Live Streaming equipment for any streaming set-up

By Shiv Gilmore | Digital Marketing Assistant, Holdan

As technology has evolved throughout the years getting your content in front of more people has never been easier with a click of a button to start sharing a live broadcast. On top of that, a number of platforms have been specifically created for live streaming. Live video streaming is one of the most powerful ways in which to reach and interact with any audience, being the evolution of live TV.

Television has its limits with content and accessibility. However, online streaming has endless content accessible for free and with mobile devices. Even though viewers still have the time constraint on live streaming, it’s more flexible than on TV. They can watch on their phone and most of the time, they can also watch the recording of the live video later – making the viewing experience more flexible for the viewer.

Why is Live Streaming Important?

One of the main reasons why live streaming is so important, for brands and individuals, is because of the level of interaction and engagement it offers. No other platform allows such a level of interaction.

The real-time interaction brings your audience closer to you and opens a great communication channel. You can ask your audience questions to get to know them better and they can do the same. What’s more, when they interact with each other, it creates a sense of community, and they will associate you with it.

Live Streaming Equipment

Live Content Creation Controller

Elgato is the leading provider of hardware and software for content creators, leveraging decades of experience to develop widely-accessible products that empower all creators to produce high-quality, professional content.

They know that your setup is your domain, from broadcasting and editing to designing, developing, and networking – all shortcuts in one space at your fingertips make it easier than ever. That is why Elgato can help you take control of your live streaming experience with the Stream Deck range.

Really great piece of kit, easily a streamers must have accessory. Set up is so simple and works almost instantly. It can be quite tricky when getting into the more complicated commands and sometimes doesn’t quite communicate with OBS but overall, I highly recommend it and already very excited to use it on stream next time!

Trigger sound effects and audio clips. Launch GIFS and onscreen videos. Activate your lower thirds, intermission screen and signature outro graphics. Stream Deck integrates your tools and detects your scenes, media, and audio sources so you can cruise through your workflow and focus on the most important part – your audience.

Live Streaming Monitor

Live streaming just got easier with the compact monitor device that enables you to stream and engage with social platforms.

The new ZATO CONNECT from Atomos is the second fully integrated device in the CONNECT range and creates a whole new product category for Atomos. Through live streams and virtual meetings, video has become an everyday part of our lives. Today businesses, influencers, entrepreneurs, houses of worship and educators all use video to establish an identity, reinforce their brand and most importantly communicate.

With ZATO CONNECT, making compelling content available to your audience wherever they are, and wherever you are, has never been easier. The touchscreen display can be used to switch between sources and monitor the outgoing program stream. The device is compact enough to mount on a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Back in September, we caught up with Paul Scurrell from Atomos at IBC 2022.

Atomos Cloud Studio is really the gateway that all of the Atomos-connected products feed into and then from the Cloud Studio you can then choose a destination and choose what you would like to do with it – whether it be streaming to Facebook, Twitch etc.

Atomos announced that by the end of 2022 the Camera to Cloud workflow will be available on the ZATO CONNECT – meaning that all three products (NINJA, SHINOBI & ZATO) will be able to connect to Adobe Camera to Cloud.

Paul went on to say how Atomos is looking at other solutions where the ZATO can be used…

It (ZATO CONNECT) can be the gateway to streaming without the need for a computer…the ZATO can also take in a USB webcam, USB webcam input and firmware will be eventually available to enable picture-in-picture for the ZATO.

Each live stream can be recorded as a local H.264 backup to an SD card. With the ability to combine recorded sources with live content, it is possible to take one of these recordings and stream the content as live, opening an array of creative options to any stream or video presentation. Applying graphic overlays to streams, or watermarking recorded content is easy.

Hybrid Mirrorless Camera

What is a live streaming set up without a camera that boasts outstanding video performance? When looking to engage a wider audience, add a human element to your brand or business to develop. It is no surprise live streaming has taken off over the last few years. Real-time content is highly engaging and deeply authentic, never mind profitable.

Options for video-on-demand platforms with large built-in audiences include YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. Panasonic LUMIX cameras and camcorders make capturing and airing a high-quality live stream fast, easy, and intuitive.

