Guide to Streaming on Twitch with OBS

Jump to

This is some text inside of a div block.

Streaming on one of the top platforms like Twitch has become a popular way for developers and product engineers to showcase their skills, share knowledge, and connect with a global audience. With over 9.7 million monthly broadcasters on Twitch, the platform offers an excellent opportunity to engage with the community. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up your Twitch stream using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), a powerful and free streaming tool.

By the end of this guide, you'll be ready to broadcast your content live on Twitch with a professional setup.

‍

What is OBS and How Does it Work with Twitch?

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is an open-source software used for video recording and live streaming. It allows you to capture your screen, webcam, and other media sources to create a professional broadcast. OBS integrates seamlessly with Twitch, enabling you to stream your content directly to your channel.

‍

Why choose OBS?

OBS Studio stands out for its extensive customization options, allowing streamers to create highly personalized streaming setups.
Unlike many other streaming software options that require a subscription or come with limited free versions, OBS Studio is entirely free and open source.
OBS Studio is optimized to provide high-performance streaming, especially for gamers. Thanks to collaborations with industry leaders like NVIDIA, OBS has
significantly reduced the FPS impact of streaming, allowing your games to run smoother even when you're live. The introduction of the NVIDIA NVENC encoder further boosts performance, offering high-quality streams with minimal CPU usage.
The performance improvements for NVIDIA GPUs that were introduced in OBS Studio 23.0, which reduced the FPS drop during streaming by up to 66%, have been carried over and further improved in the latest version, OBS Studio 30.2.2.

‍

Performance improvements for NVIDIA GPUs in OBS Studio 23.0

‍

OBS continues to collaborate closely with NVIDIA to fully utilize NVIDIA GPUs, ensuring smooth, high-performance, and low-latency streaming.

‍

So it helps only for gamers?

While this improvement is particularly beneficial for gaming, it can also be advantageous for other resource-intensive streaming scenarios, such as:

Live Broadcasting: Streaming live events where maintaining video quality and smoothness is essential.
Creative Workflows: Streaming creative applications like video editing or 3D rendering, where GPU performance is critical.
Virtual Events: Hosting virtual events or conferences where smooth video output is needed.

‍

Downloading and Installing OBS Studio

To get started with OBS, follow the following steps:

‍

Download OBS:

‍

Visit the official OBS website and download the version compatible with your operating system.

‍

Installing OBS:

Follow the installation prompts to set up OBS on your computer. The installation process is straightforward and should only take a few minutes.

‍

Equipment You'll Need to Start Streaming

Before diving into the software setup, let's take a look at the essential equipment you'll need to start streaming:

‍

A Reliable Computer: Ensure your computer meets the recommended specifications for streaming, including a multi-core CPU and a dedicated GPU.
Webcam: A good quality webcam is crucial for face Cam streaming. Popular options include the Logitech C920 and Razer Kiyo.
Microphone: A high-quality microphone is essential for clear audio. Consider the Blue Yeti or the Audio-Technica AT2020.
Stable Internet Connection: A strong internet connection with at least 5 Mbps upload speed is recommended for smooth streaming.
Optional Accessories: Stream decks, green screens, and lighting setups can enhance the quality of your stream.

‍

Setting Up OBS for Twitch Streaming

First let's create an account on twitch:

Open twitch using the URL https://www.twitch.tv/

‍

‍

In the right corner you will see login/sing Up option.
If you already have an account, you can login or else you can sign-up by providing username, password, date of birth and email/phone no.

‍

Now that OBS is installed, let's configure it for Twitch:

‍

1. Launch OBS:

Open OBS and follow the auto-configuration wizard, which will help you optimize your settings based on your hardware and internet connection.

‍

2. You can Connect OBS to Twitch in multiple ways:

Go to Settings > Stream.
‍

Step 1: Connect Your Twitch Account

Here you can see the service dropdown menu.
Select the “Twitch” service.
Click Connect Account and log in to your Twitch account.
Once the account gets connected OBS will automatically link to your Twitch account.

‍

Step 2: Use Custom Server Settings

If you prefer to use custom settings, select “Custom” under the Service dropdown menu.
Enter the Twitch server URL and your Stream Key manually.
You can find stream key by Logging in to your Twitch account on a web browser and go to your Creator Dashboard > Settings > Stream.
Copy the Stream Key.

‍

Step 3: Stream Key Method (Without Account Connection)

In the Service dropdown, select Twitch.
Instead of clicking Connect Account, choose Use Stream Key.
Log in to your Twitch account on a web browser and go to your Creator Dashboard > Settings > Stream.
Copy the Stream Key.
Paste the Stream Key into OBS where prompted.
Click Apply and OK.

‍

3. Set Up Your Scenes and Sources:

Scenes: Create different scenes for your stream, such as a "Starting Soon" screen, main gameplay, and a "Be Right Back" screen.
Sources: Add sources to your scenes, such as your display capture, webcam, and microphone.

