[FAQ]

Hi all,

I’ve been thinking about branching out from just streaming games at my desk. I see the “IRL” category on Twitch is always popular, and it seems like a cool way to share hobbies or just walk around and talk. But I’m not really sure what it fully covers. Is it just any non-gaming stream? Or does it specifically mean you have to be outside, like a travel vlog?

More importantly, I’m trying to figure out the gear. I want to do this with my smartphone, but my biggest worry is having a super shaky and laggy stream. What’s the essential kit for making a mobile stream look stable and professional? I’m talking about the gear for both smooth video (like a gimbal?) and, most importantly, a stable internet connection so my stream doesn’t die every five minutes.

[Jeff Bullas]

Moving your production from the desk to the real world is a significant step.

Short Answer: IRL streaming is any non-gaming broadcast of your real-life activities, and the essential gear for a stable mobile stream is a gimbal for smooth video, an external microphone for clear audio, and a high-capacity power bank.

The core challenge is not just capturing the content, but protecting its quality against the variables of an uncontrolled environment.

Your production is defined by two primary content streams: video and audio, and both must be protected. First, to solve the problem of unwatchable, shaky video content, you must use a smartphone gimbal. This hardware mechanically stabilises your phone, ensuring your live video feed is smooth and professional. Second, and more importantly, is your audio content. Your phone’s microphone will capture overwhelming environmental noise, so an external microphone with a windscreen is essential to ensure your audio commentary is clear. Third, you must manage your power, as producing constant video and audio while using mobile data will drain your battery; a high-capacity power bank is a non-negotiable piece of kit. Finally, to ensure the stability of your video stream’s data, you must have a robust internet connection. While a strong 5G mobile signal is the baseline, professional setups often use bonding technology to combine multiple cellular data signals, which is the only way to guarantee a stable video feed in unpredictable locations.

Cheers,

Jeff

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