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How To Connect and Add a New Webcam as a Source in OBS Studio

Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) Studio is a popular free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. With OBS Studio, you can capture audio and video from various sources like webcams, capture cards, game captures, etc. and stream or record them.

Adding a webcam as a source in OBS Studio is easy. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Prerequisites

Before you add a webcam as a source, make sure you have:

  • OBS Studio installed on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer
  • A compatible webcam connected to your computer
  • Latest OBS Studio updates installed

Connecting the Webcam

If your webcam came with a CD:

  • Insert the CD that came with your webcam and install the drivers and software
  • Connect the webcam to your computer using the USB cable

If your webcam did not come with a CD:

  • Connect your webcam directly to your computer using the USB port
  • Windows should automatically detect and install generic drivers for most webcams

Check if the webcam is detected:

  • Go to Start > Control Panel > Devices and Printers
  • See if your webcam is listed under devices
  • If you see the webcam name there, then it is successfully connected

Adding Webcam as a Source in OBS

Follow these steps to add your connected webcam feed as a source in OBS Studio:

  1. Launch OBS Studio on your computer
  2. In the Sources section, click the + (Add) button to add a new source
  3. Select Video Capture Device from the list of sources
  4. A properties window will open. Select the device name of your webcam from the Device drop-down
  5. If there are multiple resolutions available, pick the one you want to use
  6. You can configure additional settings like frames per second (FPS), color format, etc. based on your needs
  7. Click OK when done

Your webcam feed will now show up as a source in the Sources section.

Configuring the Webcam Source

Now that the webcam is added, you can configure the source:

  • Click on the webcam source to select it
  • In the preview window, arrange the webcam video feed as desired
  • Use the arrows on the boundaries to resize/crop the video feed
  • In the Source Properties, go to the Video tab to fine-tune settings like brightness, contrast, etc.
  • Go to the Filters tab to add filters like Chroma Key (for green screen background removal)

Going Live or Recording

Once you finish setting up the webcam source, you can:

  • Click Start Streaming to live stream your webcam feed
  • Click Start Recording to record your webcam feed locally

Make sure to set up encoders, stream settings, and destinations before going live.

Tips

  • Having webcam issues? Try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB
  • If the webcam does not show up in Sources, try restarting OBS Studio
  • For best quality, match your webcam and OBS Studio output resolution
  • Adjust FPS, color format, and video settings for optimal performance
  • Test your webcam feed before going live!

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