No conversation about live streaming is possible without mentioning Twitch. This is a gaming first platform but to learn to stream on Twitch is an introduction to broadcasting live online. Twitch's share of the live streaming platform market was 75% per the hours watched per 2019. In terms of market share, it might be down by 2% since last year but is it up by 20 percent in terms of hours watched.

Twitch's vitality has not been lost through a couple of high-profile transfers marked 2019 to compete for the platforms. The platform is a pack leader as before, even with Facebook, mixer, and YouTube. Continue to read to know about how to stream on Twitch and thrive the platform.

Preparing to Stream to Twitch

For Twitch, you need to have an account. By creating an account, you can interact with the content. The same holds while joining the ranks of content creators. We need to start from here by creating an account, cover the software, the gear, and the very process of streaming.

Creation of Twitch Account

Creation of a Twitch account for live streaming

The setup of an account is relatively straightforward. Follow these three steps to live stream on the platform.

1. Study the community guidelines properly

You can read the whole legal section of Twitch's website. But most importantly, you need to read the community guidelines before the creation of an account. You can bookmark this page as there are occasional updates to the policies.

2. Create an Account

It is easy to click on the 'sign up' button and fill out the form if you create an account from a desktop computer.

If you create an account on a mobile device, you need to download the Twitch mobile app. Initially, you need to sign up with your mobile phone and later add an email.

3. Enable two-factor authentication

Without enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), you cannot broadcast. This cannot be done on a mobile device. On your desktop computer, log into your account and in the security settings and enable 2FA. This can be done on a mobile phone only.

Software

Software to use for Live Streaming on Twitch

In Twitch, when broadcasting is done from the desktop computer, beginners should start with software encoders unless they have hardware encoders available. Each software encoder comes with its own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Let us have a look at them to have more popular options. Some of them are:

1. OBS Studio – OBS studio is free, open-source streaming software with cross-platform compatibility, and hence it is the choice of many novice content creators.

2. Streamlabs OBS – There are some great features in the Streamlabs version of OBS that monetize your channel and are available on Windows.

3. XSplit – The broadcasters opting for paid versions can shine better, which is a better solution.

4. vMix – This option is best if you wish to become a pro streamer.

It would help if you kept a close eye on Twitch Studio as Twitch's streaming software is open in beta. Check out Twitch's streaming software suggestions for better options.

Alternatively, you can broadcast on other platforms besides Twitch, and for this, you need to enlist an additional software solution to your roster.

The multi-streaming software, Restream integrates with broadcasting, chat, and analytics. The free plan is easy to set up and is valuable to you even if you become a Twitch Affiliate.

Hardware

Use this hardware when broadcasting on Twitch

For broadcasting on Twitch, you do not need the latest generation of CPUs or the most recent model DSLR. The platform does not support 4K streaming as YouTube or on the leading edge of video quality and hence should get away with lower-quality gear.

Twitch content creators face one obstacle, and that is while broadcasting a video game, gaming and encoding can be a burden for a computer's CPU. With any gear, you cannot start streaming as this needs to be decent.

Computer/ Console/ Smartphone

Depending on your use, the computer, the console, or the smartphone is the central part of the hardware in any streaming setup. Like smartphones, gaming consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox one are viable options. You get an easy entry into the world of streaming as you need not overthink software and additional software.

Consider these points while building a streaming desktop computer:

1. The CPU: You should have a strong CPU to handle simultaneous gaming and encoding.

2. The GPU: To led the CPU a hand, you use it with OBS studio and an Nvidia RTX graphics card with built-in hardware encoders.

3. Platform: Make use of a good PC, Mac, or laptop if you want it for gaming and broadcasting.

4. Computer Setup: The computer used for gaming for encoding and streaming. There should be a more robust CPU to be in charge of encoding.

You can start streaming with an i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a reliable internet connection. You can receive the best from the content when you invest in the best gear. This also applies to other equipment that you will use for broadcasting.

Live streaming can be a rewarding experience. Streaming can be proper if making new friends, finding new business opportunities, or merely exercising your performance skills. Twitch is a leading platform that opens its doors to all kinds of content, from gaming to ASMR and full-body makeup tutorials. Restream is the tool you should be using if you are looking to spread your content across several platforms.

Capturing sources with Twitch Studio (Screen Share)

Within the Twitch studio, creators get various options for capturing screen share.

1. Screen Share

Once the initial setup is completed, you will see the screen editor. When it comes to capturing your apps, games, and other sources, the creator gets two options: -

- Main Screen share

Click on the Change Capture button under the main Screen Share tab for the simple and most immediate way to get started. You can find it by default on the left side of the app.

Click on Change Capture to select your desired source. The list can be anything like capturing the entire screen, a capture card, web browser, a specific app.

Once your choice is final, you need to click on Next. The next following menu will allow the user to make changes to your stream info; click Done when ready to proceed.

- Screen Share

You can opt to configure the Screen capture to a specific screen individually.

Proceed to select an existing scene and click the Edit Scene button at the Twitch Studio app's bottom in the screen recorder app. While you are in the edit window, add a new layer by clicking on the + button and select Screen Share from the menu.

With the newly created layer selected, navigate to the Screen Share Source panel in the lower right to make some specific adjustments to this layer. Click on change, and this will pop up a window of all available sources to you. Click on Done after selecting the appropriate authority.

After all the adjustments are finished, remember to click the Save button if you want your changes to take effect.

2. Capture Cards

As per your wish, you can use a capture card to broadcast the action; you will need to add the devices' output as a source for your Main Screen Share or any other Screen share layer as per the instructions above. This holds for capture card-based webcams and cameras like the Elgato Cam Link.

3. Audio Synchronization

Creators may use specific Screen Share sources like a capture card so that the audio is out of sync with the rest of the broadcast. You can use the Audio mixer to rectify the issue on the lower-left corner of the app. After Audio Mixer is clicked, it will bring all the audio sources that are currently active.

In the menu, select the audio source that is out of sync, click on the Gear icon on the right. Here you can enable Audio Delay's option, which allows you to adjust the delay with a slider. All these steps will need some trial and error as all setups and their respective delays are different.

4. Capturing iPhone or iPad

To capture your iPhone or iPad, you need to permit within the Twitch Studio Mac app.

After granting permission, you can connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac computer via USB and unlock your device. You will get a pop-up asking if you trust this computer. Click Trust.

After trusting, the device will show up as a screen share and be added as a layer.

5. Green Screen

Green screen is the best way for creators to bring their personality to their stream and dynamically alter their stream background. This makes their content appear more engaging and polished. Twitch studio enables you to easily configure the chroma key settings and detect your green screen with a single click.

Streaming on the desktop computer did not become popular. One can use a broader range of hardware in desktop and broadcasting software to cool features like scenes and use overlays. The desktop computers are valuable as people who broadcast from consoles use the consoles for gaming while they are revealed from a PC.