Live streaming public classroom on Facebook with OBS

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This article explains how you can live stream your public classroom on your academy’s Facebook page (or your Facebook profile) using OBS (Open Broadcast Software) Studio.

There are 3 major steps to do this:

Setting up OBS: Downloading the OBS Studio software and setting it up by adding sources
Connecting Facebook and OBS: How to connect your Facebook page or profile with OBS Studio and stream
Going live on Facebook: How to start the streaming and go live

1) Setting up OBS

a) Downloading OBS Studio

You can download the latest version of OBS Studio from https://obsproject.com/ – download the software based on the operating system you use (Windows, Mac, or Linux):

Install the software upon downloading the installer file. After downloading, you will be see a new page https://obsproject.com/welcome where you can find links to quickstart guide and overview.

b) Adding scenes and sources

When you first open the OBS Studio, you will see the preview is a black screen.

OBS does not capture anything by default, so you have to add elements that has to be captured. For instance, your browser tab that has the public classroom. You can learn more about adding scenes and sources here.

Below is an example of how the preview would look when we add different sources:

As you can see in the “Sources” section, we have added:

Window Capture: That captures the browser window that has the public classroom
Color Source: To add an yellow color box at the top
Text: To write the texts, asking viewers to join the public classroom, along with the passcode
Image: To add the logo

2) Connecting Facebook and OBS

Now we will see how to setup the live stream and connect your Facebook profile/page with the OBS Studio.

a) Facebook Live Producer – choose where to stream

First, login to your Facebook account and go to Facebook Live Producer. After that, choose where you want to stream – your profile or your academy’s Facebook page.

b) Title and Description

Now you have to give a title and a description to your live stream.

Below is an example:

Title: Chesslang Public Classroom

Description:

Join Chesslang’s Public Classroom and give your best in the puzzle battle. Join the classroom at 7:00 PM IST!

Link: https://app.chesslang.com/classroom/97459f06-b7b5-11eb-be03-6920588d4cde/register
Passcode: chesslang

c) Stream key

You can connect OBS and Facebook using the stream key. In “Stream setup”, select “Use stream key” and copy the stream key:

Now go to the OBS Studio and click “Settings“:

Now, do the following:

Go to “Stream” section in settings
Select “Facebook live” service
Paste the “Stream key” copied in the previous step (from Facebook Live Producer)
Click “Apply”
And then, click “OK”

d) Specifications for Facebook live

Before broadcasting live from a Facebook Page, make sure that you meet Facebook’s recommended specifications for live video.

1. Video Settings

Set a video resolution of 1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second. Click “Apply” and then “OK”.

2. Output Settings

Select “Advanced” output mode
Under “Streaming” tab, select “x264” encoder, Bitrate of 4000 kbps, Keyframe Interval of 2 seconds
Click “Apply” and then “OK”