Contributed by Aleksander Wroniak, Avrona Media Director
Aleksander Wroniak is a digital content creator and journalist with a strong track record in the tech industry since 2013. Since building his own channel from the ground up, he has founded a media company and worked with some of the largest global brands in consumer technology.
Getting started with content creation, be it on YouTube or any other platform, can seem very daunting if budgets are limited. After all, your videos will be put up there right against channels with budgets most can only dream of. However, that is no reason not to try. In fact, you can get everything you need to get started for much cheaper than you might think.
The trick is to invest where it matters the most, stretching every dollar, but also ensuring that what you do buy is of quality and does what you need it to do – rather than having to go back and purchase something else just a few months later.
Naturally, much of this depends on what types of videos you wish to create. For example, if you don’t plan on showing your face or any other real-world footage, then a camera will be unnecessary. Other essentials, however, apply to most types of online content.
Choosing Your Camera
There are two main paths when deciding on a camera: a dedicated standalone camera or a webcam. Both have their pros and cons.
Standalone Cameras
Large, standalone cameras are more expensive, but they offer superior quality, better versatility, and open up other opportunities. For example, why not use it for photography as well? And if you don’t have a computer at hand, they can record directly to storage.
Webcams
Webcams can’t match the versatility of a standalone camera, but they have their own set of advantages: much lower costs while still retaining satisfactory quality, easier setup, no need to fiddle with camera settings, and simple plug-and-play operation as soon as you connect one to your system.
Prices for even 4K-capable models have been dropping dramatically in the past few years. Even if you don’t plan to edit or upload in 4K, that additional resolution has its advantages. Beyond these models usually having better overall image quality, the extra pixels allow you to crop and zoom your footage without losing quality, giving you plenty of additional flexibility when editing.
There’s also an important benefit for compression: 4K footage exported as 1080p will always look better than native 1080p footage exported at the same resolution, because the additional detail allows your editing software to make smarter choices when compressing the final file.
Connecting It All
You can’t simply plug a standalone camera into your computer for use with tools like OBS. You’ll need a capture adapter to route the HDMI output into your system. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Elgato makes the most well-known adapters, with great picture quality and 4K signal support. However, they’re on the expensive side. Cheaper variants are available that support lower resolutions.
- If you already have a DSLR or any other camera with an HDMI output, you can make it part of your setup with one of these adapters – saving you the cost of purchasing anything new.
- Cheaper options carry their own risks beyond lower quality – they may break faster or have significant faults. Make sure to carefully read reviews before purchasing something at a “too good to be true” price.
Getting the Audio Right
The audience doesn't just want to see you, but hear you in the best quality possible. The best quality microphones can be extremely expensive, but we have yet again seen the trend of better gear trickling its way down to the budget segment as well. There are two primary types to consider: USB and XLR.
USB Microphones
USB mics are usually cheaper, allow for easier connection to your computer, and can also include additional built-in features by being able to communicate data other than just audio to your system.
XLR Microphones
XLR microphones offer superior audio quality, but they also require an additional investment: an XLR audio interface. This is a separate device that sits between the microphone and your computer, converting the analog signal into digital audio. While this adds to the overall cost, it also gives you more control over your sound and room to upgrade individual components down the line.
Choosing Between Them
Beyond the microphone itself, consider how you want to record audio. The main options are either recording directly to your PC, or using an external mic as a replacement for your camera’s built-in microphone – essentially having the audio recorded by the camera itself. This will also dictate your mic choice, since most cameras lack USB-C audio input or full-sized XLR ports, meaning adapters and dongles may be necessary.
So, do you need an XLR microphone? That depends on your priorities. Sound quality is, of course, much higher, but you also have to consider how much that will affect your final product. USB microphones are by far the better option if you simply want something at as low a price as possible. Even a headset microphone may suffice, though it won’t be an ideal long-term solution. Especially for longer content where people will be listening to you for extended periods, you want to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Rounding Out Your Setup
Beyond those basic necessities, there are some other things that you should consider when creating your setup, such as:
- Stream controllers: devices such as the Stream Deck from Elgato, as well as similar variants from companies such as Loupdeck or Fifine, offer you additional flexibility when livestreaming, but also give you powerful actions at your fingertips when editing. They go a long way in helping your streams look more professional by being able to carry out multiple actions in OBS or other software with a convenient button push, saving you the time of doing it manually within the program itself.
- Capture card: If you plan to capture footage from a console or other external device, a capture card is exactly what you need for that. AVerMedia, UGREEN, and Elgato are by far the most well-known brands in that category, offering devices at all possible price points.
- Lighting: If your camera’s image is too dark, additional lighting is the answer to that. Available as either standalone lights or models you attach or clip onto the camera, they are once again available at all possible prices depending on the features you need or the form factor you are after. Good lighting is necessary for a professional look.
For more tech tips and in-depth hardware content, check out the Avrona YouTube channel!
