process. A basic streaming setup is pretty straightforward, and a stable internet connection will be critical, along with a camera and lighting. 

Equipment Needed

An external microphone may also be necessary, depending on your particular setup and the type of camera used. If the first few live streams will be shot with a camera from a phone, it’s a good idea to invest in an inexpensive external microphone simply because it’s difficult to watch a live stream with poor audio. 

When choosing a camera to use for live streaming, keep a few things in mind. The camera resolution and number of pixels will determine the clarity of the image. Most streaming platforms have a maximum of 1080p, so if the camera has a resolution of 720p x 1080p, this should work just fine. Webcams on the market have resolutions up to 4K, but if the platform only allows for 1080p, anything above this level may be a waste since the platform will downgrade.

Lighting for the live stream is another item to be considered. Natural light works really for live streaming because it makes the skin appear natural, but it’s also essential to remember light intensity. If the light is too intense, it will wash out the image, and if the intensity is too low, this makes the image difficult to see. Performing a quick test run to check the sound s well as the lighting before going live is always a great idea.

A Reliable Internet Connection

After setting up the camera, testing both the audio and video to ensure perfection, another ingredient will be needed to broadcast, a stable internet connection. While cable and DSL are adequate alternatives, fiber internet is quickly becoming the preferred internet for live streaming. Fiber doesn’t have many speed and latency problems associated with the other two options, but it’s not available everywhere.

If fiber internet is not currently available, a few tips can speed up the internet connection. Resetting the router every month will help to re-establish the link to the ISP. Repositioning the router to a location closer to where the live stream will be taking place can also help out with faster speeds. A hardwired connection to the router will always provide faster speeds than Wi-Fi, so if possible, use an ethernet cable for a more immediate connection.

Recommended standard definition speed for live streaming is 3Mbps, and speedtest.net can provide a free way to test internet speeds in real-time. Broadcasting at a higher definition will require a higher speed.

Although it can seem overwhelming at first, learning to set up and perform live streams can be a very worthwhile skill.