How to Stream on Console (2024)

The beginners guide to streaming on PS4 / Xbox

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Want to stream but not in possession of a powerful PC? Don’t worry! Nowadays, it’s easy to do. All you need is the determination, personality, and the confidence to get you started. A few other things like a console and games to play will help.

But keep in mind that every Partnered streamer or popular content creator had a humble beginning. They all started with whatever resources they had available. Not everyone’s path is going to be the same, but you can definitely get started by following these few steps.

If you don’t already have a Twitch account, sign up and choose your name wisely. This username will be your persona and what you’ll be recognized as when you grow your channel. Also don’t leave anything bare in your channel, so take some time by adding an avatar, your offline image, banner image, some panels, and entering some information.

Since we’re just streaming straight from the console, you won’t be able to have any fancy alerts or overlays while you’re streaming. But that’s okay, by using StreamElements, you can manage your stream and you won’t miss a thing!

When creating your StreamElements account, link it to your Twitch account and then it’ll take you to a dashboard. Head over to the “Modules” link under the Bot section.

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Enable the Chat alerts feature, and from here you can edit all of the alerts that are available including customizing the messages.

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You can also create commands and timer messages (check our video guide) to help keep your chat informed like a !social command to share your social media links. You can also keep your viewers entertained by enabling mini-games such as slots or bingo, as way to encourage them to join in the chat.

Now if you’re already gaming, then you already have these things: a console (Playstation 4 / Xbox One), a headset, and a mic. These are the basic equipment that you need to get started as a streamer. The console, already has an app for you to connect your Twitch account.

How to connect Twitch to your PS4

  1. Download the Twitch app
  2. Start your game
  3. Press the Share button
  4. Select Broadcast Gameplay
  5. Select Twitch then login to your account
  6. Edit the settings to your preference (chat, camera, message)
  7. Create your title
  8. Select “Start Broadcasting”
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How to connect Twitch to your Xbox One

  1. Download the Twitch app
  2. Open the app and login
  3. Activate it which will prompt you to enter a 6-digit code
  4. Select the option to “Share content made using Kinect” is set to Allow
  5. In Settings under Preferences, ensure “Allow broadcasts and Game DVR uploads” is checked
  6. Edit your settings to your preference (mic, camera, chat)
  7. Give your broadcast a name in the Broadcast Title window and select the game you would like to live stream
  8. Finally, select “Start Broadcast”
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You can also add in a camera if you’re ready to show your beautiful face to the world, but that’s optional. A camera would be a good investment to own even if you don’t plan on showing your face, but unfortunately, the con about getting a camera is that they’re specific to the console. So if you have a PS4, you need a Playstation camera, and a Kinect for the Xbox One. [Note: Microsoft has stopped manufacturing Kinect cameras as of October 2017, so grab one while supplies last.]

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While you’re playing your game and streaming, it’s best to keep an eye on the chat room. It’s recommended to have a secondary device next to you while you’re playing, such as your smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop.

With your smartphone and tablet you can easily open up the app, and manage the chat from there. However, having a laptop by your side will be much easier since you can quickly navigate or fix certain things that you may have missed.

A great tool that Twitch actually provides is the Dashboard, which will look like this: www.twitch.tv/username-here/dashboard.

From this area, you can update your Go Live notification, the title of your stream, the game, your communities, and other resourceful widgets.

Don’t forget that you can also use the bot commands you’ve set up with StreamElements to share any information your viewers may ask.

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Another benefit of using StreamElements is the loyalty system. While watching your stream, viewers earn points that can be redeemed in your stream store, games and song request.

Finally, after you’re done streaming, StreamElements will send you a Stream Report which shows a bunch of data that happened on your stream like followers, chatters, and revenue.

The setting up stage is the hardest part because you’re preparing everything and want it to look good. But once this is done, streaming from the console is super easy.

Don’t get discouraged by the lack of equipment that you own, but see it as a stepping stone. Save up money if you really want to upgrade, and do it one thing at a time.

When you finally save enough money to upgrade to a PC, your loyal viewers will see your progression and will appreciate all your efforts that you took to improve your content and your channel.

Stick to a schedule, be yourself, and have fun! As long as you’re going live on a consistent basis and interacting with your viewers, you’re considered to be a streamer.

Jempanada 💜

NYC Native, Twitch Affiliate, and Blogger. Helping streamers one post at a time. twitch.tv/jempanada | twitter.com/jempanada3 | instagram.com/jempanada3

How to Stream on Console (2024)
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