--- title: OBS Studio — image, video, and audio production date: 2026-10-18 time: 12:00 model: admin category: programs author_type: human summary: An open-source program that records and broadcasts by composing screen, camera, and audio into scenes. Covers installation, setup, and usage. tags: program, Image, Video, and Audio Production, obs --- A program that combines the screen and camera to record and stream live broadcasts. ## Basic Information | Program name | OBS Studio | | --- | --- | | One-line introduction | A program that combines the screen and camera to record and stream live broadcasts. | | Developer/Maintainer | Lain + OBS Studio Contributors (trademark: Wizards of OBS LLC) | | Official website | https://obsproject.com/ | | Official documentation | https://obsproject.com/kb | | Official download | https://obsproject.com/download | | Supported operating systems | Windows 10/11, macOS 13.0+, Linux(Flathub Flatpak, Ubuntu 24.04+ PPA) | | License | GPL-2.0 | | Stable version | 32.2.2 (released on 2026-08-14) — checked on 2026-10-18 | | GitHub repository | https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio | | Category | Image·Video·Audio Production (tags: screen recording, broadcasting, streaming, scenes, encoding) | ## What is this program? OBS Studio is a program that combines multiple inputs (screen, window, camera, microphone, audio device) into scenes to create a single video, which can be recorded or streamed in real time. It is used for tasks that require capturing or sending the screen as-is, such as lecture recording, conference streaming, game broadcasting, and server operation screen demonstrations. ## What problems does it solve? - Record work screens as demonstration videos and share them. - Combine multiple inputs (screen + camera + microphone) into one scene. - Stream to live streaming platforms. - Split long recordings into fixed time segments for storage. ## Key Features ### Scenes and Sources Add screens, windows, cameras, images, and text as sources and group them into scenes. - **Use case**: Use when preparing lecture screen layouts and standby screens in advance. - **Result**: You can change the composition simply by switching scenes, making operation during a broadcast simple. - **Limitations**: More sources increase CPU and GPU usage. ### Audio Mixer Adjust microphone and system sounds per channel and apply filters. - **Use case**: Use when matching volume levels and reducing noise. - **Result**: Managing volume per input stabilizes output quality. - **Limitations**: Applying filters incorrectly can distort audio. ### Encoding and Recording Select resolution, bitrate, and encoder to record or stream. - **Use case**: Use when configuring high-quality archival recording and low-latency streaming separately. - **Result**: You can choose a file size and quality suitable for your purpose. - **Limitations**: Excessive bitrate quickly consumes storage space and bandwidth. ### Scene Transitions and Hotkeys Change screens with transition effects and hotkeys. - **Use case**: Use when switching between a standby screen and the main screen during a broadcast. - **Result**: You can switch quickly without mistakes. - **Limitations**: Hotkeys can conflict with other programs. ## Installation and Execution ### Ubuntu (PPA, 24.04 or later) Add the official PPA and install the latest version. ``` sudo add-apt-repository ppa:obsproject/obs-studio sudo apt update sudo apt install obs-studio ``` ### Linux (Flathub) Install via Flatpak regardless of distribution. ``` flatpak install flathub com.obsproject.Studio flatpak run com.obsproject.Studio ``` ### Windows / macOS Download the installer from the official download page and install it. ``` Windows: Run the installer (Windows 10 or later) macOS: Open the dmg and copy to Applications (macOS 13 or later) ``` ## Practical Usage Examples ### Initial Recording Setup Create a scene, add the screen and microphone, then set the save path and encoder. ``` 1) Sources > Add Screen Capture 2) Sources > Add Audio Input Capture 3) Settings > Output > Select recording path and encoder 4) Click Start Recording on the main screen ``` ### Streaming Setup Enter the streaming platform's stream key and start streaming. ``` Settings > Stream > Select service and enter stream key Settings > Output > Adjust bitrate Click Start Streaming ``` ## Advantages and Limitations ### Advantages - It is free and can be used commercially. - You can combine screen, camera, and audio into a single scene. - Scene transitions and hotkeys make it easy to operate during a broadcast. - It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. ### Things to Consider Before Use - If encoding settings are incorrect, the stream may stutter or the picture may break up. - High-quality streaming depends on CPU/GPU performance and network upload speed. - With many features, the initial configuration may feel complicated. - Some capture methods have limitations depending on the operating system and graphics environment. ## Comparison with Similar Programs | Program | Features | Suitable when | | --- | --- | --- | | XSplit | Easy-to-use paid broadcasting program | When choosing a paid license without configuration burden | | SimpleScreenRecorder | A lightweight recording-only tool | When you only need screen recording without streaming | | FFmpeg | Command-line encoding and recording | When automating recording and conversion with scripts | ## Official Resources and Further Learning - [Official website](https://obsproject.com/) — https://obsproject.com/ - [Official documentation / Knowledge base](https://obsproject.com/kb) — https://obsproject.com/kb - [Official download](https://obsproject.com/download) — https://obsproject.com/download - [Release notes](https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/releases) — https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/releases - [Source / Development resources](https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio) — https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio Version and supported environment information is based on the official site as of 2026-10-18. Installation commands may vary depending on your distribution and version, so check the official installation documentation as well. ## Actual Execution Screenshot The screen below is a synthetic example that simulates checking the installed version on a production server (not an actual execution result). The screen is a synthetic example and is not an actual execution result. ![OBS Studio installed version check example](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/obs-demo.png) Actual production server --- Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/apps/media/obs.html This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.