More than ever, businesses and creators are choosing to live stream with OBS. What is OBS, and why is it such a popular option?
It seems like only a few years ago that producing quality live or recorded video involved professional-grade hardware switchers and other specialized equipment. Now, powerful software like OBS Studio allows anyone to create, record, and stream high-quality video from anywhere without a significant investment in hardware. Those who choose to live stream with OBS Studio get to choose from many other options.
There are now many software offerings on the market that allow for mixing live and recorded video sources and graphics, titles, and special effects. Offerings like vMix, Wirecast, and XSplit are growing in popularity. Still, OBS Studio remains the software of choice for many video producers, both large and small. This is due to cost, flexibility, compatibility, and a wide range of resources to help producers get the most out of the software.
What is OBS Studio?
OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software, is an open-source live video production software package that enables producers to mix, stream, and record video and audio from multiple sources. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux-based computers. Because it is open-source, it is developed and maintained by a community of programmers worldwide. This is different from other software options that are created and maintained by one specific company. There are pros and cons to open-source software. The biggest pro is that the OBS community is constantly working to develop new features and improve the quality of the software.
Some users find a downside to the open-source nature of the software. Instead of having a central number to call for technical support, as with software developed and sold by a company, users need to rely on the community for answers to technical questions. Fortunately, that community is quite large and tends to be extremely helpful in finding solutions to issues.
Why Do People Choose to Live Stream with OBS Studio?
1. Cost
Video production can get expensive. Your video production software doesn’t have to be. OBS Studio is completely free to use with no limitations or watermarks. While other software has either an upfront purchase price, ongoing subscription costs, or both, OBS Studio is free to use. All updates are also free and, because it is supported by the community, there are no charges for technical support.
2. Compatibility
If you choose to live stream with OBS Studio, you will find that it works well with whatever equipment you have or decide to purchase. It is one of the only options available for Windows PC, macOS, and Linux computers. The team of developers is also constantly ensuring that the software works well with the full range of hardware used for video production. It is easy to get up and running with cameras, capture cards, and other inputs.
3. A Wide Range of Plugins
As open-source software, OBS makes it easy for third-party developers and vendors to create plugins that increase the program’s capability. One example is a plugin that allows OBS to use NewTek’s NDI protocol. This enables users to connect with cameras, graphics generations, presentation software, and other sources using a standard ethernet network. Plugins are also available to control cameras from inside the software, capture video from and send video to other software.
4. A World of Resources
Whatever you are trying to do with OBS Studio, there is likely someone out there who has already tried it. Thanks to the community, there is an ever-expanding collection of articles, videos, and more to help you live stream with OBS. Just visiting obsproject.com/help will connect you to guides developed by the volunteer support team, discussion forums to communicate with other users, and lists of devices that have been tested and certified to work with OBS Studio.
How to Get Ready to Live Stream with OBS
Getting Started with OBS is easy. Just go to obsproject.com to learn more, download the software and check out all the available resources.
There you have it, now you can live stream with OBS Studio! If you need a custom live stream platform with the best features, contact BeLive Technology now.
