There are four ways to capture the screen in OBS Studio (hereafter referred to as OBS). To stream smoothly, it’s essential to choose the right capture source that fits your purpose.

This article will provide a detailed explanation of the characteristics of OBS’s four capture sources, the steps for capturing, how to specify audio, take screenshots, and record, as well as troubleshooting when capturing doesn’t go well.

Differences and Characteristics of the Four OBS Screen Capture Sources

Let’s dive into the differences and characteristics of the four OBS screen capture sources.

• Display Capture
• Window Capture
• Game Capture
• Video Capture Device

Display Capture

Display Capture is a source that shows the entire monitor screen on OBS. It’s useful when you wish to switch between multiple applications while streaming or recording. Since you can show operations on the PC screen to viewers, it can be utilized in presentations for explaining PC operations or settings.

However, be careful not to inadvertently display personal information, such as notifications, as it captures the entire PC screen.

Window Capture

Window Capture displays only the specified window in the OBS streaming screen. Unlike Display Capture, it shows only the specific window. It supports a wide range of streaming purposes, such as displaying comments during a stream or capturing applications that can’t be reflected in other OBS capture sources.

Game Capture

Game Capture captures a specified game software and shows it on the OBS streaming screen. Although game streaming is possible with Window Capture, if the game window is minimized, the streaming screen will go black, making Game Capture recommended for game streaming.

For browser games or games that cannot be recognized with Game Capture, Window Capture can be helpful.

Video Capture Device

A Video Capture Device is a source that imports video and audio into OBS using an external camera or capture board. Typically, a video capture device is used for face streaming with a webcam or capturing video from a gaming console.

However, capturing quality or sync issues may arise due to the device’s drivers or settings. Ensure to choose a capture board compatible with OBS in terms of its type and brand.

Steps to Capture Screen in OBS are Common Across Sources

The steps to configure capturing in OBS are common across all capture sources. Here’s how to proceed.

1. Click the “+” in the source, then add “Display Capture”

* On Mac, it’s displayed as “macOS Screen Capture”

2. Assign any name to the capture

3. Select the capture method and capture display

Setting Points Specific to Capture Sources

Here are detailed setting points for OBS’s capture settings for each capture source.

Display Capture Settings

When setting up Display Capture in OBS, pay attention to these three points.

• Ensure OBS is not maximized
• Use cropping to specify the capture area
• Use Studio Mode if you want to hide your screen

Ensure OBS is Not Maximized

If you select a capture source, keep OBS in a normal window state instead of maximizing it. During the setup process, a hall-of-mirrors effect can occur, so you need to work while checking the display.

If you use multiple monitors in a dual-display setup, you can prevent the hall-of-mirrors effect by selecting the desktop of another monitor for display.

Use Cropping to Specify Capture Area

If you want to trim specific parts of the screen captured in Display Capture, use the following method to crop.

1. Capture the entire desktop screen with Display Capture, and confirm that the desktop screen on OBS is enclosed in a red frame.

2. Hover the cursor over the red circle, press the Alt key (Option key on Mac), and drag to cut excess parts.

The cropped part is shown with a green dotted line, and the area within the line is visible to viewers.

If the red frame for specifying cropping is not displayed, try the following:

• Click on Display Capture within the source
• Click the lock icon within the source to unlock
• Right-click on the OBS screen and uncheck ‘Lock Preview’

Use Studio Mode If You Want to Hide Your Screen

If you don’t want to show the entire desktop to the viewers, switch to Studio Mode for a two-screen setup. While you are capturing and cropping the screen, you can show another screen to the viewers. Follow these steps to set up Studio Mode.

1. Click ‘Studio Mode’ in the lower-right of OBS

2. Once switched to two-screen format, add or edit sources while viewing the left screen

3. When ready, click ‘Transition’ in the center

Disabling Studio Mode is as simple as clicking ‘Studio Mode’ again in the lower right corner.

Game Capture Settings

To ensure smooth streaming using Game Capture, the following settings are recommended.

