OBS Studio 30.0 is a major update to the popular open-source streaming and recording software, bringing a number of new features and improvements. Some of the most notable changes include:
- WebRTC output: OBS now supports outputting to WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) servers, allowing you to stream to platforms like YouTube Live and Twitch without the need for a third-party encoder.
- Improved YouTube integration: OBS now supports AV1/HEVC (explanation here) streaming to YouTube (in beta), as well as multiple audio tracks in Simple Output Mode.
- Redesigned status bar: The status bar has been redesigned to be more informative and easier to use.
- QSV on Linux: Intel QSV encoding is now supported on Linux.
- Application audio capture on macOS: OBS can now capture audio from applications on macOS.
- HDR support for DeckLink devices: OBS now supports HDR input and output for DeckLink devices.
- Safe Mode: OBS now has a Safe Mode that can be used to troubleshoot problems with plugins, scripts, and websockets.
In addition to these major changes, OBS 30.0 also includes a number of bug fixes and performance improvements.
WebRTC output
WebRTC output is one of the most exciting new features in OBS 30.0. It allows you to stream to platforms like YouTube Live and Twitch without the need for a third-party encoder. This can improve performance and reduce latency, especially if you are streaming at high bitrates.
To use WebRTC output, simply select "WebRTC" from the Output dropdown menu in OBS. You will then need to enter the URL of your WebRTC server. Once you have done this, you can start streaming as usual.
Improved YouTube integration
OBS now supports AV1/HEVC streaming to YouTube (in beta). AV1 and HEVC are more efficient video codecs than H.264, which can allow you to stream at higher quality or lower bitrates.
OBS also now supports multiple audio tracks in Simple Output Mode. This means that you can now stream your audio to multiple destinations, such as your stream and a recording.
Redesigned status bar
The status bar in OBS has been redesigned to be more informative and easier to use. It now includes information such as the current CPU and GPU usage, as well as the bitrate and framerate of your stream.
QSV on Linux
Intel QSV encoding is now supported on Linux. QSV is a hardware-accelerated encoder that can improve performance and reduce CPU usage when encoding H.264 video.
Application audio capture on macOS
OBS can now capture audio from applications on macOS. This can be useful for capturing audio from games or other applications that do not output audio to the system audio device.
HDR support for DeckLink devices
OBS now supports HDR input and output for DeckLink devices. This means that you can now stream and record HDR video using DeckLink devices.
Safe Mode
OBS now has a Safe Mode that can be used to troubleshoot problems with plugins, scripts, and websockets. To start OBS in Safe Mode, hold down the Shift key when launching OBS.
Other bug fixes and improvements
OBS 30.0 also includes a number of other bug fixes and performance improvements. For a full list of changes, please see the OBS 30.0 release notes.
Conclusion
OBS 30.0 is a major update to the popular open-source streaming and recording software. It brings a number of new features and improvements, including WebRTC output, improved YouTube integration, a redesigned status bar, QSV on Linux, application audio capture on macOS, HDR support for DeckLink devices, and a Safe Mode.
As is typically the case with new updates, there will be bugs and crashes that could potentially disrupt your projects. Make sure you read through everything before downloading. We suggest waiting until the coming patch fixes roll out before downloading the newest update. Regardless, if you ever need help integrating the new update or even fixing crashes it may cause, we've got you covered!
