无论您是潜在的专业 Twitch 主播，还是只是喜欢在互联网上分享您的热情的人，正确类型的软件都可以成就或破坏体验。任何涉足流媒体世界的人都知道OBS，但是还有很多其他可用的软件选项可以减少人们关注的时间。
本文将探讨不同类型软件之间的差异，并帮助(software and help)您确定适合您的程序。如果公司提供试用版，请下载该软件并试用它。您可能会发现该软件将您的流媒体提升到了一个新的水平。
1.最受欢迎：OBS（网站(Website)）
OBS是 Open Broadcaster Software 的首字母缩写词。该项目最初是 - 并将继续是 - 一个开源项目(open-source project)，这意味着流媒体可以免费使用它。该软件提供了令人难以置信的自定义选项，但这有点像一把双刃剑。
虽然OBS可以创建一个看起来很棒的广播，但自定义选项的数量可能会让人难以理解，尤其是对于新用户而言。使这个问题更加复杂的是它没有集中的客户支持团队(customer support team)。OBS用户必须自己找出问题或将其带到庞大的社区论坛寻求答案。
值得庆幸的是，对于那些不太懂技术的人来说，不乏教程和演练来帮助用户了解该程序的更多技术方面。
OBS对大多数用户来说的主要卖点(selling point)是它是免费的，但这也是它的缺点之一。虽然该服务对(service doesn)CPU的要求并不高，并且可以在所有主要操作系统上运行，但它也缺乏一些可以帮助流媒体在竞争中脱颖而出的高级功能。
如果您想设置一个可以实时操作的虚拟场景，让来宾主持人加入您的流媒体，或利用多流媒体，您将不得不找到与OBS不同的程序。
2. 更强大的免费增值选项(Freemium Option)：XSplit（网站(Website)）
XSplit 是一款出色的流媒体软件，但许多人在意识到它实际上分为两个不同的程序之前就感到困惑 - XSplit Gamecaster 和 XSplit Broadcaster(XSplit Gamecaster and XSplit Broadcaster)。两者都可以用于游戏流媒体(game streaming)，最佳选择最终取决于您希望从软件中获得什么。
XSplit Gamecaster是新主播的最佳选择，因为它剥离了许多更高级（且经常令人困惑）的功能，以便更方便地展示您的技能。其中一些功能包括从覆盖开始和停止流，而不是在一些神秘的后端菜单中。
除了Twitch之外， XSplit Gamecaster还允许您在YouTube 和 Facebook 上(YouTube and Facebook)进行流式传输。最酷的功能之一是能够使用注释功能(Annotations feature)绘制您的游戏玩法，这可以轻松突出您的游戏玩法中更微妙的时刻。
XSplit Gamecaster可以免费使用，但有一些主要限制。免费版本将水印应用于超过 720p 或 30 FPS的流。如果您想以更高的分辨率进行流式传输（并建立更好的观众，这是一个好主意），那么您需要升级。12 个月的
高级许可证(premium license)每月 5 美元，而 3 个月的高级许可证(premium license)每月 8.32 美元。终身许可证(lifetime license)的一次性付款为199.00 美元。
3. 低端电脑的选择：Lightstream（网站(Website)）
许多最受欢迎的流媒体在他们的设备上投资了数百甚至数千美元。这通常采用游戏 PC 和流媒体 PC 的形式——一台处理游戏玩法，另一台处理流媒体和视频处理(streaming and video processing)。可以理解，并不是每个人都能负担得起——这就是Lightstream的用武之地。
Lightstream称自己为“(Lightstream)视频制作(video production)的 Google 文档”。当您的计算机捕获视频时，其他一切都由Lightstream服务器处理。这需要高速互联网连接(internet connection)，但它可以减少本地计算机上的CPU 负载。(CPU load)
最重要的是，您不必过于熟悉 PC 的设置。Lightstream将自动选择最佳编码设置并监控您的互联网连接(internet connection)。如果您的速度下降，它将调整比特率以适应。
Lightstream可以免费使用，但这是有代价的。大多数流的最大输出为 720p，并且通常在音频质量方面存在重大问题。虽然流布局看起来很棒，但它们是基本的并且缺乏高级功能。
不过，如果您没有强大的 PC(powerhouse PC)来处理所有的编码和处理(encoding and processing)，Lightstream是一个不错的选择。
4. 最适合专业人士(Professional)：Wirecast（网站(Website)）
关于Wirecast(Wirecast) ，首先要了解的是它不适合预算有限的人。这是专为提供高级性能而设计的专业级软件。
Wirecast One、Studio和Pro这三个级别的售价分别为 249 美元（目前售价 179 美元）、449 美元和 699 美元。虽然Wirecast One可能看起来是最好的选择，但 Wirecast Studio(Wirecast Studio)是功能亮点所在。
Wirecast Studio提供无限数量的输入、最多两个远程访客、超过 100 种不同的标题和过渡，以及超过 500,000 种媒体资产以供在流中使用。用户可以试用该软件的 30 天试用期。Wirecast Pro构建和扩展了这些功能，还提供了虚拟场景和背景。
如果您是专业流媒体或有钱投资最终游戏流媒体软件(streaming software)，那么 Wirecast(Wirecast)是您的最佳选择。它不能
保证成功(guarantee success)，但它会让你在竞争中脱颖而出(head and shoulders)。毕竟，这不是任何游戏玩家的格言吗？装备最好的一方获胜。
4 Best Live Streaming Software for Gamers
Whether you’re a prоspective pro Twitch
streamer or juѕt someonе that likes tо share yoυr enthusiаsm with thе іnternet,
thе right type of software can make or breаk the experience. Anyone that’s
dipped their toe into the world of streaming knows about OBS, but there are a
lot of othеr software options aνailable that get less time in the limelight.
