Revent's 2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Sleigh Your Livestream and Conferencing Setup This Season

The holidays are just around the corner, which means there's no better time to deck those halls, open those wallets and upgrade your tech! Whether you’re shopping for a content creator, a remote work traveler, or someone who just wants their video calls to look a little more jolly, Revent has you covered. We've compiled a list of the latest and greatest gadgets to bring joy (and a touch of professionalism) to your home livestreaming and conferencing setup, or for anyone that made the nice list this year. Check out our top picks for 2025 below!

The Ultimate Webcam

Logitech MX Brio

Make every video call crystal clear with the Logitech MX Brio, boasting 4K resolution, auto light adjustment, and AI-powered framing. It’s ideal for business and power users but perfect for anyone who wants to look sharp, whether they’re hosting a livestream or attending a virtual holiday party.

• Price: $199.99

• Where to Buy: Logitech Official Store

Studio-Quality Audio

Elgato Wave 3 Dynamic Microphone

Sound as good as you look with this professional-grade dynamic microphone. The Elgato Wave 3 is tailor-made for podcasters and streamers, delivering exceptional audio quality with easy to access controls while reducing background noise automatically.

• Price: $149.99 $119.99

• Where to Buy: Elgato Official Website

Lighting Perfection

Govee RGBIC Wi-Fi Gaming Light Bars

Brighten up your streams and create a festive holiday ambiance with Govee’s RGBIC Gaming Light Bars. These smart, color-changing lights sync to your voice or music, adding a touch of magic to any setup, while also providing excellent forward facing light for more professional applications.

• Price: $89.99 $54.99

• Where to Buy: Govee Online Store

Seamless Backdrops

Elgato Green Screen

Take your livestreaming, content records and video calls to the next level with the Elgato Retractable Green Screen. It’s easy to set up, disappears into its casing when not in use, and it’s a perfect solution for limited spaces, making your office chair appear as if you were sitting in the studio.

• Price: $159.99 $129.99

• Where to Buy: Elgato Official Website

Essential Connectivity

Anker 543 Slim 6-in-1 USB-C Hub

Increase your inputs in style with the Anker 6-in-1 USB-C Hub, or with any of the USB Hubs offered by Anker that fit your needs. Offering multiple ports in a single unit for Ethernet, HDMI, USB-A and USB-C, this sleek hub is perfect for expanding a laptop’s existing capabilities, and we love the slim design on this one as well. An ideal stocking stuffer for streamers and remote workers alike.

• Price: $39.99

• Where to Buy: Amazon

A Monitor that Travels

Lepow Portable 15.6” USB Monitor

Expand your workspace wherever you are with the Lepow Portable monitor series. This lightweight 15.6-inch portable monitor connects via USB-C and offers Full HD resolution, making it ideal for multitasking during livestreams, displaying presentation slides, video editing, or just general productivity use. A lightweight, low profile monitor will always come in handy on the go, and they’re a must have for our Revent gear bags.

• Price: $109.99 $98.99

• Where to Buy: Amazon

Control at Your Fingertips

Elgato Stream Deck Neo

Upgrade your workflow with the Elgato Stream Deck Neo. Featuring an intuitive touchscreen, advanced customization options, reactive visual display and smart profiles, it's a perfect little device for streamers, professionals and tech enthusiasts looking to enhance productivity and add custom buttons to their computing setup without having to program.

• Price: $99.99 $79.99

• Where to Buy: Elgato Official Website

A Work-From-Home Backsaver

Ergotron WorkFit-Z Mini Sit-Stand Desk Converter

Keep your energy high and legs moving during long virtual meetings or marathon editing sessions with this ergonomic sit-stand desk converter. Resting on top of your current desk to provide height when needed and easily removable when not, it’s sturdy, stylish, and perfect for optimizing the workspace with an eye towards long term health.

