Tutorial: How to live stream VR video using OBS

08.02.2024

It’s possible to live stream VR content using the free and open-source software OBS (Open Broadcaster Software). Follow these instructions to start streaming your VR video.

This method is for live streaming from the Canon R5C with the dual fisheye RF5.2 lens, to your Meta Quest or Pico 4 headset. This is currently Windows only.

You will need:

MediaMTX media server (GitHub download link)
Free OBS studio software (official download link)
HDMI capture card (preferably 4K)
Micro HDMI to HDMI cable (to connect your Canon camera to the computer through a capture card)
A WiFi connection

Set up your equipment:

First, make sure your headset and computer are connected to the same WiFi network
Turn on your Canon R5C with dual fisheye lens, and set it to video mode
Connect the micro HDMI end of your cable to the camera and the HDMI end to the capture card
Connect the capture card to your computer

Set up your media server:

Download and run mediamtx.exe.

Install and configure OBS:

Download OBS, then install and run
Add your video capture device as the source and select your capture card from the list
Open "Settings" > "Stream"
Choose "Custom" under "Service" setting
In the "Server" input field enter: srt://127.0.0.1:8890?streamid=publish:cam&pkt_size=1316

Configure "Output" settings stream:

Audio encoder: AAC
Video encoder: x264
Rate control: CRF (keep default value 23)
Keyframe Interval: 3 s
CPU preset: veryfast
Profile: high
Tune: zerolatency

Click "Ok" to close the settings
Click "Start streaming"
In the media server command line logs you should see a message about the created stream called "cam"

We recommend the following parameters for the streams:

Watch in DeoVR:

Launch the DeoVR player in your VR headset
Click on the address bar at the top of the user interface
Make sure the HTTP protocol is selected
Enter the URL: xx.xx.xx.xx:8888/cam/stream.m3u8 (replace xx.xx.xx.xx with your IP address)
Click go
You should see the live stream with a short delay (approx 1 to 10 seconds)
Adjust the projection options to see the proper stereo image
Refer to Supported meshes in the DeoVR documentation for more information

Congratulations! You have a working live stream preview in your headset!

Join the discussion at the DeoVR forum, Facebook and Reddit.