Learn how to use OBS to record your PC screen and discover how you can do live streams on Twitch and YouTube through OBS.
Have you ever needed to show someone how to do something on your computer? A demonstration can go a long way, but it’s hard to find the time or remember what steps are necessary. OBS Record Screen is an open-source screen recorder that will automatically record everything on your screen as you work. It’s perfect for making tutorials and demonstrations! This blog post will teach you how to use OBS so that next time someone needs help with their computer, they have a resource right at their fingertips.
How To Record Your Screen With OBS?
OBS Studio is a free and open-source program that lets you record your gameplay with the click of one button. With compatibility for different operating systems including Windows, Linux, or Mac this utility offers customized features to fit any need whether it be professional video production in Full HD 1080p resolution at 60 FPS all while being entirely free! It’s an advanced tool that offers many customizing options.
If you wish to record your computer screen using OBS, then there are some simple steps that you need to follow. So without any further ado, let’s get right to them!
Step # 1: Downloading OBS
To get started with your favorite broadcasting software, download and install OBS from https://obsproject.com/.
The interface will look different on each operating system so be sure to check out how it looks before you start using the program! The general common interface looks something like shown below:
Step # 2: Setting Up OBS
There are two features to manage your video and audio production assets in OBS; Scene and Source.
The first is called a Scene, which you can find by default at the bottom left corner of the interface when launching it for the very first time or changing between different types such as gaming vs non-gaming source material. Managing these scenes makes life easier because they allow us quick access right from our centerpiece without having to go back into other menus beforehand.
The default scene looks something like shown below:
Step # 3: Adding Source
To start recording, you’ll need to add a source. With the default Scene selected (it will be highlighted) click on + below screen captures called “ Sources” and select either Mac or Windows depending if it is laptop/ desktop computer that’s being used at the time of capture.
Beneath the sources, we need to select a “Display Capture” which is your display’s name and its exact pixel size. This will depend on if you’re using multiple screens or just one single monitor so keep that in mind when setting it up!
It looks something like shown below:
Step # 4: Setting Screen Capture
Once you click on ‘Screen Capture’ or ‘Display Capture’, a window will pop up. No need to get overwhelmed, just simply click on OK to proceed with setting up your OBS.
Once you do, another pop-up will appear. It might seem scary but you don’t need to do anything. Just move your cursor to the OK button and simply click on it.
You will also notice the inception going on. Don’t worry, it’s still good. You’re going through a lot of thoughts and ideas at once- that is totally normal!
Step # 5: Adjusting Settings
Now click the Settings button at the bottom right of this interface.
The following snapshot shows its location.
If you’re just starting out with recording videos, take the time now to set up a destination for where they’ll be saved.
Is there an external drive or networked folder that can serve as storage once recorded? This will help keep things organized in case anything happens on your end and make sure nothing is lost!
You can find the Recording Path in the Output Tab as shown below:
Step # 6: Recording
Click the Start Recording button to start your session.
When you’re ready, just click on that big red “Record” down at the bottom right and get recording!
Step # 7: Stopping The Recording
Now that you’ve recorded yourself, it’s time to stop. Just click on the Stop Record button and watch as your video is written to a specified folder in Settings!
How To Record Screen With OBS On Linux?
OBS Studio brings all of the features you need in a screen recorder. It supports both Windows and Linux, as well as any version from 18 onward (Ubuntu is preferred). You can install FFmpeg beforehand if needed – just make sure that it’s installed before getting started with recording!
The steps are pretty much identical but here’s a quick summary of how to record your screen using OBS on Linux.
Step # 1: Launch OBS
The first you need to do is to launch OBS, and then head to the Sources box.
The interface showing this step is given below:
Step # 2: Select Screen Capture
Click the tiny plus button to access the options panel and select Screen Capture. The name of this feature is what differentiates Linux from other OS’s, so it won’t be hard for you!
Step # 3: Select And Proceed
Click OK when prompted by pop-ups to start recording your screen. Choose which display you want so that it’s easy for viewers who may not be able to see everything on their own screens.
