Week 4

Content

• The Streamer's Software Bundle

  You won't be doing much streaming without software. Good news! The majority of the software you'll want to use in streaming is open-source (it's free!). The software used in streaming handles the encoding, communications, your personalizations, and more. You'll learn about online software, packages that you'll install on your computer, and software designed for improving your workflow (like bots). We'll be using many of these softwares in the weeks that follow, so be sure to install them and explore if you are missing any.

  This week you will...

  • Identify necessary software components in a variety of streaming applications
  • Explore software settings in relation to streaming
  • Define purposes of individual settings and their effects
  • Manipulate software settings to align with identified hardware

  

  Supply Drop Discussion Assignment Live Stream

• Loot for your mind

  Weekly Materials

  • OBS and CPU Useage (obsproject.com)
  • OBS Project (github.com)
  • Understanding the Importance of Frame Rate (ign.com)
  • Twitch Inspector (inspector.twitch.tv)
  • What is a video bitrate (encoding.com)

  
  

  What are the primary softwares that you need as a streamer? That question depends a bit on what and how you're streaming, but we'll cover the basic sets for a PC-based streamer to get you started. Most obviously, you'll need a platform to provide your content (Twitch). You might be connecting additional programs, such as Nightbot, depending on your particular needs. Next, you have to have the tools to manage your video settings and the appearance of your stream. We'll be using OBS Studio and/or Streamlabs OBS. There are quite a number of related softwares that you may run across that work alongside or with your OBS program. Lastly, though you've already been introduced to Discord, we do want to give a shout-out to that platform as well and explain why it's useful to a streamer.

  So, what do you need to know? Let's specifically mention OBS now, as it has settings directly tied to your ability to stream over the hardware you're on. Twitch settings are a little more "opinionated", in that that they are going to rely more on your personal decisions and style as a streamer. Definitely check out the GitHub repository for OBS Studio; it has the best collection of OBS settings available online, and we'll be referencing it in class. As well, the OBS and CPU Useage topic in the obsproject.com forums gives a great overview to get you started. The understanding you gain from these resources can be applied to Streamlabs OBS. You'll want to consider:

  • Output Resolution
  • Do you really need 1080p? Remember that your stream is likely not going to be displayed full-screen in most cases. What other issues can be averted by downscaling your resolution?
  • Framerate
  • Super smooth 60fps might be appealing, but remember that it's quite literally double the bandwidth of a 30fps stream
  • Encoder
  • You'll probably be using the x264 codec, but note that there are a number of presets that you can switch between to optimize its use. Bonus: What's the difference between downscaling the resolution vs choosing a faster encoder preset?
  • Don't forget about hardware encoding!
  • Sources
    • Gaming and other application screens, capture cards, webcams, audio devices,  etc... You'll use OBS to tie all of these together into a single stream.
  • Software running concurrently with OBS
    • Do you need a browser window open? Do you have separate webcam software? Bots? What else is running in the background?

  
  A quick view of the Streamlabs settings page

  Getting Started in OBS

  When you first open OBS, you’ll likely be greeted with an Auto-Configuration Wizard to walk you through things. Let’s try it out! Note that if you’ve used OBS before or if you don’t see it, you can find the option under Tools. Of course, you don’t need to use the Auto-Configuration Wizard if you already have OBS tied to your Twitch account!

  Below is a quick example of using the Auto-Configuration Wizard to get started. Move through the five (5) steps to learn more

  1 2 3 4 5

  On the pop-up, make sure Optimize for streaming, recording is secondary is selected, and click Next.

  

  On the next screen, you will mostly likely use the Base (Canvas) Resolution suggested (remember, this is not the resolution of the actual stream). If you know you will or will not be able to stream at 60fps, you can choose that now; otherwise, you can leave that setting as Either 60 or 30, but prefer 60 for the time being.

  

  We’ll be using Twitch for these assignments, so leave Stream Type as Streaming Services and Service as Twitch.

  • If you are not logged into your Twitch account, do so at this time!
  • Next, click the (link) text next to Stream Key. If you are logged into Twitch, this will pull up your Twitch account in your browser and give you access to your stream key.
  • Copy the Stream Key from Twitch and paste it into the Stream Key field in OBS.
  • Leave Estimate bitrate with bandwidth test checked
  • Click Next to head to the next screen.

