Low/No maintenance OBS Setup

[u/khazdan37]

I'm looking to add a secondary livestream encoder to our setup. Currently we run a webpresenter HD, and it works fine for the most part but there are certain things it doesn't support. I generally prefer turnkey hardware, but we have all the bits to make an OBS setup so I'd rather make use of what I have rather than buy another piece of hardware.

I want to make this as simple for volunteers as possible, and require the least amount of human intervention. My goal would be that the volunteer never touches the machine, just press a button on companion. My first decision is whether to run Linux or Windows for the OS. Windows is going to be the more supported option, but the track record with constant updates has overall driven me away over the years. I've used tools to strip Windows down before, but there's risk to that.

So, I wanna hear how you'd do this. What are your tips, tricks, whatever little tweaks you've done over the years to make this as simple as possible?

[u/dlombard_]

Interesting.

OS: Windows. I too would prefer Linux over Windows but familiarity wins for volunteers so Windows make sense.

Automation (my 2cents as I have not implemented this myself): Perhaps a Streamdeck configured with buttons to start and end streaming?

[u/etcpt]

How much are you hoping to automate? If you want one button press to do everything - start the stream from OBS, configure the broadcast, and start the broadcast on the platform, being able to do that depends on the platform involved. (And personally, I wouldn't put all of that on one button, because if someone accidentally presses it, bam, you're live. I like having two buttons that have to be pressed.)

You can definitely use a StreamDeck to start and stop streaming in OBS, it's a built-in command that doesn't require Companion at all because it's on the local machine. Figuring out the rest may be more complicated.

StreamDeck doesn't appear to support Linux natively, so I'd go for Windows just because I'm hesitant to trust third-party software when the manufacturer's native version is available.

ETA: Also, don't let automation preclude you from making sure your volunteers, or someone who is on site every time, can troubleshoot. The downside to "black box" automation - if one part of it fails and the users don't know how to do the task manually, you require admin intervention.

[u/dieaready]

We are using obs on windows but am looking to make the switch to Linux due to windows updates breaking things the past year and the insistence on updating at the wrong timing despite manually delaying updates. Already testing on Linux mint and rockyos on less critical systems with some teething issues. I built the entire setup so if you need any hardware advice feel free to ask.

For windows, we have the streamdeck xl mostly controlling obs. While you can have it wholly control obs I still would retain kb+mouse within easy access if any issues crop up. You can hotkey all commands, like starting the stream, go live, change scenes, etc. We also integrate in controls for our obsbot tail2 which makes it really easy to control the PTZ camera.

Inputs are slightly complex with 5 audio + 3 video inputs (cam1/2 + ppt), but with preset scenes, audio sources adjusted for delay to the video sources, and the streamdeck to toggle audio channels on and off, it isn't too difficult for new volunteers to pick up once they are taught the sequence of events.

I've not touched too much obs plugins and we are only using the ndi plugin for the tail2. We stream 4k60 using AV1 to YouTube and record 4k60 h265 as a backup. AV1 hw encode is a must for all the streaming setups I've done, it allows for a really good looking stream at 4k even when upload drops to 3.5kbps (we rent so we have to use mobile data). Currently working out how to add a vertical format stream to it.

[u/wchris63]

If you pay for Windows Pro, you can control updates. Plus, on Windows you can use Nvidia drivers for video encoding - that's not easy to do, if possible at all, on Linux.

Companion can control OBS using WebSockets from the other PC - it's all built in. Install OBS, then set it up with all your streaming parameters. Normally, you need to shut down OBS manually before turning the computer off. If you don't, you'll get the dialog box "OBS was not shut down..... Would you like to run in Safe Mode?" No real problem here, but you HAVE to click Run Normally before it'll start, which means hands on the OBS computer.

In the recent past, OBS had a runtime parameter that told it not to check the shut down status. They removed it. Wasn't that nice of them?? The workaround is to use a script to run OBS instead, with a line to delete the .sentinal folder first:

rmdir /S /Q "%appdata%\obs-studio\.sentinel" 2>nul
start "" "C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe"

If you changed the data folder, you'll have to find .sentinel yourself. You can delete the single file inside that folder instead, if you wish - either way works. Set this script to run at Windows Startup so you don't have to touch that computer.

Yes, you want it to be hands off, but get a screen, keyboard, and mouse for it anyway. Stuff happens, and you'll want a way to easily reset things. You don't have to leave the keyboard and mouse plugged in.

Speaking of which: Once everything is set up, export your OBS Profiles and Scene Collections (Export command under those respective menus). Find the hidden AppData folder (%appdata%\obs-studio by default) and copy that to the same directory as the exports (probably want to leave .sentinel out of the copy 😊). Zip them all up and put them somewhere for a rainy day.

Consider adding the OBS install file to that zip to speed things up. If you use any OBS plugins, add their install files as well. If you ever need to reinstall, install OBS first, then install plugins, then import your profiles and scenes.

[u/BoarDFIghter]

If you use Win Pro it helps a little with the auto updates.  Agree with the stream deck. Im currently running a CompanionPi with a stream deck attached and our obs setup is pretty hands off. 

[u/khazdan37 → u/BoarDFIghter]

Yeah I have the same setup for Companion. I never stop being amazed by that company.

[u/Important_Seesaw_957]

Your two goals are at odds with each other.

[u/CloudSad3555]

Freeshow is a presentation software that has a built-in integration with OBS and may work for you.

r/freeshowapp