OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free, open-source recording and live-streaming software available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's one of the most popular tools for creating high-quality live streams on Uscreen.
OBS acts like a switchboard, allowing you to control multiple audio and video sources. It gives you greater control over your live event, including features like:
Overlays and transitions
Multiple camera angles
Screen sharing with audio
Custom graphics and text
Advanced audio mixing
💡 TIP: Streaming frequently helps build stronger connections with your members and can significantly boost engagement and retention rates.
Set up your Live Stream
In Uscreen
Navigate to Content > Live Streaming
Click Add New
Select Stream Software | RTMP
Fill in your event details:
Title and description
Categories
Start date and time
Purchase options (subscription access or one-time purchase)
Additional settings (Live Chat, Donations, etc.)
Click Save Changes
Copy the Stream Key
📝 NOTE: Stream Keys can be reused for future events. You'll need to wait at least 5 minutes between events to reuse the same key.
In OBS Studio
Click Settings
Navigate to the Stream tab
Under Service, click Show All
Find and select Uscreen
Paste your Stream Key in the designated field
Click OK
to save the changes
Set up your Scene
In the OBS main window, add your video source.
Click the ➕ icon in the Sources
Select your stream input source
Add any additional sources you need (e.g., microphone, images, etc.)
Arrange your sources as desired
💡 TIP: You can hide/show each input source by toggling the eye icon. You can also resize or drag the sources into your preferred size and position.
Test your Stream
Before going live, it's crucial to test your stream:
In OBS, click Start Streaming
In Uscreen, navigate to Content > Live Streaming
Select your event and Edit
In the RTMP section, click Test Player
Wait at least 60 seconds to see your content in the test player
💡 TIP: It's a good practice to set up a test stream a day or a few hours before your actual event to troubleshoot any potential issues.
Go Live
Once you've tested your stream and are ready to Go Live:
In OBS Studio, click Start Streaming
In Uscreen, click Start Live Stream
Your stream is now live and visible to your audience
💡 TIP: Start your stream in OBS 30-60 seconds before your actual start time to prevent viewers from seeing a black screen.
End the Stream
When your event is complete:
In Uscreen, click Finish Event
In OBS Studio, click Stop Streaming
⚠️ WARNING: Make sure to stop the stream in both OBS and Uscreen. If you only stop one, the system will continue to create recording fragments.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Black Screen
If viewers see a black screen:
Ensure you've pressed Start Streaming 30-60 seconds before the start time
Verify that your Stream Key is correctly entered in OBS
Check that the active scene is selected in OBS
Whitelist OBS in your antivirus and firewall software
"The stream is currently not active." Message
This indicates that OBS is not sending a signal to Uscreen. Check that:
You've started streaming in OBS
Your Stream Key is correct
You've selected Uscreen as the Service in OBS settings
Connection Issues
For stable streaming:
Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi
Ensure your upload speed is at least 10 Mbps for HD quality
Close unnecessary applications that might use bandwidth
📝 NOTE: If you continue to experience issues, download your OBS logs by going to Help > Log Files > Upload Current/Previous Log File. Open the link, copy, and share the logs with Uscreen support.