Step # 4: Select Recording Path
In order to output a recording, you need to go into settings and click on your desired path. Choose Recording Path from the list of options that will appear in the pop-up window after clicking the Settings button at the bottom left corner.
Step # 5: Start Recording
To start recording, go to the bottom right corner of your screen and hit Start Recording. Your video recording will start. Once you are done, you can click on Stop Recording that will stop your recording and will automatically save your recording video.
How To Record Your Screen With OBS On Mac?
In order to get the most out of your screen recording, make sure that you have a Mac with macOS 10.13 or later installed on it before downloading OBS software.
You can follow similar steps for Window mode recordings as well since they are almost identical between Windows and OS X systems! Here’s what we recommend:
Step # 1: Set Up OBS
To start with, the first step is to click the plus icon in the Sources box to add a new source.
This step is shown in the interface given below:
Step # 2: Select Display Capture
Next up, select Display Capture from the options list, and you will be prompted to confirm.
Step # 3: Select Recording Path
To save your recording, go to Settings and click on the Output tab. Recordings are stored in a specific folder based on where they were recorded so make sure you select Recording Path before saving!
Step # 4: Start Recording
Hit the blue Start Recording button to start your voiceover and your recording. Once done, you can click on Stop Recording and your recording will be automatically saved.
What Is OBS And How Does It Work?
OBS or Open Broadcaster Software is a software that was specifically designed for live streaming. It became popular due to the fact that it’s free and open-source which means people can modify it to their own needs!
This software has been used by many gaming channels on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch, but it can be used for other purposes such as recording your screen!
Now that you know a little more about what OBS is, let’s take a look at how it works.
When you launch the software, you’ll be greeted by the main interface which has five different tabs: Scenes, Sources, Studio Mode, Outputs, and Settings. These five tabs are the main ones that you need to know about when recording videos.
While Scenes are where you decide which video sources are shown on your screen, Sources are where all of the content originates from. You can add different types of media into this section such as images and text files in addition to audio or video files!
Studio Mode allows you to have multiple Scenes open at the same time which is great for when you are editing your videos. Outputs are where you decide what format your video will take and how it will be saved, while Settings houses all of the options that aren’t specifically related to any other tab!
Once you have added all of your desired content into Sources, Scenes, and your recording path in Outputs you can go to the main tab or Start Streaming!
Now that everything is set up, it’s time for you to start streaming. You can use a platform such as Twitch where all of this will be run through their servers so don’t worry about having an active internet connection or anything like that!
Once you are ready, hit Start Streaming and go live with your own content. You can also edit the video while it is streaming which makes this software perfect for beginners who don’t know how to use any other editing platforms yet!
What Are The Features Of OBS?
Now that you know how to use OBS, it’s time for us to talk about the features!
1. Different Platforms
One of the first things we want to mention is that there are two different platforms available: Legacy and Nightly. The latter is updated more regularly which means it has newer and better features than the former so make sure you check out Nightly if you are interested!
2. Live Streaming
One of the best features is that OBS allows people to stream their videos live which means they can go online and interact with their viewers while sharing content. This feature also makes it easier for video game players since they get an opportunity to share gameplay as well as communicate with others who enjoy playing those games too!
3. Screen Recording
In addition to live streaming, OBS also allows people to record their videos. This is perfect for people who want to save their content and have it available offline! You can choose different formats such as MP-EGTS or FLV which are all compatible with most devices.
4. Record Your Desktop
Another great feature of this software is that you can use it to record your desktop. This is perfect for people who want to create tutorials or show off their work!
5. Supports Plugins
Last but not least, OBS supports plugins which means that users can add new features and change the way the software works according to their own needs. There are already a ton of different plugins available so make sure you check them out if you want to personalize your experience!
How To Do Live Streaming On Twitch Using OBS?
Now that we’ve covered the main features of OBS, it’s time for us to talk about how you can go live online!
