Streaming Guide

for Beginners
Product/Achievement Statement –
“To provide a fluid and cohesive real time video display with an audience featuring a shared interest or
subject.” Examples: Teaching a live cooking class to an audience over the internet. Sharing and
commentating your own video game experience with friends.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Computer usage – Basic usage including finding programs, changing settings, connecting devices
Internet usage – Searching the web, setting up accounts with different websites, downloading and
installing programs
Disclaimer: These are examples of things you should know how to do in order to fully comprehend these
instructions.

Tools & Equipment with Explanations

Dual Displays (Monitors, TVs or one of both) – You will use one of the displays for monitoring your
outputs/stream and the other for any additional needs. Examples of additional needs; an interactive chat,
a recipe, on screen reminders or notes, anything else that will help you organize or present your stream.
High Quality Webcam (1080p 60fps recommended minimum) – The goal of streaming is to present
yourself doing something. Not all streams have a webcam or visual component for the presenter, but it is
a common feature of popular and successful streams.
Dedicated Recording Mic – A dedicated recording mic often comes with additional features and better
sound quality. Whether you are sitting at a desk or walking around a room the dedicated mic will give
you more control over the sounds that you would like to feature in your stream.
Computer – Different types of streaming will require different minimum specifications.
Non-Gaming Computer - Steaming something other than a video games (board games,
cooking, crafts, etc) – Minimum of: 2.5 Ghz processing power, 4 GB of RAM, Windows 10 Operating
system, 1 TB of data storage, USB 3.0 ports. These specifications should allow you to run multiple
programs, process, and upload your stream all at the same time.
Computer Gaming – For computer-based gaming you need to find the recommended
specifications for the game that you will be playing. You can use this website to find the specifications
for most computer games. https://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri Most gaming PCs (a computer
with a dedicated graphics card) will work fine.
Console Gaming – Another option is to use a console or second computer for gaming and
process/upload with the first computer. The computer specifications for this would be the same as Non-
Gaming.
Recording Software – I would recommend starting with OBS which is a free open source software.
Other recommended options: Wirecast Telestream, CyberLink PowerDirector, vMix
Account with preferred streaming service – An account with Facebook, Twitch, YouTube or
whatever service you wish to present your content on.
Additional Gear for your Content – If you are cooking then you will need supplies and ingredients,
console gaming will require a console and video capture device,
 Welcome

Now that you have gathered your tools and equipment you may think that you are ready to start
streaming. I would like you to consider a few questions first, as these will help you prepare for your
internet debut.
Have your practiced? As with all skills, repetition and practice will help you produce higher quality
content. A couple of ways that you can practice producing content is to record yourself without the
intention of uploading the content. If it is great you can always upload it later. Practicing will give you a
feel for what you will be doing, and as with any thing it can feel kind of awkward the first time you try
it. In addition, you can review your content before anyone else see it. This will allow for you to pick up
on any unanticipated problems or aesthetics for your presentation. For example, you might be a person
who swears without realizing it, but you are trying to create content for kids.
What is the goal of your content? Are you trying to teach someone how to do something, or are you
trying to be entertaining? Maybe you just want to show off how impressive you are at some skill.
Regardless of what your goal is you have decided that you want to share it with others. You need to
consider the other side of that coin. What do they want to see? Who is your audience? Why should they
watch your content as opposed to someone else’s content? No one else can answer these questions for
you. Write them down on paper, think about them. Thinking about the “Who, What, and Why” of your
content will vastly improve the product you create.
Are you ready to make this commitment? As the saying goes “it doesn’t happen overnight” and one of
the most important parts of streaming is consistency and scheduling. If you want people to watch you,
then you need to give them the space and opportunity. While streaming should be fun… It takes a lot of
hard work and persistence to do it well. Research your favorite streamers, YouTube channels, or other
content creators. They have a schedule and for the most part it is predictable. This allows for them to
gather fans more easily and creates a comfort and familiarity that is welcomed by viewers. Create a plan,
you can always change it later if it does not work.
 Physical Set Up/layout

Setting up your space requires a balance between comfort and functionality. Your goal is to use your
space to show off what you are doing and how you are doing it. This can be difficult, as there is no
perfect or even right way to set up your space. This is all preference. For this section I will recommend
tips, strategies, and examples of my set up.

