OBS studio : E-Book – Digital E-filing Coach

Complete Guide to OBS Studio - E-Book

🎬 Introduction to OBS Studio

• What is OBS Studio?

OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It is used by millions of content creators, gamers, educators, and professionals worldwide.

• Key Features

Free and open-source software
Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
High-performance real-time video/audio capturing
Multiple scene creation and switching
Support for unlimited sources
Stream to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and more
Professional audio mixer with filters
Powerful configuration options

• Who Should Use OBS Studio?

Gamers: For streaming gameplay and recording gaming videos
Content Creators: For making YouTube videos and tutorials
Educators: For recording lectures and online classes
Business Professionals: For webinars and presentations
Live Streamers: For broadcasting live events

• OBS Studio Workflow

Install OBS

↓

Configure Settings

↓

Add Sources

↓

Create Scenes

↓

Record or Stream

💾 Installation Guide

• System Requirements

Component	Minimum Requirements	Recommended
Operating System	Windows 10, macOS 10.13, Ubuntu 18.04	Latest versions
Processor	Intel i5 4th gen or AMD equivalent	Intel i7 8th gen or AMD Ryzen 5
RAM	4 GB	8 GB or more
Graphics Card	DirectX 10 compatible	NVIDIA GTX 1050 or AMD equivalent
Storage	500 MB for installation	SSD with 100+ GB free space

• Installation Steps

Step 1: Visit the official website at obsproject.com

Step 2: Click on the Download button for your operating system

Step 3: Run the downloaded installer file

Step 4: Follow the installation wizard

Step 5: Launch OBS Studio after installation completes

Step 6: Run the Auto-Configuration Wizard on first launch

🖥️ Understanding the Interface

• Main Interface Components

Component	Location	Purpose
Scenes Panel	Bottom Left	Manage and switch between different scenes
Sources Panel	Bottom Left (below Scenes)	Add and manage sources for the active scene
Audio Mixer	Bottom Center	Control audio levels for all sources
Scene Transitions	Bottom Center	Set transitions between scenes
Controls Panel	Bottom Right	Start/Stop recording and streaming
Preview Window	Top Center	See what your recording/stream will look like

• Menu Bar Options

File: Profile and scene collection management
Edit: Transformation and arrangement tools
View: Interface customization options
Profile: Switch between different settings profiles
Scene Collection: Manage different scene setups
Tools: Additional utilities and plugins
Help: Documentation and support resources

⚙️ Basic Setup

• Running the Auto-Configuration Wizard

When you first launch OBS, the Auto-Configuration Wizard helps optimize settings for your computer.

Configuration Wizard Flow

Select Usage Type

↓

Choose Video Resolution

↓

Select FPS

↓

Run Bandwidth Test

↓

Apply Settings

• Manual Settings Configuration

Output Settings

Setting	Recommended Value	Purpose
Output Mode	Simple or Advanced	Control level of customization
Video Bitrate	2500-6000 Kbps	Quality of video (higher = better quality)
Encoder	x264 or Hardware (NVENC/AMD)	How video is compressed
Audio Bitrate	128-160 Kbps	Quality of audio
Recording Format	MP4 or MKV	Output file format

Video Settings

Base Resolution: Your monitor's native resolution (e.g., 1920x1080)
Output Resolution: The resolution of your recording (e.g., 1920x1080 or 1280x720)
FPS: 30 fps for regular content, 60 fps for gaming

Audio Settings

Sample Rate: 48 kHz (standard)
Desktop Audio: Select your system audio output
Microphone: Select your microphone device

🎨 Working with Sources

• What are Sources?

Sources are the building blocks of your scenes. They can be images, videos, audio, webcams, windows, or any other content you want to capture.

• Types of Sources

Source Type	Description	Common Uses
Display Capture	Captures your entire screen	Desktop tutorials, presentations
Window Capture	Captures a specific window	Software tutorials, specific applications
Game Capture	Captures games directly	Gaming streams and recordings
Video Capture Device	Captures from webcam or external camera	Facecam, talking head videos
Image	Displays a static image	Logos, overlays, backgrounds
Media Source	Plays video or audio files	Intro videos, background music
Text	Displays customizable text	Titles, labels, information
Browser Source	Embeds web pages	Chat boxes, alerts, widgets
Color Source	Solid color background	Backgrounds, overlays
Audio Input/Output Capture	Captures audio from devices	Microphone, system audio

• Adding Sources

Step 1: Click the + (plus) button in the Sources panel

Step 2: Select the type of source you want to add

Step 3: Give your source a descriptive name

Step 4: Configure the source settings

Step 5: Click OK to add the source to your scene

Step 6: Resize and position the source in the preview window

• Source Manipulation

Move: Click and drag the source
Resize: Drag the red corners (hold Shift for proportional scaling)
Rotate: Hold Alt and drag a corner
Crop: Hold Alt and drag an edge
Lock: Click the padlock icon to prevent accidental changes
Hide/Show: Click the eye icon

🎭 Creating Scenes

• What are Scenes?

