Introduction
For content creators looking to make their mark on Twitch or other platforms, having the right streaming setup paired with broadband for streamers is absolutely essential. At Ghost Broadband, we understand that streaming performance depends on more than just your camera quality or microphone—it starts with a rock-solid internet connection designed specifically for streamers. As the choice of influencers across the UK, our broadband for streamers delivers the stability and speed needed to broadcast high-quality content without buffering, lag, or disconnections. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through optimising your entire streaming setup from technical settings to equipment configuration, all powered by Ghost Broadband for gamers and streamers.
Why Your Broadband Connection Matters for Streaming
Before diving into specific Twitch settings, let’s understand why broadband for streamers is the foundation of any successful streaming setup:
Upload Speed Requirements:
- 720p streaming: Minimum 3-6 Mbps upload
- 1080p streaming: Minimum 6-8 Mbps upload
- 1440p streaming: Minimum 9-12 Mbps upload
- 4K streaming: Minimum 15-20 Mbps upload
Standard residential connections often prioritize download speeds while limiting uploads—the exact opposite of what streamers need. Ghost Broadband’s packages offer up to 120 Mbps upload speeds, providing ample bandwidth for the highest quality streaming performance.
Stability vs. Speed: While many providers advertise fast speeds, broadband for streamers requires consistency above all. A stable 50 Mbps connection will outperform an unstable 200 Mbps connection every time. Our direct fibre links to Twitch servers ensure your stream remains stable even during peak hours when other providers implement throttling.
Technical Settings for Optimal Twitch Streaming
OBS/Streamlabs Configuration
Recommended Settings for 1080p Streaming:
- Encoder: x264 (CPU) or NVENC/AMF (GPU)
- Rate Control: CBR (Constant Bitrate)
- Bitrate: 6000 Kbps (with Ghost Broadband’s upload capacity)
- Keyframe Interval: 2
- CPU Usage Preset: Fast or Medium (depending on your processor)
- Base Canvas Resolution: 1920×1080
- Output Resolution: 1920×1080
- Downscale Filter: Lanczos
- FPS: 60
Pro Tip: With Ghost Broadband’s broadband for streamers, you can confidently use higher bitrates without worrying about connection drops or throttling, resulting in clearer image quality for your viewers.
Audio Settings
Microphone Configuration:
- Sample Rate: 48kHz
- Channels: Stereo
- Noise Suppression: -20dB (adjust based on environment)
- Noise Gate: Start threshold -45dB, End threshold -55dB
- Compressor: Ratio 4:1, Threshold -15dB
Game Audio Balance:
- Game audio: -15dB to -20dB
- Microphone: -12dB to -15dB
- Music (if applicable): -25dB to -30dB
Equipment Optimization for Streamers
Camera Placement and Settings
Positioning:
- Eye level or slightly above
- 2-3 feet away from face
- Angle slightly downward
- Background should be clean or themed
Camera Settings:
- Resolution: 1080p minimum
- Frame Rate: 60fps (if supported)
- Disable auto-focus and auto-exposure
- White balance: 5000K-5500K (adjust for your lighting)
Lighting Setup
Three-Point Lighting Basics:
- Key Light: Main light source, positioned at 45° angle
- Fill Light: Softer light opposite key light to reduce shadows
- Back Light: Creates separation between you and background
Lighting Tips:
- Use diffusers to soften harsh light
- LED panels with adjustable temperature provide flexibility
- Position lights to avoid glare on glasses or monitors
Network Optimization for Streamers
Wired vs. Wireless: For serious streaming performance, always use a wired Ethernet connection. Even the best Wi-Fi can’t match the stability of a direct connection. Ghost Broadband’s gaming-optimized broadband performs best when connected directly to your streaming PC.
Router Placement: If wired connection isn’t possible, position your router:
- Centrally located
- Elevated position
- Away from interference (microwaves, cordless phones)
- Using 5GHz band for streaming
QoS (Quality of Service) Settings: With Ghost Broadband’s router, prioritize your streaming PC’s traffic:
- Access your router settings
- Locate QoS or traffic management
- Assign highest priority to your streaming device’s IP address
- Prioritize UDP and TCP traffic on your streaming ports
Multi-Platform Streaming Considerations
Bandwidth Requirements: Streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously requires significantly more upload bandwidth. With Ghost Broadband’s 120 Mbps upload speeds, multi-streaming becomes possible without sacrificing quality.
Hardware Considerations:
- CPU: 8+ cores recommended
- RAM: 32GB minimum
- GPU: RTX 3070 or equivalent
- Capture Card: 4K60 Pro or equivalent
Troubleshooting Common Streaming Issues
Stream Buffering or Dropping Frames
Potential Causes:
- Insufficient upload bandwidth
- Network congestion
- Overloaded CPU/GPU
- Background applications consuming resources
Solutions with Ghost Broadband:
- Our no-throttling policy ensures consistent upload speeds
- Direct connections to Twitch servers reduce routing issues
- In-house support team understands streaming requirements
Audio/Video Desync
Potential Causes:
- Inconsistent frame rates
- Variable bitrate
- Hardware performance issues
Solutions:
- Use constant bitrate (CBR)
- Match video and audio sample rates
- Consider hardware upgrades if necessary
The Ghost Broadband Advantage for Streamers
What sets Ghost Broadband for gamers and streamers apart from standard providers:
- Direct Fibre Links: Our network connects directly to Twitch, reducing latency and improving reliability
- No Throttling: Stream at full quality even during peak hours
- Business-Grade Network: Excess bandwidth ensures stability
- Symmetric Speeds: Up to 120 Mbps upload matches our download capabilities
- In-House Support: Technical team understands streaming requirements
- 24-Month Contracts: Long-term stability for your channel growth
Conclusion
Creating a professional streaming setup requires attention to detail across multiple factors, but nothing is more fundamental than your internet connection. With Ghost Broadband for gamers and streamers, you’re building your content creation career on a rock-solid foundation that won’t let you down when viewer counts climb.
Our gaming-optimised broadband is specifically engineered to deliver the stability, speed, and support that content creators need. As you implement the technical optimizations in this guide, you’ll experience the difference that purpose-built broadband for streamers makes in your streaming performance.
Ready to take your Twitch channel to the next level? Visit Ghost Broadband or email sales@ghostbroadband.co.uk to learn about our streaming-optimized packages with speeds up to 1.8 Gbps download/120 Mbps upload.
This is the first in our streaming optimization series. Check back in two weeks for our next blog on “Ghost Stories: Meet Manny, Our Founding Influencer” as we continue our community spotlight series.
