How to Get Videos on YouTube
crowden
2012-11-01
If you have been playing EA SPORTS games for awhile and always wanted to post some of your best highlights to YouTube, here is an overview from one of our favorite FIFA gamers, IrishWelshCelt, who wrote a similar blog for FIFA.
Games Console
The first thing you need to think about may seem obvious, but do you have a games console? There are methods of recording from a PSP and other handheld systems but for YouTube I would recommend one of the mainstream HD consoles such as a PS3 or an Xbox 360.
Recording Device
Okay now we’ve gotten our basics let’s get into the technical stuff! So when it comes recording devices there are three main devices to choose from; the EasyCap, Dazzle or the Hauppauge HD PVR.
These three devices vary greatly in price, from around $10 for the EasyCap, $40 for the Dazzle and up to $160 for the HD PVR. Now of course these prices vary depending on whether you’re getting it new or pre-owned but there are some bargains to be had if you look around auction sites such as Ebay.
The difference in price of these devices has to do with the video quality you can record in. Both the EasyCap and the Dazzle can only record in standard definition (Dazzle being the better of the two) and as the name implies the HD PVR records HD footage.
TVs
Now when it comes to your choice of TV it all depends on the recording device you choose (see above). For both the Dazzle and the EasyCap any TV with component connections will do (i.e. any TV made from 1950 onwards!). However the HD PVR requires the YPbPr component connections to use.
If you play in HD you don’t need to worry as your TV has the right ports. For those of you confused as to what they are, they are simply the blue, green and red ports found at the back of your TV beside the red, white and yellow ones. Any recent TV will have these ports so no matter whether your TV is “HD Ready” or “Full HD”; it can be used for the PVR.
If you’re confused just consult your TV’s manual or Google image search “YPbPr component” and you should see what they look like. For tutorials on how to set up your recording device YouTube is a good place to start!
Operating Systems and Recording Software
Your operating system on your laptop/pc is something you need to think about before you invest in your recording device. All of the devices I’ve dealt with work with any version of Windows XP and higher (Vista and Windows 7). As for those of you with Macs, the devices all work with the current operating system.
When it comes to the recording software that you need to record the footage being transferred from your TV to your Xbox, all of the devices come with software that will work on Windows computers. For those of you who are Mac users you need to download a program called “EyeTV”.
Headsets
If you want to go the extra mile and start producing highlight countdowns or montages that included commentaries you’ll need a microphone to record your voice. Many of your computers have built-in microphones like mine so that’ll do fine. Generally any cheap $10 microphone is fine but if you have a gaming headset such as Turtles Beaches, they can be used to record your voice. If you are really into it and want the crème de la crème of microphones, I suggest trying the Blue Snowball, however it will set you back around $50.
Editing Program
If you choose to start creating montages the final thing you need to think about before making videos is your editing program. For those of who don’t know, an editing program allows you to cut out the goals you need and edit your own montage. Unfortunately, unlike the recording software, only very basic editing programs come with the capture devices.
I’d recommend going for an editing program such as “Sony Vegas Pro” or “Adobe After Effect”. If it’s just commentaries you’ll be doing, Sony Vegas should do the trick but if you’re looking into becoming a serious editor After Effects is the one for you! Free trials of these programs are available online and although they may be intimidating at first and complicated, if you just keep practicing and looking at tutorials online, you’ll soon have the hang of it!
Ok that’s it for the guide, I hope this helped further your understanding of how everything works and if you have problems with setting up anything or adjusting settings etc., remember YouTube has hundreds of guides so use them! One final piece of advice, don’t view YouTube as a place to become popular or make money but rather as somewhere to have fun and make new friends!