Scenes are collections of sources arranged together. You can create multiple scenes and switch between them instantly during recording or streaming.

• Scene Examples

Scene Name	Sources Included	Purpose
Starting Soon	Background image, countdown timer, text	Pre-stream waiting screen
Talking Head	Webcam, microphone, background	Introduction, commentary
Gameplay	Game capture, facecam (small), alerts	Main gaming content
Full Screen Game	Game capture only	Intense gaming moments
Screen Share	Display capture, webcam (small)	Tutorials, demonstrations
Break/BRB	Background image, text, music	Taking a break
Ending Screen	Background, social media info, thank you text	Stream/video conclusion

• Creating a Scene

Step 1: Click the + button in the Scenes panel

Step 2: Name your scene descriptively

Step 3: Add sources to the scene

Step 4: Arrange and customize the sources

Step 5: Test the scene by switching to it

• Scene Transitions

Cut: Instant switch (no transition)
Fade: Gradual fade between scenes
Slide: One scene slides over another
Stinger: Custom video transition

Pro Tip: Create duplicate scenes for slight variations. This saves time and maintains consistency in your layout.

🎥 Recording Videos

• Recording Basics

Recording in OBS is straightforward. Once your scenes and sources are set up, you can start recording with a single click.

Recording Workflow

Set Up Scene

↓

Check Audio Levels

↓

Click Start Recording

↓

Create Content

↓

Click Stop Recording

↓

Find File in Output Folder

• Recording Settings Comparison

Quality Level	Resolution	Bitrate	File Size (per hour)	Best For
Standard	1280x720	2500 Kbps	~1.1 GB	Quick uploads, tutorials
High	1920x1080	5000 Kbps	~2.2 GB	YouTube, general content
Very High	1920x1080	8000 Kbps	~3.5 GB	Gaming, detailed videos
Ultra	1920x1080 or 2K	15000+ Kbps	~6.6 GB	Professional editing, archival

• Recording Tips

Test First: Always do a short test recording before important sessions
Monitor Levels: Watch your audio levels to avoid clipping or low volume
Free Space: Ensure you have enough storage space (at least 10 GB free)
Close Unnecessary Apps: Reduce CPU load for smoother recordings
Use MKV: Record in MKV format to prevent file corruption if OBS crashes
Backup Settings: Export your settings regularly

• Output File Location

By default, recordings are saved to:
C:\Users\YourName\Videos (Windows)
~/Videos (Mac/Linux)

You can change this in Settings → Output → Recording Path

📡 Live Streaming

• Streaming Platforms

Platform	Best For	Key Features	Monetization Start
YouTube	All content types	Large audience, discovery, VODs	1000 subscribers
Twitch	Gaming, creative	Chat culture, emotes, subscriptions	Affiliate status
Facebook Live	Existing community	Social integration, easy sharing	Varies by region
LinkedIn Live	Professional content	Business networking, B2B audience	Not available
Custom RTMP	Custom platforms	Flexibility, multiple platforms	Platform dependent

• Setting Up Streaming

Step 1: Get your stream key from your platform

Step 2: Go to Settings → Stream in OBS

Step 3: Select your streaming service

Step 4: Paste your stream key

Step 5: Click Apply and OK

Step 6: Click Start Streaming when ready

• Recommended Streaming Bitrates

Resolution	FPS	Minimum Bitrate	Recommended Bitrate	Upload Speed Needed
1920x1080	60	4500 Kbps	6000 Kbps	8 Mbps
1920x1080	30	3000 Kbps	4500 Kbps	6 Mbps
1280x720	60	2250 Kbps	4500 Kbps	6 Mbps
1280x720	30	1500 Kbps	3000 Kbps	4 Mbps
854x480	30	500 Kbps	1000 Kbps	2 Mbps

• Streaming Checklist

✓ Test your stream offline first
✓ Check your internet upload speed
✓ Set up your scenes beforehand
✓ Test audio levels (speak and check mixer)
✓ Prepare a "Starting Soon" scene
✓ Have a backup plan for technical issues
✓ Close bandwidth-heavy applications
✓ Inform viewers about stream schedule

