Livestreaming Setup

wongjp

CAGiversary!
NintenTom was curious about my live streaming setup in one of my "Request Advice" threads. So I thought it would be better to make a topic about it in the PC forum and share my findings... I hope that is okay! I'll edit this document should there be questions about certain specifics!

I just recently started getting curious about Twitch.tv, so I started doing a little research on how I could livestream my console gameplay through my PC. The big motivator/push was for the Extra Life 2013 Gaming Marathon on November 2nd :) I thought it would be nice to livestream my attempt into delerium for family & friends.

My goal:

1. Livestream console gameplay at 720p (1280x720) at 30fps.

2. Stream webcam video with audio (picture-in-picture webcast).

3. Or... stream webcam video with separate USB mic audio.



PC Setup & Streaming Software:

My PC is an i7-2600K with an eVGA GT570 graphics card.  It has 4GB of RAM.

I'm using XSplit software, which is payware. I purchased the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable from Amazon, which comes with a 3-month Premium License.  This is perfect since I would like to livestream my gaming marathon on November 2nd (the Extra Life 2013 fundraiser!). From here on I'll shorten it as the LGP.

XSplit and the LGP work well together, but initially they didn't.  It's not necessarily ultra intuitive and required some tinkering to get the stream quality to work correctly. The LGP itself has the option, via software, to stream to Twitch.tv directly. But I wanted more options (like picture in picture gaming, webcam video, etc), so I used the XSplit software.

Streaming Bandwidth:

My bandwidth is cable modem that allows up to 5Mbps upstream, and I needed to allow some wiggle room for multiplayer gaming or anything else that might be going on, so XSplit was governed to transfer up to 3.5Mbps in streaming/video data.

Console Setups:

Xbox360 Setup:

HDMI Output (to LGP)  + Optical/RCA Audio Adapter (for Gaming Headset Audio) (purchased/branded from Monoprice)

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?p_id=7526

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PS3 Setup:

HDMI Output (to LGP) + Optical Output (there's a reason for this)

^ The above cables go to a Monoprice DVI-to-HDMI converter. Why did I do this?  Because the signal going from the HDMI cable to the LGP has HDCP copy protection at all times, so there would be no signal over HDMI.  The LGP has one input (with included cables) for component video, however I noticed that the 1080i signal was so-so, and the 1080p signal was even fuzzier!



Enter the DVI-HDMI converter box. The HDMI cable goes to a HDMI Female-to-DVI Male adapter that connects to the converter. The optical audio cable from the PS3 also goes into the optical input of this converter. With both of those cables connected, there is an HDMI out, which is another HDMI cable that goes out to the LGP.  I can now get crisp 1080p video to livestream or capture if I want. Yes, it's spending more money just to get a crisper signal, but that's what I personally wanted to achieve.

In the PS3 settings, you have to force Audio Output for multiple sources. It's in the Sound Settings section of the XMB. By doing so, it does force limitations on the audio, as noted here on the PS3 support site:

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/audiomulti.html

There is a Sewell HDMI splitter that can achieve the same thing, as I noticed while researching on Amazon. However there are complaints of it running really hot, or having so-so lifespan. I decided to spend more on the Monoprice brand and hopefully have something that sticks for a long time without worry.

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WiiU Setup:

HDMI (out to LGP).  I haven't looked into this very much, but can hook up my headset to the WiiU Gamepad if I were gaming late, probably.

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Component Video Sources for Consoles:

The LGP not only has HDMI in, but has a propietary cable for component video input.  I was able to hookup the PS3 or even PSP (with the proper/respective cables) up to it and both can stream fine through it.  You can totally stream PS3 at 720p and it'll serve the purpose for capture or streaming to Twitch.

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"Live" Commentary:

I'm going with a Plantronics "Rig" headset/mixer combo for my console livestreaming, which was released this week on October 8th, 2013. I had a Turtle Beach PX22 universal gaming headset, however I was happier with the Rig headset audio. Alternatively, I have an Audio Technica AT2020 USB Mic (with a foam cover and mic stand) if I prefer to stream my mic audio through that for commentary.

Details get slightly complicated when it comes to broadcasting with XSplit and streaming both game console audio and headset-or-USB mic audio, depending on how complex one wants to go.  I can explain my setup in more detail later.

