There are so many live streaming software options available on the market for both content creators and longtime business owners alike. In fact, live streaming can be a difficult task to figure out with lots of ins and outs.
But no matter your skill level, or your past experience, there is an option that will work best for you. How do you pick between all the options, and what option will work best for you? We’re breaking down five of the top live streaming software options to power your live stream.
Top 5 live streaming software options to power your live stream:
How to Set Up Live Streaming Systems
A proper live stream setup has several different parts. Once you know and understand the basics, setting up your live streaming will be simple. The most important part of your live stream set up is the broadcast video, but there are four major components to consider.
- Video Source and Audio Source: This will be the most expensive part of your setup: high definition cameras, computers, and any other equipment you find necessary. For audio equipment, you’ll need microphones, mixer feeds, and other sound equipment.
- Video Encoder: A video encoder is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will have for your live streaming set up.
- Streaming Destination: A streaming destination is a live streaming platform.
- Internet Connection：牢固的互联网连接对于实时流媒体至关重要。
Live streaming will require a certain workflow. You will need to set up your audio and video components and then set up your connection, plan your livestream, and build a connection between your encoder and streaming destination.
When everything is connected, you will be able to start a live stream and have your audience tune in right away. Here’s a complete breakdown of all the elements needed for a successful live stream.
Picking the Right Video Equipment
实时视频播客的最重要元素之一是找到合适的相机。不过，找到合适的相机可能很棘手。市场上有成千上万个不同的相机具有现场流媒体功能。但是，像许多技术产品一样，尽管取消了权衡，但这一切都是为了找到具有正确功能的合适摄像头。
如果您是视频播客和直播的新手，则可能需要潜入并购买入门级摄像机。起动摄像机比其他选项便宜得多，更轻巧。多年来，入门级摄像机的视频质量显着提高，但仅在理想的照明条件下。在许多情况下，相机缺乏手动控制，并为许多其他功能（包括连接性）提供了基本选择。
Lightweight, entry-level video cameras will cost around $300 to $700. These may include smartphone cameras, entry-level camcorders, and action cameras.
如果您想升级一点，Prosumer录像机为直播器提供了一个绝佳的中级选项。您会注意到相机的整体视频质量有很大的不同。连接性也将改善，HDMI将成为标准功能。这些相机也将具有更多的手动控件，但缺乏人体工程学和高端相机的完全可定制功能。但是，对于许多实时播客流媒体，这些相机将提供适量的质量和价格。一台生产摄像头的价格从800美元到3,000美元不等。这些示例可能包括数码单反相机，无反光镜相机（例如索尼·阿尔法），Passumer Camcorders，4K摄像机等。
对于最终的升级，专业摄像机将提供您梦dream以求的一切 - 价格很高。首先，相机将具有XLR和SDI等亲级连接器。相机还将配备具有崇高图像质量的高分辨率传感器，即使在不理想的照明条件下也是如此。相机更稳定，它们具有更多的手动功能，可以更好地构建。这些专业相机中的许多也将具有可互换的镜头，相机的价格从1,500美元到超过25,000美元不等。这些例子可能包括专业摄像头，EFT摄像机，电影摄像机等。
Picking the Right Audio Equipment
According to some studies, viewers pay even more attention to audio quality during livestream events than video quality. The same is true especially for podcasts, where your audio will double as a regular podcast on a streaming platform. If you have some issues with your video quality, your podcast audio quality may still be okay. Investing in good quality audio gear may be one of the most important things you do for your video podcast.
As with video equipment, there are several different tiers of audio equipment quality.
低至中等质量的设备包括某些入门级和制作摄像头上的内置麦克风。许多人会使用他们的摄像头作为音频设备加倍，当您的预算较小时，这效果很好。但是，升级设备对升级播客质量有重大影响。
中型到高质量的设备包括来自USB和3.5毫米麦克风的大量设备，或专业的实时摄像机内置麦克风。这是大多数人用于播客的设备类型，尽管需要进行一些编辑，但这种升级的音频设备为您的视频播客提供了很大的升级。
In the highest tier of equipment, professional-quality microphones can make a big difference for professional-level productions. The equipment includes equipment like XLR microphones.
对于许多视频播音器，基本的有线3.5mm lavalier Mic将带您的播客档位，尤其是如果您在入门级摄像机或手机上使用内置麦克风。在最高水平上，XLR麦克风提供了最佳的质量水平 - 尽管它们可能是许多播客的投资。但是，XLR麦克风是质量及其耐用性的专业标准。
Picking the Right Mixing Equipment
当您设置播客时，混合设备是实时设置的关键部分。混合设备将使您捕获多个视频或音频源流。然后，您可以在直播期间在这些来源之间切换。尽管许多播客可能不会处理这个问题，但是如果您正在做大型的多摄像头实时流，则绝对需要混音器。
当你看视频混合设备、反对sider these tips:
- The physical size
- 输入和输出
- 用户界面
- 自动化和连通性
专业切换器的一个例子？Blackmagic Design Atem电视工作室Pro 4K Live Production Switter，价格不到3,000美元。它是大型设置的理想选择，并允许您通过HDMI和四台SDI摄像机连接四个摄像头。
Complex live stream set-ups will require an audio mixing tool to handle multiple audio sources. You will need to find audio mixing equipment that has multiple input and output channels, auxiliary and monitor buses and outputs, and digital inputs, among other needs.
