{"id":499,"date":"2023-04-12T06:52:24","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T06:52:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/?p=499"},"modified":"2023-05-06T06:53:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T06:53:57","slug":"how-to-stream-on-twitch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/guides\/how-to-stream-on-twitch\/","title":{"rendered":"Streaming as a Career – How To Start Streaming on Twitch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

All of us dreamed, at one point or another, about quitting our jobs and earning money by doing something we love, like gaming. Twitch is built around that idea. Still, that doesn\u2019t mean anyone can just sleep until late, play games all day, and rake in enough money to support themselves comfortably. It takes a lot of work to become a successful streamer – here\u2019s how it begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Stream on Twitch and Why<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Twitch is the biggest and fastest-growing live streaming platform out there. It\u2019s the place to be for video game streaming content, but it\u2019s not limited only to gaming. Whatever you want to stream or watch, you can find a category for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to start streaming on Twitch: All you need is a Twitch account, good internet connection, and solid hardware. Creating an account is straightforward and won\u2019t cost you anything, either. On the other hand, decent equipment may be a bit hard to come by now with the GPU and CPU scarcity but hopefully will see the end of it soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Create a Twitch Account<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can watch Twitch without an account, but you need one if you want to interact with the streamer or start streaming on Twitch yourself. As mentioned before, creating a Twitch account is a straightforward process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all starts with the \u201cSign Up\u201d button on Twitch, and if you plan to stream, you have to enable two-factor authentication (2FA)<\/strong> on the account. This feature can be found in the account settings under the Security tab. The process is simple and free of charge, whether you are just a viewer or plan to stream. The only other account barrier is age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"2FA<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2FA setting location<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Old Do You Have To Be To Stream on Twitch?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anyone under 13 can\u2019t have a Twitch account <\/strong>and therefore can\u2019t stream. Minors over the age of 13 may only use Twitch under their parents\u2019 or legal guardian\u2019s supervision, be it for viewing or streaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internet Connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think of your hardware like a car that runs on bandwidth instead of gasoline. You won\u2019t be going anywhere without enough bandwidth, no matter how good your hardware is. The requirements will vary depending on the encoder and type of content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitch offers a helpful guide to get you started. For setting up a Twitch stream with basic 720p resolution and 30 FPS for framerate, the recommended speed is 3000 kbps (just below 3 Mbps). Because speed can fluctuate, you want a buffer of around 30% to 40%, putting the required speed around 4.1 Mbps. For better quality, you\u2019ll need a better internet connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether streaming on a console, PC, or smartphone<\/a>, your hardware will be the central part of your streamer setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PCs dominate this scene and are required for high-end Twitch streaming, since consoles usually can\u2019t match their capability and versatility. The central processing unit (CPU) is an essential part of your rig because it’s used for encoding, gaming, or any other activity. The better the processor, the better your performance will be, and PC processors are more easily upgraded than those in consoles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the graphics processing unit (GPU), the best one for streaming would be one with a built-in hardware encoder to lend the CPU a hand. You can also set two computers to work together: One for gaming and another for encoding and streaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This part may seem scary, especially with GPU and CPU prices skyrocketing as they have been for a while now, but you can start small and expand later. Quality gear will give you better content, but you still have to provide the core entertainment, which isn\u2019t entirely dependent on your setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There isn’t much to be said when it comes to consoles and smartphones. They are easier to set and to Twitch stream from but are also limiting when it comes to upgrading. In most cases, you either need to buy a new device to attain better specifications, or connect it to a PC. We\u2019ll cover them in the article as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We covered the hardware basics, and mentioned encoding – that\u2019s where software comes in. We recommend starting with a software encoder and only getting a hardware one when you are well on your path to fame. Here are some software encoder recommendations for starting off:<\/p>\n\n\n\n