🚀 Advanced Features

• Audio Filters

Filter Name	Purpose	When to Use
Noise Suppression	Removes background noise	Noisy environment, fan noise
Noise Gate	Cuts audio below threshold	Keyboard sounds, breathing
Compressor	Balances loud and quiet sounds	Dynamic microphone audio
Gain	Increases or decreases volume	Quiet microphone
Limiter	Prevents audio from peaking	Loud sudden noises
Expander	Reduces low-level noise	Professional audio cleanup

• Video Filters

Color Correction: Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation
Chroma Key: Remove green/blue screen backgrounds
Crop/Pad: Crop or add padding to sources
Scaling/Aspect Ratio: Change size and aspect ratio
Sharpen: Make image clearer and sharper
LUT Filter: Apply color grading presets

• Chroma Key Setup

Set Up Green Screen

↓

Add Webcam Source

↓

Right-click → Filters

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Add Chroma Key Filter

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Adjust Similarity & Smoothness

↓

Fine-tune Settings

• Plugins and Extensions

StreamFX: Advanced effects and filters
Move Transition: Animated source transitions
OBS WebSocket: Control OBS from external apps
Virtual Camera: Use OBS as a webcam source
Multi-RTMP: Stream to multiple platforms simultaneously
Replay Buffer: Save the last few minutes of content

• Hotkeys

Set up hotkeys for quick actions:

Start/Stop Recording
Start/Stop Streaming
Switch between scenes
Mute/Unmute audio sources
Push-to-talk
Enable/Disable sources

Access: Settings → Hotkeys

🔧 Troubleshooting

• Common Issues and Solutions

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Black Screen	Wrong display adapter	Settings → Advanced → Video Adapter
Lag/Stuttering	High CPU usage	Lower resolution, use hardware encoder
No Audio	Wrong audio device selected	Settings → Audio → Check devices
Dropped Frames	Network/CPU issues	Lower bitrate, close other apps
Webcam Not Working	Used by another program	Close other apps using webcam
Stream Offline	Invalid stream key	Get new stream key from platform
Audio Out of Sync	Sync offset needed	Right-click audio → Advanced Audio Properties

• Performance Optimization

Use hardware encoding (NVENC or AMF) instead of x264
Lower your output resolution
Reduce FPS to 30 if needed
Close unnecessary background applications
Update your graphics drivers
Run OBS as administrator
Disable Windows Game Mode and DVR
Use Game Mode output if recording games

• Log File Analysis

If you're experiencing issues:

Go to Help → Log Files → Upload Current Log File
Copy the URL provided
Visit the OBS forums or Discord for help
Share the log URL for analysis

💰 Equipment Pricing Guide (in Rupees)

• Microphones

Product	Type	Price Range	Quality Level
Maono AU-A04	USB Condenser	₹2,000 - ₹3,000	Budget
Blue Snowball	USB Condenser	₹4,000 - ₹6,000	Entry Level
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+	USB Condenser	₹9,000 - ₹12,000	Mid-Range
Shure SM7B	XLR Dynamic	₹30,000 - ₹35,000	Professional
Rode NT1-A	XLR Condenser	₹15,000 - ₹18,000	Professional

• Webcams

Product	Resolution	Price Range	Best For
Logitech C270	720p	₹1,500 - ₹2,500	Basic streaming
Logitech C920	1080p	₹5,000 - ₹7,000	Standard streaming
Logitech C922	1080p 60fps	₹7,000 - ₹9,000	Quality streaming
Razer Kiyo	1080p with ring light	₹8,000 - ₹10,000	Low-light conditions
Logitech Brio	4K	₹15,000 - ₹20,000	Professional quality

• Lighting Equipment

Product	Type	Price Range	Purpose
Basic Ring Light (10")	LED Ring	₹1,000 - ₹2,000	Face lighting
Neewer Ring Light (18")	LED Ring	₹3,000 - ₹5,000	Professional face lighting
Softbox Light Kit	Softbox	₹3,500 - ₹6,000	Studio lighting
Elgato Key Light	LED Panel	₹15,000 - ₹18,000	Professional streaming
Green Screen Kit	Backdrop	₹2,000 - ₹5,000	Background removal

• Capture Cards

Product	Resolution	Price Range	Use Case
Basic HDMI Capture Card	1080p 30fps	₹1,500 - ₹3,000	Console streaming
Elgato HD60 S	1080p 60fps	₹12,000 - ₹15,000	Gaming capture
AVerMedia Live Gamer	1080p 60fps	₹10,000 - ₹13,000	Multi-PC streaming
Elgato 4K60 Pro	4K 60fps	₹25,000 - ₹30,000	Professional capture

