Live streaming has become a much bigger trend than anyone could’ve expected, with thousands of folks taking to YouTube and Twitch to show off their gaming wares. But the big question that often comes up is, “How do you get started?” Well, most people think that a major streaming rig is required. But the solution may actually be a little easier than you think.
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We’ve seen some great Elgato hardware over the past couple of years that has made streaming a cinch for newbies and veterans alike, including the HD60 line. But now AVerMedia is getting back into the act with what could be its easiest streamer-friendly device to date, the Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus. It may not look like much – the device itself is just barely larger than the SNES Classic – but it comes packing a punch, especially if you’re looking to hop on board the 4K bandwagon.
Inside the box, you’ll find the Plus unit, along with a number of cables, including a USB cable and an HDMI cable for easy connection between your computer and system of choice. It works with a number of systems – pretty much anything with an HDMI hook-up, really – and we had no trouble getting sessions working with the likes of the Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch. We’re still testing out devices, but with each go-round, we’ve found no difficulty with getting set up.
What’s great about the AVerMedia is how you can record quality video even if you don’t have 4K-based equipment, mainly because of the way the devices read. The tests we had showed sharp video with barely any hang-ups in sight, and its relatively easy set-up makes it a cinch to set up and go within a matter of minutes, with a convenient press-in record button on the top of the unit (easily marked, as you can see in the images included with this review).
The Best Way To Stream, If You Can Afford It
The light-up panel is convenient as well, so you can make sure everything is all set to go with recording and connectivity, so you can know right off the bat if something isn’t set up the right way. Plus, you’ve got an instruction book and on-screen display that shows everything that needs to get done. Really, the only way you can screw this up is if you mis-connect something – and even then, it’s a relatively simple fix.
There are also options when it comes to capturing your footage. You can easily have it set up on your computer, but if you prefer, you can use a Micro SD card if you need to transfer it. That makes this ideal for trips to someone else’s house, or during an event when you can’t quite get a home rig going. Considering all the travel I do for gaming, this thing acts as a godsend.
The quality of the video from the AVerMedia device is extraordinary, even if you don’t go in 4K. The video playback is razor sharp, even in 1080p, and I’m surprised how well my PlayStation 4 sessions went with it. And, again, the menu makes it a snap to use and put together, even if you’re not an elite streamer. This device will help you hit the ground running in that direction, if that’s how you want to go.
Now, the price of the device is a bit up there in price, running over $200 at retail. But if you’re looking for a quality piece of equipment that sets you up for streaming success, or makes it more convenient to capture footage (again, a thing I desperately needed), then this is a must-have. Put that cash aside, pick this up, and stream to your heart’s content.
RATING: Four and a half stars out of five.
Disclaimer: A review unit was provided by the publisher.
