How to Record VR Headset Gameplay with OBS Studio

Yes, you can capture your VR headset feed using OBS Studio, but you cannot plug the headset directly into OBS as a hardware capture device like a webcam. Instead, OBS captures the VR feed by grabbing the visual data rendered on your PC through game windows, VR runtime mirrors, or specialized source plugins. This guide covers the most direct and efficient methods to capture high-quality VR footage for streaming or recording.

Method 1: Game Capture (The Simplest Method)

Most VR games launch a “spectator window” on your desktop monitor while running. Capturing this window is the most resource-efficient way to record your gameplay.

  1. Open OBS Studio and create a new Scene.
  2. Under the Sources dock, click the + icon and select Game Capture.
  3. Name the source and click OK.
  4. Set the Mode to Capture specific window.
  5. In the Window dropdown, select your VR game’s desktop window.
  6. Click OK.

Method 2: SteamVR View (Best for Menus and Steam Overlays)

If you want to capture everything you see inside the headset—including SteamVR menus, dashboards, and system notifications—you should use the SteamVR Mirror.

  1. Open SteamVR on your PC.
  2. Click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) on the SteamVR desktop widget and select Display VR View.
  3. A window will appear showing exactly what you see in the headset. You can set this window to show the Left Eye, Right Eye, or a blended both-eye view.
  4. In OBS Studio, add a new Window Capture source.
  5. Select the VR View window from the dropdown list.

Method 3: OpenVR Input Plugin (Best for Customization)

For advanced users, the OpenVR input plugin for OBS captures the feed directly from the VR compositor. This method allows you to adjust the field of view (FOV), crop the edges of the circular lenses, and choose which eye to capture without needing a desktop window open.

  1. Download and install the OBS OpenVR Input Plugin from the official OBS resources forum.
  2. Restart OBS Studio.
  3. Add a new source and select OpenVR Capture.
  4. In the settings, choose your preferred eye to capture (usually the dominant eye) and adjust the cropping to eliminate black borders.

Method 4: Oculus Mirror (For Meta Quest and Rift Users)

If you are using a Meta Quest (via Link/Air Link) or an Oculus Rift, Meta provides a built-in tool that outputs a highly customizable, stabilized feed of your headset.

  1. Navigate to your Oculus installation folder on your PC (usually C:\Program Files\Oculus\Support\oculus-diagnostics\).
  2. Open OculusMirror.exe.
  3. In the Mirror tool settings, you can enable image stabilization, select specific eye views, and remove boundary guides.
  4. In OBS Studio, add a Window Capture source and target the Oculus Mirror window.