How to Create a Streaming Server with OBS and Ubuntu

An open-source streaming tool called Open Broadcasting Studio (OBS) enables you to make and share streams to prominent websites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and DLive, as well as to a self-hosted stream server. To broadcast your content, this article shows you how to set up an OBS streaming server.

Here’s how to create a streaming server with OBS in Ubuntu.

Preparation for Installation

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• A system, such as a cloud server, running Ubuntu with Desktop environment

• Root access or user with sudo privilege

• Minimum 4GB of RAM

• Minimum of 2 Virtual CPUs

• At least 80GB Storage

• At least 3TB bandwidth
  

Installation of OBS Studio on Ubuntu

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After all requirements are met, proceed with the creation of a streaming server with OBS.

1. Login to the terminal. Add the obs-studio repository by running the command below.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:obsproject/obs-studio

2.  Update the server:

sudo apt update && apt upgrade -y

3. Install the transcoding tool FFmpeg along with OBS Studio. Run the command below.

sudo apt install ffmpeg obs-studio -y

Configuring OBS for streaming

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1. Use remote desktop software, such as VNC Viewer or NoMachine, to connect to the Ubuntu server desktop. Login as a local user, not root. In this tutorial, VNC viewer will be used to connect. You can set up xfce and xrdp on Ubuntu using many guides online, for example, this one.

Connection Details window in Tiger VNC Viewer

2. Once a successful login has been established, the desktop will appear on the homepage. A similar page will appear as seen below.

Remote Ubuntu desktop accessed through Tiger VNC Viewer

3. Open Application Finder and search for OBS Studio and click Launch.

Application Finder window on a remote Ubuntu desktop accessed through Tiger VNC Viewer

4. The application will open same as below.

OBS interface

5. To modify some options, go to Settings on the right side of the bottom panel.

OBS interface

6. The main parameters that must be modified based on the requirement are the output, audio, and video settings.

Settings in the OBS interface

7.  In the Output tab, streaming and recording output can be modified.

Settings in the OBS interface

8. In the Audio tab, there are options to choose what audio to be used.

Settings in the OBS interface

9. In the Video Tab, resolution can be adjusted based on the requirement of users.

Settings in the OBS interface

10. On the Stream tab, go to Service and select what streaming platform will be used by dropping down the arrow key.

There are several options to choose from. The most popular are Youtube, Twitter and Twitch. In this tutorial, the platform to be used is Youtube. After choosing Youtube click on Use Stream Key. You can obtain the stream key following this OBS guide.    

Another platform is Twitch. For Twitch, The stream key can be found on the user Twitch account, here’s the link.

Once the key has been obtained, paste it on the Stream Key field same as below then click OK.

Settings in the OBS interface

11.  Lastly, start the streaming by going to Sources tab and adding stream video and audio source by clicking on +.

OBS interface

12. There are multiple options to choose on what source needs to be used. In this case the Browser will be used.

OBS interface

13. After choosing the browser, specify the URL of the streaming site, make sure that the stream is active.

OBS interface

14. That’s it. Click Start Streaming and the streaming will run.

OBS interface

Conclusion

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In conclusion, Ubuntu and OBS can be used to create a stable and adaptable streaming server that offers excellent live streaming. With complete control over the setup, a user can attain professional-grade streaming capabilities by utilizing the power of OBS Studio and the stability of Ubuntu. This combination enables for comprehensive customization and optimization to meet individual demands, in addition to providing cost-effective streaming.