What is OBS? The Complete Guide to Open Broadcaster Software

What is OBS?

Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is a powerful, free, and open-source application designed for live production for streaming and recording media to disk. Whether you’re creating content for Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, Wowza, or need professional-quality video recording, OBS Studio offers flexibility, customization options, and performance—all without any cost. 

What is OBS Used For?

Since its release, OBS has become a widely used solution for content creators worldwide due to its robust feature set and cross-platform compatibility. The software excels in two primary functions: 

• Live streaming to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook 
• High-quality video recording for tutorials, gameplay, and presentations 

These capabilities make OBS essential for: 

• Content creators sharing gameplay and commentary 
• Educators developing instructional material 
• Businesses conducting professional webinars 
• Gamers capturing and sharing their experiences 

From simple screen captures to complex multi-camera productions with overlays and transitions, OBS handles virtually any streaming or recording scenario with ease. 

Main Advantages of OBS

Why Does Everyone Use OBS?

OBS has become the preferred choice for content creators worldwide due to several key advantages: 

• Completely free and open-source with no watermarks, ads, or feature restrictions 
• Highly customizable through scenes, sources, filters, and third-party plugins 
• Multi-platform streaming capabilities through native integrations, cutting-edge use of streaming protocols, and plugins 
• Lightweight and efficient performance using fewer system resources than alternatives 
• Active development community constantly improving features and stability 
• Extensive documentation and support resources 

These advantages make OBS an excellent choice for both beginners starting their streaming journey and professionals requiring advanced production capabilities. 

Recording Your Screen with OBS

OBS provides exceptional screen recording capabilities with customizable settings for quality and performance. The software supports recording in high definition—from standard HD all the way up to 4K resolution—making it perfect for tutorials, gameplay footage, and professional presentations. 

How to Record Your Screen in 5 Simple Steps: 

1. Launch OBS and navigate to Settings > Output to configure your recording preferences 
2. Under Sources, click the + icon and select either Display Capture (for entire screen) or Window Capture (for specific applications) 
3. Adjust recording quality settings including resolution, bitrate, and format 
4. Click the Start Recording button in the main interface 
5. When finished, press Stop Recording and your video will be saved to your designated folder 

Pro Tip: For maximum quality and file security, set your recording format to MKV. This format is more resistant to corruption if your system crashes during recording. You can easily convert it to a more compatible format like MP4 after recording is complete. 

Streaming with OBS

OBS Studio is widely regarded as one of the best free streaming solutions available today. It offers native integration with all major streaming platforms including: 

• Wowza 
• Twitch 
• YouTube Live 
• Facebook 
• LinkedIn Live 
• Custom RTMP destinations 

Streaming Setup Guide:

1. Open OBS and go to Settings > Stream 
2. Select your preferred streaming service from the dropdown menu 
3. Enter your unique Stream Key (found in your account settings on the respective platform) 
4. Configure your scenes and sources (webcam, game capture, overlays, etc.) 
5. Click Start Streaming to go live to your audience 

The software handles all the complex encoding and transmission processes in the background, allowing you to focus on creating engaging content for your viewers. 

Do I Need OBS for Streaming?

While OBS isn’t the only streaming software available, it has become the industry standard for good reason. Here’s how it compares to other popular options: 

Feature	OBS Studio	Streamlabs	XSplit	vMix
Price	Free	Free/Premium	Subscription	Paid
Customization	Extensive	Moderate	Moderate	High
System Requirements	Lightweight	Resource-intensive	Moderate	High
Plugin Support	Extensive	Limited	Limited	Moderate
Learning Curve	Moderate	Easy	Easy	Steep

Each option has its strengths, but OBS Studio offers the best balance of features, performance, and cost (free) for most streamers. 

