How To Install OBS Studio on KDE Neon / Kubuntu

OBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software which is a free and open-source application for video recording and live streaming. OBS Studio provides a powerful API, enables plugins, and scripts to provide further customization and functionality specific to your needs.

Features

• High performance audio/video recording in real time.
• Setup Unlimited number of scenes that you can switch between.
• Audio mixers with noise filters.
• Modular “Dock” UI that allows you to rearrange the layout to your liking.
• Support of all streaming platforms.
• Easy to use configuration options.
• Studio mode which lets you preview your scenes.

To install OBS your Linux system should have the following basic requirements;

• OpenGL 3.3-compatible GPU.
• X window system or Wayland.

Other hardware requirements include;

• NVIDIA’s NVENC encoder of GeForce 600series or higher.
• Intel Quick Sync Video encoder which is Intel HD Graphics GPU on Intel Core-i-CPU 2xxx (Sandy Bridge) or newer.
• AMD’s Advanced Media Framework encoder.
• Apple’s VideoToolbox is supported on macOS.

Something to note is to make sure the driver of the encoders are updated and are of the latest release.

OBS has various benefits like; high video quality, easy to use, and a customizable layout. It is also free of viruses and free to download.

In this Guide, I will show you how to

• Install OBS on KDE Neon|Kubuntu.
• How to Launch OBS.
• Capture screen.

Install OBS on Kubuntu / KDE Neon

The first thing to do is to update your package index

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

To use OBS in Linux, You require OpenGL 3.3 or later. Check your OpenGL version by using,

sudo apt install mesa-utils
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL"

To avoid performance issues, xserver-xorg version 1.18.4 or newer is recommended. Check the version by using the following command.

dpkg -l |grep xserver-xorg-core

The output is as follows

Next is to install FFmpeg which is a suite for handling videos, audios, and other files.

sudo apt install ffmpeg

If prompted with disk space type ‘Y’ to continue with the installation.

If you want virtual camera support, you can install v4l2loopback-dkms. This is optional.

sudo apt install v4l2loopback-dkms

If prompted for disk space, type ‘Y’ to continue the installation.

Next is to add the OBS repository to our system.

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

Press ‘Enter’ to continue with the process

Then update your index then install OBS.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install obs-studio

If prompted with disk space type’Y’ to continue with the installation.

Launch OBS Studio on KDE Neon / Kubuntu

To open OBS, find the application for the launcher search bar.

Then it opens with a configurations window that allows you to select your settings.

Next is to select the video settings

Next is to edit the stream information. You can connect to your account or use a stream key.

Screen Capture

To capture your screen, navigate to the sources and click on the ‘+’ button, and select Screen capture.

Enter the name of the screen capture and click OK

Next is the file properties which you can change to fit what you want then click OK.

After that click on start recording

Then start recording whatever you are doing on the screen. after you are done click on Stop Recording.

Afterward, it will show you the location of the file.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed OBS Studio on your system. As long as your hardware requirements meet the least of the expected ones, you will not have an issue while working with OBS. You have also learned how to configure OBS and capture the screen. OBS is free and gives an option of streaming and recording different platforms like Twitch, Youtube, and Facebook.

More guides:

• Install Brave/Opera Browser on KDE Neon|Kubuntu
• Install and Use IntelliJ IDEA on KDE Neon|Kubuntu
• Install XFCE Desktop Environment on KDE Neon|Kubuntu