OBSGuide

How to set up OBS for Camsoda

Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) is a free software for video recording and live streaming.

Download OBS Studio https://obsproject.com/

To stream on Camsoda you will need to update the Stream Settings and add a camera. Typically the other default OBS settings will work fine.

Stream Settings

You can obtain your stream server and key by logging into Camsoda and selecting Use OBS Broadcaster from your Camsoda Broadcast page.

Note* Your key is unique to your account. Do not share it with others.

In OBS, on the stream tab, switch to the “Custom” Service and enter your stream server and key.

Remember to click Apply or OK to save your selections

Add Sources

In the main OBS interface, Click the + and add a new Video Capture Device Source

Choose your camera or virtual camera application from the device list and click OK.

If the camera image does not fill the OBS Canvas, right click the image and select Transform and then Fit to screen

*If your image becomes warped, please check the 'ADVANCED SETTINGS' Section below for tips on adjusting Canvas Size

Broadcast with OBS

Once everything is configured correctly and you are ready to go live on the site, click Start Streaming to begin transmitting.

You will see your status on the site change to Online.

ADVANCED SETTINGS

Windows Sound Settings

In windows sound settings confirm your default microphone and speakers.

If you have an external microphone connected, it should be selected and the sound meter should be moving.

Open OBS

Note* Your microphone meter should be active to indicate OBS is receiving audio. If there is no movement click the gear and open Properties to select your microphone.

Video Settings

First, let us open OBS Settings

On the video tab you can define your canvas size and output size. In most cases the Canvas Resolution selection should match your desktop or display resolution. The Output Size is the resolution you would like to use for broadcast. For an HD stream the minimum Output Resolution to use is 1280x720.

We recommend choosing a resolution that maintains a 16:9 Aspect Ratio and a FPS of 24 - 30.

Output Settings

Choose an appropriate bitrate for your Output Resolution. We accept a maximum video bitrate of 50,000kbps.

Recommended Bitrate Ranges

Resolution	Dimensions	Bitrate Range
1080P	1920x1080	3,000-6,000 Kbps
720P	1280x720	1,500-4,000 Kbps
480P	854x480	500-2,000 Kbps

We recommend using the x264 encoder and selecting an audio bitrate of 160

Add Sources

In the main OBS interface, Click the + and add a Video Capture Device Source from the list of possible sources.

Choose your camera or virtual camera application from the device list.

Change the Resolution to Custom and choose a camera resolution to match your canvas resolution

Projector View

To view yourself while streaming, in Settings Check Make projectors always on top and then save the new settings.

You can now right click to enable the Windowed Projector (Preview) to view your image during your live chat. Your image will stay on top.