zaro

How to Use OBS Studio as a Virtual Webcam?

Published in Virtual Webcam Setup 4 mins read

Utilizing OBS Studio is a straightforward and powerful way to set up a virtual webcam, allowing you to broadcast customized video feeds from your computer to any application that supports a webcam. This process doesn't involve installing a separate "virtual webcam" driver, but rather using OBS Studio's built-in functionality to act as one.

Understanding Virtual Webcams with OBS Studio

A virtual webcam allows you to use content from OBS Studio – such as your screen, game footage, multiple cameras, images, or text overlays – as if it were a live camera feed. Instead of showing a raw camera input, you can craft a professional and dynamic output within OBS and then transmit that to video conferencing software, streaming platforms, or any other application that recognizes a standard webcam.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your OBS Virtual Webcam

The process of activating and using OBS Studio as a virtual webcam is quite simple, involving three main steps:

1. Prepare Your Content in OBS Studio

The first crucial step is to open OBS Studio and set up your scenes and sources. Think of "scenes" as different layouts or presets for your broadcast, and "sources" as the individual elements that make up those scenes.

  • Scenes: Create a new scene for each different layout you might want to use (e.g., "Presentation Layout," "Gaming View," "Webcam Only").
  • Sources: Within each scene, add the visual and audio elements you want to transmit. Common sources include:
    • Video Capture Device: Your physical webcam(s)
    • Display Capture: Your entire computer screen
    • Window Capture: A specific application window
    • Image: Logos, background images, etc.
    • Text (GDI+): Custom text overlays
    • Media Source: Videos or audio files
    • Game Capture: For capturing video games

Arrange and resize your sources within the OBS preview window until your desired output is perfectly framed.

2. Activate the Virtual Camera

Once your scene is set up and looks exactly how you want your virtual webcam to appear, you are ready to activate it.

  • Click the Start Virtual Camera button on the bottom right of the OBS Studio interface.
  • Upon clicking, this button will typically change to "Stop Virtual Camera," indicating that the virtual camera feed is now active and broadcasting what's in your OBS preview window.

3. Select OBS as Your Webcam in Other Applications

The final step is to tell your other software to use OBS Studio's output as its webcam input.

  • Finally, simply choose OBS as a webcam in your other software's video settings. This is done within the settings of the application you wish to use (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Discord, etc.).

Most applications have a dedicated "Video" or "Camera" settings section where you can select your input device. Look for an option named "OBS Virtual Camera" or similar (the exact name might vary slightly based on OBS version or operating system).

Here's a quick guide for common applications:

Application Where to Find Video Settings
Zoom Settings (gear icon) > Video > Camera
Google Meet Join a call > More options (three dots) > Settings > Video > Camera
Microsoft Teams Settings (three dots next to profile picture) > Devices > Camera
Discord User Settings (gear icon) > Voice & Video > Video Settings > Camera
Skype Settings (three dots) > Audio & Video > Camera

Benefits of Using OBS as a Virtual Webcam

Using OBS Studio for your virtual webcam offers significant advantages, including:

  • Customization: Create highly personalized video outputs with overlays, custom backgrounds, and combined video feeds.
  • Professionalism: Enhance your presentations or calls with branded elements, lower thirds, and dynamic scene transitions.
  • Flexibility: Easily switch between different camera angles, screen shares, or media playback without interrupting your call.
  • Multi-source integration: Combine multiple cameras, desktop audio, microphone audio, and application windows into one seamless virtual camera feed.

By following these simple steps, you can harness the full power of OBS Studio to elevate your virtual presence in any online environment.