选择右编码器
The fourth and final key piece of equipment? Encoders. Video encoding is the process of compressing video files so they are saved as a fluid video, in place of individual images. Encoding video has a number of benefits, including:
- Reducing file size
- Reducing buffering for streaming video
- Changing resolution or changing the aspect ratio
- Converting obsolete files to more modern formats
- Making a video compatible with a certain device
5 Software Options to Power Your Livestream
Some of our top picks for software options to power your livestream have the basic live streaming features and recording features like single-destination RTMP streaming, multiple video sources and layouts, chroma key (i.e. green screen), live switching, and custom transitions.
But each software option on our list has their own pros and cons. When picking your live streaming software, consider what you need and do not need for your setup.
OBS Studio
OBS或Open Broadcaster软件是一个开源项目，为实时流提供了强大的解决方案。对于注重预算，这也是一个不错的选择，因为OBS是开源的，可以免费使用。尽管OBS没有其他专业付费软件选项可能具有的高级功能。但是，ASC有许多实时流媒体必需品可以整理出功能齐全的广播。
One of the best parts of OBS Studio is how customizable it is. The community, which works on the project, is constantly adding new features and plugins. If you are willing to dig into OBS and mess with the customizations, you can truly make a project that works for you and your needs. OBS will not, however, offer you things like virtual sets, guest hosting, and multi-streaming.
One of the big downsides? If you do need help urgently, there is no central customer support team to help you out. Of course, there is a community that will help if they can - but other paid products will offer customer support to figure out the functionality. For more tech-savvy users, this won’t be a problem. There are plenty of guides available online, too.
成本: Free
Streamlabs Desktop
Streamlabs Desktophas only recently become a mainstream tool for live streaming. Prior to this, StreamLabs was mostly used by gamers in addition to other streaming software solutions. However, the newStreamlabs Desktopis a combination of StreamLabs and OBS as an open-source solution.
Streamlabs Desktop与OBS Studio相似，但具有更具用户友好的界面，具有更好的设计。所有过程均在StreamSlabs仪表板中分组在一起，并从OBS Studio中改进了过程。例如，Streamlabs Desktop具有社交小部件（包括聊天框，游戏警报等），免费叠加层，音频过滤器，视频编辑器等。
Unlike OBS Studios, StreamLabs has better support and real-time troubleshooting. However, this software is primarily focused on gamers and individuals who want to use live streaming to make money. This product remains new and is still undergoing improvements.
成本: Free
灯流
灯流is a powerful and simple-to-use, browser-based streaming platform that works best if you don’t necessarily have a strong computer to back it up. Their website even says so, and they call themselves “the Google Docs for live video production.” Lightstream Studio works almost entirely in the cloud, but all the compositing and encoding is done on Lightstream servers. That means less CPU usage for your computer.
灯流is also free, but has plenty of great features, like guest hosting, remote scene switching, live chat support, and much more. Your projects will be saved in the cloud, and you won’t have to start all over when you have a new live stream project. In addition, the Lightstream Studio software will automatically pick the best encoding settings on your computer and work with your own settings to keep your stream steady and strong.
成本: Free
Wirecast
Wirecast是一种专业级的直播选项，其中包含大量价格的功能。Studio计划的访客可以托管功能，动画标题和图形，无限的视频源编码，流向不同的服务器和平台等等。188滚球地址Pro版本具有更多功能，具有高分辨率ISO录制，3D虚拟集，即时重播等等。Wirecast带有高价标签，尽管您可以通过免费试用（带有水印）进行尝试。
用户interfac Wirecast有一个精心设计的e, though it’s a complex design and may seem difficult to use at first. However, it will be easy to figure out.
Wirecast is owned by Telestream, a large company constantly coming out with new features, updates, and improvements. In addition, the program comes with technical support. You can opt to buy premium support for $299 a year too, if you need around-the-clock support.
费用：Wirecast Studio的费用为599美元，Wirecast Pro为799美元。免费提供30天的试用期。
XSplit
来源：xsplit.com
This more advanced encoding software option may require prior knowledge, but the clean, intuitive interface offers affordable and easy-to-use live streaming capabilities. XSplit comes in two versions: XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster. Both of these programs will allow you to live stream, though the Gamecaster is a slightly more stripped down version of the program with essentials. XSplit has a number of features that make it a great option, including a VCam tool (where users can blur, replace, or remove their backgrounds).
XSplit has a free version with limited features, and using the free version for live streaming works well for most people. Limitations include watermarks on streams with resolution over 720p and streams that use any VCam feature. The paid versions don’t have watermarks, and they also allow for multistreaming. In addition, XSplit has technical support with occasional updates to keep customers happy. The program offers plenty of add ons, too.
XSplit的缺点之一？有限数量的记录格式（仅MP4和FLV）。更多的休闲用户可能不介意，但是高级用户可能会担心。该程序也仅在Windows上可用。
成本: XSplit offers a free version. The premium versions have a monthly subscription at $4 a month or a one-time purchase of $199. There’s a whole pricing guide on their website.
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