Streaming

How to add an NDI source in OBS (step by step)

Unlike vMix, OBS Studio doesn't speak NDI until you add a free plugin. Once it's installed, OBS can receive scripture graphics, a second camera, or a lyrics feed from any other computer on your network. Here's the whole process, start to finish.

Step 1: Install the NDI plugin for OBS

OBS needs the community NDI plugin (currently maintained by DistroAV, formerly obs-ndi).

1. Close OBSQuit OBS before installing so the plugin registers cleanly.
2. Download the pluginGet the NDI plugin build that matches your OBS version and operating system.
3. Install and reopenRun the installer, then start OBS again. You'll now see "NDI Source" in the source list.

If the sending computer isn't already NDI-capable on its own, you may also want the free NDI Tools runtime installed there — though apps that send NDI natively (like TajiCast) handle this themselves.

Step 2: Add the NDI source

1. Click + under SourcesIn your scene, click the + at the bottom of the Sources panel.
2. Choose NDI SourcePick "NDI Source", name it something clear, and click OK.
3. Select the senderIn Source Name, open the dropdown and choose the sender by name — e.g. "Graphics-PC (TajiCast)".

Set the bandwidth mode to Highest for a full-quality graphic on the program feed, and leave latency at its lowest setting for live production.

Step 3: Position it as a lower-third

The NDI source lands as a layer in your scene. Because a proper lower-third is sent with a transparent background, it keys over your camera automatically — you just place it:

• Drag the source above your camera in the Sources list so it sits on top.
• Resize and position it so the scripture bar sits in the lower third, inside your safe margins.
• Add it to any scene where you want scripture available (main sermon shot, wide, etc.).

Step 4: Show and hide it during the service

Use the eye icon next to the source to toggle the graphic on and off, or put it in its own scene and switch to it. If your NDI sender only outputs the graphic when there's something to show (as an automatic verse tool does), you can often just leave the source visible and let it appear and disappear on its own.

Troubleshooting OBS + NDI

• No sources in the dropdown? The plugin may not have loaded — confirm the OBS and plugin versions match, and restart. Then check both machines are on the same wired subnet.
• Source is black? Wrong bandwidth mode, or the sender isn't outputting alpha. Set bandwidth to Highest and enable a transparent/alpha output on the sender.
• Stuttering? Move off Wi-Fi to wired gigabit, and avoid running many high-quality NDI streams on a weak network.
• Firewall prompt? Allow OBS (and the sender) through Windows Firewall on private networks.

The easiest church use: automatic scripture

Rather than building and triggering a text graphic for every verse, TajiCast listens to the sermon, detects the passage, and sends a finished lower-third to OBS over NDI — no plugin gymnastics beyond this one-time setup, and no typing during the service.

Running OBS from scratch? Start with our OBS setup guide for church, then come back here to add scripture.