Configure OBS-NDI to Receive Mobile Video

Using your mobile phone as a wireless camera in OBS Studio is a powerful way to upgrade your stream quality without buying expensive hardware. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to configure the OBS-NDI plugin to receive high-quality, low-latency video streams directly from your Android or iOS device over a local Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Connect to the Same Network

For NDI to function, your computer running OBS Studio and your mobile phone must be connected to the exact same local network. * Connect your computer via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to your router. * Connect your mobile phone to the same Wi-Fi band (preferably 5GHz for the best bandwidth and lowest latency).

Step 2: Install NDI Tools and the OBS Plugin

Before attempting to connect, you need the necessary software installed on your computer. 1. Download and install OBS Studio if you have not already. 2. Download and install the OBS-NDI plugin (available on GitHub or the OBS resources forum). Make sure to install both the plugin installer and the required NDI Runtime (NDI Redistributable) for your operating system. 3. Restart your computer after installation to ensure all NDI drivers load correctly.

Step 3: Install an NDI Camera App on Your Phone

Your mobile phone needs an app capable of transmitting an NDI stream. * For iOS & Android: You can use the official NDI HX Camera app (paid). * Alternative Apps: Search your device’s app store for “NDI Camera” or “Larix Broadcaster” (which supports NDI) for free or lower-cost alternatives. * Once installed, open the app, grant camera and microphone permissions, and tap the broadcast button to begin transmitting the NDI signal over your network.

Step 4: Add the NDI Source in OBS Studio

With the mobile app broadcasting, you can now capture the feed in OBS. 1. Launch OBS Studio. 2. In the Sources dock at the bottom, click the + (Add) button. 3. Select NDI Source from the list. 4. Name the source (e.g., “Mobile Camera”) and click OK. 5. In the properties window, click the dropdown menu next to Source Name. Your mobile device should appear here (often listed by the phone’s name and the app being used). Select it. 6. Set the Latency Mode to Low (experimental) for real-time video, or keep it at Normal for better synchronization. 7. Click OK.

The live camera feed from your mobile phone will now appear in your OBS canvas. You can resize, crop, and position the source just like any standard webcam.