• Price: $299.00

• Where to Buy: Ergotron Store

The Home Network Upgrade

TP-Link Deco BE63 Tri-Band WiFi 7 Whole Home Mesh System

Say goodbye to buffering! The Deco BE63 mesh WiFi system from TP-Link ensures your livestreams and video calls stay smooth and uninterrupted, no matter where you are in the house. Featuring cutting edge WiFi 7 technology and data transfer rates of 10 Gigabits per second, the whole family will love the upgrade to your network's consistency and coverage as well.

• Price: $799.99 $579.99 (3-pack)

• Where to Buy: TP-Link Deco Systems Store

As we wrap up, we hope you’ve found inspiration for the tech minded on your holiday shopping list, and a few goodies to add to your own wishlist as well. Happy shopping, and from all of us at Revent, may your holiday season be warm, merry and bright from the monitor glow of your flawless livestreaming setup!

Mastering StreamYard In 2024: 6 Tips for Experienced Users

In our previous post, we introduced you to the essential features of StreamYard, a robust platform that simplifies live streaming. Now that you're familiar with the basics, it's time to delve into a few more techniques and capabilities that can help elevate your broadcasts. Here are six advanced features of StreamYard you should be utilizing in 2024:

Create Shorts, Reels, Transcripts and Video Clips

Once a video has been livestreamed or recorded, StreamYard makes it simple to edit and repurpose your content, then quickly publish your edited videos, shorts and reels to connected social platforms. From your Library of recordings, click the menu icon for the desired video and select Edit & Repurpose. From there, the editor will format your video to 16:9 or 9:16, apply auto-generated captions, and even utilize AI to pick out a few video highlights for you without even touching the editor.

If you prefer to get more hands on you can quickly trim, cut, and follow alongside a transcript to finalize your edit, and then when you're ready, just Publish, choose your desired destinations, and add in the description text. If short form video platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels are your primary audience, you can also always conduct your initial recordings in a vertical format.

streamertemplates.com

Don’t Underestimate Overlays

While many users may not need to touch the Overlay feature to create high quality content, it's a sneakily powerful feature within StreamYard for customizing the look and feel of your broadcasts and expanding your production options. Overlays are always fullscreen, but they can be partially transparent, which means not only can you create unique graphics to appear on screen when cued, such as important takeaways or lower thirds, you can also design or purchase fullscreen templates that fit around StreamYard's video windows, resulting in a completely new look and feel. StreamYard also maintains a free library of studio assets for the community that’s continually updated.

Even if you're happy with the built-in options, since the Overlay layer always appears in front of any videos or content being shared, it's an invaluable tool for displaying opening and closing slates, backup slides, break images and notifications, while you add or remove presenters from backstage. Then, when you're ready to go live, remove the Overlay and your presenters only need to see themselves as their cue to begin. It’s also always a good idea to have solid black and white overlays on hand to help smooth out video fades and transitions if needed.

Custom Layouts and Layout Management

After using StreamYard for a while, you'll likely have a few favorite layouts that you return to often, or perhaps you have an idea for a layout that isn't included in the defaults. By clicking on the 'Edit layout' or 'New layout' icons located to the right of the layout tray, StreamYard's video window instantly goes into edit mode, allowing you to add or remove cameras and media, add a dynamic camera grid, reposition, and resize. Default layouts can be tweaked, and new layouts can be saved for easy access.

Once you're happy with your layouts, by going into Settings and selecting the Layouts tab, you can change around the order of the icon tray and prioritize your favorites. You can also remove any layout that you don't want to click accidentally, and toggle if the solo layout appears fullscreen or if it’s framed by the background image. That last option can be toggled back and forth from the Settings menu at any time, providing a hidden switch between the two if needed.

Team Collaboration and Multi-User Access

StreamYard has expanded its business functionality in recent years. The platform now supports multi-user access, allowing team members to collaborate on live streams. This can be particularly useful for larger productions with a need to delegate tasks. Team members can be assigned as Admins that can manage the entire platform aside from account and billing settings, or as Co-Hosts who can cue graphics, banners and users without adding or deleting any of your content.

