Creating A Twitch Account
Before you begin streaming your gameplay, youre going to have to create a Twitch account. Navigate to;Twitchs official website, click the purple Sign Up link in the upper-right corner, and;enter;your desired login credentials before clicking the purple Sign Up;button at the bottom. Afterward, click your username in the top-right corner.
Before you start streaming, head over to the Twitch community guidelines page to read up on rule violations. These include promoting racist, homophobic, and ageist views, as well as making disparaging remarks about military veterans and those with disabilities. Nudity on stream is also forbidden, and you are expected to do your best to prevent your viewers from engaging in hateful speech and harassment, as well.
Twitch Streaming Software Worth Your Attention
So, whats the best streaming software for Twitch that you can use?
OBS Studio
Over time, OBS studio has become one of the most popular streaming software available. If you ask a regular streamer which option to choose, chances are theyll recommend this tool.
So, how to start streaming on Twitch with OBS?
The software is open-source, and its most often used for streaming on YouTube and Twitch. Its a powerful mixer of video and audio inputs. More importantly, it operates as a powerful recording tool that can capture video from several sources.
The design includes custom overlays that make going live much easier. In terms of features, OBS isnt the top one, but it has absolutely everything you need. This includes cropping, rotating, and resizing.
Many consider it to be better than some paid options on the market.;
XSplit Gamecaster
XSplit Gamecaster is another effective program Twitch livestreamers use. The program is free to download from the companys website but you can upgrade your streamers license later. That should give you access to a few more features that can improve your channel.
The software gives a professional feel and makes integrating with the service a real piece of cake.
Often considered to be one of the best Twitch streaming software, XSplit is very intuitive. Even if youve never gone live before, youll get a hang of it in no time.
Twitch Studio
Next on the list, we have software designed by the folks behind the platform itself.
How To Stream On Twitch Using Your Ps4 With No Capture Card
1 year ago
When it comes to being a Twitch streamer, a lot of people immediately assume that you need to own an expensive gaming computer and high end recording gear to even start. Even if you try to stream from a console, most online guides will try to sell you an expensive capture card that you need to connect to a computer.
Weve always believed in the importance of keeping the barrier of entry for content creation low, so the purpose of this article is to show you how you can start streaming your game sessions on Twitch straight from your PS4 in only a few minutes, without having to spend any money on extra devices or computer upgrades.;
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Problems With Native Gaming App Streaming
While a streaming app can be an easy solution for someone looking to jump into a stream without any additional hassle, it has its setbacks.
Games on PlayStation for example can sometimes block streaming and recording entirely. Many companies, like Atlas and Bandai Namco , have included in-game functions that stop their titles from being streamed after a certain period of time.
Theres no real way to tell which parts of the game will be cut either, and streamers often find out the hard way. Theres also no way to disable it.
Stream Without A Capture Card: How To Setup Lightstream With Your Playstation 4 To Twitch
Creating a great looking stream as a console content creator shouldnt require a high end gaming PC or capture card, but you will need a basic computer or laptop for initial setup. With our Lightstream Gamer Project, you can do all the things that pro streamers do to increase audience engagement like add text, branded overlays, and alerts.;
Gamer Projects works for any Twitch streamer on a;PlayStation 4 or 5,;or;Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S;who want to add more polish to their stream without a capture card. The beauty of this integration is that you can go as simple or as complex as you want and once its all setup, you dont need to open Lightstream for it to work.
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The Impact A Good Overlay Can Do For You
A good overlay is pretty crucial to upgrading the stream experience your viewers receive. Capable of showcasing your brand, a compilation of nice designs that will appeal to anyone watching, as well as give back to those viewers who are really dedicated through alerts are the reasons why an overlay is almost essential! Streaming with an overlay extends to more than the viewing experience as it also directly impacts how a browsing viewer notices you through an eye-catching design in the streaming platform. Something to note is that streaming your PS4 to your computer allows you to have more options for when you are considering going beyond just streaming.
Two Connect The Elgato Capture Card
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Connect Your Ps4 To Your Twitch Account
When you click the share button on your controller, youll see the option to broadcast gameplay. PS4 will ask which platform you want to use, and after selecting Twitch, youll need to connect the console to the account. You can do so by:
- Scanning a QR code youll see on your screen, or
- Going to twitch.tv/activate from a computer or smartphone and entering the code youll see on your screen.
Change Settings And Start Streaming
From here, select broadcast gameplay and youll be given an option to stream via;three different streaming services. Select Twitch, and the service will provide;you with a streaming key. Then, go;to twitch.tv/activate and enter the key. Your PS4;will be ready to start streaming in a few moments, but lets change a few more settings first.
