As a streamer, you can play a lot of different games, but maybe you want to do something different and stream with your VR set. Luckily this is also possible, you just need the right equipment and right programs, which is what I’ll be explaining below. I’ll explain what equipment you need, the programs you need, and how to set up a VR system so that you can stream on Twitch.
Equipment You Need to VR Stream on Twitch
Before you go ahead and stream you first need some equipment, which is both logical and something to maybe invest in later on.
-
Good Computer
Use a computer strong enough to support VR and is able to stream at the same time. Alternatively, you can also use your PlayStation, if you don’t have this yet or would rather play with the PlayStation.
-
VR headset
You will definitely need a decent VR headset and any equipment that comes with it, such as HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, PSVR, etc.
-
Green screen
If you want to make it seem like you are in the game, you will have to use a green screen to filter out your background.
-
Webcam
Your viewers will also like to see you while you are moving around in VR. Of course, if you are a faceless streamer, you don’t have to do this and there are programs to load in an avatar instead of yourself.
-
Capture card
If you use the VR headset of the PlayStation. This is only needed if you also want to use your stream overlays.
-
Wireless headset
A wireless headset will allow you to still hear your notifications and your game from your pc while streaming.
Programs You Need to Stream VR on Twitch
Besides equipment, you will also need some programs to run your VR stream. A few of them are also optional, depending on how you want to stream.
- Streaming software, like OBS or Streamlabs.
- SteamVR, Oculus Setup, or any other software that is needed to play the game.
- LIV or OVR Toolkit is for your twitch chat and twitch alerts. Since you are wearing a headset it’s difficult to keep track of your chat and alerts. This is software to make sure that you can still what’s happening and that you can talk to your viewers.
How to Set Up a VR Stream on Twitch
PC
If you own a VR set such as the HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift, you will be able to use the Pc and streaming software you would normally use. To set this up you will have to do the following.
-
Step 1
Open the game you want to play.
-
Step 2
Head over to the software you use to stream (OBS, Streamlabs, etc.)
-
Step 3
In the scene, you want to use you have to add a new source.
-
Step 4
The source you will need is a game capture source.
-
Step 5
Choose “Capture specific window” under the settings “Mode”.
-
Step 6
In the “Window” menu, you can either choose for VR Capture or the game in question. If you want to have the play area walls show up in your stream, you will have to choose VR Capture. If you just want to have your chat see the game play, you choose the game itself.
If you use an extra program like LIV for your chat overlay, you will have to use that as your window, instead of the two options stated above.
-
Step 7
All you have to do now is resize your screen so it fits in your overlay and you’re good to go.
Playstation
If you don’t own an HTC Vive or similar, but you do own a Playstation you can still stream your game to Twitch.
-
Step 1
Start up the game you wish to play.
-
Step 2
On your game controller press the “share” button.
-
Step 3
Navigate to “broadcast gameplay”.
-
Step 4
Select the service you want to use to stream and sign into that account.
-
Step 5
Give a title to your broadcast and set up all the settings you want to use during your stream.
-
Step 6
Select “start broadcasting” and you’re good to go.
Your chat will show up on the right-hand side through a narrow scrolling display, if you would rather listen to the comments that are said by your chat then you will have to do the following.
-
Step 1
Go back to your “Broadcast settings”.
-
Step 2
Then go to “Advanced Settings”.
-
Step 3
Lastly, turn on the “Comments to speech” setting, so it will play through your tv speakers or headset.
-
Step 4
Close the settings and you can continue to stream.
The only downside of streaming with just a PSVR is that it uses the PS camera as a sensor, so you won’t be able to show how you move while streaming in VR. However, if you are a faceless streamer then it’s only a positive that you can’t be seen.
Playstation with overlay
There is one more way to stream from the PlayStation if you do have an overlay already set up and want your alerts to show up on your stream. For this you will need a capture card, this will work as an extra “webcam” to show your game. To set this up you will have to do the following.
-
Step 1
Connect your Playstation to your computer through the capture card with the use of HDMI cables.
-
Step 2
Open up your streaming software and turn on your PlayStation, this is to immediately check if it picks up the signal, as you go along the rest of the steps.
-
Step 3
In the scene, you want to add the stream add a “video capture device”.
-
Step 4
Either choose an already existing source or add a new source and give it a name.
-
Step 5
In the properties settings of the video capture device, choose under “device” the capture card that you are using. (In my case it’s USB video)
-
Step 6
It should show up immediately with what you see on your PlayStation. If it shows you colored stripes instead, then you might have connected the cables wrong. Make sure to check these.
-
Step 7
If it does show up with your PlayStation feed, you will now have to add an extra audio source or the game can’t be heard.
-
Step 8
Add a new source, you will have to choose “Audio input capture”.
-
Step 9
Once again you will have to either add an existing source or a new source. Choose your capture card device. (3- USB Digital Audio in my case)
-
Step 10
Now you are all set to stream on your PlayStation while using your own alerts and overlays.
The only thing to note is that you can’t really watch your chat during the stream and you will have to take off your headset to check your chat every once in a while.
Conclusion
You might have to invest some money or download some extra programs, but in the end, it is fairly simple to set up the proper settings to go ahead and stream your favorite games in VR on Twitch. So you can also start off your career as a VR streamer.