What Is OBS Studio?
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) Studio is free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is used by solo content creators, professional production teams, and everything in between.
In a church or event livestream workflow, OBS typically sits at the end of the production chain. Cameras feed into a video switcher (like the ATEM Mini Pro), the switcher outputs the program feed to OBS via USB-C (webcam mode) or HDMI (via capture card), and OBS encodes and streams to YouTube, Facebook, or any RTMP destination.
OBS can also receive ProPresenter graphics via NDI, composite multiple sources (cameras, graphics, media), and record a local backup file simultaneously. For our complete streaming setup guide covering cameras, audio, lighting, and the full production chain, see our dedicated equipment guide.
Scenes & Sources Explained
OBS organizes content into Scenes and Sources. A Scene is a layout — think of it as a saved arrangement of visual and audio elements. A Source is an individual element within a scene — a camera feed, a graphic, a text overlay, or an audio input.
Most church livestreams use 3-5 scenes: a pre-service countdown, a main camera scene, a picture-in-picture scene (speaker + slides), a fullscreen slides scene, and a post-service holding screen.
Common Source Types
Video Capture Device
Camera feeds via capture card, webcam, or USB. This is how cameras enter OBS — through a capture card (Elgato Cam Link, AverMedia) or the ATEM Mini's USB-C webcam output.
Window Capture / Display Capture
Capture any application window or entire display. Use Window Capture for specific apps (PowerPoint, browser) or Display Capture for everything on a monitor.
NDI Source (Plugin)
Receive video over your network from ProPresenter, other computers, or NDI cameras. Requires the free OBS NDI plugin. This is the standard way to get ProPresenter graphics into OBS.
Media Source
Play video files (MP4, MOV), image sequences, or GIFs within OBS. Use for pre-roll videos, intro sequences, countdown timers, and bumper content between segments.
Image
Static images — logos, lower third templates, frame overlays. Layer these over your camera feeds for branded graphics.
Audio Input Capture
Microphone or audio interface input. For churches, this is typically the audio feed from the house mixing console via a USB audio interface.
Encoding Settings for Streaming
Encoding converts your video into a compressed stream that travels over the internet to YouTube, Facebook, or your streaming platform. The settings below determine quality, bandwidth requirements, and hardware load.
| Quality | Resolution | FPS | Bitrate | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 720p (Good) | 1280x720 | 30 | 2,500-4,000 Kbps | Lower-end hardware, limited upload speed, mobile viewers (most watch on phones anyway) |
| 1080p30 (Standard) | 1920x1080 | 30 | 4,500-6,000 Kbps | The default for most church and content livestreams. Balances quality and bandwidth. |
| 1080p60 (High) | 1920x1080 | 60 | 6,000-8,000 Kbps | Smooth motion for dynamic content — worship services with moving cameras, sports, gaming. |
| 4K30 (Premium) | 3840x2160 | 30 | 13,000-20,000 Kbps | YouTube supports 4K streaming. Requires powerful hardware and fast upload (25+ Mbps). Overkill for most live productions. |
Encoder choice matters
NVENC (NVIDIA GPU): Uses the GPU's dedicated encoder. Almost no CPU impact. Recommended for all NVIDIA systems. x264 (CPU): Uses CPU for encoding. Better quality at the same bitrate but high CPU usage — only choose this if you do not have an NVIDIA GPU. Apple VideoToolbox (Mac): Hardware encoder on Apple Silicon. Good quality with low system impact. The default choice for Mac-based OBS streaming.
Platform Configuration
YouTube Live
RTMP / RTMPSStream key: YouTube Studio → Go Live → Stream tab → Stream key
Ultra-low latency mode available. Supports 4K streaming. DVR (rewind) enabled by default. Automatically saves VOD after stream ends. Best for churches that want the recording available immediately.
Facebook Live
RTMP / RTMPSStream key: Facebook Creator Studio → Live Video → Use Stream Key
Maximum 720p on personal profiles, 1080p on Pages. Separate stream key per broadcast. Shorter VOD retention than YouTube. Good reach for churches with established Facebook audiences.
Twitch
RTMPStream key: Twitch Dashboard → Settings → Stream → Stream Key
Optimized for real-time interaction. Default keyframe interval of 2 seconds is correct for Twitch. Best for interactive content, less ideal for one-directional church broadcasts.
Custom RTMP
RTMP / SRTStream key: Depends on provider (Restream, Castr, BoxCast, Resi)
Multi-platform services like Restream accept one OBS stream and distribute to YouTube, Facebook, and others simultaneously. Useful for churches that stream to multiple platforms.
NDI Integration with ProPresenter
NDI is the bridge between ProPresenter and OBS. ProPresenter sends its graphics, lyrics, and motion backgrounds over your network via NDI. OBS receives that feed and composites it with your camera sources.
Install the OBS NDI plugin (free, available from the OBS Plugin directory or GitHub). Restart OBS after installation.
In ProPresenter, enable NDI output under Preferences → Advanced. Select which screen outputs to broadcast via NDI.
In OBS, add a new source → NDI Source. ProPresenter's NDI feeds appear in the source list automatically (both computers must be on the same network).
Position the NDI source in your scene. Use it as a fullscreen graphics layer, a lower-third overlay, or a picture-in-picture element alongside camera feeds.
Important: Both computers must be on wired gigabit Ethernet. Wi-Fi is not reliable enough for NDI video.
OBS vs Alternatives
| Software | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Free | Solo streaming, production chains where camera switching is handled by hardware (ATEM Mini) |
| vMix | $60-$1,200 | Software-based multi-camera production, churches that want switching + streaming in one computer |
| Streamlabs | Free / $19/mo | Content creators who want widgets and alerts with minimal configuration |
| Wirecast | $599-$799 | Professional broadcast environments that need a polished all-in-one solution |
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OBS Studio free?
Yes. OBS is 100% free, open-source, with no paid tiers, feature restrictions, or watermarks. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Used by millions of streamers and professional production teams worldwide.
What are the best OBS settings for streaming?
For 1080p YouTube/Facebook: Resolution 1920x1080, 30fps, CBR at 4,500-6,000 Kbps, NVENC encoder (if NVIDIA GPU) or x264, Keyframe Interval 2, Profile High, Audio 192 Kbps. For lower-end hardware, stream at 720p with 2,500-4,000 Kbps.
Can OBS receive NDI sources?
Yes, with the free OBS NDI plugin. Once installed, NDI sources appear as available inputs. This is how most churches get ProPresenter graphics into OBS — ProPresenter sends NDI over the network, OBS receives and composites it with camera feeds.
OBS vs vMix — which should I use?
OBS is free and great when camera switching is handled by hardware (ATEM Mini). vMix ($60-$1,200, Windows only) adds software-based multi-camera switching, replay, and professional broadcast features in one application. Churches using an ATEM Mini for switching usually only need OBS for streaming.
Can I record and stream at the same time?
Yes. OBS records locally while streaming simultaneously. Record in MKV container with higher quality than your stream output as a backup. Test that your hardware handles both before relying on it during a live service.
What computer do I need for OBS?
For 1080p with NVENC (recommended): NVIDIA GTX 1650+, 16GB RAM, SSD. For CPU encoding: Intel i7 10th gen or AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM. Apple Silicon Macs (M1+) handle 1080p streaming well. The GPU encoder is the recommended approach — it offloads encoding from the CPU.
At Ruah Creative House, OBS is part of our production chain for church livestreams and event coverage. But the real value we deliver starts after the stream ends — turning recordings into sermon reels, social clips, and cinematic ministry content that extends your reach beyond the live audience.