In this article I want to show you how tips on how to improve your video conferencing appearance using free open source software.
With the ongoing the pandemic, more and more people have been introduced to video conferencing options like Zoom, Teams or WebEx. If you are like me and would go one step further to not be so basic on your video conferences, here are some tips I've gathered in the past year that may help you.
OBS Studio
So far one of the best open source video streaming/recording software that allows you to create your own mini studio at home. I've used OBS Studio since 2020 and have fallen completely in love with the simple-to-use instructions, menu and functions of this software.
Use for video conference
OBS Studio can allow you to sync all your cameras, windows, browsers, media players etc into your livestream/video conference whilst using your favourite video conferencing platform. So far I have used OBS Studio on YouTube livestream and Zoom but I am pretty sure it is applicable to all platform (its opensource!).
Offline Use
You can also use it offline to do tutorial videos. I've used OBS Studio with FL Studio and it has no problem picking up audio and a smooth video flow - no glitches so far! See preview on my (other) Facebook Page.
How to connect OBS Studio to Zoom
You can stream using your basic camera or you can use a streaming software. Why? This will enable you to switch windows during your presentations instead of using the basic 'share screen' methods that everyone else is using. Lets get a little bit more understanding of how OBS Studio works.
OBS Studio will pretend to be your camera or become a 'virtual camera' when youre on a video conference. This means whatever that you want your camera to show will appear on your streaming platform.
Step 1. With OBS open, select Tools>Virtual Cam>Start. click on the option to ' Start Virtual Camera'
Step 2. You have to select OBS Studio as the primary source of your camera on Zoom. You can change your camera by clicking the "^" icon in the bottom left corner next to your camera and "Select Camera" and choose OBS Studio (Virtual Camera).
That's it! There are tons of videos on YouTube that can teach you all the step by step basic guides to this but now that you know, try it out and let us know if it works for you!
DroidCam
If you are using a laptop to video conference but the camera is crap, why not connect your phone as a camera - wirelessly! There are tons of other applications I've tried but I've used DroidCam for years without any issues.
Basically you will need a laptop/desktop version and a phone version. Once both are installed and are connected to the same WiFi/network, you can access your phone as a camera on your laptop.
If you are using Zoom, the steps above will apply to change your camera from your laptop's default camera to DroidCam. If you are using OBS Studio, you can select the 'source' camera as DroidCam or download the DroidCam OBS plugin here.
If you combine the use of both OBS Studio and DroidCam your presence on videoconferences will be somewhat like a studio broadcast!
Links
Download OBS for Windows, Linux or Mac --> Open Broadcaster Software | OBS (obsproject.com)
Simple tutorial on steps to install and use DroidCam here
Droid Cam and OBS integration video tutorial here
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