Get a GV-USB2 capture card! It's basically the go-to for standard definition console gaming.
He'll also need a video/audio splitter. I use this one and it works wonderfully. You'll need an extra set of composite cables as well. (That's just an example. Get whatever will ship on time for you)
If he wants to stream on twitch, consider getting him a webcam and mic. Let me know what your budget is and I can recommend some options for you.
Ya... I'm very worried about it. But my budget is currently 0, so it's whatever I do out of pocket really. Hence my attempt to find some ways of of doing this.
The USB devices being perfectly in synch isn't too much of an issue, as it's commentary. As long as it's not a 1/3 of a second off, we'll probably be okay.
I'm using this capture card to get the game video and audio. Audio quality for the game has been passable through it.
The XLR route would be approximately 600 dollars, even if I cheap out. It's why I've completely dismissed it; good audio for commentary isn't worth that much to me yet. Video needs an upgrade before one that massive for audio.
I saw a couple other drivers recommended besides Asio4all, some of which said they had lower latency than asio, so hopefully I can get one or the other working. If all else fails, I'll just plug into my mixing board and crank the hell out of the gain.
I would recommend this for SD capture http://www.amazon.com/DATA-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/dp/B00428BF1Y
From what I've been told and read on, most everyone recommends getting a GV-USB2. Dazzle DC100 is also an option but it needs some workarounds to get proper sound working in OBS. I used to use a Sabrent VR-GRBR for a few years. It was 20 bucks at the time with pass through (read: no splitters) and the cables so the deal was worth the money. However, the quality was kind of ass. It would have random artifact problems and slowly degraded over time now it just plain doesn't work anymore. I know some people stream with EZCap which is basically the budgety version of a GV-USB2.
If you really want to go all out though, you'd be looking at running RGB out into an upscaler for a HD capture device, but that gets pricy depending on which systems you own and everything.
I use this. It comes from Japan but doesn't really require much if any Japanese language knowledge to set up from what I recall at least. I don't know if there are really any better capture cards available for older consoles at this point since most of them are HDMI I believe.
please OP do not buy the easycap
everything but the cheap splitters i use myself
The I-O Data GV-USB2 used to be the go-to, but the price has gone up enough that at this point I would probably spend a bit extra on a RetroTINK-2X and a cheap HDMI capture device. Easier to set up, and it would allow you to capture newer consoles as well. Up to you, though.
I believe they are all the same capture card but just come with different (and unnecessary) accessories or software. Usually people just get it off Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/DATA-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/dp/B00428BF1Y
I guess "Video Production" is the right flair?
When I started streaming I couldn't find all the info I needed in one place, so I thought I'd put something together to be used as a reference to get people started. I recommend watching at x2 speed, because then it isn't as obvious that I should have made a script.
Below are links to some of the products I mentioned. Many of the amazon links are affiliate links for a twitch streamer named Arcus -- I just thought it'd be nice to provide support for him since he's where I found most of this stuff anyway. If you want to remove the affiliate link, search amazon for the name of the product after manually going to amazon.
Capture Card, GV-USB2 https://www.amazon.com/DATA-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/dp/B00428BF1Y/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=GV-USB2&qid=1580479390&sr=8-3
Webcam, Logitech C920: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Widescreen-Calling-Recording-Desktop/dp/B006JH8T3S/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=logitech+c920&qid=1580479267&sr=8-3
Mic, Blue Yeti https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Yeti-USB-Microphone-Blackout/dp/B00N1YPXW2/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=blue+yeti&qid=1580479364&sr=8-3
Lighting, Cowboy Lighting Kit https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cowboy+lighting+kit&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Lighting, TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp (my light) https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Gooseneck-Temperatures-Brightness-Licensing/dp/B00XC5KNB6/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=led+lamp+flexible+neck&qid=1580479659&sr=8-9
Important URLS:
Livesplit: https://livesplit.org/downloads/
OBS: https://obsproject.com/download
Free LUT pack: https://gamingcareers.com/guides/30-free-webcam-filters-obs/
Stoneagegamer for purchasing everdrives: https://stoneagegamer.com/
Krikzz for purchasing everdrives: https://krikzz.com/store/
Ebay for finding an NES, carts, etc.
Replacement Rubber Pads for NES: https://japanspelshop.se/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=5268
Replacement 72 Pin Connector for NES (for repair): https://www.arcadeworks.net/blw
Retrotink: https://www.retrotink.com/
(Retrotink allows you to play on non-CRT displays with minimal lag; CRTs are still preferred, but rare)
Speedruns: https://speedrun.com/
BestofNES (Big 20): http://twitch.tv/bestofnes
RGLTv (Nescathlon): https://www.twitch.tv/retrogaminglivetv
This is a phenomenal SD capture card. For best capture, make sure to get an S-Video cable for your console
I can't vouch for the quality of that particular capture card, but I do know that the one many speedrunners currently recommend is the GV-USB2:
http://www.amazon.com/DATA-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/dp/B00428BF1Y
Very easy to set up, and the recording quality is good.
Here is some S-Video footage I've captured from my own setup, resized to the correct aspect ratio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBJvlV5oO1Y
Keep in mind the quality is likely slightly less than the originals, because I've had to re-encode once to gain the correct aspect ratio, and because youtube may implement additional compression.
I could upload a video that's only been encoded once(For resize purposes) from a lossless file, but only if there's interest. Quality would be slightly higher.
You need a capture card. This is a popular one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00428BF1Y/
To play on your TV and capture at the same time, you need a distribution amplifier: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010EIK6K6/
For a significant improvement in video quality, consider using S-Video instead of composite video: https://www.ebay.com/itm/132861494962
You'll also need two sets of male-to-male cables, one for the capture card and one for the TV: S-Video or composite
Also, for what it's worth, I've never heard of someone getting banned from Twitch for streaming emulators.