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OBS Studio

Introduction

OBS stands for Open Broadcaster Project. "OBS Studio" is a screen recorder that anyone can download and use on Windows, Mac, or Linux. With it, you can record video of anything on your computer display's desktop, record audio from a built-in or connected microphone, and record video from a built-in or connected webcam.

There is no time limit on recordings, but the longer and more involved the recording, the more storage space the recording will take up on your computer or wherever you choose to store it.

The user interface is a little different from what you may expect.

Installation

Install "OBS Studio" from the webpage below.

  1. https://obsproject.com/
  2. Works on Windows, Macs, and Linux computers.
  3. May require download and installation of some DirectX software from Microsoft on a PC.
  4. You should be taken through what to do to download and install the DirectX software, if necessary.

Instructions

Video

Written Step-by-Step

  1. Open the "OBS Studio" application.
  2. After opening the "OBS Studio" application for the first time.
    1. Click the "OBS" or "File" menu.
    2. Click "Preferences" or "Settings."
    3. Click "Output."
    4. Make sure the "Recording Path" is where you want your recordings to go.
      1. Click "Browse" to change this.
    5. Under "Recording," for "Recording Format," choose mp4.
    6. Click "OK" in lower right of "Settings" window.
  3. If you want to record yourself speaking:
    1. Under "Mixer," make sure you see a green level indicator under "Mic/Aux" that moves as you speak.
      1. If you don't, configure and test your microphone and speakers/headphones by visiting the webpage below, clicking “Mic Guides,” and selecting your operating system (OS).
        1. http://www.onlinemictest.com/

      2. If you don’t know your operating system, visit the webpage, below and look beneath where it says “YOUR WEB BROWSER IS:”

        1. https://www.whatismybrowser.com/

      3. If you still have issues, click the gear icon in the "Mic/Aux" row, click "Properties," choose a different device, and click "OK."

    2. Under "Sources," click the + sign, select "Audio Input Capture," select "Add Existing," select "Mic/Aux," keep "Make source visible" checked, and click "OK."
  4. If you want to record your webcam video:
    1. Under "Sources," click the + sign, select "Video Capture Device," select "Create new," keep "Make source visible" checked, and click "OK."
    2. In the "Properties for..." window, select your webcam "Device," and click "OK."
  5. If you want to record your computer display:
    1. Under "Sources," click the + sign, select "Display Capture," select "Create new," keep "Make source visible" checked, and click "OK."
    2. In the "Properties for..." window, make no changes (unless you have multiple monitors, in which case, choose the monitor to capture from the "Display" drop-down menu), and click "OK."
  6. To actually start screen recording, click "Start Recording."
  7. The "Start Recording" button will turn to a "Stop Recording" button.
  8. To hide the OBS application window:
    1. On a Mac, click the "OBS" application icon at the top of your Mac computer display, and choose "Hide."
    2. In Windows, click the "OBS" application icon in the lower right of the computer display. You may need to click the ^ to see this icon.
  9. Make your screen recording.
  10. To stop your video, click the "OBS" application icon in the toolbar at the top of your Mac computer display, and click "Stop Recording."
    1. Or click "Stop Recording."
  11. To show the OBS application window:
    1. On a Mac, click the "OBS" application icon at the top of your Mac computer display, and choose "Show."
    2. In Windows, click the "OBS" application icon in the lower right of the computer display. You may need to click the ^ to see this icon.
  12. Click the "File" menu, and then click "Show Recordings" to see your recordings.

Adding Video and Audio Files to Bb Learn -- Instructors Only

Instructors and course assistants can add video or audio to Bb Learn. See the webpage below for instructions.

Captioning or Transcription

Providing captioning for videos you create is highly recommended.

See Captions.

Live Streaming

See the webpage below.

CCI Support Site