How to Use OBS Studio NDI for Local Video Streaming

This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to configure OBS Studio to broadcast high-quality, uncompressed video over a local area network (LAN) using the Network Device Interface (NDI) protocol. You will learn how to install the necessary NDI plugins, enable NDI output in OBS, and receive the stream on a secondary computer with virtually zero latency.

Step 1: Install the NDI Runtime and OBS Plugin

OBS Studio does not support NDI natively, so you must install the integration tools first.

1. Download and install the NDI Tools (specifically the NDI Redistributable/Runtime) for your operating system from the official NDI website.
2. Download and install the obs-ndi plugin. This plugin connects OBS Studio to the NDI runtime.
3. Restart your computer after both installations are complete to ensure the system recognizes the new network protocols.

Step 2: Enable NDI Output in OBS Studio

Once the plugin is installed, you can configure OBS to broadcast your screen, camera, or entire scene collection over your local network.

1. Launch OBS Studio.
2. Click on Tools in the top menu bar.
3. Select NDI Output Settings (if this option is missing, the plugin was not installed correctly).
4. In the settings window, check the box for Main Output.
5. Give your output a recognizable name (e.g., “Gaming_PC_OBS”).
6. Click OK. OBS is now broadcasting your active program scene to your local network.

Step 3: Receive the NDI Stream on Another Device

To view or record the broadcast on a second computer (such as a dedicated streaming PC or projector), follow these steps:

1. Install OBS Studio and the obs-ndi plugin on the receiving computer.
2. Open OBS Studio on the receiving computer.
3. In the Sources dock, click the + (Add) icon and select NDI Source.
4. Name the source and click OK.
5. In the source properties window, click the Source Name dropdown menu. You should see the name of the transmitting computer you configured in Step 2.
6. Select your source, set the Bandwidth to Highest, and click OK.

The live video feed from your primary computer will now appear in your secondary OBS preview window.

Network Requirements for Best Performance

Because NDI transmits uncompressed or visually lossless video, it requires a robust network configuration:

• Use Wired Ethernet: Always connect both computers to your router or switch using Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables. Wi-Fi does not have the stable bandwidth required for uncompressed NDI streams and will result in dropped frames.
• Gigabit Network: Ensure your router, switch, and computer network cards support 1 Gbps (Gigabit) speeds. A single 1080p 60fps NDI stream requires approximately 100 to 150 Mbps of bandwidth.