This Avermedia Live Streamer 311 review is a combination of three parts. You see, Avermedia has bundled together three separate products in an attempt to offer the “perfect choice to start your streaming kingdom.” There’s the capture card, the Avermedia Live Mini; the webcam, the Live Streamer Cam 313; and also the microphone, the USB Microphone AM310. In theory, these three products should allow anyone to start streaming on a more serious level, with quality that Twitch, Mixer, and other streaming platform audiences will appreciate. But how does the Live Streamer 311 bundle actually perform? This is our review.
Avermedia Live Streamer 311 Review | The capture card
The Avermedia Live Gamer Mini is capable of recording and streaming gameplay at up to 1080p 60 FPS. This is ideal for those looking to live stream and begin their own YouTube channel. It lacks the advanced features of more expensive devices, like 4K or HDR capture, but if you’re just starting out or you’re sticking solely to streaming, they won’t be missed.
Buy an Avermedia Live Streamer 311 here
Avermedia’s own RECentral software has seen massive improvements in recent years and is what buyers can use to capture and stream gameplay. It’s simple and effective, making it ideal for newcomers who just want to set up quickly and go live.
However, it’s also worth mentioning that the Live Gamer Mini is also perfectly compatible with other popular recording and streaming software like OBS. The capture card is fully recognized as a video capture device and works perfectly. What’s more, by using OBS, you can take advantage of the Replay Buffer function, which effectively allows you to capture the last X minutes of gameplay. This is a fantastic alternative to just capturing everything all of the time.
If you’ve been using the built-in capture functions found within the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, the quality will have been heavily limited. The Mini provides the next step up and the difference will be immediately apparent to both you and the audience you aim to grow.
For streaming, the Avermedia Live Gamer Mini really is all you need. It’s therefore no surprise to see it included in the Live Streamer 311 bundle. For more thoughts on this capture device, you can read our full review here.
Avermedia Live Streamer 311 Review | The webcam
So the Live Gamer Mini has got you covered for capturing and streaming gameplay, but what about sharing your beautiful face with your viewers? That’s where the Avermedia Cam 313 comes in, covering the basic needs. Spec-wise, you’re looking at a 1080p 30 FPS or 720p 60 FPS device, which should satisfy anyone looking to include their face at the bottom of gameplay.
With most streamers putting out content at 720p or 1080p, though with their own image at about a sixth of that resolution, the Cam 313’s maximum output is totally acceptable. The ability to plug it in and be ready to go without changing settings is also a bonus.
When compared to my Logitech C920, which I have been using for many, many years now, I did notice a drop in the overall sharpness. Avermedia’s camera is just a little soft, even though I was sitting within the recommending 40 cm to 100 cm working distance. This is only really apparent when the image is made fullscreen at 1080p, and so shouldn’t be encountered in normal livestreaming conditions. However, it is worth noting for those occasions where you make the webcam fill the entire screen between matches or during “Just Chatting” follower and subscriber events.
I will say that I’m a fan of the 360-degree swivel and fairly wide field-of-view (without distortion). The physical privacy shutter is also welcome, as I can’t stand having a webcam constantly viewing me. Call me paranoid, but I’m happy that this additional bit of security is there.
There are also some “AI Facial Tracking Stickers” which are very Snapchat-esque and could be fun during less serious streaming sessions.
Avermedia Live Streamer 311 Review | The microphone
Last, but certainly not least, is the Avermedia USB Microphone AM310. Arguably the most important part of a livestream is the audio as, if you have unbearable sound, then your audience isn’t going to stick around to watch the gameplay. Thankfully, the AM310 mic more than gets the job done here.
Comparable to the popular Blue Yeti Nano, Avermedia’s audio capture solution is a USB microphone that uses a cardioid pickup pattern. This means that its sole focus is on capturing one person’s voice from a single direction, while rejecting noises from everywhere else. This is ideal for livestreaming, making it perfect for this bundle.
While the AM310 is clearly built with the bare essentials in mind, it totally nails every aspect. You have top-tier audio quality for a USB microphone, driver-free compatibility for PC and Mac, headphone monitoring (which is a must, in my opinion), and a mute switch with indicator light (another must). It has everything needed for a livestreamer looking to take things to the next level.
One little niggle I have is with the stand. It’s just not great for desk use, especially when the user will be banging on a keyboard. However, the standard mount allows for easy upgrades in the future. Grabbing an inexpensive boom arm would be the go-to here.
I should also mention that the AM310 captures in 16-bit, meaning you can’t take advantage of the additional headroom that 24-bit provides. This isn’t a big deal for streamers, but if you’re planning to record professional tracks, it may be a downside that needs to be considered.
Avermedia Live Streamer 311 Review | It makes sense
One big twist about the Avermedia Live Streamer 311 is that it isn’t available everywhere. At the time of writing, you can’t buy this bundle in the US.
In the U.K., where I’m located, this new bundle comes in at £219.99 on Amazon. Bought separately, the Live Gamer Mini is £109.99, the Live Streamer Cam 313 is £55.47, and the USB Microphone AM310 is £72.99. This comes to a total of £238.45, so there is a saving to be had there, if you’re sure you want all of that exact hardware.
All three of the products included in the Avermedia Live Streamer 311 bundle are solid performers and ideal starting points for those looking to get into streaming video games. Heck, both the capture card and webcam will be enough for even a professional streamer who puts out content every single day. The microphone is limited by being USB and the lack of customization versus more expensive XLR options, but for the price, I really can’t complain.
Though it may seem like a downside in 2019, the products’ use of USB 2.0 may in fact allow for better compatibility with older hardware. If you’re looking to get into streaming, it’s unlikely that you already own a powerful livestreaming PC. Avermedia seems to have considered this when putting together the 311 bundle, which I appreciate. If you’re considering buying, and it’s actually available in your region, then give the required specs a read and, if all is okay, go ahead and take the plunge.
Avermedia Live Streamer 311 review unit was provided by Avermedia.
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