OBS Studio 31 Brings Big Wins for Streamers

OBS Studio 31: NVIDIA Gets the Spotlight, Plus Updates Everyone Will Appreciate

OBS Studio 31 has officially launched, introducing some exciting features for streamers. If you’re using NVIDIA hardware, this update includes several improvements tailored to your setup. But even if you’re not, there are plenty of quality-of-life enhancements that make this release worth exploring. Let’s break it down.

NVIDIA Users Get Some Love

If you’re streaming with an NVIDIA graphics card (20 series or newer), this update brings several useful features to the table:

• GPU-Powered Blur Effects:
  OBS now natively supports NVIDIA Background Blur and General Blur using the NVIDIA Video Effects SDK. These filters let you blur the background of your webcam or any individual source, all powered by your GPU to reduce strain on your CPU.
• Improved Noise and Echo Removal:
  NVIDIA’s noise and room echo removal tools are now separated into their own filter, making them easier to find and apply. If you stream in a noisy environment or an echoey room, this feature can help clean up your audio.
• Refined NVENC Encoder:
  The NVIDIA encoder has been reworked for better performance, including features like Target Quality VBR Mode (CQVBR) and B-Frames as Reference Frames. These updates can improve video quality, especially for low-bitrate streams, and lay the foundation for future hardware improvements.
• Split Frame Encoding for RTX 40 Series:
  Users with RTX 4080, 4090, or select 4070 cards can now split frame encoding across dual encoder chips. This boosts efficiency for high-quality streams or recordings, especially for demanding resolutions like 4K.

Quality-of-Life Improvements for All Streamers

Even if you’re not using NVIDIA hardware, OBS Studio 31 includes several updates that make streaming and content creation easier:

• Preview Zoom and Scrollbars:
  You can now zoom in on your OBS canvas and use scrollbars to navigate your layout. This is perfect for adjusting overlays or fine-tuning elements without hassle.
• Relative Coordinates for Scene Items:
  Resizing your canvas resolution no longer throws your layout into chaos. Scene items now use relative positioning, so everything stays aligned even if you change from 1080p to 1440p or 4K.
• YouTube Chat Integration:
  First-party YouTube chat features are now built directly into OBS, making it easier to interact with your audience without switching windows.
• Amazon IVS Integration:
  Streamers using Amazon’s Interactive Video Service (IVS) can now integrate it seamlessly into OBS. This is especially useful for corporate or self-hosted streaming setups.

Important Notes Before You Update

Here are a few things to keep in mind before upgrading to OBS Studio 31:

• NVIDIA Kepler GPUs Are No Longer Supported:
  Older NVIDIA graphics cards (600 and 700 series) are no longer compatible with NVENC.
• Driver Updates Required:
  NVIDIA users need to update their GPU drivers to version 551.76 (Windows) or 550.54.14 (Linux) or newer for compatibility.
• Anti-Cheat Compatibility Changes:
  OBS has updated its code signing certificate, which may affect game capture compatibility with some anti-cheat systems. Developers can find more info here.
• Consider Waiting If You Have Critical Streams:
  While OBS Studio 31 has gone through alpha, beta, and release-candidate testing, no major release is completely immune to launch bugs. If you have an important stream or event coming up, you might want to stick with your current version for another week or two until any lingering issues are patched.

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🔥 Pete’s Content Corner

Delve into my weekly selection of content creation highlights—handpicked videos, podcasts, and tweets that promise to captivate, educate, and entertain.

1. Twitch’s new Shared Viewership feature merges view counts across collaborative streams, boosting discoverability and fostering stronger community connections.
2. The Streamer Awards 2024 crowned IShowSpeed as Streamer of the Year, with Speed and Kai Cenat both taking home three awards each for their record-breaking achievements.
3. Myth revealed YouTube paid him a staggering $4 million for a two-year exclusivity deal, shedding light on the platform’s investment in streamers.