From the broadcast gameplay menu, you can change the title of your stream, the quality, and whether you want to use your camera and/or microphone. Once youre satisfied with your settings, hit start broadcasting and show your skills to the world!
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Which Software To Use For Live Streaming On Twitch
When broadcasting on Twitch from a desktop computer, the consensus is that beginners should start with software encoders unless they have hardware encoders available. Read our guide on the difference between software and hardware encoders to learn why.
Every software encoder comes with its own sets of pros and cons. If youre interested in some of the more popular options, they are:
- OBS Studio The top choice for many novice content creators, OBS Studio is a free, open-source streaming software with cross-platform compatibility. The learning curve can be a bit high if youve never used live streaming software before.
- Streamlabs OBS The Streamlabs version of OBS has some great features that might help you monetize your channel. Its only available on Windows, though. Read about the difference between OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS to help you decide.
- XSplit A common solution for broadcasters who want to try out paid software, it only shines if youre willing to invest in the paid version.
- vMix Consider this option when you decide youre ready to become a pro streamer.
If youre looking for a quick start on Twitch just to see if streaming is for you, try Twitch Studio, Twitchs proprietary streaming software thats currently in open beta. For even more options, check out Twitchs streaming software suggestions.
If you want to broadcast to other platforms besides Twitch simultaneously, youll need to enlist an additional software solution to your roster.
How To Stream On Twitch: Picking Your Software
Twitch is neat thanks to its ability to enable streaming from a variety of platforms. But some of the most notable places to stream Twitch from are gaming PCs and reasonably powerful gaming laptops. And to do, so you’re going to need the right software to get your stream up and running.;
The two major choices are XSplit, which is a Windows 10-centric tool, and Open Broadcaster Software , which is available on Mac, Linux and Windows. With an intuitive interface, XSplit is the easiest to use, though it does require you to pay for it. OBS is a great free alternative and is probably one of the most popular pieces of streaming software, but it will require you to roll your sleeves up and do a bit more initial setup. ;
There are also custom versions of OBS available, including Streamlabs OBS and StreamElements OBS.Live. These programs sync up with Streamlabs and StreamElements respectively to let you easily set up custom layouts, alerts and more.
Those new to the world of steaming can take a look at Twitch Studio, Twitch’s very own streaming app that’s designed with beginners in mind. This app is free and offers guided setup for the main devices in your streaming setup, such as webcam and game feed. It also offers customizable templates to get your streaming career started quickly. ;
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Set Up Your Streaming Client
Speaking of streaming clients, youll need a separate piece of software to stream when youre using a capture card. Most capture cards come with some form of streaming or editing software bundled in. We recommend OBS, however. Its open-source, easy to use, highly flexible, and, above all else, free.
With it, you can set up multiple scenes, add transitions to them, and do picture-in-picture. Well leave the finer points of the software for you to discover on your own. For the purposes of this guide, well show you how to get your PS4 running. Before streaming, youll need to connect your accounts, which you can do following the steps below.
- Open OBS and click Settings.
- Select Stream.
- Choose your streaming service and connect your account.
OBS supports Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and just about every other streaming platform. You can connect your account by logging in through OBS, but you dont need to. All OBS requires is a stream key, which you can find in your account on Twitch, and the like.
Still in the settings, youll need to adjust some video controls. Under the Advanced tab, make sure you set your process priority to High;or Above normal.;That way, OBS will take more resources to send your stream. If youre having a choppy experience, closing some background apps can help, too.
Things To Consider Before Streaming On Twitch From Pc Ps4 & Xbox One
A lot of different users are on Twitch and as you can imagine the channels get extremely varied from some that are dedicated to ASMR, gambling, and of course gaming! We are going to go through a few extra things for your consideration before you go diving into your new Twitch streams.
With Twitch featuring millions of streamers, you need to consider how you are going to stand out. Your niche could be your high levels of skill, glowing personality, or some whacky-looking character idea where you would dress up. Think about what sets you apart from the rest and run with it!
Once you start streaming you wont automatically be a Twitch partner, in fact, you will have to complete what Twitch calls The Path to Partner achievement which is in the achievements dashboard. This isnt the only way to become a partner though and if you demonstrate a large or engaged viewership you have a shot also.
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How Do I Make My Stream Look And Sound Great
Your gear and your upload speed play a crucial role in the quality of your stream, but theyre not all that matters. Content affects quality, too, albeit in a different way. There are some other effects you can add to your stream, as well as special settings you can pay attention to, that can make a lot of difference.
