Complete Guide to High-Quality Screen Sharing on Discord with OBS
Index
Many of you may be struggling with questions like “I want to share OBS video through Discord,” “The game sound and microphone audio are not audible to the other person,” or “I want to share the gaming screen of my Switch or PS5 with friends.”
The main methods for sharing OBS screens on Discord are as follows:
- Using Fullscreen Projector
- Using Scene Projector
- Using Virtual Camera
This article will explain the sharing procedures using the three methods above, how to address audio and screen-related troubles, settings for displaying home gaming consoles, and decoration techniques for streaming screens.
By reading to the end, you will quickly resolve issues with your streaming setup and enjoy comfortable broadcasting with your own unique and attractive screen.
There are mainly three ways to share OBS video on Discord.
- Using Fullscreen Projector
- Using Scene Projector
- Using Virtual Camera
If you want to deliver high-quality video or minimize latency, find the method that suits your streaming environment.
Using Fullscreen Projector
To share OBS video on Discord, the Fullscreen Projector feature is suitable.
By projecting the preview onto the entire monitor, you can directly stream the video to Discord’s screen share.
The steps to use the Fullscreen Projector are as follows:
- Open OBS
- Right-click on the OBS preview screen
- Hover over “Open Preview Projector” and select the display
- Open Discord and join the voice chat
- Click on Screen Share
- Click “Share Screen” in the “Projector – Preview” section
If you have multiple monitors, it is convenient to manage the operation screen for streaming and the screen for sharing separately.
Using Scene Projector
If you want to extract only a specific window from OBS video and share it on Discord, you can use the Scene Projector.
This allows you to deliver only the scenes you want to show, preventing any unintended scenes from appearing.
The steps to use the Scene Projector are as follows:
- Open OBS
- Right-click on the registered scene name
- Hover over “Open Scene Projector” and select the display
- Open Discord and join the voice chat
- Click on Screen Share
- Click “Share Screen” in the “Projector – Scene” section
With the above steps, you can share only specific scenes on Discord.
Using Virtual Camera
If you want OBS video to be recognized as a camera on Discord, you can use the OBS Virtual Camera feature.
By utilizing the virtual camera function, you can share your unique video within the frame where participants’ faces appear.
The steps for screen sharing using the Virtual Camera are as follows:
- Open OBS
- Click the gear next to “Start Virtual Camera”
- Select the type of output for the virtual camera
- Click “Start Virtual Camera”
- Open Discord and join the voice chat
- Click on Settings
- Select “OBS Virtual Camera” from the camera options
- Turn on the camera
Now, the video configured in OBS will be shared on the screen that is originally meant to show your face.
Additionally, there is an article that explains the virtual camera in detail, so be sure to check it out.
» OBS Virtual Camera Explained: How to Use with Discord & Zoom
Troubleshooting When Sharing OBS on Discord
When sharing screens from OBS on Discord, various issues can arise due to incorrect settings.
- No sound or audio not capturing
- Screen not displaying
- Screen too small or borders appearing
- Performance lagging or freezing
Understand the causes of the problems that arise and address them appropriately for resolution.
No Sound or Audio Not Capturing
If there is no audio when sharing the screen from OBS to Discord, you need to review multiple settings sequentially.
The cause of audio issues often lies in incorrect settings in OBS or Discord.
To resolve the problem, check the following audio settings for each tool:
- Open “Advanced Audio Properties” from the OBS audio mixer and switch audio monitoring to “Monitor Only”
- Open the settings displayed when sharing the screen on Discord and uncheck “Mute Stream Audio”
- Open the sound settings screen on your computer and ensure the correct output device is selected
By ensuring all elements are correctly configured, you should be able to eliminate the issue of silence.
Screen Not Displaying
If the screen appears black when you execute screen sharing on Discord, it is essential to check the OBS settings.
If the setting to hide the OBS window from the screen capture is enabled, the video will not reach the other person.
Follow the steps below to check and change the settings.
- Open OBS
- Click on Settings
- Uncheck “Hide OBS Window from Screen Capture”
- Click “OK”
By removing the hidden state of OBS, you will be able to share the screen on Discord.
Screen Too Small or Borders Appearing
If the screen is too small or has black borders when sharing on Discord, you need to review the output size and sharing method.
Adjusting the output size in OBS and sharing the screen using the fullscreen projector allows for sharing the screen without borders.
