5 useful gadgets for a beginner streamer
Live streaming, gaming or conversational, on YouTube or Twitch is not only a fun activity, but also a good income from advertising and donations in the long run. But it is unlikely that you will be able to quickly gather a large number of viewers, so you should not immediately spend money on expensive streaming equipment. Instead of a specialized video capture card, you can limit yourself to a regular video card. The 4K webcam is obviously overkill - Full HD will suffice, as your face will only be displayed in a small window in the corner of the screen on top of the game. For the first time, a microphone on a regular tripod will be enough, and buy a flexible pantograph later. And instead of a mechanical keyboard, it is better to choose a quieter membrane or scissor keyboard, otherwise the audience will be annoyed by the constant background clatter. You don’t need to save too much except on a Wi-Fi router and an orthopedic chair. After all, it directly depends on them how long and often you can stream.
A4Tech PK-940HA - 1080p webcam with auto focus
Reasons to buy: Broadcasts 1080p@30fps video, autofocus, 75° viewing angle, glass lens, pan/tilt adjustment, compatible with all operating systems.
Reasons not to buy: If you absolutely need stereo sound.
A4Tech PK-940HA - webcam with USB connection without the need to manually install drivers. Compatible with all popular desktop operating systems (Windows 7 - 11, macOS, Linux) as well as Android 6.0+ mobile OS, including SmartTV. Able to broadcast video with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 30 fps. And in the case of a slow Internet connection, you can switch to 720p. Uses the MJPEG codec, which minimally loads the processor and video card.
The lens of the objective is made of glass, not plastic, thanks to which it is reliably protected from scratches and dust ingress. The viewing angle is 75 degrees, which allows you to place several people in the frame at once. There is a fast autofocus from 10 cm to infinity. There is only one microphone that records sound in mono mode. A wide clip with a soft silicone gasket can adjust the horizontal and vertical angles. A standard 1/4" tripod mount is also included (sold separately).
Lorgar Voicer 521 - microphone with mute button and tripod
Reasons to buy: Frequency response 50 - 18000 Hz, Plug & Play connection, metal case, volume control and mute button, tripod.
Reasons not to buy: If you need omnidirectional sound recording.
Lorgar Voicer 521 — an inexpensive microphone for communication in work chats and multiplayer games, as well as recording letsplays and streams. It does not need additional phantom power, and in general it is connected according to the Plug & Play principle. That is, it is connected to a USB port and will immediately work without any prior configuration on any device (PC, laptop, game console, tablet). The directivity of sound recording is cardioid, at a slight angle forward. Recording format 48kHz@16-bit, frequency range 50 - 18000 Hz, sensitivity -40dB, and signal to noise ratio 78dB.
The microphone body houses an analog volume control, a touch-sensitive recording mute button, and a headphone jack for real-time listening. Connects to a computer or laptop microphone via a detachable USB Type-C to Type-A cable. The microphone itself and the complete tripod are made of metal. Compatible with pantographs with 3/8" or 5/8" threads. By the way, there is a Lorgar Voicer 931 model that has a richer package: a pantograph, a vibration-damping spider and a pop filter.
Cougar Vantar AX Quiet Scissor Switch Keyboard
Reasons to buy: Slim aluminum body, quiet Scissor microswitches, familiar ANSI layout, calculator keypad, RGB backlight.
Reasons not to buy: If you prefer shortened keyboards.
Cougar Vantar AX - Slim all-metal gaming keyboard with scissor microswitches and RGB backlighting. Approximately twice as thin as a typical membrane or mechanics. And retractable legs with rubber anti-slip pads allow you to slightly raise the keyboard if desired. Scissor switches are tactilely similar to laptop keys: short travel and quiet pressing. They are especially useful for streamers who care about the absence of extraneous noise during a live broadcast.
The keyboard layout is European ANSI, that is, with a long left Shift and a one-story Enter. In comparison, the American ISO adds a duplicate Slash key (slash) to the left, which is useful for programmers, but on the contrary, it hinders writers and gamers. Accountants, on the other hand, will appreciate the presence of a calculation block of keys on the right, which are now often cut to free up space for the mouse to run on the table. Anti-Ghosting is not 100%, but up to 17 keys are read at the same time, which allows you to program complex macros.
- Slim aluminum body, quiet Scissor microswitches
- familiar ANSI layout, calculator keypad
- RGB backlight
Canyon Argama — orthopedic chair covered with eco-leather
Reasons to buy: Durable eco-leather cover, can withstand a rider up to 150 kg, pillows for the neck and lower back, adjustable 3D armrests.
Reasons not to buy: If you feel more comfortable sitting on fabric or mesh.
Canyon Argama - de jure gaming, but de facto universal, orthopedic chair for a long pastime at the PC, whether it's work or games. The reinforced steel frame makes the chair suitable for users weighing up to 150 kg. And the foam seat filler reduces the load on the muscles. There are also two height-adjustable pillows for the most fatigue-prone areas of the spine - the neck and lower back (can be removed completely). The eco-leather covering with a military color is easy to clean and will last a long time, except that it soars a little in the summer heat.
The crosspiece is not steel, but nylon (fiber plastic), which is even stronger and lighter. The total weight of the chair is a moderate 21 kg, so it will not be difficult to carry it over thresholds between rooms. The wheels are made of soft polyurethane for quiet and gentle rolling on the floor. The gas lift is represented by the most reliable 4-class. The backrest reclines almost horizontally so that you can also lie down on the chair. And the 3D armrests have adjustable height, depth and angle of rotation.
Totolink A3002RU v2 - reliable Wi-Fi router with Beamforming
Reasons to buy: Total Wi-Fi speed up to 1200 Mbps, four antennas with Beamforming, Gigabit WAN and 4 Gigabit LAN, USB port for external HDD.
Reasons not to buy: If you need a router with backup 4G internet.
Totolink A3002RU v2 - a wireless Wi-Fi 5 router, also known as AC, and five gigabit Ethernet ports. The input WAN allows you to connect to an ISP at speeds of 200, 500, or even 1000 Mbps. And four LAN outputs make it possible to quickly share files between multiple computers at home or in the office. The total speed of the wireless connection can reach 1200 Mbps. Of these, 867 Mbps is transmitted at a frequency of 5 GHz, and another 300 Mbps - at 2.4 GHz.
Simply put, a router can transfer data to one client device (laptop or smartphone) at a speed slightly less than a gigabit, and to two or more devices in total - even faster than a gigabit. Thanks to the built-in USB port, Totolink A3002RU v2 easily turns into a network file storage by connecting an external hard drive. For example, to stream movies to a smart TV. Four external directional antennas with beamforming function can intelligently bend around walls and other obstacles for maximum radio range.
For those who want to know more
- How to Build a $500 Gaming PC
- 5 best gaming mice under $100
- 5 Best Modular PC Power Supplies
- The 5 Best PC Cases: Big and Small
- The Best Mechanical Keyboards with Red, Blue, Brown and Silver Switches
