AV Streaming and Recording Station

Goals

Primary: a dedicated, low friction AV streaming and recording space for one person (talking head) with OBS Studio at its core.

Secondary: video conferencing space.

Tertiary: later, maybe, add a secondary overhead camera.

Constraints: living room with no acoustic treatment.

Non-goals: gaming.

Solution

Decided on a Linux Mint PC with:

• two small monitors - one to record the desktop, another for setting things up and running OBS;
• a video camera between them;
• dynamic mic for audio recording

Streaming/Recording Computer

Reused Dell Optiplex 7060 micro:

• multiple monitor outputs
• multiple USB ports
• powerful enough CPU
• low noise, low power consumption

An attempt to use Thinkpad P52 failed because of the lack of connectivity options for USB and monitors - Thunderbolt3 ports there do not work.

Desk and Mounts

Reused IKEA LILLÅSEN desk. The desk is only 40” x 19”. All equipment is mounted on a couple of monitor stands and monitor arms to free the desk space.

Audio

The audio chain includes:

• Rode PodMic on Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP via XLR cable to
• Zoom PodTrack P4 via USB cable to the PC

Alternative to consider: Bring audio to the camera to eliminate the delay.

Video

The video chain includes Sony a7iv with Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G via right angle USB cable to the streaming/recording PC.

Elgato Cam Link 4K seems like an obvious possible improvement.

Lights

IKEA Mittled 24” LED strip bounced off the wall.