Follow the steps below to configure it and share:
- Open OBS settings and change the resolution to a larger size in the Video section
- Preview in Fullscreen Projector
- Share the Fullscreen Projector screen on Discord
By following the above steps, the screen will be larger, and borders will disappear when sharing.
Performance Lagging or Freezing
If the video freezes during screen sharing on Discord, it is necessary to reduce the load on the computer.
Continuing to stream beyond the processing capacity can lead to slower performance and freezing.
Specific points to lower the load on the computer and deliver stable video are as follows:
- From the OBS video tab, reduce the output resolution one step down from the current level
- Lower the frame rate value within the video tab to reduce the load on video processing
- Close unnecessary background applications running on the computer
By changing to appropriate settings and allowing for some leeway, you can maintain a stable environment for comfortable long-duration streaming.
There is also an article that explains the necessary specifications for OBS in detail, so make sure to check it out.
» OBS Requirements Guide: From Recommended PCs to Running Without a GPU!
Here are the steps to share the gameplay screen of home game consoles like the Switch and PS5 through OBS on Discord.
- Capture the console video into OBS
- Set up Discord and start screen sharing
Let’s take a closer look at the steps to set up real-time sharing of the game screen.
Capture Console Video into OBS
To share the video and audio of a home game console on Discord, a capture card is essential.
The steps to capture the screen of the console connected to the capture card into OBS are as follows:
- Launch OBS
- Click the Add Source button
- Select Video Capture Device
- Specify the target device
- Preview using Fullscreen Projector
With the above steps completed, the game screen will be successfully captured into OBS, preparing for screen sharing on Discord.
Set Up Discord and Start Screen Sharing
The video from the home game console captured into OBS can be shared on Discord.
The steps to share the preview screen displayed using the fullscreen projector mentioned earlier are as follows:
- Join the voice call on Discord
- Click the Screen Share button
- Select the Application tab
- Click “Share Screen” in the “Projector – Preview” section
By completing the above steps, the game screen will be successfully delivered to everyone participating in the voice call on Discord.
Decorate Your OBS Screen Sharing on Discord with Simple Techniques
Here are some easy decoration techniques to make the shared OBS screen more attractive.
- Use Discord StreamKit to overlay the icons of the people on the call onto the screen
- Add transparent materials and subtitles to create a custom streaming screen
Add some flair to the basic video, and create a unique streaming environment that makes it even more enjoyable for viewers.
Use Discord StreamKit to Overlay the Call Participants’ Icons onto the Screen
To create a lively state by overlaying the call participants’ images on the streaming screen, the Discord StreamKit integration feature is very useful.
By using Discord StreamKit to display overlays in OBS, you can freely place the icons of the speaking individuals in your preferred locations on the screen.
The specific steps to overlay the icons onto the video via the Discord StreamKit website are as follows:
- Open the Discord StreamKit website
- Allow access to Discord
- Specify the target channel from the settings menu
- Copy the provided URL displayed on the screen
- Add a browser source from the sources list in OBS
- Paste the copied information in the URL field of the properties
Once the setup is complete, you will have a dedicated screen that clearly indicates who is speaking.
With these simple settings, you can convey the fun atmosphere of playing together with multiple people to your viewers.
Add Transparent Materials and Subtitles to Create a Custom Streaming Screen
To create your own custom streaming screen in OBS, it’s easy and effective to combine backgrounds and frames.
Below is a summary table of decoration types and their specific effects that can be utilized to establish a clear display:
| Decoration Type | Main Source Used | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Background Image | Image | Fills any unnecessary gaps in the streaming screen and enhances the overall atmosphere of the video |
| Frame | Image | Surrounds the gaming screen, naturally guiding viewers’ attention to important areas |
| Subtitles | Text (GDI+) | Displays current play objectives or personal rules on the screen constantly, conveying the situation accurately |
| Comments | Browser | Reflects viewers’ feedback and comments directly onto the video in real time, enhancing engagement |
By combining multiple decorations, you can deliver appealing visuals that stand out from other streamers.
Conclusion
By integrating OBS and Discord, you can share high-quality gameplay footage in real-time. Moreover, adding dedicated decorations allows for creating screens with high flexibility, which is a significant advantage of screen sharing using OBS.
However, it is crucial to ensure audio settings and check the load on the computer in advance, as neglecting these may lead to issues such as no sound or sluggish performance.
Using the information provided in this article, understand the troubleshooting methods for common problems and try to implement attractive screen sharing.
