Items tagged with Streaming
If you have aspirations of making it big as a streamer, more power to you—it's certainly a fun way to make a living. Streaming can be expensive, though, presenting a challenge right off the bat. To help with that end of things, Razer on Thursday announced an expansion of its streaming hardware catalog to include a couple of entry-level additions, the Kiyo X webcam (top left) and Ripsaw X capture card (top right). In a note sent to us by Razer, the company said this effort is aimed at "lowering the barrier of entry for customers looking for premium feature sets." Neither device is the cheapest in its respective category (webcams and USB capture cards), but neither one will break the bank,...
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YouTube TV subscribers could see a lower monthly bill, albeit perhaps only temporarily. That's the good news (sans the temporary part). Unfortunately, the cheaper bill would come at a different type of cost—the loss of NBC programming. Google's agreement with NBC Universal is about to expire, and two sides have not been able to reach an agreement on an extension. This happens on occasion between service providers and networks, and it is always the customer that gets caught in the cross fire. Usually, these negotiations stay out of the public eye. But when two sides fail to reach agreeable terms with each other, they take the feud public (well, semi-public) and each one tries to persuade...
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Since 2020, Netflix has been able to serve up 200 gigabits per second (Gbps) of TLS-encrypted video traffic from each of its servers, but there is now a path to doubling that amount to 400Gb/s. Andrew Gallatin, a senior software engineer at Netflix, outlined how the streaming service has been able to achieve the feat using a combination of AMD's second-generation EPYC "Rome" processors and various software optimizations. That's a lot of bandwidth, and incidentally, it comes right as Netflix eyes an entry into video game streaming. Game streaming was not mentioned during the presentation, though it is an interesting aside to this latest effort. AMD's EPYC 7502P Rome processors provide the big...
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Having a smart TV or streaming device in your home is nearly essential equipment these days, especially if you are looking to keep up with the plethora of content from Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other networks. However, you do not have to break the bank to have this capability, thanks to some stellar Fire TV Stick deals on Amazon. Fire TV Stick Lite – The Baby Fire Stick If you want to save a buck and keep things simple, the Fire TV Stick Lite is the place to start. Dubbed the “most affordable Fire TV Stick,” it features the base streaming options from all the popular apps as well as live and free TV. The only catch with this device is that it streams in Full HD only, rather...
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HDMI capture cards, or HDMI capture devices, are extremely valuable tools with a wide variety of uses. As the description implies, these devices allow virtually any HDMI feed to be routed through them to be captured by a computer. The HDMI inputs on capture devices can be used with game consoles, video cameras, or even another computer -- just about any HDMI video source. This signal can then be encoded on the fly for a livestream, recorded for preservation, or both simultaneously. Most capture cards also allow for an HDMI output which passes a signal through the device, directly to a display with minimal latency. The market is fairly saturated with models capable of taking in 1080p60 footage...
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From gaming, working, and streaming video, Corsair and Elgato have you covered with several new products announced today. Joining the CHAMPION SERIES lineup are two new mice and a new mechanical gaming keyboard to bring pro-level performance to all. Alongside Corsair’s product launch, Elgato is bringing up the Cam Link Pro which could be a must-have for multi-camera productions. Sabre Pro Mice The new mice coming to the Champion series are the SABRE RGB Pro and the Sabre Pro that are simple yet elegant-looking mice. They feature “AXON hyper-processing technology and 8,000Hz polling” to deliver fast inputs for games that require flick shots and fast reflexes. Moreover, these...
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Well, that was an incredibly brief run. It was only five months ago when T-Mobile tried to lure customers over to TVision Live (an expansion of its TVision service launched in 2019), which as its name implies is a live TV streaming service. And now T-Mobile is turning the channel, essentially phasing out TVision Live in favor of YouTube TV as part of a multi-year agreement hammered out with Google. A visit to the TVision portal at T-Mobile makes clear that "YouTube TV is now T-Mobile's premium live TV solution." And in a related blog post, the wireless carrier further explains that it has also partnered with Philo, which serves as its new base live TV service. The dual partnership is being pitched...