At higher tiers of the Business access plan you gain more control over your Team, with additional user roles, over 10 seats for your team members, and the ability to organize shows in separate spaces, with control over who can create content and manage access in each. SSO authentication is also supported for organizations that require it.

A Built-in Webinar Platform

Leading conferencing platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams offer integrated webinar functionality for a more controlled viewing experience, and while each has their place, StreamYard's underrated On-Air webinar platform enters this space from a different starting point. It's worth exploring if you're a StreamYard user looking to publish to a dedicated event page, either publicly or privately, in addition to your social channels and with the potential for user registration and collecting viewer analytics. On-Air attendees can also comment, react, and even be invited into the studio environment as a live guest.

If your plan supports it, creating an On-Air webinar is a simple process, as it’s now featured on the StreamYard dashboard. A webinar can be scheduled as a live broadcast or as a pre-recorded video playback. If registration is enabled, custom fields can be added, and users are given links to add to calendar or join the live event. The On-Air attendee view can also be embedded within a private website, either live or on demand, as part of a larger virtual experience.

While there are no limitations in features if your plan supports On-Air webinars, the total number of viewers allowed is capped depending on your tier. This flexibility makes it an attractive option for one-off, large-scale events that require a dedicated webinar player for attendees, instead of purchasing an annual license for a platform that will only be used for one or two months out of the year.

Hotkeys and Stream Deck Compatibility

If you’re used to physical video switchers, adjusting to a mouse based interface can be limiting when it comes to executing commands as quickly as possible. For that, StreamYard thankfully includes a wide range of customizable hotkeys for producers to take advantage of. It takes some practice, but it also allows you to quickly execute various actions such as switching between layouts, muting/unmuting audio, sharing screens, advancing slides and toggling display names without having to navigate or scroll through the interface manually. Markers can even be created in realtime during a recording, so you can find a spot easily later on in the editor. A full list of available options can be found in the Settings menu, under the Hotkeys tab.

And if that’s not enough, and you still crave the touch of physical buttons to make your layouts dance, StreamYard is also supported by the Elgato Stream Deck, which offers a grid of customizable physical buttons at your fingertips to map out and work with. It can be an invaluable tool when using StreamYard as part of a larger broadcast setup, offering at the ready platform control without taking your attention away.

As you grow more comfortable producing content using StreamYard, or with a partner like Revent, we recommend exploring some of its more advanced features to take advantage of its full suite of live streaming capabilities. And since the platform is frequently updated with new and commonly requested features, be sure to keep an eye on StreamYard’s own help center and blog, as well as this space, for the latest updates and insights. Happy streaming!

StreamYard 101: Mastering the Essentials with 6 Key Features in 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of online communication and live streaming, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. And while it may not have the name recognition of Zoom, Google or Microsoft, StreamYard continues to stand out as a leading platform in 2024, empowering content creators, businesses, educators and more to broadcast to the world with ease, professionalism and affordability.

First released out of beta in 2019, StreamYard has been a powerful resource since its inception and has continued to evolve through the years, adding new features and functionalities to enhance the streaming experience. In Part 1 of our look into StreamYard, we'll delve into the features that make it a compelling option for new users looking to elevate their live streaming game in 2024.

The duck may look unassuming, but it’s got powerful chops.

Intuitive Browser-Based Interface

Gone are the days of cumbersome software installations and complex setups. StreamYard's intuitive browser-based interface puts the power of professional live streaming at your fingertips, no matter your level of expertise. With its uncluttered design and straightforward controls you can effortlessly manage your stream, transition between cameras and layouts, invite guests, chat privately and publicly, and incorporate multimedia elements—all within a single, convenient platform.

