The Budget-Friendly Live Streaming Kit (2020)

Updated July 15, 2020

This is a list of everything I recommend for live streaming and multi-cam production without breaking the bank.

In this list you'll find:

Camera
Tripod & Fluid Head
Switcher
Preview Monitor
Computer
Communication
Required Accessories
Recommended Accessories
Recommended Packages
System Diagram

But first, some expectations...

Pros

Switcher
- Switch/mix a maximum of 4 sources
- Re-sync, frame rate conversion, and format conversion for every input
- Can accept and output broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps
- Record directly to USB 3.1 hard drives in MP4
- Send a single RTMP stream directly to a platform of your choice
- Multiviewer output for viewing all inputs, preview, program, recording info, and stream info on one monitor
Camera
- Record up to 3840 x 2160 at 29.97 fps internally
- Simultaneous output up to 1920 x 1080 at 29.97 fps via HDMI
- Get a medium shot (waist up) from up to 70' away
- Tripod and fluid head give the camera solid support and smooth pan/tilt movement
- Remote control of zoom, focus, and camera recording with a LANC controller

Cons

Switcher
- Only one physical HDMI output - will not offer room for growth or a way to feed signals to local displays or recorders
- HDMI ports are more fragile and prone to potential issues compared to professional connectors like BNC/SDI
- Recording quality/bitrate will be the same as streaming quality/bitrate - no way to record higher quality/bitrates while streaming at lower bitrates
- Program audio can only be monitored through HDMI output or a computer connected through USB-C output
Camera
- Needs a lot of light for good image quality - it may not perform well in low, or even moderate, lighting
- Cannot output 1920 x 1080 at 59.94 fps even though it can record in that format - an odd issue to be aware of
- The camera, tripod, and fluid head are light weight - the further you get from the subject the harder it will be to prevent the camera from shaking

On to the list...

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Camera

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

View on Amazon

Tripod & Fluid Head

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

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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

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Switcher

Not only a switcher, it offers additional built-in recording and streaming as well.

The only all-in-one switching/recording/streaming solution I recommend.

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, low-budget market

*At the time of this update, the ATEM Mini Pro is still under pre-order and is also a very popular item. Don't be surprised if it takes a few weeks, or possibly even months, to receive one or find them in stock.

View on Amazon View on B&H

Computer

A computer is not necessary for the main tasks like switching, encoding, and recording.

But...

I recommend having a good computer to adjust settings, administrate the live stream, and get more advanced features like adding graphics and setting up keys.

Since this part comes down mainly to personal preference and taste, I will include the computer I would choose.

Apple MacBook Air 13"

Intel Core i3
8GB RAM
256GB SSD

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Communication

If you have a director and camera operators, you need a reliable way for them to communicate.

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.

View on ProAudio.com

Preview Monitor

Use it for a switcher preview, program, or multiviewer.

If you choose another monitor, be sure it accepts broadcast formats through HDMI (this info can be hard to find for many models). A lot of computer monitors will not accept all formats like 1080p23.98.