Configuring OBS

Open Broadcaster Software is a free utility to stream to various sources, including our Live Streaming service.

To broadcast to your Live Streaming system using OBS, follow the instructions below:

  1. First, login to your website and go to the Live Streaming administration page.
  2. Click the option to edit your live streaming channel, or add a new one.
  3. Set the channel to "Desktop Publisher" for the publish method.
  4. If you want to record your broadcasts, turn Auto Record "On." (The OBS "Record" button only controls a local recording on your own hard disk, not the server, so this is necessary to record your broadcast. The entire broadcast will be recorded). Save your channel.
  5. Install OBS from www.obsproject.com.
  6. Open the OBS application after you have installed it.
  7. Click Settings and then Stream.
  8. Under Service choose "Custom.."
  9. In the "Server" box, copy and paste the RTMP URL (It should look something like "rtmp://live.streamserver.net:1935/234zsdionweW" without the quotes).
  10. In the Stream Key box, type "myStream" (without the quotes, with the capitalization exactly like that).
  11. Click the option to "Use authentication." Enter the username and password from your stream channel. These are listed on the Live Stream admin page. Note that they should have ONLY alphanumeric characters and no symbols.
  12. Click the "Output" option in OBS. Set the video bitrate at 1000 Kbps. (Other bitrates are available but may use your viewer hours more quickly).
  13. Click the "Video" option in OBS and choose a desired output resolution. 1280 X 720 is a good HD resolution that is not bandwidth-intensive. You can experiment with the settings between this option and the bitrate above to achieve the optimal signal quality.
  14. Click "OK" in OBS.
  15. If you don't see your video at the top of the OBS display, choose the plus icon under "Sources." Select Video Capture Device, and choose "Create New." Then, locate your camera and add it to the list.
  16. When you're ready, click "Start Streaming." You should see the broadcast on your website within approximately 15 seconds.

For streaming of church services, the following third party video may be helpful in providing worship and sermon note overlays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twlf1VJRgm8