OBS and Wowza Integration Guide

OBS works seamlessly with Wowza software and services, offering powerful options for professional broadcasters. Here’s how to set up both popular Wowza solutions: 

Connecting OBS Studio with Wowza Video: 

• Log into your Wowza Video account dashboard 
• Navigate to Live Streams → Add Live Stream 
• Name your stream and select a geographically optimal location, then click Next 
• Under Video Source and Transcoder Settings, select Other RTMP and keep default settings 
• Click Finish to create your stream 
• Copy both the Primary Server URL and Stream Key from the Source Connection Information page 
• Open OBS Studio → Settings → Stream 
• Set Stream Type to Custom Streaming Server 
• Paste the Primary Server URL into the server field and the Stream Key into the stream key field 
• Open OBS Studio → Settings → Output 
• Set video bitrate to 2500 Kbps 
• Set autio bitrate to 160 
• Set video encoder to Software (x264) 
• Set encoder to very fast (default) 
• Open OBS Studio → Settings → Output 
• Set Output Resolution to 1280×720 
• Set Common FPS Values to 30 
• Click OK to save your settings 

Connecting OBS Studio with Wowza Streaming Engine:

• Wowza Setup: 
  • Open Wowza Streaming Engine Manager in your browser 
  • Navigate to Applications → Choose Live 
  • Under Playback Types, enable your desired streaming protocols and save changes 
  • For more detail, see this article: 
    Set up live streaming using an RTMP-based encoder in Wowza Streaming Engine – https://www.wowza.com/docs/how-to-set-up-live-streaming-using-an-rtmp-based-encoder 
• Security Configuration: 
  • Go to Source Security and click Edit 
  • Set RTMP sources to Open (this removes password requirements from OBS) 
  • Save your changes and restart the application 
• OBS Configuration: 
  • Launch OBS Studio and open Settings → Stream 
  • Select Custom Streaming Server as your service 
  • Enter the Wowza Server URL and Port in the server field 
  • Set your Stream Key (example: “myStream”) 
  • Open OBS Studio → Settings → Output 
  • Set video bitrate to 2500 Kbps 
  • Set autio bitrate to 160 
  • Set video encoder to Software (x264) 
  • Set encoder to very fast (default) 
  • Open OBS Studio → Settings → Output 
  • Set Output Resolution to 1280×720 
  • Set Common FPS Values to 30 
  • Save your settings and return to the main interface 
• Test Your Connection: 
  • Click Start Streaming in OBS 
  • In Wowza, verify that the stream appears in Incoming Streams 
  • Use the Test Playback feature or VLC media player to confirm the stream is working correctly 

This integration provides professional-grade streaming infrastructure with the user-friendly interface of OBS Studio. 

Ready to Take Your Streaming to the Next Level?

Contact a Wowza Streaming Expert today to get personalized guidance on setting up OBS with Wowza’s professional streaming solutions. Their team of specialists can help you configure the optimal streaming workflow for your specific needs, whether you’re broadcasting live events, creating educational content, or scaling your streaming business. 

Get Started with Wowza and OBS Today

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OBS Really Free? 

Yes, OBS Studio is 100% free and open-source software with no hidden costs, premium features, or subscription requirements. The development team is supported by voluntary donations and community contributions. 

Does OBS Work on Mac and Linux? 

Yes, OBS Studio is fully cross-platform with native versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux, maintaining consistent features across all operating systems. 

What Are the Best OBS Plugins? 

The most useful OBS plugins include: 

• OBS Virtual Camera for using OBS output in video conferencing apps 
• StreamFX for advanced visual effects and filters 
• NDI Plugin for multi-PC streaming setups 
• Advanced Scene Switcher for automated scene transitions 
• Branch Output Plugin to live stream and/or record each OBS source individually 

Can OBS Record in 4K? 

Yes! To record in 4K resolution (3840×2160), navigate to Settings > Video and set both your Base Resolution and Output Resolution to 3840×2160. Ensure your computer has sufficient processing power and storage space for 4K recording. 

How Can I Reduce Lag While Streaming? 

To minimize streaming lag: 

• Lower your output resolution and frame rate in OBS settings 
• Reduce your video bitrate to match your available upload bandwidth 
• Enable hardware encoding (NVENC for NVIDIA or AMF for AMD) to reduce CPU load 
• Close unnecessary background applications 
• Use a wired ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi 
• Set OBS process priority to High in Task Manager 

OBS also supports the WHIP contribution protocol, which can be used with Wowza’s RealTime Streaming solution, achieving sub-second latency. For more information, contact Wowza today.