Wireless Live Streaming with Minimal Equipment

Panasonic has released the LUMIX Webcam Software for Windows/Mac, a one-step webcam software making it possible to use an applicable LUMIX camera as a webcam for purposes such as live streaming or video conferencing. It is easy to feed the camera view over a USB connection in optimum output resolution. No extra device is needed!

Live Streaming with LUMIX

Telephoto Cine Lens

The newly unveiled Samyang V-AF lens family is specifically designed for video creators, to make content creation more convenient. The first lens in the line-up to be released is the V-AF 75mm T1.9, followed by the 24mm and 35mm recently and more to come next year. The V-AF family have increased compatibility from the gimbal to the drone by applying the consistent form factor from ultra-wide angles to semi-telephoto angles. Meaning that if you are a creator that likes to use such equipment as part of your content it is fully supported.

The tiny size of ∅72.2 x 72.1mm and light weight of under 300g reduce the burden of drone payloads. As the V-AF series provides a unified centre of gravity and size, there is no need for extra settings which greatly reduces the time when it comes to using a gimbal.

Light It Up!

We know that the lighting has always got to be right when streaming and creating content which is why we recommend adding the Rotolight Streamer Lighting Kit to your streaming set-up. The kit gives you a quality look without any complex set-up, including 16.7 million colour options, creating your own unique look and feel with the brightest RGB desktop LED ever made.

Digital Camera World’s winner of the best LED light for 2022, this kit will elevate your content to the next level. The unique round shape and soft, flattering light with Rotolight’s signature catch-light effect and magnetic diffusion dome will make sure that every side is your good side!

Tripod Support!

The compact travel tripod with ball head from Slik (PRO AL-324BH4) with a quick release system for easy mounting a camera, redesigned tripod body and leg joint to reduce vibration and increase strength makes this tripod perfect for mini streaming set ups.

Camera panning and 360-degree panoramic shots are also achievable with the tripod with a separate lock on the base, locking the level of the angle of the ball but allowing the camera to pan. In addition, the tripod can become completely versatile by removing the screw thread adapter accessories like magic arms to hold the light, phones, or tables.

Pop-Up Tech

Going back to Elgato - set the stage for your live streams with the Elgato Chroma Green Screen. Create truly immersive broadcasting scenes in a matter of seconds, the perfect pop-up tech for game streamers – fully optimised for camera chrome keyring.

Simple enough to set up – deploy the green screen, by flipping open the aluminium case, lift the handle to a suitable height and let the pneumatic x-frame automatically lock the canvas in place and then you are ready to take centre stage.

Working your creative magic, the green screen fits even in the tightest of workspaces. Assuring a wrinkle-resistant, chroma-green surface. Enjoy the immersive screen experience whilst you stream to your viewers. All you need to do is turn on your lights, sit back comfortably and work your creative magic.

Breakaway Box

Are you a gaming streamer or need amazing GPU for your laptop but don’t want to upgrade?

Sonnet has created a Breakaway Box that means that there is no need to have a heavy, loud, and hot-running gaming laptop ruining a live stream to your viewers – just plug in a Breakaway Box and add the GPU power you want when you need it! Ideal for empowering graphic-intensive gaming on an Intel processor-based MacBook Air, or 13-inch MacBook Pro, UltraBook and other thin/light notebook computers that otherwise would deliver a poor gaming experience. Accelerated graphics can either be displayed on one, two or more external monitors or on your notebook’s own display pane. Best of all you can upgrade the GPU card in the Box to keep up with the latest in GPU technology (unlike with gaming laptops).

The breakaway box makes for a portable solution as well, as the eGPU breakaway boxes can charge the laptop, and the 750Wex even gives additional USB ports and Ethernet ports.

Paired perfectly with the breakaway box would be the Sonnet AMD RX 6900 XT GPU among the most powerful GPU cards ever engineered to deliver unparalleled graphics performance. To boost your gaming graphics or while editing your streams to video users benefit from cutting-edge improvements over previous generations of GPUs to significantly improve editing, rendering, colour grading, animation, and special effects performance.

The main reason is to add high-performance GPU cards to computers that have integrated graphics. Most laptops have integrated graphics so adding an eGPU means you can do high-end tasks without having to invest in a full desktop solution.