Over the last five years, becoming a streamer on popular streaming websites such as Twitch started to be recognized as a feasible and desirable career path. More and more people have begun streaming live play of their favorite games to viewers, providing them with a successful career that has the potential to be highly profitable.
One of the main things that put people off trying streaming is the initial costs required to stream – primarily in terms of equipment. However, it may be a lot cheaper than you think. We review everything you need for a streaming setup and how much you can expect it to cost.
What Do You Need for A Streaming Setup?
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Several pieces of equipment are essential before you get started if you want to have a high-quality streaming setup. Although you will need to invest in a few critical components before you can begin offering a superior live experience to viewers, you don’t need to break the bank. Below, we will go through the main things you need to create your streaming setup tailored to the live streaming you want to participate in.
Good Internet Connection
First on this list is a good internet connection, considered one of the most essential components of a high-quality streaming setup. After all, you can have the most expensive computer, camera, and microphone, but if you don’t have a stable internet connection that has a suitable download and upload speed for streaming, then you are going to have little success starting your streaming career.
Desktop Or Laptop
Once you have secured a good internet connection, the next step is to look into buying a laptop or desktop computer to stream from. Thanks to recent advancements in technology, apps have been made that facilitate streaming on mobile phones and tablets; however, the preferred setup for the most popular streamers is still the desktop computer. One great way of saving money is to buy a computer with a built-in camera, removing the need to purchase a camera separately as part of your setup.
Choosing the right streaming computer for you is challenging, and you must consider several things before deciding which one to purchase. First, you need to assess your budget to help you determine the type of computer you can buy. Next, decide whether you want to get a laptop or desktop computer. This decision will come down to personal preference. For example, if you think you will be streaming from several locations, a laptop may be better for flexibility and portability.
The next thing to look at is the computer’s specs. This means researching the options for operating systems, CPUs, GPUs, RAM, Storage, and battery life. What you want to stream will determine what specifications will be correct for you. For instance, if you want to play large AAA games, you may want a powerful graphics card and more RAM.
Camera
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You will need a camera to record yourself streaming your favorite video games. Some professional streamers invest in extremely high-quality cameras for their setup, but this is unnecessary. You can pick up a relatively affordable camera that works perfectly for livestreaming.
Streaming Software
Every promising streamer needs the right streaming software, called an encoder, to complete their live streaming setup. There are several types of streaming software at various price points. Therefore, it is a good idea to look at what is available on the market and decide what is right for you. If you are on a tight budget, then you can opt for streaming software that is entirely free and will keep your costs down.
Other Equipment
Other vital components you should consider buying for your setup include a microphone, lighting, and headphones. If you need to stick to a tight budget, you can purchase gaming headphones with a built-in microphone that will allow you to speak to your viewers while streaming. Lighting isn’t an essential component of a streamer’s setup, but it makes it look slightly more professional and is worth considering if you are targetting a specific audience.
How Much Will a Streaming Setup Cost?
There is no blanket answer on how much a streaming setup will cost. It depends on your budget and the type of live streaming you want. You can expect to pay around $1000 on average, but this can increase significantly if you want the best gear. It is more about what type of streaming you want and what equipment you need to achieve this.
Start Your Streaming Journey Now
So there we have it. Now you know what you may need to build your live streaming setup and how much you can expect to pay. Once you have everything set up, you can begin your streaming journey, build your fanbase, and grow as a streamer.