Add a smartphone camera to OBS Studio 30
Surely, an overwhelming majority of those passionate about the Linuxverse (Free Software, Open Source and GNU/Linux)Above all, those who are creators of multi-platform multimedia content (videos/live broadcasts) (Windows, macOS and GNU/Linux) on YouTube, Twitch, and other similar platforms, know and use OBS Studio. Since, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), in addition to being a fabulous and useful free and open source application, is one of the best free alternatives available for recording and transmitting video over the Internet.
However, in my personal case, and as Experienced Linuxverse blogger for many years, for these tasks of recording simple videos of the activity of my GNU/Linux Desktop (Screen Casting) to make content in my YouTube Channel, I have always been using Vokoscreen vs SimpleScreenRecorder. But, after several days of testing with various mobile webcam apps to integrate the video from my mobile camera into the videos on my desktop or computer, I have opted for this latest solution. That is, using the latest version of «OBS Studio 30 to add the camera of my smartphone» to recording my Linux Desktop. And for this reason, today I offer you this small tutorial so that you can also do it, if necessary.
OBS Studio 30.0: A new version available for 2023
But, before starting this little tutorial to learn how «add our smartphone camera to OBS Studio», we recommend you explore a previous related post with this app, upon completion:
Add a smartphone camera to OBS Studio 30
Steps to add the camera of our smartphone to OBS Studio 30
To achieve this goal easily and quickly, these are the following steps to follow:
- Make sure you are using OBS Studio 30.0.X or higher, since, in previous versions, said functionality (add video source type: Browsers) is not supported.
- Once we have OBS Studio 30 running on our computer, we must go to the website of VDO Ninja.
- Already within this free web platform, the first thing we must do is, Click on the Create a room icon. Then, give the Room a name and password, and then press the green button located immediately below, to enter the Control Center of the created room.
- Within said control center we must copy and safeguard the 2 web links that are offered to us. The first we must send to the smartphone or any other from where we will capture the remote video. And the second, we will use it in the OBS Studio that we will use to record.
- When opening the first link on the smartphone to be used, we must insert the password configured for said room, and then click on the Enter Room with Camera button. Once this is done, we must select the front or rear camera of the mobile phone and press the Start button so that we can see the mobile camera, activate it on the smartphone and on the VDO.Ninja website on our computer.
- Once the above is finished, we must run our OBS Studio, go to the Add video sources section to select the Browser option. Once this is done, in the new pop-up window that opens, we must give it a name and then click on the Accept button. And then we must add the second link in the URL field in the next open pop-up window, to finish by pressing the Ok button.
- Once this entire process is complete, we will see the webcam in OBS Studio and we will be able to record our Desktop video successfully, after a few optimization adjustments and recording tests. As shown in the following screenshots:
VDO.Ninja is a 100% free web platform, that does not require any download, and does not collect any type of personal data. Furthermore, it allows anyone and without login on it, the power transfer live videos from a smartphone, remote computer or friends directly to OBS Studio program or other similar multimedia studio (editing) software. And all this is possible, thanks to the fact that youuses cutting-edge point-to-point forwarding technology that offers privacy and ultra-low latency. What is VDO.Ninja?
What's new in the current version OBS Studio 30.1 Beta 2
And now that you know a little more about the current stable version OBS Studio 30 (30.0.2) released in December 2023, we invite you to learn about some of the latest developments in the current version in development, called OBS Studio Beta 30.1 2, released in February 2024:
- Fixes for crashes detected in Beta 1: Related to the new Image Slideshow source when clicking the Randomize button without files loaded, and Lua scripts when switching scene collections.
- Solutions to errors related to the virtual camera in Windows: Specifically, when applications were consuming it as YUY2.
- Solutions to problems detected in Beta 1: Associated with Twitch VOD track not working in Advanced Output, and AMF encoded videos not working correctly in DaVinci Resolve.
- Implementation of new functions/capabilities: Such as AV1 support for VA-API, AV1 support for WebRTC/WHIP output, and new video capture device source type (PipeWire)
- Implementation of new changes/improvements:Such as support for Python 3.11 for Windows and macOS, updating Obs-websocket to version 5.4.0 and improvements to Simple Mode Playback Buffer Settings.
Summary
In short, if you are a IT video content creator, Linux or not, with or without a good quality webcam added to your computer, by applying these few steps of this useful and simple tutorial you will be able to obtain all the advantages and benefits of «add your smartphone camera to OBS Studio 30» in order to create better videos. Since, you could show your face in better graphic quality or places other than your location while the activity on your computer's desktop is recorded, among others. However, if you implement other practical and innovative IT solutions, let us know via comment for the knowledge and implementation of our growing and loyal community of readers.
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