OBS | XSplit | Wirecast | vMix Software Compared (2018)

Software based live streaming is a great option. Provided you have a computer that is powerful enough and a capture card. But what software should you choose? OBS, XSplit, Wirecast and vMix are among the most popular, but how are they different? George and Dan break it all down and answer any questions you may have.

SHOW INDEX:
1:41 - News
7:37 - OBS
10:40 - AV.io Capture Cards
12:04 - XSplit
22:03 - Wirecast
27:33 - 4K Encoding
29:06 - vMix
35:55 - Questions Answered
39:55 - System Requirements
45:07 - Browser based streaming - Lightstream
49:05 - Summary - Which software is best?

LINKS:
2) Epiphan community forum -

ABOUT THE SHOW:
Live @ Epiphan is a weekly live stream show that discusses topics related to live streaming, video technology, video production and best practices for content creators.

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Canon C100 MkII (HD)
Canon 17-55 EF Lens
Sony A6300 (4K)
Sony 50mm 1.8
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Allen & Heath ZED14 Audio Mixer
Falcon Eyes SO-68TD Edge lit LED
CowboyStudio CN-600SA 600 LED

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This channel will keep you up to date on video technology, live streaming news, video production trends and tips you won't want to miss. You can find all of our content here:

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[Epiphan]

What streaming software do you prefer? Let us know in the comments...

[eduardo]

Hi guys, don't really know if you would read this comment, but I'm a baby trying to lear how to broadcast and this info is very useful to me. Thanks.

[lowerastral]

Uh oh... here I am doing some research into what sort of equipment, software programs, etc that I am looking into to do live streaming... and/or just recording my show for uploading at a later date, when all of a sudden, you guy's mention Avio. What the heck is Avio? Is that a video capture device like what gamers who stream live use? Oh man, I am already confused! Is this going to get expensive? My budget's going to be maybe about $2, 000.00. What can I get for that? I want to also use a DSLR live-stream compatible camera, because the HD webcam I'm using right now is Microsoft HD Lifecam that struggles to maintain focus, and to me anyway, really isn't that high resolution or high definition. But, I see that this video is close to an hour, so I'm just going to sit here and watch, make notes, and learn as much as I can. Thank you. Thumbs up from me as well, because ANY effort, ANY energy spent to help other people, other creatives, is a positive... not a negative.

[keptkozy]

I know this stream is ancient, but if you're curious as to why you'd want to use Pearl2 with Vmix, here's why. If my VMix computer fails, and I'm doing the encoding on it, stream over. I have to start a brand new one - a bad situation gets worse because it's a whole different stream with different comments and all.

If we load a layout in pearl to have music and a "be right back" message, and another layer carrying the SDI output from VMix, my computer can have a BSOD and the stream won't stop. It will jsut go black for a second before switching to the be right back layout. Then we can be back online in less than two minutes. That, combined with a backup stream on another network provides us with peace of mind. Plus, offloading the encoding to the Peal2 is a small, but nice reduction in GPU usage on the VMix machine. We also record on both the Pearl, VMix and an NDI recorder to be safe.

Basically, stream safety.

[productionplan]

A we stream live outdoor sports events, OBS was simply never worked for us. The colour and contrast always looked washed out on YouTube, Twitch or Facebook. We tried all manner of adjustments, but to no avail. We then gave vMix trial a go with the exact same hardware and what a revelation, the image on our stream output monitor matched what came up on each of those platforms. We've streamed live events upto 11-12 hours with no issues and it's a doddle to use. vMix also have the best YouTube tutorials going. We went for the intermediate HD package in the end. It really is a case of you get what you pay for.

[DroneRaceTV]

i used OBS and changed to Wirecast. The 1000$ for Wirecast Pro was defintve the worst i ever spent money for. don't jump in this trap! my next step is vMix.

[Ziggizagos]

Boys that was excellent. Thank you so much!

[broshaq]

hi, can u help me, the sort where you setup live for presentations and there is a live face. any suggestion??? and another one, to live can we to use a laptop or must need to use a desktop ?

[treffensaintjohnllc]

I have been using OBS but am testing Livestream Studio this weekend. I like the ease of interfacing LS Studio and Vimeo

[ExcelMandarin]

Hey guys, this video was extremely helpful at getting an overview of feature sets and cost breakdowns. Thank you so much!


I wanted to check and see if you had any resources you could share regarding the entire streaming pipeline and process. I am a language teacher and looking to open live office hours for my students, however I am having some trouble planning my streaming ecosystem, as I am pretty unfamiliar with how it works.


Thank you again for the awesome content!

[RecordingBlog]

Audio-Delay in Pearl 2 is really great, but what about Audio-Delay in the Webcaster X2? Is there a chance to get this option for the X2, too?

[samuelnordvik]

32:20 Even the 60$ vMix Basic has features like Full NDI support, Data sources to control scoreboards, Professional color correction, Transition effects, Built-in audio mixer and Fully customizable shortcuts that can be controlled via midi controllers, xbox controllers and tablets. These are just some of the advantages the 60$ vMix Basic HD has over the competition. vMix has normally offered free upgrades so even paying 2, 50 $ for Xsplit for 36 months is totally pointless. In my opinion just go for xMix if you want a professional live streaming software. Or else Obs will work fine for very basic live streams.

[vjrook]

WOW, this is an all in one broadcast info video

[MazerReed]

I’ve had instability problems with Wirecast. Is that something you have seen as well. Which would you say is the most stable?

[The-Butler]

This is a very good green screen video. Do you have a video on that setup? I would love to see it.

[DihelsonMendonca]

OBS now supports NDI, has double screens for cue and output, import stingers and much more for free. I use both OBS and wirecast, but I have to tell you that OBS is becoming fastly the best software. Currently, there are few things wirecast can do which OBS doesn´t, but this can change from night to day...

[Gagandeepsingh-xrih]

Vmix is best for Intstant Slow Motion Replay, and during replay it also recording the live feed as well and you can roll back the video in program window to the specific frame you want show to the audience. Such a great option no other broadcaster software offers. And its very lighter than OBS specially when live streaming in 1080p while recording OBS just shows a error at the bottom "CPU overloading try to lower the encoder settings" which sucks. But Vmix is way to go handle's very smoothly.And free for first 60 days registering with email id for one time per id.

[longstrideproductions]

A round 42 minutes into the video, you say that a "ultrabook" (I assume you mean laptop) i7 chip is not running at the same speed as an i7 desktop? Am I understanding you correctly?

[mrlynnjr]

i have been using vmix and loving it i have a video podcast i do every week everything just works and looks good doing it i also love the plugins also vmixcall is wonderful its worth the money.

[BrentHarmon]

I use Xsplit because it is simple to use. I bought the one time Premium License with lifetime license, So don't have to pay a monthly fee. The thing that I am waiting on Xsplit to do that OBS has is built in mixer for your audio setting.