You have decided to grow your club’s name by airing matches online. However, you have no idea where to start, and it’s delaying the process. It was simple for me to learn how to stream football from my camera to YouTube, and now I’ll teach you.
Choosing The Right Camera To Stream Football
Before you can stream, consider if your camera is fit for the purpose. It should be compatible with HDMI, have enough battery to last a football match and provide maximum zoom. Here is what you need to consider.
Are DSLR or Camcorder Cameras Better?
Camcorders are a better option for streaming football videos on YouTube. They feature a more convenient zoom rocker to stay fixed on the action.
A DSLR camera requires additional lenses to achieve a similar level of zoom. Plus, it’s more time consuming to zoom in and out on DSLR lenses, making it difficult to follow the action.
Despite their efficiency filming sports, the camcorder is still more affordable than a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
A 4K camera offers better image quality, providing sharper and higher resolution pictures than Full HD cameras. However, it requires 10 Mbps bandwidth and a 35 Mbps internet connection for smooth streaming.
Full HD cameras capture clear images at 1920 by 1080 pixels. They require only 5 Mbps bandwidth and a 24 Mbps internet connection, making them faster and more efficient for streaming.
As an end-user, unless they are using a large monitor the difference is almost unnoticable.
20x Zoom
A camcorder with 20x zoom lets you capture every detail on the pitch. It gives your audience close-up views of the goalkeeper during a penalty kick or the ball in mid-air.
Without multiple cameras around the ground, a powerful zoom is essential for capturing all the action.
30 vs 60 fps
For capturing football matches, a 60 fps camera is recommended if quality is your priority. It provides smoother and more detailed footage compared to 30 fps, making fast-paced sports events look more fluid and lifelike.
However, higher quality footage comes with larger file sizes and increased streaming speed requirements. Slower internet speeds can delay your feed, potentially causing a loss of live viewers.
YouTube recommends a speed of 11 Mbps for 60 fps videos, while 30 fps videos, with their smaller file sizes, require only 8 Mbps.
Battery Life
A minimum of 2 hours of battery is necessary to successfully complete streaming the match.
In many cases, you’ll struggle to find a nearby power point filming an amateur football game. That is why you need charged backup batteries to keep the camera rolling.
HDMI Compatibility
HDMI compatibility is vital to transfer the live recording from your camera to YouTube. Without it, your stream is a non-starter.
So, if your current camera doesn’t work with HDMI, it’s time for a new one. The Panasonic HD Camcorder is a decent starting point, offering crisp pictures and optimized zoom.
You can also link it with your smartphone using your mobile device as a second camera. This allows you to shoot from two angles simultaneously.
Accessories
Viewers demand crystal-clear images and sound to continue watching a stream.
Poor quality will deter them from watching your club’s footy match. Here is how you can enhance the quality of your streams.
Tripod
Stability is key to ensuring viewers focus on the football and not the motions of your camera.
A tripod is a key component to a successful live stream. In my experience, the higher the tripod stands the better to clear the heads of fans passing by the lens.
I recommend a tripod that stands between 187 and 188 cm. The height gives you enough clearance to avoid obstructions and increase your bird’s eye view of the soccer match. You needn’t spend a fortune on the stand either as some are less than €35 like the Cambofoto tripod.
Microphones
Hearing what the referee is saying might prove challenging with a camera set up in the stands. However, a camera like the Panasonic HD Camcorder will still capture the noise of the crowd, giving viewers a better feel for the atmosphere at the ground.
If you add commentary to your stream, I suggest investing in a high-quality microphone. Something like the Rode Videomic Pro R delivers the cleanest audio. Its windshield blocks out the howl, delivering crisp sound to your audience.
If you’re on a budget, then it’s best to leave the microphone for now. Keep your money for a better quality camcorder.
Software
Broadcaster software and an external camera capture card is required to stream on YouTube.
Stream Quality
Software and camera capture cards stream in various resolutions.
A 4K card is ideal, because it delivers crystal clear imagery, but HD isn’t a bad backup option. OBS Studios is customizable and allows you to stream in a variety of resolutions.
OBS Studio
As a techie, I find OBS is the most versatile software for live streaming. Proof of its versatility is the ability to add an OB Scoreboard overlay. It adds a professional touch to your stream displaying the score, time and red cards.
If you’re aren’t tech savvy, the software might take some time to get used to. In my experience, it was worth the patience.
Since OBS Studio is free, you might prefer to invest your time and not your money.
HDMI Interface Unit
HDMI interface units are necessary to link your camera to your laptop or phone.
Plug it into your laptop, open YouTube and you can start streaming, well there are a few other steps before that.
- Connect the HDMI cable from the camera to the flash drive
- Plug the drive into your laptop
- Open YouTube
There are multiple units on the market, but in my experience, the Elgato Cam Link 4K capture card is the best. The picture caliber and the audio synchronicity it produces are unmatched.
Camera Setup For Football
You will need to identify a high vantage point for your camera, and conduct a few test shoots to ensure the stream is running smoothly.
High Vantage Point
A high vantage point gives you a clearer view of the game, to capture every moment on the pitch. Obviously, you won’t have the luxury of overhead cameras or a multi story stadium to get a birds eye view.
You can still make it work by filming from the top of the stands. Your tripod will also give you an extra 1.5 to 2 meters.
Connecting to YouTube
When your camera is set up, you are ready to stream. Next, you need to prepare your YouTube account to broadcast your stream to the world.
If you’re new to the streaming platform, you’ll need to set up an account and verify it before continuing.
Create & Verify Account
Log on to YouTube and create an account to get streaming. Follow these steps to avoid issues:
- Click the profile picture icon, then tap add an account
- Select using YouTube for Personal/Business
- Enter your email address and click create account
Once you are logged in, you can navigate to your channel to start uploading videos and live streams.
Request Live Stream Approval
You need approval before you can start streaming live footy from your camera. Here is a rundown of how to start.
- Click the profile picture image
- Underneath your username tap “view your channel”
- Select manage videos underneath your user handle.
- Find the “Live” tab at the top and click “Get Started”
- Wait 24 hours for YouTube to approve
How Do You Go Live?
After receiving streaming approval, you can return to the “live” tab in “your channel” to start sharing matches with your followers.
Link Camera to YouTube
Your camera is setup and you’re approved to stream on YouTube. Now it’s time to connect your camera to your computer, so that it streams your footage on the streaming platform.
If you’re using OBS software, ensure it’s opened and is feeding your footage through to YouTube. Alternatively, check that your HDMI receiver is plugged in and capturing your video.
Start Live Stream
When you’re ready, go to the live section on your channel dashboard and click “go live”. This will start sharing your footage with your followers.
Monitor Stream & Audio Quality
You should monitor the quality of the video and audio throughout the football stream, to retain your audience.
Streaming a terrible quality football match will lose viewers and followers and waste your hard work.
End Stream & Save
When the final whistle is blown, signal to your followers that the stream is over. Thank them for tuning in and then tap the “end your stream” button.
Ensure you save the video on YouTube for future viewing. This helps you monetise past videos. It also gives followers an opportunity to watch matches they missed, or rewatch games they loved.
FAQ
Can I stream live football on YouTube?
Yes, you can stream live football on YouTube. Amateur clubs use the streaming platform to grow their supporter base and it’s convenient for fans to stay engaged with away matches. However, streaming of major sporting leagues is generally prohibited on YouTube due to broadcasting rights restrictions.
Will YouTube pay for live streaming?
Yes, YouTube will pay for live streaming, once your account becomes eligible for monetization. You need 1000 subscribers or 4000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months to be eligible to make money on the platform.