How to Record VR Gameplay With OBS?

Posted On 18/02/2023

Virtual reality (VR) is a growing trend in the gaming world, but how do you capture your VR gameplay? Recording VR gameplay can be tricky, but with the right tools it is possible. In this article, we will discuss how to record your VR gaming experience using a popular software called OBS (Open Broadcaster Software). We will cover everything from setting up and configuring OBS to help you get started on recording high quality videos of your favorite VR games.

How to Record VR Gameplay With OBS?

As virtual reality (VR) games become increasingly popular, gamers around the world are searching for ways to share and document their gaming experiences. Capturing high-quality recordings of VR gameplay can be challenging, but fortunately there is a powerful tool that makes it easy: OBS (Open Broadcaster Software). We will provide an overview of how to use OBS to capture and record VR gameplay, as well as tips and tricks for producing the best possible recordings.

What is OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)?

OBS is a free, open-source software that allows users to capture and record their computer screen, webcam, and microphone. It’s commonly used for live streaming, but it can also be used to record gameplay. OBS offers a range of customizable settings, including the ability to adjust video quality and compression settings, and add overlays and interactivity enhancements to your recordings.

Download and Install OBS

Before you can start recording VR gameplay with OBS, you’ll need to download and install the software. OBS is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and can be downloaded from the OBS website. The website provides a step-by-step guide for downloading and installing the software, which is straightforward and easy to follow.

Configure Settings for VR Gameplay

Once you’ve downloaded and installed OBS, you’ll need to configure the software for VR gameplay. To do this, open OBS and click on the “Settings” button. This will bring up the Settings menu, where you can adjust various settings for your recordings. The first thing you’ll need to do is select the appropriate “Base (Canvas) Resolution” for your VR headset. To do this, go to the “Video” tab in the Settings menu and select the resolution that matches your headset. The most common resolutions for VR headsets are 1920×1080 and 2560×1440.

Next, you’ll need to adjust the “Output (Scaled) Resolution” for your recordings. This determines the resolution at which your recordings will be saved. To do this, go to the “Output” tab in the Settings menu and select the appropriate resolution. We recommend selecting a resolution that matches the base resolution of your VR headset.

You’ll also need to adjust the “FPS (Frames Per Second)” setting to match your VR headset. Most VR headsets have a refresh rate of 90Hz, so we recommend setting the FPS to 90. Finally, you’ll need to select the appropriate audio settings for your recordings. We recommend selecting the “Desktop Audio” option to record in-game sounds, and the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio” option to record your voice.

Capture VR Gameplay with OBS

Once you’ve configured the settings for your VR gameplay, you’re ready to start recording. To do this, open OBS and click on the “Start Recording” button. This will start the recording process, and OBS will capture everything that’s displayed in your VR headset. When you’re finished recording, click on the “Stop Recording” button to save the recording to your computer. By default, OBS will save your recordings to your computer’s Videos folder, but you can select a different folder if you prefer.

Adjust Video Quality and Compression Settings

When recording VR gameplay, it’s important to consider the video quality and compression settings to ensure that your recordings look and sound as good as possible. OBS provides a range of customizable settings for adjusting these factors. In the “Output” tab of the Settings menu, you can adjust the video bitrate, which determines the amount of data that’s recorded for each frame of your recording. Higher bitrates will result in higher quality recordings but will also take up more disk space. It’s recommended to set the video bitrate to at least 8000kbps for high-quality recordings.

Add Overlays and Interactivity Enhancements

OBS allows you to add overlays and interactivity enhancements to your VR gameplay recordings, which can make your recordings more engaging and professional-looking. To add an overlay, go to the “Sources” section in OBS and click on the “+” button. From here, you can add an image, text, or other types of media to your recording. You can also add interactivity enhancements, such as alerts or notifications, by using plugins or third-party software. OBS supports a wide range of plugins and software, including Streamlabs OBS, which offers a range of customizable alert and notification features.

How to Record Oculus Quest 2 Gameplay With OBS?

If you want to share your Oculus Quest 2 gameplay experience with others, recording your VR gameplay with OBS is an excellent choice. Here is a detailed and professional guide on how to record Oculus Quest 2 gameplay with OBS:

• The first step is to install the Oculus software on your computer, which can be downloaded from the official Oculus website. Once the installation is complete, connect your Oculus Quest 2 to your computer using a USB cable. This will enable you to see your VR gameplay on your computer screen and record it with OBS.
• Next, download and install OBS on your computer. Once the installation is complete, launch the software to begin recording your VR gameplay.
• In OBS, click on the “+” button located in the “Sources” section of the main window. From the drop-down menu, select “Video Capture Device.”
• In the “Create/Select Source” window, select your Oculus Quest 2 from the drop-down menu and click “OK.” This will enable OBS to capture the video and audio from your VR headset.
• You should now see the Oculus Quest 2 screen in OBS. You can resize and position the screen as desired to fit your recording needs. This can be done by dragging the edges of the window in OBS.
• Once you have your Oculus Quest 2 screen positioned and sized correctly, click on the “Start Recording” button in OBS to begin recording your VR gameplay. Be sure to test your settings to make sure everything is working as desired before starting the actual recording.
• When you’re finished recording your Oculus Quest 2 gameplay, click on the “Stop Recording” button in OBS to save the recording to your computer. You can then edit or upload the recording to your desired platform.

It’s worth noting that recording Oculus Quest 2 gameplay with OBS requires a powerful computer with a dedicated graphics card, as VR gameplay can be quite demanding on your system. You may experience some lag or latency when recording, so it’s important to experiment with different settings and configurations to find the best setup for your needs.

Conclusion

Recording VR gameplay with OBS is a great way to capture and share your virtual reality experiences. Not only is the process fairly straightforward, but most of the necessary components are completely free. Setting up OBS for recording VR games doesn’t take much time or effort, as long as you have all the right software and hardware. Having a powerful computer and graphics card also benefit recording capabilities. Overall, OBS offers players an excellent way to document their experiences in virtual reality.