Live Streaming Must-have Tools in 2022

Ishita Banik Published on : 17 March 2022 7 minutes

  The global live streaming industry is on rise both in terms of value and volume. According to a recent report, the total hours spent on mobile live streaming apps in 2020 was 482.5 billion, while the weekly reach of … Continue reading

live streaming

 

The global live streaming industry is on rise both in terms of value and volume. According to a recent report, the total hours spent on mobile live streaming apps in 2020 was 482.5 billion, while the weekly reach of live streaming videos worldwide in the third quarter of 2021 was 30.4%. With these figures growing exponentially, the demand and adoption of live streaming is about to rise even further in the coming years. 

Artists, businesspersons, and various industries have normalized the adoption of live streaming already, while the new-comers are finding the best ways to utilize it. One of the primary requirements to get started with live streaming successfully is – getting the right arrangement done not only in terms of live streaming platform but also the related tools/softwares. It often becomes overwhelming for many to get their hands on the right tools/equipment at the very beginning. So, here we have come up with a detailed guide on live streaming must-have tools in 2022. Let’s have a look!

 

Must-have Tools for Live Streaming in 2022

Some of the basic must-have tools for live streaming are –

  • A steady internet connection with at least 5 megabytes per second upload bandwidth
  • An external webcam. If your PC doesn’t already have one, you’ll need to purchase one
  • A decent microphone 
  • A blender to combine audio from the mic and any other sources
  • An encoding device to encode video for streaming

However, the list of tools/equipment may vary based on the level – beginners, intermediate and advanced. Here we are listing out the equipment that are necessary for a proper quality live streaming for all these levels.

1. Audio Equipment

For any live-streamer, it is recommended to invest in a high-quality microphone that allows crisp audio delivery. Streaming not only allows you to watch whatever you want on your own device, but it may also lead to a profitable career path in some situations. Depending on the type of streaming you’re looking for, you’ll require different audio equipment.

Add to the audiolist, a decent audio mixer. In movies, television shows, video games etc, an audio mixer is in charge of combining, recording, and mixing audio signals to create soundtracks.

2. Live Streaming Camera

A good quality camera to capture high quality video is mandatory for any live streaming. Here’s some go-to options –

  • If you’re new to photography, the Canon Vixia HF R700 is an excellent choice that comes at a fair price. Even at night, by putting it in your pocket, you can shoot a 1920*1080 pixel live video
  • Canon XA35 is a good choice that has several features that you could only get for twice the price. It contains a 20x zoom lens with HDMI and SDI ports for connecting to other devices. High-quality audio is produced by the two XLR inputs
  • Panasonic AG-DVX200 is an excellent camera for those with more experience who want to capture 4K video. The integrated Leica Zoom lens, as well as the HDMI port that provides 4K output, enable you to capture high quality live streams

 

live streaming use cases

 

3. Switcher Hardware

A video switcher is a piece of gear that allows you to switch between different audio or video sources. Although their primary role is to switch between audio and video sources, they are also used to mix video and add film or special effects to a secondary source. Some go-to tips –

  • With its live switching technology, Boxcast Switcher is a $300/year programme that eliminates the need for cables and allows you to shoot multi-camera events
  • The Ronald VR-4HD is designed for single-user operation and includes a variety of hardware controllers such as faders, buttons, and pots. A color touchscreen is also incorporated, making preview switching simple without the necessity of an external display for multi-view previewing (although some users will definitely want an external monitor as the on-board screen is relatively small)
  • The YoloBox from YoloLiv is the ideal video switcher for individuals who wish to manage many video productions from a single device, including broadcasting and live streaming without any additional hardware

 

Also Read: Top 10 Live Streaming Use Cases in 2022

 

4. Encoders

An encoder is a device that transforms analogue signals into digital signals. The term “encoding” refers to the process of converting or translating a message into machine-readable code. An encoding scheme outlines how binary digits, or “bits,” will be used to represent data. Video stream encoders are the most common sort of encoder, and they are used to transmit live videos over the internet. Different standard compression methods, such as H264 and VP8, are used by video encoders to compress video streams while also reducing bandwidth utilization.

5. Software Encoders

Software encoders take video and audio data from a computer or any other source, encodes them, and transmits them out to be streamed online. Because not all formats can be streamed online, the encoding step is critical. A software encoder encodes whatever signal it receives into the MPEG-4 H264 format, which has been certified for use in streaming internet material by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Although YouTube adheres to this guideline, there are a variety of formats available today. A software encoder is a device that compresses video or audio data in order to use less bandwidth (or storage) space.

6. Hardware Encoders

The most frequent sort of streaming hardware is hardware encoders. They function by converting a video feed into a data stream that can be sent over the internet. This is a real-time technique that does not require any post-production or editing. These devices’ encoded output can subsequently be sent directly to a computer’s web browser, mobile device, or set-top box without further processing. The main benefit of using hardware encoders is that they are easy to use and do not require the installation of software on your computer, as do certain other types of streaming devices.

7. RTMP-Enabled Encoders

RTMP-enabled Encoders are a sort of video encoder that is created specifically for RTMP live streaming. The Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) is the content delivery protocol used by Adobe Flash Media Server (FMMS). FMMS can be used to configure an RTMP-enabled encoder, which will subsequently send encoded data to an RTMP server in real time.

8. Mixing Equipment

A mixer and an external sound card are the optimum mixing equipment for streaming. This will ensure that you have all of the essential inputs, outputs, and controls to offer the highest-quality audio to your audience. Creative Labs and M-Audio often produce the most popular USB sound cards, while Behringer offers a wide range of mixers.

 

Some other mandatory tools for live streaming include tripods, good lighting settings, production softwares etc. However, there are no hard and fast rules and you can choose according to your requirements while live streaming.

 

The Bottom Line – Choose a Robust Live Streaming Platform

While it is a good practice to keep your checklist ready before you start live streaming, it will all be worth it if you opt for a robust live streaming platform. Muvi Live, an industry-grade live streaming platform, lets you live stream quality videos seamlessly. Corporate events to eSports tournaments – Muvi Live is a great fit for any industry/sector, occasion, and purpose.

Built-in CDN, live stream recording, user generated content, social media integration, and analytics & insights are some of the solutions that make your live videos stand out from the crowd. Take a 14-day free trial today to learn more.

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Written by: Ishita Banik

Ishita is a Content Writer with Muvi Marketing Team. Apart from business writing, she is also an acclaimed author of three best seller romantic thriller novels. In 2020, she got featured in The Hindustan Times, a leading news portal as an inspirational Indian author.

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