Connect OBS Studio to vMix Over Local Network

Yes, you can send a video feed directly from OBS Studio to a vMix production setup over a local area network (LAN). This is most effectively achieved using NDI (Network Device Interface), a protocol designed for high-quality, low-latency video transmission over standard IP networks. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough to configure both software applications for seamless local network integration.

Using NDI is the most reliable and common method to connect OBS Studio to vMix locally. It requires the installation of a free plugin for OBS.

Step 1: Prepare OBS Studio

  1. Download and install OBS Studio on the sending computer.
  2. Download and install the obs-ndi plugin (along with the required NDI Redistributable/Runtime package) from the official GitHub releases page for OBS plugins.
  3. Restart OBS Studio after installation.

Step 2: Enable NDI Output in OBS

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. Set up your scene with the video feed you want to send.
  3. In the top menu, navigate to Tools > NDI Output Settings.
  4. Check the box for Main Output.
  5. Give your output a recognizable name (e.g., “OBS Program Out”).
  6. Click OK. OBS is now broadcasting its program feed to your local network.

Step 3: Receive the Feed in vMix

  1. Open vMix on the receiving computer (ensure both computers are on the same local network/router).
  2. Click the Add Input button in the bottom-left corner.
  3. Select the NDI / Desktop Capture tab.
  4. Click on NDI.
  5. You should see the name of your OBS computer and the output name you created (e.g., COMPUTER-NAME (OBS Program Out)).
  6. Select the feed and click OK.

The OBS Studio live feed will now appear as an active input in vMix, complete with synchronized audio.

Method 2: Using SRT (Secure Reliable Transport)

If you prefer not to use plugins, you can use SRT, which is natively supported by both OBS Studio and vMix.

Step 1: Set up the Listener in vMix

  1. Open vMix, click Add Input, and select Stream / SRT.
  2. Set the Stream Type to SRT (Listener).
  3. Choose a port number (e.g., 9000).
  4. Click OK. vMix is now listening for an incoming connection on that port.

Step 2: Send the Feed from OBS

  1. Open OBS Studio and go to Settings > Stream.
  2. Set the Service dropdown to Custom….
  3. In the Server field, enter the SRT address of the vMix computer using the format: srt://[vMix-IP-Address]:9000?mode=caller (replace [vMix-IP-Address] with the actual local IP address of the vMix machine).
  4. Leave the Stream Key blank.
  5. Click Apply and OK.
  6. Click Start Streaming in OBS to establish the connection.

Network Best Practices