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Streaming video games is a great way to interact with members of the gaming community, make new friends, and show off your skills. With Twitch, viewers have an easy-to-use platform for viewing content from all around the world. Getting started with the streaming platform can be daunting at first, however, especially if you’ve never put much time into making online videos. Thankfully, with a few simple steps, you’ll be ready to broadcast your gameplay in no time.
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Creating a Twitch account
Before you begin streaming your gameplay, you’re going to have to create a Twitch account. Navigate to Twitch’s 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.
Streaming from Windows or MacOS
Streaming games from your PC or Mac is trickier than streaming from an Xbox One and a PS4, as most systems don’t come with any sort of built-in software to get you started. There are subscription-based products like XSplit if you want control over every aspect of your broadcast, but if you’re just learning the basics of streaming, we recommend downloading Open Broadcaster Software (“OBS”). The software is completely free, usable in both Windows and MacOS, and endorsed by Twitch.
Step 1: Download OBS
Downloading OBS couldn’t be simpler. To begin, click on your username in the main Twitch interface and hit the dashboard link. From there, you’ll see another link labeled streaming apps. Click this, and you’ll see OBS listed as the very first option. Click the purple Download button, and you’ll be taken to the OBS website, which is also accessible here. Once there, you’ll see versions available for PC, Mac, and Linux. Download and install the appropriate version, and, afterward, launch it as you would any other program.
Step 2: Setting up to stream
Twitch has a long, detailed guide on how to get the most out of OBS on your system, but you only need to pay attention to a few basic steps in order to start streaming.
Click on the Output tab in OBS and ensure that your video bitrate is set to about 2,500. This should allow you to stream content at 720p, but you can increase this number if you want to broadcast at a higher resolution. Audio bitrate should be set at 128 — regardless of your resolution — though, you can also lower this if your internet speeds are less than ideal.
Step 3: Enter your stream key
Return to Twitch’s website, and go back to the dashboard. Directly beside the streaming apps option is one for streaming key. Click this, agree to the terms of service, and you’ll see a long string of letters and numbers. Copy this and return to OBS. Then, choose the Stream option and paste the key into the appropriate field.
Step 4: Plug in your microphone and set up your game
If you’re planning to use an audio device other than your built-in microphone, connect it now and look at that Sources menu in the main OBS screen. Select audio input capture, then click on the icon that depicts a hand and a piece of paper, which will give you a list of available audio devices. Pick the microphone you wish to use, and when you return to the main screen, you’ll see a green bar that indicates your sound levels.
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If using a PC, you can also set up the game’s audio output through OBS. From the sound panel, select desktop audio device. This should automatically default to your system’s speakers, however.
Note: There’s currently no built-in support for Mac desktop audio in OBS. These programs may help you in creating custom audio devices.
Next, open the game you want to stream and return to the Sources menu. This time, select window capture and click the icon depicting a hand and a piece of paper. Click the drop-down menu, then select your game from the list of possible options.
Step 5: Stream!
That’s all there is to it! Hit the start streaming button in the main OBS screen and you’ll instantly begin broadcasting from your Twitch account. When you’re done, just hit stop streaming.
Streaming from a PlayStation 4
The process for streaming to Twitch from a PS4 console is simple. You don’t have to utilize 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 camera’s microphone isn’t muted from the quick-menu on your console, otherwise you won’t be able to use it with your stream!
Step 1: Play a game
Unlike with Windows and MacOS, you should open whatever game you plan on streaming before changing any broadcast settings. Once you’ve launched the game, press the Share button next to the touchpad on your PS4 controller to open up your broadcast settings.
Step 2: Change settings and start streaming!
From here, select broadcast gameplay and you’ll 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 let’s 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 you’re satisfied with your settings, hit start broadcasting and show your skills to the world!
Streaming from an Xbox One
Streaming with Twitch on an Xbox One is almost as simple as it is on a PS4. However, a few technical issues do mean you need one more piece of equipment.
If you want to have a “facecam” in your stream, make sure you have a Kinect plugged into your Xbox One, as well as a headset plugged into your controller. Having a headset for broadcasting is critical, as the Kinect’s microphone is prone to cutting out intermittently when streaming via Twitch. As long as you have a headset plugged in, however, the stream will use that mic instead of the one on the Kinect.
Step 1: Play a game
Just like the PS4, start up a game on your Xbox One before you begin streaming. Twitch will automatically detect the game when it begins the broadcast, making your content easier to find for prospective viewers.
Once this is done, download and open the official Twitch application, and log into the service. You’ll be given a stream key, which you must then activate at twitch.tv/activate using your mobile device or computer.
Step 2: Change settings and start streaming!
You’ll be given the option to change the title of your stream and the resulting quality before you start broadcasting on the Xbox One. You’ll also be able to move your Kinect’s camera display to the four corners of your game’s display. This won’t show up once you’re actually streaming on your own TV, but viewers will still be able to see it.
Next, hit start broadcast to stream your gameplay to the world. You’ll notice a ticker at the bottom of the screen showing how many viewers you have, and if you use the Xbox One’s Snap feature to keep Twitch visible on the side, you’ll be able to view your fans chatting in real time.
Most games don’t give you the option to mute your microphone in-game without muting it elsewhere, so consider creating an Xbox Live party with yourself as the sole member so other players won’t have to hear your commentary. If you invite other players to the party, their chat will also be broadcast in real time, so be sure to let them know in advance!
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from Planet GS via John Jason Fallows on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hzam7z
Gabe Gurwin
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