Twitch For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 7

Streaming without Constraints: Streaming from a PC

IN THIS CHAPTER

Getting familiar with a PC setup

Setting up StreamElements

Streaming with OBS

Working with audio

If you spend enough time exploring various channels on Twitch, you’ll find that some hosts aren’t merely tucked neatly away in one corner of the screen; they’re seemingly superimposed over the game behind them. You see a frame surrounding the gamer, displaying in real time different things about the stream, ranging from the most recent follows, to the latest subscribers. When followers subscribe to the channel, a sudden fanfare plays, followed by clever animation celebrating the new arrival.

You may see other streamers broadcasting themselves full screen with a custom backdrop or even an animated screen behind them as they’re sharing advice or some creative pursuit. Let that sink in: Streamers are on Twitch, and they aren’t playing video games! What madness is this?! A PlayStation or Xbox gaming console doesn’t allow for all this stuff, so how is it happening?

Good news, Gamer — you just answered your own question: ...