STACK #184 Feb 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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So you think you can video?Then this read is for you! We rip into the good, the rad, and the lovely of streaming and content creation essentials that’ll showcase your high-fidelity side. Words Adam Colby

Videogame VCR PC software does a great job of letting you capture gameplay footage, but this is a drain on precious gaming hardware. Using a capture card frees up precious frames-per-second (particularly important for streamers who love shooters), and also offers ways to capture footage beyond PC gaming in superior quality. Supplementary swag Finally, there’s the little quality-of-life extras that aren’t essential but help you up your game. For streamers, a stream deck nixes the need for memorising complex keyboard shortcuts or continuously shifting between software. Streamers and content creators can both benefit from a green screen when streaming or recording in places where background camera-crossing, just-showered housemates or mountains of dirty undies might distract viewers.

S treaming and content creation. Tautology, right? It’s actually two similar but distinct video-centric roles. Yes, streamers create content. But their primary focus is on creating live content on digital platforms like Twitch, Mixer or Facebook. Streamers may turn those live streams into on-demand videos on places like YouTube. But self-titled content creators don’t necessarily stream. Whether you want to specialise in one or dabble in both, there are some key gear considerations that range from a good starting point, to up-a-notch better, through to all-out best. There’s something for all kinds of entertainment streamers and content creators, so read on!

Candid considerations Have you ever streamed a Bourne movie on a slow Internet connection? Its choppy, pixelated, and low-fi shaky cam makes for incredibly painful viewing. That’s what it can feel like with poor-quality streaming equipment or content creation gear. Streamers want a quality camera to capture their reactions. Quality is tricky to see if the image is too dark, which is where lighting comes in. Combo those with a sturdy and reliable tripod to keep the video still and predictable. Finally, those game-loving streamers and content creators will be tempted by high-quality gameplay capturing versatility for PC or console, alongside other supplementary kit items. Say cheese Picking the right camera means matching budget with quality. You can get away with shooting from a smartphone but, if you do that, your best bet is with something to stabilise your aim. Webcams are the next logical step, particularly for streamers. Those craving fantastic quality should have a gander at the versatility of DSLR- like mirrorless cameras for impressive video results.

Boom! Mic Outside of video quality, audio is the other half of the equation, more so because there are audience members who prefer to listen into the audio portion of your video content. Lunacy, right? Background noise, peaking highs, static and other low-quality detractors can mean the difference between a new subscriber or a dislike. This is why mics are just as important as video. Illuminating lighting When you’re streaming, your viewers want to see your face. Clearly. That’s how they connect with you. That’s part of the fun or the drama. So a fancy webcam or mirrorless camera will get you halfway there, but your future audience will appreciate great lighting. This helps keep your money-maker illuminated and free of shadows. Stable table Whether camera or microphone, keeping your gear stable is a solid foundation for video and audio quality. For cameras, this might mean a tripod or video kit. For audio, this is where boom arms come in. Boom arms are particularly relevant for game streamers because they keep the microphone away from keyboard clacking (and ear-bleeding desk bumps).

42 FEBRUARY 2020

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