Encoders (OBS)

An encoder takes the camera and audio inputs, combines them into a single picture, compresses it, and sends it to the streaming platform. OBS Studio is the recommended encoder for FTC events at every tier. It is free, runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is widely used, so help is easy to find.

Scenes and Sources

OBS organizes a stream into scenes. Each scene is a layout made up of sources, such as a camera, an image, or the FTC Live audience display. The stream shows one scene at a time, and switching scenes changes what viewers see.

A typical FTC event uses these scenes:

  • Field: the field camera with the FTC Live audience display or score bar on top. Viewers see this scene during matches.

  • Awards: the awards camera, used for alliance selection and the awards ceremony (Silver and Gold).

  • Break: a still image with the event name and the time play resumes, used during lunch and other breaks.

Keep overlays simple. If you can download a ready-made lower-third or overlay template and use it as is, that’s worthwhile. Designing your own graphics usually isn’t worth the time for a qualifier.

Settings Worth Changing

  • Output > Streaming > Video Encoder: choose the hardware encoder (NVENC, AMF, or QuickSync) if one is listed. See Streaming Computer.

  • Output > Streaming > Bitrate: set this to no more than half of the venue’s measured upload speed. See Network.

  • Output > Recording: record to the MKV format. If OBS or the computer crashes, an MKV file is still usable up to the point of the crash, while an MP4 file is often unreadable. After the event, use File > Remux Recordings to convert the MKV to MP4 without re-encoding it.

Record locally while you stream. The recording is your backup if the internet connection drops, and it is the source for post-event match splitting.

Once the scenes and settings are working, export them with Scene Collection > Export and Profile > Export. The exported files can be imported on another computer or at the next event, so the setup only has to be built once.

Bronze Tier

Use a single Field scene for matches and leave it running. Nobody needs to operate OBS during matches. Switch to the Break scene during lunch, if you have one.

Silver Tier

Add an Awards scene for the second camera. The Technical Director switches to it for alliance selection and the awards ceremony, and back to the Field scene afterward. Matches still run on the Field scene without anyone touching OBS.

An inexpensive macro keypad, such as an Elgato Stream Deck Mini, puts each scene on its own labeled button. That’s easier and less error-prone than clicking through OBS under pressure.

Gold Tier

Use an automation tool connected to FTC Live to switch scenes and start and stop recordings for each match. OBS has a built-in WebSocket server (Tools > WebSocket Server Settings) that lets outside programs control it. Automation tools use this to switch scenes without anyone touching OBS. See FTC Live Integration.