Your Questions: What USB Camera For Live Streaming?

Digital DJ Tips Platinum Group member Aaron asks: “Can somebody get at me with recommendations for USB video cameras? Looking to jump onto the live streaming train, and I don’t know where to start…”

Digital DJ Tips Says:

You’ve got three options for USB cameras as far as live streaming goes: webcams, video cameras, and DSLRs.

USB computer webcams are the cheapest option. Your best bet here is to use something that professional game streamers use, such as the Logitech C922x webcam – it’s inexpensive, small, and easy to use straight out the box. Of course, you need to be tethered to your laptop, but you need to do that in order to stream.

The next option is to use a video camera / camcorder that’s got a USB jack built in – these are the types of cameras you take with you to film family trips or get-togethers. The advantage here is that if you’ve already got one and if it’s compatible with your computer, then you can use that to get streaming right away. They’re also fairly easy to position and set up, even in tight spaces or overhead above your DJ set-up.

Finally, newer DSLRs have USB jacks onboard that allow you to connect them to your laptop. The advantage of DSLRs is that you can change lenses: if you’ve got a small space where your DJ set is (ie most of us), then you can attach a wide-angle lense to fit you and your DJ gear in the frame.

DSLRs can be costly and tough to set-up though, so if you’re a beginner when it comes to photography it may be a bit too much to start on.

I use a combination of a webcam (Logitech C922x) and a DSLR (Canon 5D MKiv) for my live streams: I’ve got the Logitech as an overhead camera looking down on my gear, and the Canon 5D Mark IV pointing straight at me. I use a Sigma 20mm Art lense with a Canon 5D Mark IV and it does a fantastic job of squeezing me and my set-up even though I’ve only got it a few feet away from me. I run both of them to my computer running a live streaming app called OBS (Open Broadcaster Software).

Whatever you decide to use, remember that the most important thing is to get started – it won’t be perfect (it rarely ever is), and you get better at it the more you do it.

Do you stream your sets? What camera do you use? Any recommendations? Share them with us below.