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Streaming on Twitch - FAQ, tips and tricks


MovaaN

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Streaming

I decided to write a small topic about streaming, options and some techknowledge.

First of all you need to think about how you want to handle your stream. There is basically 3 options how to handle it, I'll tell what you can do with them and what you cannot.

 

1st option: PS4 broadcasting

  • PS4 broadcasting is the easiest and simpliest way to stream your PS4 gameplay. You just need twitch account (later known as your channel), PS4 and good enough internet (PS4 will tell when you have too slow upload speed but minimum should be 5mb/s UP and recommended 10mb/s)
  • Twitch account can easily done here: www.twitch.tv
  • After setting your channel up (just explore everything in there) you want to head to your dashboard with your computer (link works properly when you're logged into Twitch)
  • At the dashboard and all sub tabs you can make changes to your stream: change name, change game, language etc.
  • Using the dashboard isn't compulsory but will make your life lot easier :)

What is possible with PS4 broadcast?

  • PS4 broadcasting is pretty rudimentary mean to stream. You basically get your basic needs: stream, chat, mic and facecam (if wanted with PScamera)
  • No overlays, alerts and nothing *fancy* what you see in Twitch

    P.S. remember that your twitch account name is also your channels name. For example my twitch nick is MovaaN and my channel link is www.twitch.tv/movaan

 

2nd option: PS4 broadcasting + OBS (or other streaming tool for computer)

  • This is bit interesting way to stream. In short in this method we use 2 Twitch channels to stream. 1st we stream with our PS4, then we make OBS (just for example) to use that stream as a source and stream the "main" stream with computer.
  • In this method there are pros and cons. Pros being the ability to make overlays and other *fancy* stuff for your stream and no need to buy capture cards. Cons being extremely high internet usage in your upload bandwith. Haven't tested this on my 10mbs up connection but I have some concerns it not being high enough. It may have enough "size" but it won't be stable enough for smooth stream.

 

3rd option: Computer + OBS + capture card (like Elgato HD60)

  • Setup like this is used by people with more invest in streaming. Here you play with your PS4 normally but use capture device to get AV source to computer. Then you use software like OBS to stream it through your computer
  • With this you can have pretty much anything you want on your stream. Only limit is just your imagination and techskills :) 

 

Here are some of the softwares and links which are useful for streamers: https://www.twitch.tv/broadcast

 

FAQ:

Q:How fast internet you need to stream?

  • Good thumbrule is to have 2 times of bandwith compared to bitrate.

Q:What is bitrate

  • Bitrate is how much data your stream sends out. For example I like to stream with 720p resolution at 60 frames per second, this needs a bitrate around 3300-3500Kbps

Q:What bitrate should I use?

  • Depends. On PS4 you don't have to think about controlling it, console handles itself. There are tons of different settings but majority should be okay with following: 720p60fps (3500Kbps), 720p30fps (2800Kbps), 480p60fps (1500Kbps) and lower around 1000Kbps. You can count from these your bandwith requirement, for example 720p60fps needs 2x3500Kbps=7000Kbps or more commonly around 7-8M up. This here isn't exact science but found as good thumbrule through trial and error

Q:I love Full HD, can I stream on 1080p?

  • Yes of course you can. But remember this: Unless you aren't a Twitch partner, your viewers can only see your stream on Source quality. This means following: Your viewer needs good enough internet to watch your stream, 1080 need usually @ 30fps around 3500Kbps and @ 60fps almost 5000. Just for contrast, my 720p60fps is on the edge for non-partner streamer. I have bandwith to send but for some viewers the stream buffers and stutters because their download speed isn't just enough.
 
Q:What are dropped frames?
 
  • Dropped frames mean frames that aren't send out. On PS4 you can't see this but with OBS and other computer based softwares have statistic for this. Common reasons for dropped frames are too slow connection (drop your bitrate and quality) or unstable connection. With older computers this can be caused too by bad CPU (cannot handle encoding of the stream). Just remember that majority of the times when ppl complain on your channel chat that you drop frames the issue is usually with their internet or Twitch server is acting up

Q:Can I put my own music on my stream?

  • Yes you can, but with caution. Copyright laws and copyrighted content should always be used with care. If you have copyright protected music on your stream then your VOD (video archive of your past broadcasts) may be muted of all sounds. Soundcloud TwitchFM and Spotify has some nice copyright free music
 
 
 
 
 
I hope that this helped atleast some people with their questions about streaming. If you have more questions or tips and tricks to add, then feel free reply to this topic. Also check out my VOIP topic
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