In this episode, we take a deep dive into the latest version of Open Broadcaster Software, the industries most popular live streaming video production software. Open Broadcaster Software AKA “OBS” is used around the world for video production and live streaming by more people than any other software because it is well supported, open source and completely free!

Here is our agenda that we cover during the show:

1. Wiring Diagram – Our System Layout
2. Setting up an RTSP Stream
3. NDI for 2nd Studio
4. NDI for additional camera shots
5. Using NDI as a Confidence Monitor w/ System Output
6. Setting a remote NDI System
7. NDI Mobile App Wireless Tour
8. NDI in vMix

You can download OBS here: https://obsproject.com

You can download the NDI plugin for OBS here: https://github.com/Palakis/obs-ndi/releases

We believe that OBS will become an essential tool for any live broadcaster with the latest RTSP and NDI streaming options available on a Local Area Network. In the PTZOptics Production Studio we have four computers set up with various live streaming software to demonstrate the ability to connect multiple cameras and video production systems together. In this video, we set up 3 computers running OBS and one computer as our main broadcasting PC using vMix. Tess put together a wiring diagram to share our main broadcasting studio and the green screen production areas that are connected via the NewTek NDI. We also connect our video conferencing computer to the broadcast as a hallway camera, in-between both studios to further demonstrate our options for using OBS.

When I first went looking for ways to use RTSP streaming with OBS it was actually quite hard to find information. After playing around with the software I came to find that no plugins are required for RTSP streaming with OBS. All you need to do is open up a “Media Source” and un-check all of the boxes. Even though our IP camera is a “local source” on our LAN (Local Area Network) OBS is referring to local sources stored on the machines hard drive. We also unchecked “Hid source when playback ends” with the RTSP feed never really ends. For PTZOptics cameras, in particular, we use a “/1 or /2” to notify whether we are working with HD or SD RTSP Stream. So once you have the IP address of your camera you can simply type into the Input area “rtsp”//YOUR-IP-ADDRESS/1 or 2”. Once you do this and click ok you PTZOptics camera will come right into OBS.

Selecting NDI Inputs in OBS

We also shared how we pull in NDI inputs into OBS. To do this you will need to install the OBS NDI Plugin and install the NDI Firmware. This is available at this link and will require a restart to your computer. Once you perform the plugin installation you will now see a new source option inside OBS. You can now add any NDI input into OBS plus you can choose to have you entire OBS production available as an input to other computers. This is mainly how we use OBS with the NewTek NDI. As you saw in our video, we have multiple computers that are used to connect to our main broadcast PC. Finally, I wanted to mention that we did figure out the audio latency issue. Our particular microphone mixer and OBS running the way it took a 2 second delay to match up the video and audio. I have never had this issue with Wirecast or vMix and apparently, it’s something people have to deal with in OBS all the time :)….

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Back to Basics.

PTZOptics Live Streaming Camera Manufacturer focused on HD-SDI, USB 3.0, HDMI and IP streaming cameras. Our YouTube channel features live broadcasting tips, tricks and tutorials for live streaming and more.

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