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Just because you may have a stellar video conferencing setup, like what we came up with within our video conference home studio optimization guide, does not mean you have a great internet connection. Thus, the Microsoft Teams development group is creating a way to preserve data use and meeting quality with a new “low data mode.” Over time, Microsoft is working to make Teams the best possible platform while competing with the likes of Google Meet and Zoom for videoconferencing. Recently, the company added drag and drop capability between Teams and Outlook, making the user experience more seamless. Now, Teams will prioritize audio over video to make sure users are at least heard if...
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If you're currently using the microphone built into your webcam, it might be time to up your audio game. Whether you're streaming for fun or working from home, the mics including with USB cameras aren't the best around. While many laptops have noise-canceling arrays, desktop users with discrete cameras don't always have the same luxury. For those who are conducting business with their webcams, or perhaps even aspiring streamers on Twitch; an upgraded microphone might be just the ticket. Simple Setups with USB Microphones First, here are some ground rules: we're sticking to USB microphones here. They're the easiest option to set up for most users. That means that if you already know you...
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Whether you are streaming games on Twitch or working from home and regularly hopping on Zoom video calls, you want to sound and look your best. Besides the fact that you are wearing sweatpants or no pants, some decent audio and video equipment can up your game overall. This weekend, we have collected some deals on Amazon which can help you look professionally produced, no matter what venue you take to the airways on. Audio Gear To Amp Your Acoustic Game Having audio that sounds noisy or tinny can make people not want to listen to you when you go live, or when you're making a point. If you sound good, though, people will notice and tune in. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to spend...
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Just in time for the holidays, we’re back with another HOT giveaway, courtesy of our friends at EVGA! Up for grabs this time around are six (6) of EVGA's new XR1 USB 3.0 Capture Devices, which are the first to be certified for OBS (Open Broadcaster). Whether you want to capture a feed from your PC, console, or camera, the EVGA XR1 has you covered, with and easy to use control dial, dedicated audio inputs, 1080p60fps capture, 4K60 pass-through, and an advanced 1440p@120Hz pass through mode. All you have to do to earn entry points and win one of these cool devices is like and subscribe to a handful of social media sites, and you’ll automatically be entered. There are no less than...
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Just in time for the holidays, we’re back with another HOT giveaway, courtesy of our friends at EVGA! Up for grabs this time around are six (6) of EVGA's new XR1 USB 3.0 Capture Devices, which are the first to be certified for OBS (Open Broadcaster). Whether you want to capture a feed from your PC, console, or camera, the EVGA XR1 has you covered, with an easy to use control dial, dedicated audio inputs, 1080p60fps capture, 4K60 pass-through, and an advanced 1440p@120Hz pass through mode. All you have to do to earn entry points and win one of these cool devices is like and subscribe to a handful of social media sites, and you’ll automatically be entered. We will be giving away...
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When I moved into a new apartment four years ago, one of the selling points was the fireplace. Who does not like a crackling fire, especially during the winter months when there is a chill in the air? Alas, the apartment complex recently came under new ownership, and they decided to close up all the fireplaces for the time being, because apparently the insurance is too costly. Bah, humbug! That is okay, though, because one thing I have been doing for my Christmas Eve dinners for several years now is to stream crackling fires on my big screen TV. You can too (on your TV, PC monitor, tablet, or phone). There are a plethora of options. Some play holiday music in the background, others focus solely...
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Just in time for the holidays, we’re back with another HOT giveaway, courtesy of our friends at EVGA! Up for grabs this time around are six (6) of EVGA's new XR1 USB 3.0 Capture Devices, which are the first to be certified for OBS (Open Broadcaster). Whether you want to capture a feed from your PC, console, or camera, the EVGA XR1 has you covered, with and easy to use control dial, dedicated audio inputs, 1080p60fps capture, 4K60 pass-through, and an advanced 1440p@120Hz pass through mode. All you have to do to earn entry points and win one of these cool devices is like and subscribe to a handful of social media sites, and you’ll automatically be entered. We will be giving away...
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Streamers and YouTubers have recently come under the microscope of both the U.S government and music copyright holders. The popular streaming platform Twitch wrote that thousands of DMCA notifications have been pouring in since May. This has sparked a mass movement on the platform to stop playing copyrighted music during livestreams for fear of being issued a takedown notice. Now, it is reported that streamers may have to face up to 10 years in prison if they illegally stream, but that may not entirely be the case. Earlier in December, Sen. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, released what he called “bipartisan legislation that would punish large-scale criminal streaming services that willfully...