What about multiple console hookups to the LGP's one HDMI input?

For that, I picked up a Kinivo 5-port HDMI splitter:

http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-501BN-Premium-wireless-adapter/dp/B0049SCB2Y

That said.....



Console HDMI Output --> Kinivo Splitter --> Avermedia LGP (from here, this streams via USB 2.0 to the PC and also has an HDMI out which can go to your HDTV or Receiver - and there shouldn't be any noticeable lag to the HDTV or Receiver, for XSplit there will be, but it was expected).

It's getting way late, so I'll update this more soon if there are any questions :) Thanks!



 
Wow I'm digging your set up! I'm very curious on what kind of hardware you're using for recording to your PC? Personally I use a happuage HD PVR (the older model that supports component cables). Judging from the first picture on your table, it looks like a happuage, so I'm assuming your model is the HDMI one?

Livestreaming seems to be more complicated than I thought with all the audio hardware and set up. I hope your monitor screen and laptop screen doesn't bother you at all while you're playing haha. I'm guessing the monitor is to show what your viewers are currently watching and the laptop is for your webcam.

 
Wow I'm digging your set up! I'm very curious on what kind of hardware you're using for recording to your PC? Personally I use a happuage HD PVR (the older model that supports component cables). Judging from the first picture on your table, it looks like a happuage, so I'm assuming your model is the HDMI one?

Livestreaming seems to be more complicated than I thought with all the audio hardware and set up. I hope your monitor screen and laptop screen doesn't bother you at all while you're playing haha. I'm guessing the monitor is to show what your viewers are currently watching and the laptop is for your webcam.
Recording to the PC is done via the Avermedia Live Gamer Portable, through it's "RECentral" software. It gets the job done and you can adjust the settings/bitrate at which to encode. You can also record to an SD Card (Class 10 recommended for the LGP) via a slot on the LGP at the push of a button. It also has a "PC-Free" mode where it'll just start recording without the need to be hooked up to a PC too. You can set the encoding parameters via a software utility before doing PC-Free capture.

It's not too complicated. I just made it a bit more complex based on my goals (for instance, PS3 1080p output). I did read that the next gen consoles will have Twitch.tv integration, too.

Actually, the webcam I have is not pictured. It's a simple Logitech model that does 720p and has a built in Mic. The issue with XSplit is that it picks up all windows Desktop audio. So, if I try to preview the live broadcast on the capture/streaming PC, the audio will get picked up by XSplit, causing an increasingly scary feedback loop! The developers of XSplit are aware of this. The laptop is to preview the stream actually!

My other challenge usually is this: I want to have a Mic while playing the game in surround sound. The problem that arises: the Mic will also pick up the external surround sound. So I have to wear a headset so that any external Mic doesn't pick up the speaker game sound. Or I have to turn the volume down on my receiver so that a Mic won't pickup anything but my voice (but this kills my original intention).

 
A program that has been invaluable for me for all sorts of things, including livestreaming, is Virtual Audio Cable and the accompanied repeater. I think there may be a free program that does something similar called LINE.

In the case of wanting to record audio from sources without using the "record all the sounds my pc makes" setting, you can create a virtual path, set your game to use the path, and then use audio repeaters to feed only the sources you want into that path (such as a mic).

Repeating Line 1 to your Speakers allows you to monitor yourself without creating a feedback loop. Stop it when you don't need to monitor.

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A program that has been invaluable for me for all sorts of things, including livestreaming, is Virtual Audio Cable and the accompanied repeater. I think there may be a free program that does something similar called LINE.

In the case of wanting to record audio from sources without using the "record all the sounds my pc makes" setting, you can create a virtual path, set your game to use the path, and then use audio repeaters to feed only the sources you want into that path (such as a mic).

Repeating Line 1 to your Speakers allows you to monitor yourself without creating a feedback loop. Stop it when you don't need to monitor.
I love it! I've been reading about Virtual Audio Cable, but this helps seal the deal for me. Thanks so much for sharing this information, crystalklear64 :bouncy: Is that Kabuki-za in your sig? :)

 
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@NintenTom, it looks like this is a useful program for showing a clock or countdown timer on your livestream... Over at the XSplit forums, a very helpful user is answering my questions, so I'm sharing my findings here, too...

"SNAZ"

http://jimmyappelt.be/snaz/

 
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