If you want your stream to look and sound like those of some of the most popular streamers, you should consider the following:
How To Stream To Twitch From Ps4 And Xbox One
Not everyone owns a computer thats powerful enough to stream gameplay online. Plus, many gaming enthusiasts prefer to play on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
The good news that doesnt stop you from creating content for this platform.
So, how to stream on Twitch from your console?
Well, if you own one of these devices, you already have everything it takes to start broadcasting your gameplay.
Both PlayStation and Xbox consoles let you download the Twitch app and go live from it.
Before you do so, we recommend logging into your account from a web browser. That way, you can choose your Moderation and Safety settings.
Once you complete, you can start creating live content. And in case youre wondering how to start streaming on twitch from PS4 or Xbox One, weve got you covered.
No matter which platform you use, the entire process is painless.
Once you link the device to your Twitch channel, all you have to do is select Broadcast from the menu.
Streaming options you have are generally the same as for computers. Some of them are even better.
One of the perks is that the console will recognize which game youre playing and automatically place your stream in the correct section.
Still, a PC streaming setup has some undeniable benefits.
For example, if youre a streamer, you have to pay attention to whats going on in the comment section. Pro streamers have their own moderators. But when starting out, youll hardly be able to afford them.
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Streaming Directly From The Ps4 Limits Your Potential
Streaming directly from your PS4 isnt an option you should consider thanks to its inability to provide an amazing viewing experience. When you attempt to stream directly from your PlayStation 4 you are only given a few options to choose through, when you are trying to create an immersive streaming experience this just isnt enough. You can get away with 720p 60fps but you really arent living up to your potential, and no overlays is going to seriously restrict your growth. What you can do instead is take the feed of your PS4 and transfer it to the computer so that can be streamed. Not only can you expect a better streaming experience playing-wise but it will also let you stream PS4 on twitch with overlay enabled.
Streaming From A Playstation 4
The process for streaming to Twitch from a PS4 console is simple. You dont have to use any outside software, and you can even use a PlayStation camera as a microphone and facecam for your broadcasts!
If you have a PlayStation Camera and want to use it, consider plugging it in. Just ensure your cameras microphone isnt muted from the quick-menu on your console, otherwise, you wont be able to use it with your stream.
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What Games To Stream
Choosing what games to stream can be extremely important to your success. Should you stream the most popular games on Twitch? When you are starting out you could get stuck at the bottom of the list in obscurity. I would recommend starting off with a newly released game, it could make it easier to get some exposure. Also, since you are a PS4 streamer, consider streaming games that are PS4 exclusives when they are initially released.
What Software Will You Stream To Twitch With
After you determine which hardware you will be streaming from the next question to answer is what software do you need? Two of the most popular streaming software for Twitch are OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS, however there are a plethora of other options should you want something easier to setup and configure like Twitch Studio Beta or a cloud based option.
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What Are The Options For Making It Work
How you go about setting up your PS4 to link to your PC is pretty simple, theres basically only two options to consider. The first is free, easily set up and definitely the most painless way to go about it, and thats using Playstations Remote Play software. Essentially, you can install an official app onto your computer that receives the video and audio feed from the Playstation through ethernet or wifi. You can control the Playstation through a regular Dualshock 2 controller connected to your computer via USB or bluetooth.;
The other option is a capture card, which is a physical unit that essentially allows you to split the HDMI signal between external devices, and allows a computer to read the signal as a video feed input, like a webcam. While significantly more expensive than the free of the remote play option, there are some significant advantages.;
How To Stream On Twitch From A Ps4
Streaming to Twitch from your PS4 has never been easier and its just a matter of completing a few simple steps. Although professional streamers may include additional streaming hardware like an audio mixer, a capture card or an xlr microphone and these are great upgrades for any streaming setup, they are not necessary for someone new to streaming.
With a couple of easy to follow steps, you can connect your PS4 to Twitch and stream your live gameplay within minutes.
Step 1: Download the Twitch app from the Playstation Store
Sony and Twitch have partnered up to make this a simple and rewarding experience. From the Playstation Store menu, scroll down to the App section and check the Popular category. Scrolling through the list you will see a large purple Twitch icon, click on this button in order to download and install the official Twitch app.
- Turn on your PS4 and make sure its ready to go
- Travel to the Playstation Store
- Check the Popular category under the App section
- Scroll through until you see the Twitch icon
- Install the official Twitch app
With this initial step completed, we can move onto the final step before you begin streaming your PS4 to Twitch.
Step 2: Connect your Playstation account with your Twitch account
Once you make this connection between the two accounts, Twitch and your PS4, you wont have to do this again unless you either change Twitch accounts or Playstation consoles in the future.;;
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