First, open up your preferred web browser and navigate to Twitch.tv. Sign in with your account and then select Dashboard from the top menu bar or click on your profile name if you want a more detailed view!
From here, select the Channel that you want to use for your live stream and then click on Go Live Now in the top right corner. A new window will pop up which contains all of the necessary information that you need such as your video quality and resolution. You can also choose to show or hide your webcam and microphone which is an excellent way to personalize your experience!
Once you are done, click on Start Streaming and wait for people to join. You can also start talking with them by using the chat box in the bottom right corner or begin recording your videos if you haven’t already started doing so!
How To Do Live Streaming On YouTube Using OBS?
Now that we’ve talked about Twitch, let’s move on to YouTube and explain how you can go live using this platform!
First, open up your preferred web browser and navigate to YouTube.com. Sign in with your account if needed and then hover over the Home button until the menu appears at the top of your screen. Select Live Streaming from the list and then click on Get Started in the top right corner!
A new window will pop up which contains all of the necessary information that you need such as your video quality and resolution. You can also choose to show or hide your webcam and microphone which is an excellent way to personalize your experience!
Once you are done, click on Start Streaming and just wait for your subscribers to join in. And you are all set for live streaming!
Tips And Tricks For Using OBS
Now that you know all about OBS, it’s time for us to share some tips and tricks so that you can start using this software like a pro!
1. Compatible Computer
Firstly, make sure that your computer meets the system requirements. This software is quite resource-intensive so your device needs to have enough power to support it.
2. Choose A Platform
Secondly, pick a platform that you are going to use. Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook all have their own requirements so make sure you know what they are in order to pick the right one!
3. Choose A Plugin
Next up, think about your plugins. There are plenty of different options available so try out some new ones if you want to personalize your experience!
4. Test Your Stream
Fourthly, test your stream before you go live. This will help you avoid any potential problems and ensure that everything is working the way it should be!
5. Good Quality Webcam
Next up, use a good quality webcam if you want to show your face during your broadcast. This will make your viewers feel more connected to you and they’ll appreciate the effort!
6. Watch Your Chatbox
Next up, keep an eye on your chatbox. This is a great way to engage with your viewers and keep them entertained!
7. Be Prepared
Last but not least, always be prepared for anything! Live streaming can be unpredictable so make sure that you have a backup plan in case something goes wrong!
How To Share Your OBS Video Online?
Finally, we’re going to show you how to share your OBS video online so that people can watch it from anywhere in the world!
First, open up your preferred web browser and navigate to YouTube.com. Sign in with your account if needed and then click on Upload in the top right corner of the screen!
A new window will pop up which contains all of the necessary information that you need such as your video title and description. You can also choose to enable or disable sharing on social media, monetization via Partner Program, comments, likes, etc.
Once you are done with these settings click on Publish at the bottom right corner! Your video should be live within a few minutes. And that’s it!
Drawbacks Of OBS
Now that we’ve gone through all of the benefits, let’s quickly discuss some drawbacks associated with OBS!
First off, this software is quite resource-intensive which means that your device will have to work a bit harder in order to support it. This can potentially cause overheating and other types of problems so make sure you avoid doing anything intense while it is running!
Additionally, this software does have a few bugs. For example, the audio will sometimes randomly disappear for no reason which can be quite frustrating if you are trying to record voiceovers or something similar. However, these problems are constantly being fixed so don’t worry too much about them.
One thing that you probably won’t like about OBS, it’s the fact that some features are locked behind a monthly subscription. This can be quite frustrating if you only want to use the software for a one-time project. However, the developers have stated that they will eventually remove this limitation so stay tuned!
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, OBS is an excellent free software that is perfect for live streaming and video recording. It has a ton of features and customization options that allows you to create professional-quality videos with ease. Additionally, it’s available on all major platforms so you can share your content with the entire world! We hope that this article has helped you learn more about OBS and its capabilities.
Leave us a comment if you found this article helpful!
Eisha Gul is a part of Weshare’s writing team. She has social media marketing experience for over 4 years and has been writing in-depth guides and articles about the industry ever since.
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