Setting Item	Setting Details
Mode	Select “Capture a specific window”
Window	Choose the game name you want to capture
Window Match Priority	Choose “Match title, otherwise find window of same executable”
Items to Check	Check the following two: ・Limit capture frame rate ・Use anti-cheat compatibility hooking

The settings for Game Capture are further explained in the following article.

How to Capture Your Game Screen in OBS Studio — A Step-by-Step Guide by Capture Type

If Game Capture isn’t displaying, check out the solutions in this article.

Game Capture Not Working in OBS? Here’s How to Fix It Based on the Issue

Window Capture Settings

In Window Capture settings, ensure the window you want to show to viewers is kept in a normal window state, neither maximized nor minimized. Minimized windows will not appear as options.

Make sure audio capture is switched off. If audio capture is left on, background music might play twice, so it’s important to take care.

Video Capture Device Settings

When setting a Video Capture Device in OBS, focus on these two key points.

• Web Camera Settings are Necessary for Chat Streams
• Capture Board and Driver are Required for TV Game Streaming

Let’s explain each in detail.

Web Camera Settings are Necessary for Chat Streams

If you’re doing a chat stream using a webcam with OBS, set up your camera by following these steps:

1. Close any accompanying software for the webcam

2. Click the “+” in the source and select “Video Capture Device”

3. Name your capture as desired and click “OK”

4. Select the webcam to use in “Device” and click “OK”

Capture Board and Driver are Required for TV Game Streaming

To stream TV games with OBS, you’ll need a capture board. Capture boards are used to display and record or live stream the video from TV game consoles such as Switch, PS5/PS4, or mobile screens such as iPhone or iPad on a PC. Ensure to install the capture board drivers in advance.

Note that the following game consoles cannot be connected to capture boards due to the absence of HDMI ports on the console itself.

• Switch Lite
• 3DS
• PS Vita
• GB
• Original FC Model

Before connecting the PS5/PS4 to the capture board, it’s smooth to disable HDCP in advance.

How to Include Only Specified Audio in OBS Streams

This section explains how to stream only specified audio in OBS. From OBS 30.1 onwards, turning on “Capture Audio” in the settings window of Game Capture or Window Capture allows you to stream only the game sound.

For Windows PC users, ensure you update OBS to the latest version and follow these steps to set up audio:

1. Go to “Settings” → “Audio” and set “Desktop Audio” to “Disabled”

* If you want to include your voice via a microphone, select “Microphone” under “Mic/Auxiliary Audio”

2. Add “Game Capture” or “Window Capture” and display the game screen in OBS

3. Check “Capture Audio” in the settings window of “Game Capture” or “Window Capture”

* On Mac, additionally add “macOS Audio Capture” from the “+” menu

If you want to know more about OBS audio settings, read the following article.

How to Separate Audio Sources in OBS — A Clear Guide Based on Your Streaming Style

How to Take Screenshots and Record with OBS

The following presents two methods for taking screenshots (screenshots) and recording in OBS.

Take Screenshots of the OBS Streaming Screen with Right-Click

You can take screenshots in OBS with a right-click. Here’s how to do it based on the capture target:

Capture Target	Screenshots Procedure
Entire Screen	・Right-click on the screen visible in OBS (preview) ・Select “Screenshot (Preview)”
Specific Scene	・Right-click on the scene ・Select “Screenshot (Scene)”
Specific Source	・Right-click on the scene ・Select “Screenshot (Source)”

Screenshots from screen captures will be saved in the same file as the recording. The save location can be checked by selecting “Show Recordings” from “File” in the upper left corner.

The method for taking screenshots in OBS is also explained in the following article.

How to Take Screenshots in OBS — Capture Tips, Save Location, and Thumbnail Creation

Recording Can Be Done Just by Clicking the Start Recording Button

To record the screen capture in OBS, simply click “Start Recording.” Adjust the video quality in the recording settings to ensure high-quality recordings, so be sure to check before recording. Ending the recording is as simple as clicking the “Stop Recording” button, making it very easy to do.

