Since COVID-19 forced many businesses to implement telework policies in mid-March 2020, I’ve been producing live streams to Facebook and LinkedIn almost daily. Here’s a look at the short list of equipment I use to keep my streams online and running in high quality.
Of course, I have the standard laptop, mouse, power strip, but specific to streaming, I’ve added a few tools that have put my mind a bit more at ease producing at-home streams for worldwide audiences.
I’ll first mention that I mainly use Switcher Studio to produce my streams. If you haven’t checked them out, please do. I’ve been using the product for 3+ years, and it just keeps getting better. But Switcher only works with iOS devices, so I use an iPad Pro 2018 as my main production hub.
To help with strain on my neck, I decided to get something that would raise my iPad to eye level, so I bought a Koolehaoda monopod. I also know folks that buy light stands for this sort of thing, but the monopod saved a few bucks. This Ulanzi tripod mount keeps the iPad in place.
To better ensure I don’t lose connection while I’m live, I wanted to somehow get an ethernet connection in my basement. My main home WiFi modem/router is a floor above my office space. I was very close to drilling holes through my floor, but then I discovered the TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter.
This adapter uses the electrical wiring in your home to establish ethernet connections in different areas of the house where you may not be able to simply run ethernet cable. I highly recommend this piece of equipment for at-home streamers. I haven’t had a stream drop since purchasing in August 2020.
And since I use an iPad for my production hub, I need to get an ethernet connection to it. The Anker USB 3.0 Hub with ethernet converter paired with Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter takes care of that. What’s great about this setup is I can also get power to my iPad using the Apple adapter. I could also bring in external audio sources to the Anker Hub if I wanted, as it has three USB ports.
I won’t go into camera setup, as a lot of the streams I produce involve remote guests and not me as an on-camera host, but maybe for another post.
But that’s it! I would consider those items to be my essentials in creating reliable, quality live streams from my basement.
Any questions? What does your home setup look like? Let me know in the comments!
