PFM-TV Streaming Software - 2025

PFM-TV uses software called "OBS" to handle the camera scenes and video broadcasting. This article outlines the setup procedure, as well as the operation of the streaming software.

Setup:

1. On the sign-in page, log in to the PFM-TV account using the credentials below:

   1. Username: *Provided by instructor*

   2. Password: *Provided by instructor*

2. Once logged in, launch the "OBS" application located on the desktop, as well as open Google Chrome.

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3. Opening Chrome will automatically open the Google meet page and Google Slides page

4. Start the “Virtual Camera” in OBS to have the OBS output appear in Google Meet

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5. Start the live stream on the google meet tab

6. Switch to the Working Slides page and full screen present it

Scenes: 

• Camera 1 is main (News Anchors)

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• Camera 2 is weather (Weather Anchors. No photo is available, but this one’s device will be “2 - Logitech BRIO”)

• Camera 3 is computer (Slideshow Background)

• Camera 4 is computer (Standby Background)

• Scenes can be changed via Hotkeys. Hotkeys are assigned to each scene based on their order numerically (using the numbers on the top row of the keyboard)

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  • '1' - Camera 1

  • '2' - Camera 2

  • '3' - Camera 3

  • '4' - Camera 4

Visual:

• The cameras are controlled within the "Scenes" section within OBS

• When you select a different scene (main, weather, computer) the camera angles will change based on the desired location

• The cameras are HD webcams that are connected via USB to the desktop computer

Audio:

• The audio is controlled within the "Scenes" section, as well as the "Audio Mixer" within OBS

• When you switch to a different scene, the audio input device will automatically switch to whichever camera angle you are using

• Audio levels/gain can be adjusted within the "Audio Mixer" tool located at the bottom of the dock

• Microphone 1 (News Anchor Mic) can be muted/unmuted by pressing the 'X' key (assigned Hotkey)

Audio Signal Chain:

Getting Audio from OBS to Google Meet can sometimes be a complex and difficult process to work with. The signal chain is described here:

OBS Audio Sources (Camera 1, Cam 2) → Virtual Audio Cable INPUT

Virtual Audio Cable OUTPUT → Google Meet

The VAC Input is treated as a Playback device (ie Speakers) in Windows sound settings. The VAC Output is treated as a recording device (ie Microphone) in Windows sound settings, allowing it to be used as a microphone in Google Meet. The first step of this process is sending camera audio to the VAC Input. We can do this by clicking “Properties” on the sound settings in OBS, and setting the Camera 1 & 2’s output setting to “Monitor Only” or “Monitor & Output”.

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We have preconfigured OBS to use the VAC Input as the Monitoring destination. When you use the Input as the monitoring destination, you are essentially sending camera audio to a set of speakers. That set of speakers is, you guessed it, the VAC Input! Now that we have configured and confirmed everything is correct in OBS, all we have to do is set the microphone in Google Meet to the VAC’s Output, and you should have a fully working audio chain.

If you do not have a working audio chain, attempt these troubleshooting steps:

• Confirm audio is being picked up in OBS from the cameras. Clapping or speaking into the cameras should show movement on the audio slider on the main window. You can see this under “Audio Mixer” on the main OBS screen.

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• Confirm that both the VAC Input and Output are unmuted in Windows sound settings. Windows will often mute these upon reboot due to a potential feedback loop. This is the most likely cause of audio issues.

• Confirm Monitoring is enabled on the microphone sources.

• Confirm the Monitoring device is set to “Speakers (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)” in OBS Settings.

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