In the current age of remote work and online communication, video conferencing has become an essential tool for connecting with colleagues, clients, and friends.

However, the quality of the video can often be a problem, especially if you’re using Zoom’s built-in webcam.

This is where OBS comes in handy. OBS is a free and open-source streaming and recording software that can enhance the quality of your video by providing access to your webcam’s settings and filters.

In this article, we’ll show you how to add OBS as a webcam source in Zoom using OBS Virtual Camera.

Method 1: The Latest Method

With the latest version of OBS, you no longer need to download the OBS-VirtualCam plugin. The software works out of the box, and this technique also works with other streaming software that allows webcams to be added as a source, such as Skype.

To get started, you’ll need OBS and Zoom.

Follow these simple steps:

  1. Update to the latest version of OBS Studio by clicking “Help > Check for Updates” in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. Click “Start Virtual Camera” in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  3. In Zoom, go to “Settings > Video > Camera > OBS Virtual Camera.” If Zoom is already open, close it and reopen it before selecting OBS Virtual Camera.
  4. (Optional) Adjust your webcam settings manually in OBS. Remove any auto settings in Zoom, such as touch-up appearance, low light adjustment, and mirror my video.

    Then, tweak your webcam settings in OBS to your liking and add any filters, such as LUTs or chroma keys.

Method 2: The Old Method

This method requires you to download and install the OBS-VirtualCam plugin.

Follow these steps:

  1. Download and install the OBS VirtualCam plugin from the OBS Project website. By default, this installs in your OBS Studio folder.
  2. Close and reopen OBS. Go to “Tools > VirtualCam.” Select “OBS-Camera” as the target camera and set the buffered frames to zero. Then, click “Start.”
  3. Close and reopen Zoom. Click the settings gear on the upper right, go to “Video,” and under “Camera,” select “OBS-Camera.”

In conclusion, OBS Virtual Camera is an excellent tool for improving your video quality in Zoom.

Whether you’re using the latest version of OBS or the old method with the OBS-VirtualCam plugin, you can easily enhance your webcam’s settings and add filters to make your video look professional.

With these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy high-quality video conferencing that’s sure to impress your colleagues and clients alike.

My name is Peter and I've been a streamer on both Twitch and Youtube for a number of years.
Mostly streaming Fifa or FPS games, I've learned as much as I can about improving my streaming setup to give me the best possible output for my audience.
During the day I work as a digital marketer helping businesses improve their presence and grow an audience which helps me in streaming to do the same.