To stream on Twitch using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), follow these steps:
Step 1: Install OBS
1. Download OBS Studio from the official website: https://obsproject.com/.
2. Install the software by following the on-screen instructions.
Step 2: Set Up Your Twitch Account
1. Create or log in to your Twitch account at https://www.twitch.tv/.
2. Navigate to the Dashboard and find the Stream Key:
– Go to your Creator Dashboard.
– Click on Settings in the left-hand menu.
– Click Stream.
– Copy your Primary Stream Key.
Step 3: Configure OBS for Streaming
1. Open OBS Studio.
2. Go to File > Settings.
3. In the Settings window, click on the Stream tab.
4. Set the Service to Twitch.
5. In the Server dropdown, choose the Twitch server closest to you (usually the auto-selected server is fine).
6. Paste your Stream Key into the Stream Key field (which you copied from the Twitch dashboard).
7. Click Apply and then OK to save the settings.
Step 4: Set Up Your Stream Layout
1. In OBS, you will need to add sources to your scene:
– Click the + button under the Sources box to add new sources.
– Common sources include:
– Display Capture: Captures your screen.
– Game Capture: Captures a specific game window.
– Window Capture: Captures a specific application window.
– Video Capture Device: For capturing a webcam or external camera.
– Audio Input Capture: For capturing microphone input.
– Audio Output Capture: For capturing system audio.
2. Arrange these sources in the Preview window to design your layout.
Step 5: Adjust Stream Settings (Optional)
1. In Settings > Output, adjust the video bitrate and encoder settings based on your internet speed and computer performance. Common settings are:
– Video Bitrate: 2500 to 6000 kbps (higher is better for quality but requires better internet).
– Encoder: Use x264 (CPU-based encoding) or NVENC (GPU-based encoding) if you have an NVIDIA GPU.
– Audio Bitrate: 160 kbps is standard.
2. In Settings > Video, set your resolution and frame rate:
– Base (Canvas) Resolution: This is typically your monitor resolution (1920×1080 or 1280×720).
– Output (Scaled) Resolution: Set this to 720p or 1080p depending on your upload speed.
– FPS: Set this to 30 or 60 depending on your system’s performance.
Step 6: Start Streaming
1. Once you’re ready, click Start Streaming in the lower-right corner of OBS.
2. Go to your Twitch channel to check the stream, and make sure everything looks good.
Step 7: Monitor Your Stream
– Use Twitch’s built-in tools like chat and Stream Manager to interact with your audience.
– Monitor OBS’s performance (CPU usage, dropped frames, etc.) to make sure your stream is stable.
Tips for a Better Stream:
– Test your stream before going live to ensure everything works as expected.
– Consider using a stream overlay to make your stream look more professional.
– Keep an eye on your stream health in the Twitch dashboard to avoid issues like buffering or dropped frames.
With these steps, you should be set up and ready to stream on Twitch using OBS.
