OBS webcam feed
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To include a webcam feed as a picture-in-picture (PiP) overlay in your desktop recording using OBS Studio on Linux, you need to configure OBS to capture both your desktop and webcam simultaneously. Here’s how to set it up:
Step-by-Step Setup in OBS Studio
1 Open OBS Studio:
Launch OBS Studio on your Linux desktop.
2 Add a Display Capture Source:
- Click on the + button under the Sources panel.
- Select Display Capture from the list.
- Give the source a name, such as "Desktop Capture," and click OK.
- If you have multiple monitors, select the appropriate one from the properties window and click OK.
3 Add a Video Capture Device:
- Again, click on the + button under the Sources panel.
- Select Video Capture Device.
- Name the source, for example, "Webcam."
- In the properties window that opens, select your webcam from the device drop-down menu.
- Configure any specific properties (resolution, FPS) as needed, and click OK.
4 Resize and Position the Webcam Feed:
- By default, the webcam feed might fill the entire scene. You need to resize and position it to create the PiP effect.
- Click on the "Webcam" source in the Sources list.
- Use the red bounding box in the OBS preview window to resize and position the webcam feed. Typically, you’d drag it to a corner and scale it down so it doesn’t cover too much of your desktop.
- Hold down the Alt key and drag the edges if you need to crop the webcam feed.
5 Adjust Layering:
- Ensure the "Webcam" source is above the "Desktop Capture" in the Sources list. This makes sure the webcam feed appears on top of the desktop capture.
- You can drag and drop the sources in the list to change their order.
6 Configure Output Settings:
- Go to File > Settings > Output and set up your recording quality, file path, and format according to your preferences.
- In the Video tab, ensure your resolution and FPS settings are suitable for your recording needs.
7 Start Recording:
- Once everything is set up, click Start Recording in OBS.
8 Stop and Save:
- Click Stop Recording when you are done. OBS will save the recording to the file path specified in the output settings.
9 Tips for Effective Recording
- Lighting: Ensure good lighting for the webcam to improve the quality of the video feed.
- Audio: If you want to capture audio (like narration), make sure to add an Audio Input Capture source for your microphone.
- Preview: Use the preview window in OBS to adjust your settings and positioning before starting the recording.
- Performance: Monitor your system’s performance during recording, especially if capturing high-resolution video, as this can be resource-intensive.
This setup allows you to effectively record your desktop activities along with live video from your webcam, making it ideal for presentations, tutorials, or streaming setups.