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Maybe you scored a Fire TV streaming device for Black Friday or purchased a discounted LG smart TV this deal season. Having the right hardware is only half of the equation. The other part is, of course, the content. To that end, there are deals to be had on various streaming services, so you can kick back with a tub of popcorn and binge watch to your heart's delight. Where should you start, though? That is up to you, but we have some suggestions. One of them is Amazon Prime. If you are already a Prime member, you can save up to 50% on movies and more. Amazon offers both outright purchases and rentals. For example, you can rent Bill & Ted Face the Music in HD for $3.99, which is a couple bucks...
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In the past several weeks, a game by the name of Fall Guys has taken the world by storm. Big names like PewDiePie, Dr. Disrespect, shroud, and PaymoneyWubby have been playing the jellybean parkour game on Twitch. With this kind of spotlight, a glaring cheating issue has been brought up in Fall Guys and it is now being addressed by the team behind the popular game. Following the Dr. Disrespect versus PewDiePie matchup in Fall Guys, the game seemed to skyrocket to previously unseen highs. More recently, a Fall Guys tournament was held on Twitch by Twitch Rivals with many of the large names we mentioned. While streaming, some of these content creators caught clips of cheaters among the tournament...
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The Dr. Disrespect saga, from his Twitch ban to his return to YouTube, has gripped the streaming community and taken the gaming world by storm. The good doctor seems to have done well in his return, though, averaging millions of views and attaining 2.6 million subscribers. To put a cap on his first week back, the egomaniacal persona of Herschel ‘Guy’ Beahm IV went toe-to-toe with the largest personality on YouTube, Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie. This competition ultimately led to Dr.Disrespect’s loss, but it was fun to watch nonetheless. Dr. Disrespect opened this stream with an over-the-top introduction with music, lights, and sweet animations. In this intro,...
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Both times when LeBron James was pondering whether to stay in Cleveland or take his talents elsewhere, there was intense interest on where he would land. He chose Miami the first time he left Ohio, and then L.A. Likewise, there are a lot of eyeballs on Dr. Disrespect to see where he will land after being banned from Twitch, and later today, he will participate in his first livestream since that happened. So, where is he going to end up? He might still be deciding on a permanent home, but right now he's on YouTube. Well, sort of. Dr. Disrespect announced in a Twitter post yesterday that, "Tomorrow, we arrive," with a link to his YouTube channel. His stream then went live yesterday as well, though...
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After a year away from Twitch, mega streamer Tyler "Ninja" Blevins returned to his old stomping ground today, where he teamed up with Dr. Lupo to play some Fortnite. It was a notable return because Ninja has not been on Twitch since he inked a lucrative deal to stream exclusively on Microsoft's now-defunct Mixer platform. But is he back for good? Maybe, maybe not. Ninja was careful not to divulge too much, though at the end of the stream he expressed how much he missed doing what he does, and promised he will be streaming with old friends again soon. What he did not say, however, is where he will be resuming his streaming career on a full-time basis. The only thing we know is that it will be...
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It's been around three weeks since Herschel Beahm IV, best known by his online streaming persona Dr. Disrespect, was suddenly and shockingly banned from Twitch without any apparent warning or notice. And guess what? He still supposedly has no clue why he was kicked from the platform just two months after inking a two-year exclusivity deal. And, it does not look like he plans to return to Twitch. Dr. Disrespect has not said much about the ban since it happened, even as rumors and speculation mounted. He was privy to it all though, noting that the whole situation has led to considerable "stress and anxiety." After all, streaming is he and his wife's livelihood, and they "worked really hard to get...
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Yesterday, we reported that Google was raising the price on YouTube TV from $50 per month to a staggering $65 per month. In return, customers would get an extra eight channels; many of which current subscribers have said that have absolutely no interest in. What once started off as a $35/month service has now priced many customers out of the market. Now, we're learning that FuboTV is making a similar move, although the percentage of its price increase isn't as large. The FuboTV family bundle is getting a price increase from $60 to $65 per month. In addition, current subscribers to the "standard" plan that was priced at $55/month will now be forced onto the family bundle. So, they are...
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