Level 4 Gear Guide

Alienware Aurora 7

This is an affordable PC that you can get from either Best Buy or Amazon. It has one open slot for your video capture card.

Digital Storm: STARTER PC

This is a PREMIUM machine. If you can, upgrade the graphic card to the 1080. That will just future proof you if you can afford it.

Buy the SDI Version ($2521)
Buy the HDMI Version ($3080)

Digital Storm: MID-LEVEL PC

This is a PREMIUM machine. If you can, upgrade the graphic card to the 1080. That will just future proof you if you can afford it.

Buy the SDI Version ($3333)
Buy the HDMI Version ($3892)

Digital Storm: ULTRA 4K BEAST!

This is a PREMIUM machine!

Buy the SDI Version ($6158)
Buy the HDMI Version ($6717)

DIY PC Minimum Specs

If you choose to go out and look for your own streaming machine, you want to make sure that you stick to these minimum specs. It just allows you to get a great looking stream without having to worry about resource issues. As far as specs go, you want to look for gaming PC’s. As we highly recommend that you use vMix Software, because it runs so efficiently on a gaming PC with a GTX graphic card.

Again, these are the MINIMUM I recommend.

• Core i7 Processor
• 16GB Ram
• nVidia GTX1060 or higher (get the highest you can afford)

Capture Cards

If you’re going to want to bring in cameras, you will need some sort of capture device. There are two choices. SDI and HDMI.

If you already have some video cameras, chances are those are HDMI as that is a standard. SDI is for more professional grade cameras. SDI cameras are generally quite a bit more expensive.

So, depending on what cameras you have, here are the capture cards I recommend.

NOTE: DIGITALSTORM PC’S ABOVE COME WITH THESE CARDS PRE-INSTALLED

CLICK HERE FOR HDMI ($899)
CLICK HERE FOR SDI ($495)

Software for Level 4

We recommend only one software for Level 4, and that’s vMix because of all the capabilities and the ability for you to run it as a one person show (or have a producer)!

Comparison Chart for different versions of software

ZCam Box Camera (recommended)

Simple camera from PTZOptics that produces great results! There is no monitor, so must be adjusted using the on-camera controls using your LIVE Video Software as a monitor.

This is the camera David uses in his studio (seen here).

Canon G20

Good broadcast cameras we continue to use on various projects. Please note: these are not available for sale from Canon anymore so you’re buying from various sellers.

Another option: Canon XA10

Sony AX100

HDMI camera, with great colors, and is 4K so you can use it to also record videos.

PTZ Camera (recommended)

PTZ stands for “Pan Tilt Zoom” meaning that it has a TON of flexibility! You can set 100 different shots that you switch to during your stream. It’s a great way to add the appearance of multiple cameras without a full studio of cameras!

See this camera in action here

Blackmagic Studio Camera

Fantastic higher end camera! Funny looking, but very easy to use with the large monitor in back!

This is the camera Luria uses in her studio (seen here).

Lens required in addition to the camera.

Canon XA25

More professional broadcast camera with more buttons (for the geeky)!

Rokinon 35mm Lens

This is the lens Luria uses in her studio combined with the Blackmagic Studio Camera above to achieve the shallow depth of field.

PLEASE NOTE: Every lens will produce different types of results! Please do your research to get the right one for the look you’re trying to achieve!

SLR Magic 25mm T0.95 Lens

This is the lens Derral Eves uses in his studio seen here.

PLEASE NOTE: Every lens will produce different types of results! Please do your research to get the right one for the look you’re trying to achieve!

Blue Yeti

USB Microphone with great quality! It is large and will most likely make it into your shot, but it’s beautiful too, so that’s not necessarily a bad thing!

PRO TIP: When you plug this mic in, it automatically mutes itself (noted by the blinking light). You’ll want to make sure you un-mute it before starting your show.

Samson Meteor Mic

A small but powerful little mic! If you travel, this is a great option because the legs folds up.

AudioTechnica 8035 (recommended)

Shotgun Mic that gives you professional sounding audio. This is what we personally use in our studios.

NOTE: You WILL need a USB mixer with this mic, as it is an XLR connection.

USB Mixer

If you want to bring in an XLR mic, this 8 channel mixer is a great choice!