 Your microphone should be as close as possible without blocking the view of your camera.
 Your camera should capture your face and your upper body. Think about picking up a separate
camera if you want to capture the action. Cooking, making, etc.
 Have everything you need within reach. This might mean that you need a larger space to work
with. A bigger desk or an additional table could help. Plan your space beforehand and change it
as needed.
 Have one monitor centered and focused, while the other is offset or to the side.
 Have water and snacks nearby.

For a cooking stream set up or something else that requires you to use an unusual space, there are a
few specific tips to use. Use a laptop instead of a computer, grab an extra table or flat space connect
and organize all your equipment. This may require some creative thinking. Position a camera to see
yourself and one to see the action.
Testing equipment and setting up software
Every piece of equipment and software is different but here are some universal steps you can take.
1. Make sure that all your equipment is properly connect to the computer. Some equipment like
microphones or recording devices may require a 3.0 USB connection.

Starting from the top and going down. You can

see the brown cord from my lamp and a white
cord from my humidifier. These are not necessary
I have them to improve my quality of life at the
computer.

The first thing plugged into the computer is the

power cord.

Below that are 3 USB Cord that are all shaped the
same. The top USB is my Camera plugged into a
USB 3.0 Slot. Almost hidden from view next to it
is my wireless mouse.

The two below are the keyboard and microphone.

The final two cord are for my monitors.

2. Run your streaming software (I will be using basic OBS for this example).
3. Using OBS you will need to create each of your sources (highlighted by a green box in 4). Select
the plus symbol under the sources tab. Add a source for each input you will use. Camera, Screen
Capture, Microphone, or any other inputs you may have. You will use “Video Capture” for
Cameras, “Display Capture” or “Window Capture” for capturing video from your monitor, and
“Audio Input” for your microphone. (Seen in picture 5)
4.
5.

6. Can you see yourself? Can you hear yourself? Can you see what you are doing? (Picture 7) If the
answer is no for any of these questions, make sure that all your equipment is properly connected
to the computer. If this does not fix your problem, you will have to do some problem solving.
 Check Google, YouTube, and your computer settings. OBS has incredible support for problem
solving. You can find their website here. https://obsproject.com/help

You can see me looking at my

second monitor. The screenshot you
are looking at is from that monitor.
So yes, I can see myself. If you look
at the audio down at the bottom
(highlighted in green) You will see
the audio inputs. My camera has a
built-in microphone, but I am not
using it. You will notice my yeti
mic is not picking up any noise but
that is OK because I have done my
sound check and was not speaking
when I captured this picture.
7.
8. Organize your virtual space. If you are computer gaming, you should have two monitors set up.
One should be dedicated for gaming, and the other for monitoring you stream. If you are
streaming something other than computer gaming one monitor to watch your stream will work
fine. (picture 9)

9.
10. At the top lift click on the “File” menu. Then “Settings”, then “Stream”, and finally Connect
accounts. (See both of pictures 11 and picture 12 steps highlighted in green) You will need to
find and select your streaming service from the menu. You will then need to login. Using Twitch
it will require you to download the desktop software and test your stream. The twitch instructions
can be found here https://www.twitch.tv/creatorcamp/en/setting-up-your-stream/
11.

12.
13. You should be all set at this point. Click the start streaming button on the OBS Dashboard and
make sure to have fun. (another picture of my stream post game)

Final Notes
Practice and optimization!
 Run and record a test. (the record button can be found right next to the streaming button) You
might pick up issues you did not know were there.
 Have someone watch your first stream. They will notice things that you will not.
Here are some of the difficulties I have encountered and recommendations for fixing them.
1. Problem: Your microphone is not picking up your voice or the microphone is picking up too
much ambient noise.
Solution: Check the gain/volume settings on your microphone. You can also check the
gain/volume settings on OBS Turn them up or down while wearing your headphones until you
like the sound that you are hearing.
2. Problem: The Camera picking up too much light or not enough light.
Solutions: I recommend trying light bulbs with different brightness ratings. Try increasing or
reducing the sources of light. Try increasing or reducing light that is pointed directly at you.
3. Problem: Having an inappropriate or undesirable background item. Whether it be paraphernalia
or dirty laundry, you might not realize what others will see when they watch your stream.
Solution: Record a practice stream and watch it or ask a friend to watch your first stream and
give feedback.

Have Fun
Have fun with it. You are setting the tone for your content, so have fun and enjoy it!