How to live stream on Zoom with OBS on Windows?
Zoom is one of the most used software to make video conferencing, and OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a famous free software for video composition used for web streaming.
In this article, we will see how to use OBS video compositions to live stream on Zoom. The goal is to create a virtual webcam with the output of OBS, and open this virtual webcam on Zoom.
There are two ways to the emulate a webcam with OBS’s output. The first is with the OBS VitualCam plugin, and the second is with NDI tools instead. VirtualCam is easier to use but the quality seems a little worse than NDI.
Requirements
Before starting you need to have:
- Windows 10, but it should work with other OS.
- Zoom: https://zoom.us/
- OBS: https://obsproject.com/
And knowledge on how to create scenes on OBS; there are plenty of tutorials among the Net.
Virtual webcam with VirtualCam plugin
First way to emulate a webcam is to use VirtualCam plugin.
Install VirtualCam
Go to https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/obs-virtualcam.949/ and click on Go to download.
Once downloaded, execute obs-virtualcam-2.0.5-Windows-installer.exe file.
Configure OBS
Start OBS software.
In the Tools menu, VirtualCam should be available. Click on VirtualCam.
In the VirtualCam dialog, the name of the virtual webcam is displayed on Target Camera: OBS-Camera.
Click Start to emulate OBS output as a virtual webcam.
Configure Zoom
In Zoom, start a meeting, then select a video source. OBS-Camera should be available. Select it then click on Start Video.
The Zoom’s video is now OBS Program output.
Virtual webcam with NDI 4 Tools
Second way to emulate a webcam is to use NDI tools and ndi-obs plugin. It is a little more tricker to configure but the quality is better.
Install NDI 4 Tools
Go to https://ndi.tv/tools/, and click on Download.
Once downloaded, execute NDI 4 Tools.exe file.
During the installation you can select NDI components. Make sure Virtual Input is selected, others are optional.
Install ndi-obs plugin
Go to https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/obs-ndi-newtek-ndi%E2%84%A2-integration-into-obs-studio.528/ and click on Go to download.
Once downloaded, execute obs-ndi-4.9.0-Windows-Installer.exe file. Make sure all components are selected.
Configure OBS
Start OBS software.
In the Tools menu, NDI Output settings should be available. Click on NDI Output settings.
Make sure Main Output is selected and click OK.
Configure NDI
Start Virtual Input application.
On the Windows toolbar systray, Virtual Input should be launched.
Right click on Virtual Input icon, click on the computer name and select OBS.
Configure Zoom
In Zoom, start a meeting, then select a video source. NewTek NDI Video should be available. Select it then click on Start Video.
The Zoom’s video is now OBS Program output.
Conclusion
It is easy to use OBS to live stream on Zoom with both plugins, but it might be better to use NDI for greater quality.
