Live video has proven time and time again to be one of the most engaging forms of content. It’s also a crucial form of communication in today’s video conferences world. As a small business, solopreneur, freelancer or influencer, you should be making the most out of this medium. Contrary to popular belief, creating live videos is way more cost-efficient than most mediums.
Unlike videos on demand, live video audiences don’t expect the best possible quality, and they can forgive certain imperfections or a latency issue here and there. There’s a consensus that it’s okay for a live video not to have the highest quality.
That being said, you should always strive for the best possible quality. But, when you’re on a tight budget, it can be challenging to decide where to invest. In this blog post, we’ll explore the most common live streaming setup, the types of content you can produce with it and whether you should invest in live streaming equipment or not.
Check out Live Streaming Setup 101 with everything you need to know to get started with live streaming.
Live Streaming Setup: Single-camera
A single-camera live streaming setup is, by far, one of the most common live stream setups. Since you only need one camera for this, it’s easier to keep it low-budget. As the name suggests, in the single-camera setup, you have one camera, usually positioned in front of the streamer.
Chances are, you already have most of the equipment.
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What equipment do you need for a single-camera setup?
One way to go about a single-camera live streaming setup is to get a webcam, a microphone, and a computer. Nowadays, you can get HD webcams for around $40, and they will help you create a live video with good enough quality. Since the audio is as important as the video during live streams and video calls, you can also get a good plug and play USB microphone for less than $50.
Another way is to go mobile and use the devices you already have, like smartphones and tablets. They are great to deliver spontaneous live streams to reach your audience and get them engaged. But, if you plan to do these live streams often, you might need some extra equipment, namely a microphone and a tripod. Mobile live streaming can be very useful, particularly for live streams on the go, but it’s not as versatile as the webcam setup.
What kind of content can you create with a live streaming single-camera setup?
The most critical aspect of live video isn’t equipment. It’s content. If you want to grow your brand, reach a bigger audience or just maximize the engagement during a web conference, content is the key.
Even with such a simple setup as this, you can still create fantastic content for your audience, for example, Q&A Sessions. Delivering a session of questions and answers can be a highly engaging experience for your audience. If they know you’ll answer their questions, they clearly see what’s in it for them and the value of it.
You can also share news from your industry, go live to promote a contest, flash sale, or partnership. Live video always generates more engagement than recorded videos. You can use that to your advantage.
Maximize your live streaming resources
The best way to make the most out of the equipment you have is through live streaming software. With the right software, you can take your single-camera live streaming setup and make it look like a high-quality production.
Instead of sitting in front of the camera and only doing the “talking head” kind of video, you’ll get the tools to share your screen, add images and other videos to your stream, switch between sources, apply effects while live and add a picture-in-picture window to keep your audience engaged.
ManyCam can help you with that and much more. It’s a practical and affordable way of creating professional-looking videos.
When you have a live stream app, you’ll be able to create much more content, such as:
- Webinars – Share your knowledge with your audience and bring them value. When you live stream from a computer, you can share your screen while live, switch between images and videos, or add a picture-in-picture layer.
- Business presentations – Broadcast your slide deck, switch between your webcam view and your slides or split the screen between you and the presentation for maximum engagement.
- Show & Tell – A great way to get your audience interested in your live video is to show & tell. Whether you deliver online classes or create product reviews and demos, adding videos and images to your broadcast, can help you produce way more compelling content.
Also, you can use this live streaming setup during online interviews and video calls. The viewers and participants will appreciate the quality of your live video, and you’ll deliver value to them.
Should you invest in this live streaming setup?
Unlike professional live streaming equipment, which would cost you thousands of dollars, a single-camera setup is an affordable way to use live video to your advantage. Whether you need to grow your business, reach more people or deliver highly engaging content, a simple single-camera live streaming setup is a great way to start.
When you combine the single-camera setup with a live streaming software, as ManyCam, you’ll maximize your resources and bring much more versatility to the table. With ManyCam, you can connect mobile devices as video sources, which means your smartphone can be your webcam. Or you can think about creating a multi-camera live streaming setup without investing in more equipment.
Download ManyCam for free today!
Do you want to live stream like a pro with your single-camera live streaming setup? Check out these free guides:
The Ultimate Guide to Live Streaming Content
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Live Streaming Setup 101 – Everything you need to know
In this post, we’ll give you an overview of what you need to set up a live stream. We also talk about the need for different live stream equipment, depending on your live broadcasting goals. Here you will learn more about the live streaming gear available out there and how to structure your live streaming setup… (Continue reading)
