Tutorial: How to use a green screen in OBS and link with Microsoft Teams or Zoom

Why use OBS?

In both Zoom and Microsoft Teams, you can work with virtual backgrounds. There are also several presenter views that instantly make your presentation a lot more engaging. If you want to go next level, you can also use tools such as OBS work.

Configuration OBS

Below I describe step by step how you can build entire scenes in the background thanks to the green screen feature in OBS (Chroma Key):

Step 1: Install OBS

So the software we are about to work in is OBS (Open Broadcaster Software). So the first step is the installing this software.

Step 2: Setting up camera in OBS

When you first open OBS, you need to go to "Sources" to set up the devices or files you need during your presentation or video. I provide explanations of some of these sources:

• Image: for example, a background you wish to load
• Audio Input Recording: setting up a microphone or headset
• Audio Output Recording: recording computer sound
• Screen capture: involve your desktop or second screen in presentation or recording
• Window recording: similar to 'screen capture' but just a specific app
• Video recording device: your webcam or an external (via USB) linked camera

Tip: always work with clear descriptions. Otherwise you risk losing the overview after a while.

Step 3: Chroma Key function

The next step now is to make the green background you have from your green screen disappear. You do this as follows:

• Right click on your camera
• Choose "Filters.
• Under 'Effect filters', add the 'Chroma Key' filter

Depending on the result, you can now adjust some parameters to improve your image. Tip: Good lighting is important when using a green screen.

Step 4: Record or stream (via Virtual Cam)

Now that this is all set up you can:

• Recording your videos via the 'Start recording' button
• Set up livestream (e.g. YouTube, Facebook or LinkedIn) via the 'Start Livestream' button
• Using your image as a 'webcam' in Zoom or Teams

For the latter, you need a piece of software, viz. OBS Virtual Cam. This plug-in allows you to replace the image from your webcam with the image you have now created in OBS.

Example for inspiration: