I'm going to start streaming again in the new year - here are the PC accessories I'll be using
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It’s worth noting that when it comes to gaming, I am firmly multiplatform. In fact, I actually ended up streaming a lot of retro games last time I gave Twitch a try, including some of my favorite horror romps on the PS2 and even old MSX computer games made by certainHideo Kojima(really, Penguin Adventure absolutely slaps). Simply put, my setup plans are pretty damn versatile, meaning it’ll cater to a variety of different players out there while still offering up the basics.
The premium cam’s incredible capabilities, wide angle lens, and comprehensive software will ultimately let me use one setup for everything I made, rather than having to switch from an ordinary webcam to mySonycamcorder depending on content types. In other words, this camera can provide professional DLSR levels of quality over USB-C, and that’s an invaluable feat when it comes to trying to easily make high quality content.
But fear not budget streamers, as I have a very reasonably priced alternative that will reliably offer basic capture capabilities, and it’s the same webcam I used during my initial stint as a streamer. The cam in question is theLogitechC920x, and it’ll furnish your setup with 1080p footage that honestly looks the part. I mean, if you’re anything like me, you’ll end up just having your face at the corner of your stream, and 4K really is overkill if you’re simply wanting to prove you aren’t three goblins in a trench coat.
Our expert review:
I’ve used a variety of USB mics in the past, but theRODE X XCM-50is a cut above the rest. I only recently swapped out my longstanding Blue Yeti microphone for this dinky condenser option, and it instantly revamped by setup’s recording capabilities with near studio levels of quality. That statement is bound to get a few eye rolls from audiophiles and people who spend thousands on audio gear, but I think even the snootiest of streamers will commend this mic for its efforts.
Like many other desktop mics, the RODE X XCM-50 comes with a tripod, meaning you won’t necessarily have to fork out for a mic arm. That said, I do prefer to keep the space in front of me clear, so I normally keep it mounted just to the left of me to prevent any clumsy accidents. That and I’ve normally also got an old console plonked in front of me, and this condenser mic isn’t too fussy about where I place it.
Look, I’m the last person who’d want to light up their daft face, but lighting is key if you want to achieve great visuals. I live in Scotland, and it’s either grey or night time outside for 80% of the year, and even the most expensive webcams can’t work miracles in those conditions. Therefore, I’ll be using the Streamplify Light 10 Ring Light that I already have to hand, as it’ll keep things illuminated without making my face look like a big moon.
As far as ring lights go, the Streamplify Light 10 doesn’t break the mould, but it also isn’t trying to. The brand’s whole objective is to provide streamers with effective products at an approachable price point, and this option specifically costs way less than some of the best ring lights out there. It doesn’t even ditch functionality to cut costs, as you’ll be able to adjust brightness and temperature on the fly using an included remote.
The Streamplify Light 10 also has mounting points for your smartphone, and that’s something I’m actively thinking of using. Not that I want to become one of those Tiktok famous folk, but I’m into the idea of making some vertical snippets while streaming and making YouTube videos. Even if I end up never using it for that, I love that the option is there, as I’m all about product versatility.
Our expert review:
I’ve not picked up theRazerBlackShark V2 Hyperspeedyet, but our resident headset expert Tabitha Baker says its one of thebest gaming headsetsout there. We’re talking about a lightweight, comfortable pair of cans that offers almost the same functionality as its ‘Pro’ sibling, but there’s a specific feature I rely on that the V2 Hyperspeed can effectively provide me while streaming.
For whatever reason, I really struggle with talking while wearing closed back headphones. If I can’t hear myself, I end up struggling to either speak at the right volume or form sentences properly, which then knocks my confidence a bit. However, headsets like the BlackShark V2 can loopback the sound of your voice using sidetone options within its software, and it’s something I now need if I’m planning to talk on a stream.
At the moment, I’m using a Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense as my daily driver, but its sidetone abilities are sometimes hampered by forgetting to turn off built-in haptics. So, I’ll likely pick up the Blackshark V2 soon so that I have something specifically for streaming to hand. The fact it’s also wireless is pretty appealing, as I already have a lot of cables all over the place thanks to the retro gaming parts of my setup.
Our expert review:
Before I delve into why I’m eyeing up theElgato HD60 X, it’s worth noting that there are other far more affordable capture cards out there. I actually normally use the Elgato HD60, and it’s perfectly serviceable when it comes to 1080p capture. If anything, my cravings for this upgrade are more based on the prospect of scaling retro consoles up to 4K in the future, and this device may help facilitate my future plans.
Of course, the Elgato HD60 X is also going to help you get the most out of your PS5 or Xbox Series X when capturing footage, as you’ll be able to feed 4K 60fps gameplay through to your PC. Whether or not you actually try to stream in that quality is a different matter, as you’ll need a pretty decent broadband connection to avoid connection issues. Nevertheless, the idea of having the capturing the same quality footage as you’ll see on your monitor or TV is nifty, and it’ll help futureproof your setup regardless.
Before picking up the OSSC, I used to use a cheap upscaler from Amazon, and trying to stream via Twitch was a bit of a nightmare. From stretched aspect ratios to weird visual effects when playing some 2D sprite games, budget solutions prove to just be too unreliable when you’re putting on a live show.
Now that I’ve switched to using the Open Source Scan Converter, it’s safe to say my old game footage has never looked better. Rather than simply upscaling old resolutions, the OSSC uses line doubling to increase pixel counts without lag. The end result is simply a higher resolution version of the retro console’s original signal, which helps keep everything looking the way it should.
It’s worth noting that if you’re using old consoles like theSegaGenesis, Super Nintendo, or even the PS1, you’ll need to invest in scart cables. This will enable you to feed an RGB signal to the OSSC, as it won’t be able to interpret anything sent via those old red, white, and yellow composite cables that are commonly used. I’d say it’s worth investing in new cables anyway, as you’ll end up with a much sharper image compared to composite.
Chances are that if you’ve got a gaming PC setup, you’re potentially already got some accessories that’ll fit the bill when it comes to streaming. In reality, you don’t have to buy the best of the best to get started, and sometimes it’s best to start off small before investing.
Need a rig before you start streaming? Check out thebest gaming PCbuilds are a range of powerhouse machines. Alternatively, take a peek at thebest gaming laptopsfor systems you can take on the go.
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I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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