Gaming can be a fun and refreshing activity. It keeps us engaged, improves co-ordination and problem-solving skills. If you have been gaming for a while, you may have watched quite a few Twitch and YouTube streamers. You too can be a streamer in minutes. Streaming games online can be a great way to reach your friends, get engagement and have a fun time together. It a great way to build an audience with similar interests.
Streaming games online is easy when you have software like OBS Studio. It is a free and popular online streaming software used by gaming professionals to stream their videos on various platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Here is how to get started with OBS Studio
Step 1: Downloading OBS Studio
OBS Studio is available for all major operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS and, Linux. You can download the tool by clicking here. Run and install the program to get started.
Step 2: Setting up OBS Studio
When you run the software for the first time, OBS Studio run an Auto-Configuration Wizard. It gives you the option of choosing between ‘Optimize for streaming’ and ‘Optimize for recording’. Click on the ‘Optimise for streaming’ if you want to live stream your game. The wizard will then analyse your system’s performance. It checks and helps set your system resolution, bitrate, encoder and internet connection. We suggest choosing the ‘Either 60 or 30 but prefer 60 when possible’ option. You can manually modify these settings by going to Tools and clicking on Auto-Configuration Wizard.
Step 3: Connecting streaming platform to the software
Once the Auto-Configuration Wizard is complete, OBS Studio lets you add the video streaming platforms you want to stream to. You can add platforms such as Twitch, YouTube/YouTube Gaming, Facebook Live and more. The software recommends connecting your streaming platform’s account by entering the credentials. However, you can also connect OBS to the streaming platform by entering a Stream Key. A Stream Key is a unique code provided by the streaming platform. To get the stream key, go to Settings in OBS Studio, then the Streaming section. Select the streaming platform and click on ‘Get Stream Key’. OBS Studio will redirect you to the streaming platform’s webpage. Once you log-in, copy the Stream Key paste it in OBS Studio.
Step 4: Setting up the layout
After connecting OBS Studio to the streaming platform, you should see the main layout. OBS Studio has a simple interface and comes with multiple panels such as Stream information and Chat. You can merge these panels with OBS Studio’s main layout or even close them if you want a clean looking user interface. You can reset OBS Studio’s layout to default by clicking View > Docks > Reset UI.
Step 5: Setting up the audio
OBS Studio is set to detect your system’s default audio devices and microphones. You can verify this by looking at the Audio Mixer panel in OBS Studio’s main window. If the software fails to detect your audio devices, you can manually set them by accessing Settings > Audio. Once you have selected the audio devices, click on ‘OK’. You need to find a right balance between your system audio and the microphone. You can adjust the sound in the Audio Mixer panel. You should do some test runs to find the right balance, but you can start by keeping the Desktop audio at -25dB and Mic audio at -20dB.
Step 6: Setting up the video
OBS Studio does not capture any video by default. You need to click the + or right=click inside the source box to add a video source. Select Game Capture if you are streaming a game, Window Capture for non-gaming applications and Video Capture Device for capturing through a webcam. You can also use your Android phone as a webcam using a third-party app called NewTek NDI. Once you install the app on your Android device, connect it to your system using phone’s USB cable. Click on the ‘Video Capture Device option, which should let you select your mobile device as a webcam.
OBS Studio is an easy-to-use software that lets you live stream your games. You can also use it to record, stream photos and video editing tutorials, host live coding sessions, chat with people and build an audience online. Some advance options also let you add guests from remote locations to your live stream. Before you go live, do some test runs by clicking the ‘Start Recording’ button on OBS Studio’s main menu. Make sure the audio sounds clear. You should also check for any frame drops by clicking View > Docks > Stats. Once both the audio and video are in sync, click on the ‘Start Streaming’ option to go live.
You’ll need a good laptop to stream 60fps content, so if you are looking for a solid solution, head over to our laptops catalogue.