‍

‍

Optimizing OBS Settings for Twitch

To ensure a smooth streaming experience, it's important to optimize your OBS settings:

‍

Settings > Output Settings:
- Set your Video Bitrate to 2500-6000 Kbps (depending on your internet speed).
- Choose Encoder: Select hardware (NVENC) if you have an NVIDIA GPU or software (x264) for CPU encoding.
- Set the Audio Bitrate to 160 Kbps for clear audio quality.
  ‍
Settings > Video Settings:
- Set the Base (Canvas) Resolution to your monitor's resolution.
- Set the Output (Scaled) Resolution to 720p or 1080p.
- Set the Common FPS Values to 30 or 60 FPS.
  ‍

Going Live: How to Start Your Twitch Stream

Once everything is set up, it's time to go live:

Final Checks: Ensure your scenes and sources are correctly configured.
Start Streaming: Click Start Streaming in OBS.
- Click Start Streaming in OBS.
- Go to your Twitch dashboard to monitor your stream's performance and interact with viewers.

‍

Going Live: How to Start Your Twitch Stream

‍

Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Stream

To make the most of your Twitch streaming experience:
‍

Engage with Your Audience: Interact with your viewers through chat and make them feel involved in your stream.
Consistent Schedule: Establish a regular streaming schedule to build a loyal audience.
Quality over Quantity: Focus on delivering high-quality content rather than streaming for long hours.
Monitor Performance: Use Twitch's analytics to track your stream's performance and make necessary adjustments.

‍

Streaming on Twitch with OBS is a fantastic way to share your skills, engage with the community, and build an audience. By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to start your streaming journey with a professional setup. Don't hesitate to experiment with different settings and styles to find what works best for you.

‍

Using FastPix for streaming on Twitch

FastPix enables you to stream simultaneously across multiple platforms, including Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube, thanks to the Simulcasting feature. Simulcasting, or multi-streaming, allows you to reach a broader audience by streaming live content on various social media platforms at once. Here's how you can use FastPix APIs to enhance your Twitch streaming experience:

‍

Have a look at the below flow diagram.

‍

‍

Flow Explanation

‍

Step 1: Create a Live Stream

Start by using FastPix's Create Livestream API to initiate a new live stream. This will generate a stream key, which you'll need to start broadcasting.

‍

Step 2: Set Up Simulcast Target (Twitch)

Take the stream key obtained from the API response in Step 1.
Use this stream key along with the Twitch server URL to create a simulcast. This is done via the Create Simulcast API, which allows your stream to be broadcasted on Twitch seamlessly.
‍

Step 3: Configure OBS for FastPix

Open OBS and navigate to Settings > Stream.
Select "Custom" as your service option.
Provide FastPix’s server URL (rtmps://live.ibee.ai:443/live)
Enter the stream key provided by FastPix when you created the livestream in Step 1.
Configure any additional settings which we have already discussed in OBS setup as needed and start streaming.
You can now see your content getting streamed in twitch.

‍

By integrating FastPix into your workflow, you can effortlessly stream to Twitch and other platforms, expanding your reach and engaging with a larger audience.

‍

Wrapping it up

FastPix is more than just a tool for simulcasting—it's a comprehensive solution for live streaming, designed with developers and creators in mind. Whether you're streaming on Twitch or any other platform, FastPix offers a range of features that can help you deliver high-quality content effortlessly.

With developer-friendly APIs, FastPix simplifies the complexities of live streaming, from encoding to playback, all through a single, easy-to-use API. This means you can focus on your content while FastPix handles the technical details. Further, your streams automatically get recorded, enabling on-demand playback with Timeshifting/DVR feature. This means your audience can catch up on your content even after the live stream has ended, enhancing your engagement and reach.

Whether you’re looking to build live streaming capabilities on your product or stream to other social platforms - however and whatever you need it for, with FastPix you can (probably) build it. Every single part of FastPix is engineered to help you move faster.

Explore FastPix Live Streaming and see how it can transform your streaming experience.‍

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

‍

What is OBS and how does it work with Twitch?

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free, open-source software for live streaming and video recording. It allows you to capture video and audio, integrate media sources, and stream directly to platforms like Twitch, providing a professional setup for streaming.

How do I connect OBS to my Twitch account?

In OBS, go to Settings > Stream. Select Twitch, click 'Connect Account' and log into your Twitch account. Alternatively, you can use a Stream Key found in your Twitch dashboard.

How do I optimize OBS settings for Twitch streaming?

Set the video bitrate between 2500-6000 Kbps based on internet speed, select an encoder (NVENC for NVIDIA GPUs, x264 for CPU), and set audio bitrate to 160 Kbps for better audio quality. Adjust resolution and frame rate in video settings.

How do I add alerts and widgets to my Twitch stream using OBS?

You can use third-party services like Streamlabs or StreamElements to add custom alerts, overlays, and widgets to your OBS stream. Simply integrate these services by using their browser source URL in OBS and customize them to fit your stream.

Can I stream on Twitch with OBS using a low-spec computer?

While OBS can run on lower-spec computers, streaming quality may be affected. To optimize performance, reduce the stream's resolution, use a hardware encoder (if available), and lower other settings like frame rate and bitrate.

How can I prevent stream lag or buffering in OBS while streaming on Twitch?

To reduce lag, ensure your internet connection meets the recommended upload speed (at least 5 Mbps), adjust your bitrate to match your internet speed, and consider lowering the stream resolution or frame rate if necessary. Using a dedicated GPU for encoding also helps reduce lag.

What are the common OBS issues when streaming to Twitch, and how can I fix them?

Common issues include stream lag, audio sync problems, and low video quality. To fix them, ensure your OBS settings are optimized, update drivers, and check your internet speed. You can also check for software updates for OBS and troubleshoot encoding errors in the settings.

Author

Saif Mohammed

Software Engineer