• Budget Recommendations

Beginner Setup (₹5,000 - ₹10,000)

Basic USB microphone: ₹2,500
Logitech C270 webcam: ₹2,000
Small ring light: ₹1,500
Basic green screen: ₹2,000

Intermediate Setup (₹20,000 - ₹35,000)

Audio-Technica AT2020USB+: ₹10,000
Logitech C920: ₹6,000
Softbox lighting kit: ₹5,000
Quality green screen: ₹4,000
Pop filter and boom arm: ₹3,000

Professional Setup (₹80,000 - ₹150,000)

Shure SM7B + Audio Interface: ₹45,000
Logitech Brio or DSLR: ₹20,000
Elgato Key Light (2x): ₹36,000
Motorized green screen: ₹15,000
Professional boom arm and shock mount: ₹8,000
Stream Deck: ₹12,000

📝 Knowledge Check Quiz

Test your understanding of OBS Studio! Click on each question to reveal the answer.

Q1. What does OBS stand for? ▼

Answer: OBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a free and open-source application for video recording and live streaming.

Q2. What is the difference between a Scene and a Source in OBS? ▼

Answer: A Scene is a collection of multiple sources arranged together. A Source is an individual element like a webcam, image, or screen capture that you add to a scene. Think of scenes as containers and sources as the items inside them.

Q3. Which encoder should you use if you have an NVIDIA graphics card? ▼

Answer: NVENC (NVIDIA Encoder). This hardware encoder uses your graphics card to encode video, reducing CPU load and improving performance. For AMD cards, use AMF, and for software encoding, use x264.

Q4. What is the recommended bitrate for streaming 1080p at 30fps? ▼

Answer: The recommended bitrate for 1080p at 30fps is approximately 4500 Kbps. You need an upload speed of at least 6 Mbps to stream comfortably at this quality. The minimum is 3000 Kbps, but 4500 Kbps provides better quality.

Q5. Why should you record in MKV format instead of MP4? ▼

Answer: MKV format is safer for recording because if OBS crashes during recording, the file can still be recovered. MP4 files can become corrupted and unusable if recording is interrupted. After recording, you can remux MKV files to MP4 format through File → Remux Recordings.

Q6. What is a Chroma Key filter used for? ▼

Answer: A Chroma Key filter is used to remove a solid color background (typically green or blue) from your webcam feed. This allows you to replace the background with another image, video, or make it transparent so other elements show through.

Q7. What are the three main audio filters you should use for better microphone quality? ▼

Answer: The three main audio filters are:

Noise Suppression: Removes constant background noise
Noise Gate: Cuts audio when you're not speaking
Compressor: Balances loud and quiet sounds for consistent volume

These filters significantly improve audio quality and professionalism.

Q8. How do you fix a black screen when capturing a game or display? ▼

Answer: Black screen issues are often caused by using the wrong graphics adapter. To fix this:

Go to Settings → Advanced
Change the Video Adapter setting
Restart OBS

For game capture, ensure you're running OBS as administrator and that the game is running in fullscreen or windowed mode (not borderless).

Q9. What does "dropped frames" mean and how do you fix it? ▼

Answer: Dropped frames occur when your computer or internet connection cannot keep up with encoding or uploading the stream. Solutions include:

Lower your bitrate
Reduce output resolution or FPS
Use hardware encoding instead of x264
Close other applications
Check if other devices are using your internet
Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi

Q10. What is the difference between Display Capture, Window Capture, and Game Capture? ▼

Answer:

Display Capture: Captures your entire screen, including taskbar and everything visible. Best for tutorials and presentations.
Window Capture: Captures only a specific window/application. Better performance than display capture and more flexible.
Game Capture: Specifically designed for games, offering the best performance. Directly hooks into the game for minimal CPU usage. Always use this for gaming content.

Q11. What is the purpose of the Auto-Configuration Wizard? ▼

Answer: The Auto-Configuration Wizard automatically tests your system and internet connection to determine the best settings for your setup. It runs a series of tests to find optimal resolution, bitrate, and encoder settings based on your hardware capabilities and internet speed. This helps beginners get started quickly with appropriate settings.

Q12. Can you stream to multiple platforms simultaneously with OBS? ▼

Answer: Yes, but not by default. You need to use plugins like Multi-RTMP or restream.io service to stream to multiple platforms at once. Alternatively, you can use RTMP custom settings to manually add multiple streaming destinations. Keep in mind that streaming to multiple platforms requires more bandwidth and CPU/GPU power.