The Advanced Scene Switcher: A Comprehensive Guide to Recording and Streaming Multiple Monitors with OBS Studio

Now that we have set up our Advanced Scene Switcher, it is time to take a closer look at how to use it. The Advanced Scene Switcher should be available under the "Tools" menu in OBS. Opening it up will reveal a comprehensive interface for managing multiple scenes.

For setting up automatic monitor switching based on your cursor position, we will be using the "Screen Region" tab. This tab allows us to set up our different screen regions to be detected by OBS for our cursor positioning. However, this process can be a bit complicated, especially when dealing with monitors of different resolutions.

To get started, we need to know which monitor is number 1 for us. This affects the cursor positioning numbers and must be taken into account when setting up our scenes. Right-clicking our desktop and opening "Display Settings" or "Screen Resolution" will give us this information. We also need to have our scenes set up again for our multiple displays, as previously discussed.

Taking a look at our Scene Switcher dialog box again, we can see that each scene switching command requires two sets of X and Y coordinates. These numbers are crucial in setting up our screen regions and ensuring that the Advanced Scene Switcher works correctly. To get these numbers, we can use the "Cursor is currently at:" feature, which can be a bit finicky.

Before, we would often need to minimize coordinates from the bottom-left corner of our screen and maximize at the top-right corner. However, now we need to focus on the top-left corner for minimum and the bottom-right for maximum. If this doesn't work, it's recommended to redo this process with these new coordinates. The numbers we want to pay attention to come from the top left corner of our screen and the bottom right. Writing these down from the display on the Scene Switcher dialog is essential.

For my main monitor, I need to say "If cursor is in" Min X: 0, Min Y: 0 for my display, then Max X: 3839 and Max Y: 2159. These numbers may be different for each individual user. Selecting the scene we want to assign to this screen, such as "Desktop Facecam Overlays" or "Screen 1," is crucial.

Once I have chosen the correct scene, I can choose the transition. For this, cut works best. Adding a new command at the bottom of the Scene Switcher dialog will add that setting. It's essential to hit the plus sign and assign the correct scene. Skipping this step can lead to errors and screw up our settings.

I repeat this process for each monitor, finding the coordinates for the top left and inputting them into the dialog. The min is 3840 and 0, with the max being 6399 and 1439. Choosing the correct scene for this region is vital, and I must make sure to hit the plus sign at the bottom to add it.

Repeating this process for each screen will ensure that our Advanced Scene Switcher works correctly. Once we're done, clicking back to the "General" tab will reveal the settings for the plugin. The Scene Switcher is: and should say "Inactive" if it's turned off. Hitting "Start" on the General tab will turn it on, and closing the plugin dialog will finalize our setup.

Our scenes should now automatically switch between our Display Capture scenes. If this doesn't work the first time, don't panic! Being patient and double-checking our settings can resolve any issues. Inverting to the bottom left and top right instead of using these coordinates may also work. With patience and persistence, we will get the Advanced Scene Switcher working for us.

The plugin also offers some minor tweaks that can enhance its functionality. Pausing the Scene Switcher if we manually switch to specific scenes is one such option. We can also set up dedicated hotkeys for starting and stopping the Scene Switcher through our Hotkeys Settings.

Additionally, the plugin provides options for switching based on windows, customizing transitions, and more. These features offer flexibility and customization options that users can take advantage of. By exploring these features, we can tailor our Advanced Scene Switcher to meet our specific needs and requirements.

