When I go live, I need a rig that can handle fast moves, bright lights, dark streets, and long hours. My setup has to stay steady, stay powered, and send a clean picture even when the scene is loud or the signal is weak. That’s why I built a full Sony a7IV rig with strong audio, a solid encoder, real antennas, and the power to stream anywhere. Before you see the gear breakdown, here’s one of my live streams so you can see what this setup can really do.
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Sony Alpha 7 IV With 28–70mm Lens
This is the core of my livestream setup. The Sony a7IV gives me clean 4K video, fast autofocus, and great colors even at night. It handles quick movement well, which matters during police calls or fast-breaking scenes. The 28–70mm lens is flexible enough for close shots and wide views without switching lenses in the field. The camera stays stable on long streams and keeps the image sharp even in low light.
Solo Pro HDMI 4K Video Encoder
This encoder is what keeps my livestream running when everything else wants to slow down. It takes the video from my camera and sends it out in real time with low delay. It’s built to handle tough streaming conditions, like weak cell coverage or crowded towers. It works with bonded connections, which means multiple networks join together to stay connected. When I’m driving or walking up to a scene, this is what keeps the stream alive.
Solo Connect Two-Modem Kit
This kit adds extra data connections to the LiveU encoder. When one network gets slow, the other one helps carry the load. It helps prevent stream drops, buffering, and sudden freezes. It’s made for mobile streamers who move fast and don’t have time to check signal bars.
SmallRig 71″ Aluminum Tripod / Monopod
This is the tripod I use when I need a steady shot of a scene, or when I step back from the camera. It’s tall, strong, and easy to fold up fast. It can turn into a monopod if I need lighter support on the go. It holds the Sony rig without wobbling and handles windy conditions better than cheap tripods.
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive
This is where I store long recordings, backup files, and raw clips after a stream. It’s simple, dependable, and small enough to keep in my bag. I use it to offload big video files quickly so my laptop doesn’t fill up.
SanDisk 256GB Extreme Pro SD Card
This memory card keeps up with fast shooting and 4K video without stuttering. It loads and writes data quickly, which helps prevent dropped frames. It’s built for constant recording, making it a good match for long livestreams.
SmartQ USB 3.0 Card Reader
This reader lets me move footage to my laptop fast. It supports multiple card types, which is great if I switch gear or use backup cameras. It’s plug-and-play and saves time when I’m sorting video clips.
JSAUX 8K HDMI Cables
Strong, braided HDMI cables that deliver a clean signal from the camera to the encoder or capture card. They’re flexible, durable, and don’t fall out easily. They support high frame rates and handle bumps, twists, and movement during real-world shooting.
UTEBIT Quick Release Plate
This plate lets me switch the camera from the tripod to a car mount or handheld rig in seconds. It locks tight so the camera doesn’t shift. It’s a small piece of gear that saves a lot of time on busy scenes.
Remtronix 800B Antenna
This antenna boosts scanner reception, especially in the 700–900 MHz range. It helps my SDS100 pick up more radio traffic with fewer dropouts. When I need to follow police and fire updates in real time, this antenna makes a big difference.
COMICA VM20 Shotgun Microphone
A strong, directional mic that focuses on the sound in front of the camera and cuts out the noise around me. It helps voices and scene sounds come through clearly, even in crowds or traffic. It’s rechargeable and works well for fast outdoor work.
Uniden SDS100 Scanner (Pre-Programmed)
This is the scanner I rely on to find active police and fire calls in real time. It has fast scanning, strong digital decoding, and works well in busy radio areas. The screen is bright and easy to read at night. I use it to track radio traffic so I can get to scenes before anyone else.
Larsen NMO Tri-Band Roof Antenna
This is my main mobile scanner antenna. It mounts on the roof and gives a big jump in range. It picks up calls from far away and helps me hear updates while I’m driving toward a scene. It’s the most reliable antenna setup I use inside the vehicle.
Magnetic NMO Roof Mount
This mount holds the Larsen antenna on my car without drilling holes. The magnet is strong and stays in place even at high speeds. The long cable runs into the car easily, making it a simple but powerful upgrade for scanner range.
SMA to SO239 Adapter
This small adapter connects the SDS100 scanner to the roof antenna system. It locks in tight so the signal stays strong. It’s one of those small pieces that makes the entire setup work smoothly.
Vent Mount for Scanner
This mount holds the SDS100 in a spot where I can see and hear it while driving. It keeps the scanner secure on bumpy roads and lets me glance at the screen without taking my eyes off the road.
Uniden EBC100 External Battery Kit
This kit gives the SDS100 extra battery life so I can monitor calls all day. The extended battery lasts much longer than the standard one. I use the charger to keep backup batteries ready for long shifts.
FEELWORLD WT1S Wireless Video System
This device sends 4K video wirelessly from the camera to a monitor or encoder. It helps keep the camera free of cables when I’m moving around a scene. The low delay makes it good for livestreaming where timing matters.
FEELWORLD NP-F970 Battery
These batteries power my monitors and wireless video systems for long periods. They recharge fast and last several hours. I use them when I need a setup that can handle long on-scene coverage.
Krisdonia 27,000mAh AC Power Bank
This power bank can run my laptop, encoder, and camera accessories when I’m away from the vehicle. It has an AC outlet and high-output USB ports. It’s a lifesaver for long livestreams when there’s no access to power.
Hot Shoe Mount Adapters
These adapters let me attach lights, microphones, or small monitors to the camera rig. They tighten securely and don’t slide around. They make the setup flexible so I can build the rig the way I need it for each scene.
4K HDMI Capture Card (1080p 60FPS)
This device lets me bring the camera signal into my laptop or software system. It creates a clean feed that’s good for streaming or recording backups. It’s small, simple, and works with many devices.
Jackery Explorer 300 Power Station
This is my main portable power source. It can run my encoder, scanner chargers, lights, and other gear. It charges fast and keeps everything running when I’m covering long incidents away from the car.
weBoost Drive Reach Cell Booster
This booster helps keep my phone and encoder connected in weak-signal areas. It pulls in distant cell towers and reduces drops. It makes a huge difference when streaming in rural areas or crowded city zones with heavy traffic.
Lenovo 15.6″ Laptop
I use this laptop to monitor my stream, manage software, save video files, and check updates. It’s fast, reliable, and handles multiple tasks while I’m live.
Download My Full Livestream Gear Checklist
If you want a simple list of all the gear I use, I made a free checklist you can download. It has my full rig, my power setup, scanner gear, and all the tools I use when I go live.
Click below to get it.