  

  Wait for the bandwidth test to run!

  

  Take note of the estimated settings from OBS. These may not always be perfect; a lag or spike in your internet service can skew these results. However, it’s definitely a good start. Take a screenshot or just write them down for your use later. You can click Apply Settings for now. You can always change things later!

  

• Discussion

  Discussion Requirements

  In each week, you will have a Discussion assignment that will help to prepare you for that week's main assignment. You are required to:

  • make an initial post answering the questions provided, and
  • to respond to at least one peer.

  You won't be able to see any of your peer's posts until after you have posted. Your response should be go beyond a simple "good job" or other basic complement. While there isn't a hard requirement on the length of your response, 100 words would be a good starting place. 

  The reason we only require a single response is that we are encouraging you to engage your instructor and peers through Blackboard Collaborate and Discord in real-time discussion. The questions presented here are to help you to form ideas for your main assignment, as well as allow you to more deeply analyze what your peers are thinking about as they prepare for their assignments. Your peers may be in-class students, or they may be remote and in an entirely different time-zone. We want to ensure that you all have the same opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other. We want you to be fully prepared and confident going into your main assignments.

  Discord

  Discord chats are set up by week, and are supplemental to your actual assignments. Click the icon below to access the channel. Please participate in these chats! Discord is a very popular tool used by the streaming community, so if you're not familiar with it, this is your chance! Use the Discussion assignment to help organize your interactions. It's our hope that you find people through this class that you can collaborate with, game with, and stream with in your careers; you are welcome to invite your peers to other channels that you use!

  

  
  

  Discussion

  10 Points

  Discuss common OBS settings and their relation to your chosen hardware, internet capabilities, and streaming needs. Be specific on the following points:

  • Output Resolution, Framerate, Encoder Preset, Bitrate, and Keyframe Interval (your OBS settings and why you intent to set them as so).
  • Which should you choose Constant Bit Rate (CBR) over Variable Bit Rate (VBR) for streaming on Twitch?
  • Sources (widgets, webcam, capture card, etc...) you will need to accomplish what you intend to stream.
  • What software might be aviailable or required for a non-PC based streamer?

  Submission Instructions

  • Read the discussion rubric. You will be graded on this rubric!
  • Make an initial post based on the assignment prompt provided.
  • Reply to at least one peer with a substantial response.
  • Use Discord for further discussion.

  Discussion Rubric Blackboard Forum

• Broadcasting Software

  20 Points

  Enough with the theory! Let's put it into practice. Complete your assignment by addressing the following:

  • Set up your broadcasting software using what you learned during this week
    
  • Provide screenshots of what you have done
    • Unsure of how to take a screenshot? Here's an article discussing basic options that will already be built into your PC.
  • Record a 5 min video discussing exactly what your screenshots entail and why you have set things the way you have
    • Some of this will be specific to what you intend to accomplish as a streamer, but much of this conversation is for you to demonstrate your understanding of what each setting does and what should be considered when manipulating settings. If you want to take things up a notch, try to incorporate your screenshots directly in your video!

  Submission Requirements

  Previously you had the option to write an essay as an alternative. In this assignment, we really do want you to go the video route. Remember, if you have a smart phone, you have the tools right in your hand! If either video or audio recording of yourself is not possible, please reach out to your instructor for alternatives. YouTube or Twitch are likely to be the easiest platforms to accomplish this assignment. If on YouTube, you may wish to set your video to "unlisted" so that only those who receive the link can find your video.

  Use the "Write Submission" option to provide a link to your video. It is highly recommended that you use an online service such as YouTube or Twitch rather than trying to attach a video file directly.

  This assignment is due no later than 11:59 PM at the end of the seventh day of class.

  Start Assignment

  Assignment Rubric

  Before starting your Assignment, please review the Assignment rubric. You will be graded using this rubric.

  Click below to view the Assignment rubric.

  Click Here

• twitch.tv

  Check out our Twitch Channel below! If you want to participate in chat, you should click the Twitch button on the video player to head to the Twitch website. You'll want to do that if you want to keep the stream open while you switch tabs to work on your assignments, as well.

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