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How to Use OBS Studio to Broadcast my Virtual Event
How to Use OBS Studio to Broadcast my Virtual Event

Streaming, live event, using the OBS Studio with your computer

Geneviève Bélanger avatar
Written by Geneviève Bélanger
Updated over a week ago

Using OBS Studio

OBS Studio is free and open source video recording and live streaming software. It is used all over the world and is a favorite for streamers since it is powerful, safe, and easy to use.

It is important to understand that some computers will not be powerful enough to support the broadcasting of live events. Make sure to perform your preview tests to ensure that no technical problems arise.

1- Download OBS Studio from their website;
2- Open OBS Studio. In the lower right corner, click on Settings;

3- Select the Stream tab;
4- Under Service, select Custom...;
5- Back in your event's Streaming tab (Event Manager), copy the RTMP's Server;
**Make sure to copy the line in the RTMP section, not the SRT. 

6. Paste it under the Server line in OBS Studio;
7- Copy the key from the Streaming tab and paste it under Stream Key in OBS Studio.

8. Click on Apply.
9. If your default settings did not select the camera you will be using, click on the + under Sources (beside Controls in the lower section) and select Video capture device

10. Select the device with its desired resolution.

** Before starting your test, be aware that once the preview has started, you will no longer be able to change the video quality.**

11. Back in your event's Streaming tab in the Event Manager, click on Start video server under number 1 to start the preview test. 

IF YOU STOP THE SERVER, YOU WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE RTMP LINE IN OBS FOR YOUR EVENT.

Every time you start and stop the server, a new RTMP URL will be created. It is essential that you change this data in OBS Studio or your viewers will not be able to see your event.

12. Once the first step si completed, in OBS Studio, click on Start Streaming under Controls in the lower right corner to start the preview test. If you are testing well in advance of your event, you may need to repeat this step. Be mindful of this and make sure to test your connexion a few minutes ahead of your event.
**The connexion may fail. Click on Stop Streaming, wait a few seconds, and then click on Start Streaming again. 

You will be able to see a preview of your image. If sound and image are not to your liking on there, it won't be during your event. It is time to explore how to optimize your streaming video which start with :

13. Click on Go live! a little bit before the time set on your event to begin streaming! (Your buyers will only be able to see you from the time chosen for the event to start.)

Please be aware that the delay between the preview and your device is normal. This delay is not representative of what viewers will see. So do not rely on what you see in the preview to start your event.

In OBS Studio, the average delay time between what you see on the software and what viewers will see is 20 seconds. Take this into account! We recommend that you put an image, video or advertisement as a "buffer period" before the start of your event.

14. Click on End the event when your event is over. 

15. Made a mistake? Click on End the event too soon? Need to quickly change your streaming device? Click on Start over to start the process from the beginning. 

** Pro tip **

Create "buffer" periods before and after the event.


BEFORE: Give your latecomers a little time to get to the viewing page and others to chat a little. Create a countdown video (of the duration you want) before the beginning of your video. It's a great time to introduce your partners (if you have them) and create an atmosphere that reflects the individual nature of your event!


AFTER: Leave some time for your customers who have pressed pause during the broadcast to finish the video by adding a short video at the end of your video. It can be a logo, a still image, an advertisement or a pre-recorded video. In addition, it will let your customers share their impression on your content once it's over.

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