Have you ever wanted to show off your amazing gaming skills to the world? Are you itching to share your sweet tricks and tips with other gamers? If the answer is yes, then our handy Twitch streaming guide will cover all the basics you need to kick-start your streaming career. If you follow the 10 simple steps below, you'll have a professional-looking Twitch stream in no time.
Step 1: Download OBS
Before you can stream your games to Twitch, you'll need to download OBS Studios. This streaming software allows you to capture, videos, images, text, browser windows, webcams, capture cards and more, making it the perfect software for all your streaming needs. Simply head over to the download section and click on the installer for your operating system (Windows, Mac, and Linux).
Step 2: Run an internet speed test
Gauge your upload speed by heading over to speedtest.net. For a stable stream, we recommend using around 1/3 of your upload speed. The speed test is in Mbps but the settings in OBS are in kbps, so you'll need to divide the Mbps in your test by 3 and move the decimal two numbers to the right. For example, if your ISP's upstream bandwidth is 11.92 Mbps we'd divide this by 3, which would give us 3.973. Simply move the decimal point over two digits to the right and we get 3973 kbps, which rounds up to 4000 kbps.
Step 3: Set up your stream type
Set up OBS by clicking settings on the bottom right panel. Once open, click on the Stream tab and then Stream Type. Set the streaming service to Twitch, then set the server to either Auto Recommended or choose the closest server to your location.
Step 4: Get your stream key
Head over to your Twitch dashboard and locate the settings section on the left-hand side, then click Stream key, and then click show key. Copy and paste the key and head back over to OBS. Click on the Stream Tab and paste your key into stream key box. Hit Apply to save your settings.
Note: Don't show your stream key to anyone else as they'll be able to hijack your stream.
Once you've pasted your stream key into OBS head over to the Output Tab. Set the video Bitrate to 1/3 of your upload speed, then Set Encoder to x264 for CPU or NVENC for Video Card.
Step 6: Change your output resolution
If your upload speed isn't above 10Mbps, the recommended output resolution is 720p at 30 FPS. Of course, if it's higher and your computer can take the added strain, then feel free to pump up the resolution to 1080p at 60FPS. Twitch partners can set their bitrate in OBS to 6500 kbps (maximum allowed), but if you're not a Twitch Partner, then 4000 kbps is the recommended value to go for.
Step 7: Hotkey setup
The Hotkey Setup tab allows you to set up hotkeys to start the stream, end stream, change scenes, etc. Just enter the keys you wish to use and hit Apply.
Step 8: Set up Scenes and Sources
To add your game to the stream, click the Add button, choose video capture device, choose device, and then leave the rest of the settings on default. To add a webcam, click Add Button, choose video capture device, and select your webcam of choice.
Note: The video source at the top of the list will always be the one that is shown.
Step 9: Adding a game source
Make sure your game is in full screen before adding it to the game source as this will help minimize any problems with the capture. To get the best possible FPS rate click Game Capture, look for your desired game, and then click on it to start streaming. If the game source shows a black screen, make sure the game has loaded, is actively running, and not minimized. Monitor Capture also allows you to record whatever is being displayed on your monitor, so if you wish to show off any websites or specific things on your PC, then use this method.
Note: Make sure you are aware of what is on the monitor that is being captured, as it will broadcast everything on your monitor.
Step 10: Setting up a green screen
Lastly, to set up the green screen or chroma key, right-click your webcam source, and then choose Filters. Click the Add button on the bottom of Effect Filters and choose Chroma Key as the desired Filter. Choose Key Color Type (this should match the color of your background) and adjust the dials to remove as much of the background as possible.
