The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Websocket OBS

Websocket OBS is a powerful tool that has been gaining popularity in the world of live streaming. If you’re a streamer, you’ve probably heard the term “OBS” before. OBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software, which is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. But what is Websocket OBS, and how does it work?

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What is Websocket OBS?

Websocket OBS is a plugin for OBS that allows for real-time data exchange between your OBS instance and a remote client. This means that you can control your OBS scenes and sources from a remote location without having to physically access your streaming computer.

Websocket OBS is based on the Websocket protocol, which is a real-time communication protocol that enables bidirectional communication between a client and a server. This protocol is commonly used in web applications to create real-time updates and live streaming.

Why use Websocket OBS?

Websocket OBS has a number of benefits for streamers. Here are just a few:

Remote control: As mentioned earlier, Websocket OBS allows you to control your OBS instance from a remote location. This can be incredibly helpful if you’re streaming from a different location, or if you have a co-streamer who needs to control the stream from their own computer.
Real-time updates: With Websocket OBS, you can receive real-time updates on your stream status, such as whether you’re live or not. This can be helpful if you’re managing multiple streams at once.
Automation: Websocket OBS can be used to automate certain tasks, such as switching scenes or sources at specific times. This can be helpful if you have a regular streaming schedule or if you want to create a more dynamic stream.

How to set up Websocket OBS

Setting up Websocket OBS is relatively simple. Here’s how to do it:

Download the plugin: The first step is to download the Websocket OBS plugin. You can find the latest version on the OBS forums or on the Github page.
Install the plugin: Once you’ve downloaded the plugin, you’ll need to install it in OBS. To do this, go to the “Tools” menu in OBS and select “Plugins”. Click the “Browse” button and navigate to the folder where you saved the Websocket OBS plugin. Select the plugin and click “OK”.
Configure the plugin: Once the plugin is installed, you’ll need to configure it. Go to the “Tools” menu in OBS and select “Websocket Server Settings”. Here, you can set the port number for the server and configure any security settings you need.
Connect to the server: Once the plugin is installed and configured, you’ll need to connect to the server from your remote client. You can do this using one of several available libraries or through a custom implementation.

Using Websocket OBS

Once you have Websocket OBS set up, you can start using it to control your OBS instance. Here are some common use cases:

Scene switching

One of the most common uses for Websocket OBS is to switch scenes remotely. This can be helpful if you have a co-streamer who needs to switch scenes from their own computer or if you want to automate scene switching based on certain events.

To switch scenes using Websocket OBS, you’ll need to send a message to the server with the name of the scene you want to switch to. Here’s an example using Python:

import websocketimport json# Connect to the serverws = websocket.create_connection("ws://localhost:4444")
# Send the messagemessage = {"request-type": "SetCurrentScene","scene-name": "My Scene"}ws.send(json.dumps(message))
# Close the connectionws.close()

Source switching

You can also use Websocket OBS to switch sources within a scene. This can be helpful if you want to switch between different cameras or overlays during your stream.

To switch sources using Websocket OBS, you’ll need to send a message to the server with the name of the source you want to switch to. Here’s an example using JavaScript:

var ws = new WebSocket("ws://localhost:4444");ws.onopen = function() {var message = {"request-type": "SetSourceSettings","sourceName": "My Source","sourceSettings": {"file": "C:\\path\\to\\my\\file.mp4"}};ws.send(JSON.stringify(message));};
ws.onmessage = function(event) {console.log(event.data);};
ws.onclose = function() {console.log("Connection closed");};

Getting stream status

You can use Websocket OBS to get real-time updates on your stream status, such as whether you’re live or not. This can be helpful if you’re managing multiple streams at once or if you want to create a more dynamic stream.

To get stream status using Websocket OBS, you’ll need to send a message to the server with the name of the request you want to make. Here’s an example using Ruby:

require 'websocket-client-simple'require 'json'# Connect to the serverws = WebSocket::Client::Simple.connect 'ws://localhost:4444'
# Send the messagemessage = {"request-type": "GetStreamingStatus"}ws.send message.to_json
# Receive the responsews.on :message do |msg|response = JSON.parse(msg.data)puts response["streaming"]end
# Close the connectionws.close

FAQ

What do I need to use Websocket OBS?

You’ll need an instance of OBS running on your streaming computer, as well as a remote client that can connect to the Websocket server. You’ll also need some basic programming knowledge to use the plugin.

Can I use Websocket OBS with other streaming software?

No, Websocket OBS is specifically designed to work with OBS. However, there may be similar plugins available for other streaming software.

Is Websocket OBS secure?

Websocket OBS does have some security features, such as password protection and SSL encryption. However, it’s important to use strong passwords and other security measures to protect your stream from unauthorized access.

Can I use Websocket OBS with multiple instances of OBS?

Yes, Websocket OBS can be used with multiple instances of OBS running on the same or different computers.

Is Websocket OBS difficult to set up?

Setting up Websocket OBS requires some basic programming knowledge, but it’s relatively simple to do. There are also many tutorials and resources available online to help you get started.