The Budget-Friendly Live Streaming Kit (2021)

Canon G50

Record in formats up to 3840 x 2160 at 29.97 fps while outputting up to 1920 x 1080.

20x optical zoom provides some of the best optical zoom range available.

This is the cheapest camcorder I recommend and will need a lot of light to look good, but it does the best job for camcorders in the price range.

Full Shot: 9'-170'

Medium Shot: 4'-70'

Outputs: HDMI (Type C - Mini)

Recording Formats: Up to 3840 x 2160 at 29.97 fps

Output Formats: Up to 1920 x 1080 at 29.97 fps (1920 x 1080 at 59.94 fps recording possible, but will be output in 720 x 480 only)

My Favorite Feature: Dual SD slots - continuous recording or duplicate/backup recording

Manfrotto 755XB MDeVe

Solid support and good build quality that won't break the bank.

Material: Aluminum

Maximum Height: 64.9"

Minimum Height: 16.4"

Folded Length: 25"

Weight: 5.25 lbs

Payload Capacity: 15.4 lbs

My Favorite Feature: Price

Ikan E-Image GH03F

A smooth and well built option for a crazy low price.

The sliding easy lock plate makes it a great option for quickly attaching and balancing camcorders.

Base Mount: Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Mounting Hole

Camera Plate: Sliding Easy Lock

Load Capacity: 11 lbs

My Favorite Feature: Performance for the price

Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro

I'll admit...

I was not a big fan of the original ATEM Mini.

While it filled a niche, I think Blackmagic aimed too low on price and compromised important features like a multiviewer.

But...

Blackmagic Design thankfully listened to customers and delivered BIG with the updated ATEM Mini Pro.

It still fills a niche, and while it's not a great fit for everything it is a solid option for those wanting a professional, low-cost solution.

Be aware, though - it only has one physical HDMI output.

If you use the only HDMI output for a preview or multiview monitor, you have no other video outputs available.

But considering it has 4 inputs, frame rate and format conversion on every input, built-in recording to USB-C drives, built-in RTMP streaming, and a multiviewer output, it all adds up to one wonderful package.

Inputs: 4x HDMI

Audio Inputs: 2x 3.5mm

Program Outputs: 1x HDMI and 1x USB-C (to computer or hard drive only)

Aux Outputs: N/A

Multiview Outputs: 1x (only on HDMI output)

Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

My Favorite Feature: Built-in recording and streaming puts this in a previously under-served market

TCL 40 Inch 1080p TV

Input: HDMI

Apple MacBook Air 13"

• Intel Core i3
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB SSD

Pro Intercom

In my experiences with many production intercom systems, Pro Intercom LLC has consistently provided the best bang for the buck systems I've used.

Their products are built very well while remaining quite affordable, and all of their systems are hardwired so you get the best quality and reliability for the lowest price possible.

They have many packages to choose from to fit various system sizes and budgets.

I recommend the econoCom systems with BP-1 belt packs for smaller budgets.

AmazonBasics Snagless Cat-6 Ethernet Cable (5')

Connect switcher to computer, network, or Internet.

Monoprice Certified Premium HDMI Cable (6')

Connect switcher to preview monitor.

Monoprice Certified Premium HDMI Cable (15')

Connect any camera to switcher (within 15').

One cable required for every camera.

Monoprice SlimRun AV High Speed HDMI Fiber Optic Cable

Connect any camera to switcher (further than 15' from switcher).

One cable required for every camera.

Samsung T5 500GB SSD

For recording from the switcher's USB-C output.

Interface: USB 3.1 (USB-C to USB-C cable included)

SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC Card

For recording in camera.

VariZoom VZ-Stealth

Controls the camera's zoom, focus, recording start/stop, and power on/off.

Variable-speed throttle for controlling zoom speed.

Can be extended up to 100' with an extension cable (Amazon) for remote operation.

Interface: LANC (1x 2.5mm TRS cable - 40" length)