Console Streaming

Streaming directly from a console is a great way to get started streaming but it really limits the things you can do with your streams like adding overlays and scene changes. From the start, you should consider streaming using a PC.

The best way to do this is with a capture card. It’s a device that allows you to have HDMI Input into your PC.

The benefits of streaming from a console are that your computer load is more stable. You don’t need a good gaming computer to game AND stream, just one that can handle streaming alone. So the cost of entry is a bit lower.

There are basically two main devices: Elgato HD60 S+ or Elgato 4K60 Pro

The HD60 S+ is an external card that requires USB 3.0

The 4K60 Pro is an internal PCI-E card. It’s technically better and easier to use than the HD60 S but obviously, you can’t take it with you or let a friend borrow it.

We use four HD60 Pro cards between all our computers and (two for two-player co-op) and one HD60 S for our webcam

Alternative to capture card

A low-cost alternative is to use PS4’s and Xbox One’s remote-play features that stream the console to your PC. This produces low-quality video but it can work as a stop-gap as you’re saving up for a capture device.