Worried that live streaming will drain your finances or become a never-ending money pit? Relax—you don’t need a fortune to get started. Before you hit the shops and buy the most expensive streaming equipment, here’s a reality check.
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A live streaming software is the link that brings together all of the hardware elements. If you choose the right live-streaming platform, you can click a few buttons, and voila! An actual (pause for applause) live stream!
If you choose the right streaming platform, you may need less outlay than you think to get started. Get these five factors right, and you’ll be ready in no time!
Streaming Equipment on a Budget
High-Quality Audio
Your audience may let lower-quality lighting and video slide—at least initially—but they won’t settle for lousy audio. Since you can’t use an editing tool to fix sound quality while live streaming, you’ll need a decent microphone.
Fortunately, you can get a reliable microphone for less than $100.
Your location also matters. If the room is bare, sound waves bounce off the surfaces, creating a poor, echoing sound.
So, furnish the room with soft textiles that absorb sound waves. Use rugs, cushions, and curtains, and add extra towels if you have hardwood floors.
High-Quality Video
To start, you’ll need a 1080p or better video camera. As your audience grows, you can buy a better camera to improve the video quality of your stream.
Moreover, smartphone cameras are getting better by the minute. An iPhone 12 or newer mobile device will do great as streaming equipment.
You can use it with a phone stand or cheap tripod to keep the camera stable. Alternatively, use an external webcam with a USB cable that clips onto your monitor.
They typically cost under $100. If you already own a Mirrorless or DSLR Camera for other types of content, that might be a bonus.
Furthermore, you can easily repurpose it as your live streaming camera with a suitable software encoder.
Good Lighting
Moving on, 3-point lighting is ideal, but using only two light sources will be fine. The first should be in front of you, e.g., natural light from a window.
Additionally, you could also use a softbox, an LED fill light that starts at around $30, or a USB ring light (aka the influencer light). The second light or backlight should be behind you to create depth in your shot.
A standard room lamp should do the trick. The extra light will remove the graininess that comes from underlit shots.
A Great Internet Connection
You must also have a reliable, steady internet connection besides streaming equipment. You’ll need uninterrupted high speeds for 30-60 minutes.
Audiences hate buffering during live-streaming events, so test your connection to ensure you reach the minimum criteria:
- Standard resolution (720p)—4 Mbps upload speed (Standard for Twitch, YouTube Live, and Facebook Live).
- High resolution (1080p)—6 Mbps upload speed.
- High definition (1080p / 60fps)—10 Mbps upload speed.
You can also use a VPN for streaming to help stabilize your connection and prevent interruptions. Don’t rely on a free VPN with overloaded servers.
So, choose a reliable company with thousands of servers so you can connect to the server closest to your location. Premium VPN servers are optimized for speed and stability.
Cybersecurity
Once you have finalized your streaming equipment, you must also understand that cybercriminals often go after media personalities. You’ll soon become a high-priority target for phishing attacks that deliver ransomware and other malware.
The streaming landscape increases your vulnerability to hacking, so you should bake in some cyber protection into your work routine from the beginning.
Secure Your Streaming Accounts
Don’t invite account takeovers with weak passwords. Use a password manager to create strong passwords to withstand substantial probing.
Change passwords regularly. Enable MFA or 2FA as an extra layer of account security.
Secure Your Streaming Devices
IoT devices are particularly vulnerable to hacking. Firmware updates are critical to protecting smart streaming equipment such as lighting, cameras, streaming sticks, TVs, and gaming consoles.
Update All Software
Keep the software on your computer and phone updated. The latest versions have security patches to address vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.
Install an Antivirus
Microsoft’s dominance has led to its lackadaisical approach to cybersecurity. If hackers can penetrate the FBI, you’re a small fry, so take responsibility for your safety into your own hands. Invest in quality antivirus software before any incident occurs.
Use a VPN for streaming
A VPN is an extra helpful security and privacy tool that deserves more attention from streamers. It is software that encrypts your internet traffic and protects the integrity of the data stream.
A VPN hides your IP address, securing you from disruptions like DDoS attacks by malicious parties. It will also prevent others from snooping on your online activities.
Using a VPN for streaming lowers the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks and other cyber threats. As a bonus, it will also give you access to geo-restricted content on streaming platforms!
Read More: VPN Live Streaming: Pros, Cons, and Everything You Need to Know
Be Concerned About Phishing
You’ll soon start receiving fake emails and messages pretending to be from legitimate companies. A fake sponsorship or collab offer could lead to the theft of your account and all your content.
Attackers try to trick people into clicking on false links to reveal login details or personal information such as credit card details. Data theft can lead to identity theft.
The result could be financial loss and perhaps a serious hit to your streaming career.
Final Words on Choosing Budget-Friendly Streaming Equipment
Live streaming is a powerful marketing tool for all businesses. It is a cost-effective way to engage with your audience in real-time.
And the best part is that you don’t need to max out your credit card to get started with your streaming equipment. To ensure successful live streams, prioritize high-quality audio, lighting, video, and a fast and secure internet connection.
And remember, keep your cybersecurity measures up to date to protect your hard work and future success.
OneStream Live is a cloud-based live streaming solution to create, schedule, and multistream professional-looking live streams across 45+ social media platforms and the web simultaneously. For content-related queries and feedback, write to us at [email protected]. You’re also welcome to Write for Us!