This article is going to explore the
differences between the different types of software and help you decide which
program is right for you. If the company offers a trial, download the software
and play around with it. You might discover the software takes your stream to
the next level.
1. The Most Popular: OBS (Website)
OBS is an acronym for Open Broadcaster
Software. The project began as – and continues to be – an open-source project,
which means streamers can use it free of charge. The software offers incredible
customization options, but this acts as a bit of a double-edged sword.
While OBS can create a fantastic looking
broadcast, the amount of customization options can make it hard to understand,
especially for new users. Compounding this problem is the fact it has no
centralized customer support team. OBS users have to figure out problems on
their own or take it to the vast community forums for an answer.
Thankfully for the less tech-savvy, there
are no shortage of tutorials and walkthroughs to help users figure out the more
technical aspects of the program.
The primary selling point of OBS for the
majority of users is that it’s free, but that is also one of its disadvantages.
While the service doesn’t demand much from a CPU and works on all major
operating systems, it also lacks a number of advanced features that can help
set streamers apart from the competition.
If you want to set up a virtual set you can
manipulate in real-time, have guest hosts come on your streams, or utilize
multi-streaming, you’ll have to find a different program than OBS.
2. The More Powerful Freemium Option: XSplit (Website)
XSplit is a great software for streamers,
but many people find themselves confused before they realize it’s actually
split into two different programs – XSplit Gamecaster and XSplit Broadcaster.
Both can be used for game streaming, and the best option ultimately depends on
what you hope to get out of the software.
XSplit Gamecaster is the best option for
new streamers because it strips away many of the more advanced (and often
confusing) features to make it more convenient to show your skills. Some of
these features include starting and stopping your stream from the overlay,
rather than in some arcane back-end menu.
XSplit Gamecaster also allows you to stream
on YouTube and Facebook in addition to Twitch. One of the coolest features is
the ability to draw over your gameplay using the Annotations feature, which
makes it easy to highlight the more subtle moments in your gameplay.
XSplit Gamecaster is free to use, but there
are a few major limitations. The free version applies watermarks to streams
over 720p or 30 FPS. If you want to stream in higher resolutions (and to build
a better audience, it’s a good idea) then you’ll need to upgrade. A 12-month
premium license is $5 per month, while a 3-month premium license is $8.32 per
month. A one-time payment for a lifetime license is $199.00.
3. The Option for Low-End Computers: Lightstream (Website)
Many of the most popular streamers invest
hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars into their equipment. This usually takes
the form of a gaming PC and a streaming PC – one to handle the gameplay, and
one to handle the streaming and video processing. Understandably, not everyone
can afford this – and that’s where Lightstream comes in.
Lightstream calls themselves the “Google Docs of video production”. While your computer captures the video, everything else is handled by the Lightstream servers. This requires a high-speed internet connection, but it reduces the CPU load on your local machine.
Best of all, you don’t have to be overly familiar with the settings of your PC. Lightstream will automatically choose the best encoding settings and monitor your internet connection. If your speed drops, it will adjust the bitrate to accommodate.
Lightstream is free to use, but this comes
at a cost. The majority of streams max out at 720p and often have significant
issues with their audio quality. While the stream layouts look great, they’re
basic and lack advanced functions.
Still, if you don’t have a powerhouse PC to
handle all of the encoding and processing, Lightstream is a solid choice.
4. Best for the Professional: Wirecast (Website)
The first thing to know about Wirecast is that it is not for those on a budget. This is professional-grade software designed to deliver high-tier performance.
The three levels, Wirecast One, Studio, and Pro, are priced at $249 (currently on sale for $179), $449, and $699 respectively. While Wirecast One might seem like the best option, Wirecast Studio is where the features shine through.
Wirecast Studio offers an unlimited number
of inputs, up to two remote guests, over 100 different titles and transitions,
and over 500,000 media assets to use on the stream. There is a 30-day trial of
the software that users can try out. Wirecast Pro builds and expands on these
features and also offers virtual sets and backgrounds.
If you’re a pro streamer or have the money
to invest into end-game streaming software, Wirecast is the way to go. It won’t
guarantee success, but it will put you head and shoulders above the
competition. After all, isn’t that the adage of any gamer? The one with the
best equipment wins.
