A new version of OBS Studio, version 30.0, has been released with a number of new features and improvements.
OBS Studio is free, open-source live streaming and screen recording software that is popular with gamers, streamers, and even educators and businesses due to its powerful feature set, customisation options, and easy-to-use interface.
For Linux users, OBS Studio 30 is big update as it supports Intel QSV (Quick Sync Video) H264, HEVC, and AV1 on Linux. These additions will significantly improve OBS Studio’s performance on Linux when streaming or recording high-resolution video.
The introduction of a new ‘Safe Mode’ allows users to operate OBS Studio without the interference of third-party plugins, scripting, or websockets. If the application fails to shut down correctly, it would suggest resorting to the new safe mode for the purpose of troubleshooting. Furthermore, safe mode is readily accessible via the Help menu.
In addition to the above, OBS Studio 30 also introduces WHIP/WebRTC output, as well as support for HDR playback and 10-bit capture on DeckLink devices.
An overhauled, more informative status bar is also part of the updated package. This redesigned bar carries all familiar information in a well-organised manner. The new status bar also features more representative and recognizable icons, as per OBS.
Furthermore, OBS Studio version 30.0 brings forth an impressive number of other changes and new features.
- Audio/video encoder drop-downs sorted by name
- Accurate logging for Hardware Accelerated GPU
- Filters can be arranged using drag & drop
- Support for grayscale MJPEG in V4L/DirectShow sources
- Ability to set FFmpeg Options for VAAPI
- Dynamic bitrate for AMF encoders
- v4l2 sources now always use linear alpha blending
Over 50 bug fixes are included in this release. They address crash issues in various PipeWire-related scenarios, issues when rapidly changing scenes or switching NVIDIA audio filters too rapidly, low video quality in FFmpeg VAAPI AMD encoder, and a race condition in the Vulkan graphics stack
For more details, refer to the OBS Studio 30.0.0 release notes on GitHub (a link to which is now accessible in-app via the Help menu). You can also download an OBS Studio DEB installer for Ubuntu although the official OBS Studio PPA also offers builds for Ubuntu.
Note: this version drops support for Ubuntu 20.04, Qt 5, and FFmpeg 4.4 or lower.
Flatpak aficionados can acquire OBS Studio on Flathub.