Dynamic Multistreaming Capabilities

One of StreamYard's standout features is its ability to easily connect and livestream to multiple video platforms simultaneously. Whether you're broadcasting to Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitch, Instagram, or a custom RTMP destination like Vimeo or Microsoft Teams, StreamYard simplifies the process, allowing you to reach a broader audience with just a few clicks. You can quickly schedule and post upcoming events to your linked platforms, and while live, view an integrated chat with the ability to display comments live on screen. By expanding your reach across various platforms, you can maximize exposure, engage with different audiences, and amplify your message.

Robust Branding and Customization Options

In today's crowded digital landscape, branding plays a crucial role in distinguishing your content and attracting viewers. StreamYard understands this importance and provides robust branding and customization options to help you stand out. By uploading overlays, logos and backgrounds, you can personalize your streams to reflect your brand identity. You can also find templates or create branded assets that align with StreamYard's built-in layouts, augmenting the look and feel of the platform. For both highly customized and minimalist approaches, StreamYard provides a professional and polished look that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Advanced Production Features

StreamYard goes beyond standard conferencing platforms by incorporating advanced production features designed to elevate your broadcasts to the next level. With features like themed banners and tickers that can be edited on the fly, built-in slide presentations, and intuitive music, video clip, and image management, you have the flexibility to create dynamic and engaging content tailored to your audience's preferences. StreamYard has a surprising amount of post-production boxes checked as well, including cloud and local recordings from each guest, shareable replays, separate audio track downloads, long term storage, and a built-in trimming tool with frame by frame precision (which isn’t always the case!)

Tooltips Galore

StreamYard's tooltip functionality is a subtle yet indispensable feature woven seamlessly throughout the platform. Useful for both novice broadcasters and seasoned professionals, these unobtrusive pop-up hints provide invaluable assistance, from file size requirements to defining advanced customization options. This approach not only enhances the user experience but also accelerates the learning curve, empowering individuals to unleash the full potential of StreamYard's suite of features. And when more detailed information is needed, a help center full of easy to digest articles is available for producers and guests on all aspects of the platform.

Value and Pricing Model

What sets StreamYard apart is not just its core feature set, but also its flexible pricing structure. With options ranging from a free basic account to affordable paid subscriptions and business plans, StreamYard ensures accessibility for all. Even on a free plan, users can experience many key features, including multistreaming and custom branding, for the price of a watermarked logo on your broadcasts. Diving into the paid tiers unlocks additional perks and goodies, such as transcripts, pre-recorded streams, increased quality, more guests on camera and backstage, on-air webinar hosting, more team members, and even a greenroom. StreamYard's pricing caters to all budgets while delivering an exceptional value, both at monthly and discounted annual prices.

Like all platforms, StreamYard is not a one size fits all solution. We primarily utilize StreamYard as the stage for an event and as a backstage for staff, while a complimentary platform provides the attendee experience. At higher tiered plans an on-air webinar platform is included, with simplified registration, a live video interface and live chat, though it's worth considering if social media should be doing that work, or if a dedicated webinar platform is appropriate if those features are a priority. It's also worth noting that Full HD video at 1080p requires a Professional plan, and while streaming quality is routinely high, Zoom still holds the crown for user settings and bandwidth mitigation, and there’s a risk of audio and frame drops if a connection is poor.

Still, for many use cases, from interview shows and podcasts to presentations and live hybrid events, StreamYard provides the tools needed to deliver professional-grade productions with confidence and reliability. It's one of our go-to platforms at Revent, and what's even more exciting is how it's continued to innovate while remaining user friendly and approachable. In our next post, we'll take a look at some more advanced features for experienced users looking to dig into everything StreamYard has been building as the platform continues to evolve.

Zoom into Wirecast

Update your webcast by pulling a Zoom feed into your Wirecast software and sending a switched, high end feed to your desired streaming platform. Zoom gives you the ability to have multiple speakers on camera and easily share their screens. Incorporating third party software such as OBS or Wirecast can provide you with a polished, professional output to your desired streaming platform or as your Zoom source.