The articles below delve more into OBS recording, so be sure to read them as well.

Where Are OBS Recordings Saved? Learn how to check, change, and optimize your save location.

Tips for High-Quality OBS Recordings — Explore key settings for clearer, smoother video.

Fix Laggy Recordings in OBS — Understand common causes of choppy footage and how to resolve them.

8 Solutions When Screen Capture in OBS Doesn’t Work Well

Here are eight solutions for when screen capture in OBS doesn’t work well, such as when the video doesn’t display or the sound isn’t heard.

Restart OBS and the Application

When rebooting your PC, restart OBS first, followed by the capture application. Restarting your PC resets any CPU malfunctions and resolves excessive memory usage. It can also solve the issue of non-displaying screens due to temporary PC malfunctions, so consider rebooting first.

Update OBS and PC

Updating OBS and your PC to the latest versions prevents malfunctions caused by bugs in OBS or Windows. If OBS needs updating, you’ll receive a notification upon startup. Click “Update Now” to perform the update.

If you skipped the update notification screen, you can verify whether an update is necessary by clicking “Check for Updates” under “Help” in the menu bar.

Check Window Display Format and Selection

Ensure that the window you want to capture isn’t full-screen or minimized. In OBS, neither full-screen (full screen) nor minimized screens are recognized as windows.

Moreover, not correctly setting the window can result in the desired screen not displaying. Double-click the created “Window Capture” and confirm that the correct window is selected from the properties screen.

Check for Copy Protection or Security

Checking the copy protection of streaming services and the security of your PC is important. Capturing copy-protected streaming services with OBS can cause the screen capture to go black. There’s also a possibility that PC monitoring or security might be interfering, so exempt OBS from being monitored on your PC.

Check for Interference Between Multiple GPUs

High-spec PCs, such as gaming PCs, often have two CPUs (GPUs) for graphics. Make sure they are not interfering with each other. On Windows, you can specify the GPU used by OBS using the following method:

• Right-click on the desktop and display “Display Settings”
• Scroll down and click “Graphics Settings”
• Ensure “Choose an app to set preference” is set to “Desktop app” and click “Browse”
• In the Explorer window, open the folder where OBS is installed and specify the EXE file
• Select “Options” on the displayed screen
• Select “High Performance” under “Graphics Performance Preference”

Prevent the Hall of Mirrors Effect by Excluding the OBS Window

Excluding the OBS window in screen capture prevents the hall of mirrors effect, so proceed with the following method.

1. Click “Settings” → “General”

2. Turn “Hide OBS Windows from Screen Capture” ON and click “OK”

If No Sound, Check Desktop Audio

If there is no sound from the screen capture, check whether “Desktop Audio” is set to “Default” in the settings using the following steps:

1. On the OBS main screen, click “Settings” → “Audio”

2. Confirm that “Desktop Audio” is set to “Default”

If the “Audio Mixer” gauge is moving after confirmation, it means desktop audio is being captured.

Execute Screen Capture Using Other Than OBS

If capture doesn’t go well with OBS, consider other applications. Below are free applications that can be downloaded for Windows and Mac.

Application Name	Features
EaseUS RecExperts	・Can capture the full screen or a portion ・Selectable bitrate, output format, hotkey, etc. ・Supports game play recording
DemoCreator	・Automatically select recording mode ・Supports 4K/8K game screens ・Frame rates are adjustable up to 30, 60, 120fps ・Low PC load during recording
VideoProc Converter AI	・Supports recording, AI-powered high image quality, trimming, and adding effects ・Smooth even on low-spec PCs ・Can set recording resolution and frame rate freely

Among these, we recommend ‘DemoCreator’ and ‘VideoProc Converter AI’ for beginners. Choose the right application based on your purpose and level of familiarity.

What’s Next After Setting up Screen Capture in OBS?

This article explained how to set up screen capture in OBS. Choosing the right capture source, like Display Capture, Window Capture, Game Capture, or Video Capture Device, according to your needs is crucial.

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