Popular streaming software Open Broadcast Studio (OBS) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. It’s also just launched version 28.0 of the program and added native integration of some of the features from NVIDIA Broadcast.
Virtual background
The latest update to OBS now includes NVIDIA Broadcast’s AI-powered virtual backgrounds. This means you can remove your background without using a green screen. You can add a blur to make the background appear out of focus. Alternatively, you can replace your background with a still image. In addition, you can remove the background behind you altogether and overlay yourself over your livestream footage. You will need a compatible NVIDIA graphics card in your computer to use the new feature.
Room echo removal
OBS 28.0 also incorporates NVIDIA Broadcast’s room echo removal tool. You can use this to eliminate unwanted audio echoes during your streaming sessions. The feature will dramatically improve your audio quality if you are using a desktop mic or are in a room with a bit of echo. The room echo removal tool and the virtual background feature are available in OBS as filters. This means you have more flexibility as you can apply them per source.
Other features
OBS 28.0 adds support for high-efficiency video coding (HEVC or H.265). This improves video compression by 15 percent. The support has been built specifically for hardware-based HEVC encoders. It means that you can record content and stream to supported platforms like YouTube with better quality.
Verdict
Version 28.0 of OBS has added some great features in conjunction with NVIDIA Broadcast. If your computer has a NVIDIA graphics card and you already use OBS, then it’s worth upgrading. If you don’t use OBS for your streaming, it’s free, so why not give it a try?
Pricing and availability
OBS 28.0 is available for download now, free of charge.