In conclusion, the Advanced Scene Switcher is a powerful tool in OBS Studio that allows us to record and stream multiple monitors with ease. With its comprehensive interface and customizable settings, it offers a wealth of options for users looking to enhance their streaming and recording experience. By following this guide, we can set up our Advanced Scene Switcher and take our content creation to the next level.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enMost discussions about OBS, streaming, gamerecording, and so on tend to focus on a specificuse case - one monitor, one screen of computerdesktop or gameplay.One console input, one 16 by 9 image.But what if you use multiple monitors forwork you wish to stream or record?What if you display your game across two monitorsat once and want to stream that?What about switching between monitors?Just streaming with multiple monitors andsometimes needing to show what’s on yourside monitors like I do, running games throughsurround gaming across multiple monitors atonce, or wanting to automatically switch betweendifferent monitors as you record or streama multi-monitor workflow.Let’s tackle these.Timecodes will be in the video descriptionfor the 3 main topics here.Multi-Monitor GamingFirst, let’s start with multi-monitor gaming.This will depend a little, depending on howyou have this set up.Right-click your desktop and go to “DisplaySettings” or “Screen Resolution.”Or, open up your Nvidia or AMD control panelif you have surround set up that way.You’re looking here to find out whetheryour system is treating your multiple monitorsas one big monitor for gaming, or just multiplemonitors with the game stretched across them.Take note of this.If your monitors are treated as one big monitor,then you also need to take note of the resolutionit reads.For example, 3 1080p monitors combined intoone horizontal virtual monitor would be 5760by 1080 resolution.If you just have multiple monitors side byside, just do the math for how they’re setup.If they’re 3 wide, just add up the horizontalresolutions (i.e. 1920 times 3) and then takenote of the vertical resolution (i.e. 1080).You’ll need this for OBS.In OBS Studio, you need to set your resolutionto this weird resolution.For our example here, 5760 by 1080.Leave the base and scaled resolution the samein the “Video” settings tab.For your streaming settings, you’ll wannascale it down a bit.For example, for our current test resolution,I’d recommend streaming at half resolutionof 2880 by 540.Now you’ll need to set up the rest of yourscenes to properly utilize this wider canvasthan the traditional 16:9 format.You can probably have fun with placement ofyour overlay elements, facecam, and so on.Here’s the kicker, though.Your stream WILL have what’s often referredto as “black bars” on the top and bottombecause of this.This kind of setup, obviously, produces amuch wider image than what a normal 16:9 oreven a 21:9 ultrawide can display fully, sothis is unavoidable.While you can technically stretch your imageto fill a 16:9 box, it will completely trashyour video and no one will watch it, so don’tdo that.If you’re going to commit to streaming thiskind of super-wide format, you need to fullycommit and just deal with the issues.Unfortunately, YouTube currently doesn’tlike streaming with oddball resolutions soit won’t take advantage of the new player’scapabilities.But if you’re just recording and uploadingthis way, the new YouTube player will actuallyadapt to your video’s aspect ratio and displayit nicely on your viewer’s screens.Just MAKE SURE if you’re editing the videobefore uploading, you edit AND render in thespecific resolution of your recording, oryou will ruin the viewing experience for EVERYONE.I have a dedicated, admittedly ranty, videoabout this subject linked in the video description.We’ll also touch a bit more on this in thenext video talking about Ultrawide recordingand streaming and using oddball resolutions.Multi Monitor WorkflowIf you just happen to utilize multiple monitorsand just want to be able to switch betweenthem sometimes, depending on what you’redoing - things are much easier.Simply make new scenes for each of your monitorsand add them via Display Capture.Add your facecam, if needed, and any overlays.If you don’t want to have to repositionand configure your overlays again and againfor this, you have two primary options.Either you can start by duplicating your mainDisplay Capture scene and then replacing theactual Display Capture source with respectivemonitors, keeping all other sources in thescene in tact.OR, my preferred option, is to actually createa dedicated scene specifically for your overlaysand to “nest” that scene as a source inyour other scenes.So duplicate your main scene and remove anynon-overlay elements.So remove your facecam, display capture, whatever.You’re left with just your overlays.Rename the scene to “Overlays.”Now, remove your overlays from your main scene,add a new Source - Scene Source, and chooseyour new “Overlays” scene.Now you have them all in one source that youcan add to any scene, without having to messaround with repositioning or anything likethat.Super handy!If your monitors are different resolutions,simply use the transform tools to scale themall to match your canvas resolution, and whammo.Then you can set up hotkeys or use somethinglike the Elgato Stream Deck to switch betweenyour different display scenes as desired whenrecording or streaming.Automatic Multi-Monitor SwitchingThere’s another neat trick for multi-monitorstreaming and recording that I like to usefrom time to time - automatic scene switching.This will let you automatically switch betweenyour different Display Capture-based scenesdepending on where your cursor goes on yourcomputer.This is super handy for when I do editingstreams and need to quickly switch betweenmy multi-monitor workflow.Unfortunately, the built-in “Automatic SceneSwitcher” tool in OBS Studio kinda… sucks.Or rather, it doesn’t work in the way Isee most optimal.So instead, I use an “Advanced Scene Switcher”plugin which I will have linked in the videodescription.Open the zip file, open up to the Windowsfolder, then the “obs-studio” folder andcopy the “data” and “plugins” foldersto your OBS install directory.In Windows, the default is C:\\Program Files(x86)\\obs-studio\\.Approve any prompts asking if you’re sureyou wanna copy to a program data folder, andre-launch OBS Studio.Now the Advanced Scene Switcher should beavailable under the “Tools” menu in OBS.Open it up.Now for setting up automatic monitor switchingbased on your cursor position, we will beusing the “Screen Region” tab.Here, we need to set up our different “screenregions” to be detected by OBS for yourcursor positioning.To get this to work properly, the numbersare going to be a little complicated.This is only made worse if your monitors aredifferent resolutions, like mine are.Firstly, right-click your desktop and openup “Display Settings” or “Screen Resolution.”You need to know which monitor is number 1for you, as this affects cursor positioningnumbers.You’ll want to have your scenes set up againfor your multiple displays, see the earlierpart of the tutorial for this.Take a look at your Scene Switcher dialogbox again.You can see for each scene switching command,you need two sets of X and Y coordinates.We will use the “Cursor is currently at:”feature to get these numbers, just keep inmind it’s a little delayed in showing yourcursor location.Now, this can be finicky.Before, you would often need to min coordinatesfrom the bottom-left corner of your screenand max at the top right.But now I need the top-left coordinates formin, and bottom-right for max.So if it doesn’t work consider re-doingthis with these coordinates.The numbers you want to pay attention to firstcome from the top left corner of your screenand the bottom right.Write these down from the display on the SceneSwitcher dialog.So for my main monitor, we want to say “Ifcursor is in” Min X: 0, Min Y 0 for my display,then Max X: 3839 and Max Y: 2159 our numbersmay be different.Then, select the scene you wish to assignto this screen.For me, that’s “Desktop Facecam Overlays”or “Screen 1.”Then you can choose the transition.For this, cut works best.Once that’s set, hit the plus sign at thebottom and it will add that command.Now, you want to do the same thing for thenext monitor.Find the coordinates for the top left andinput them into the dialog, and then the topright.For me here, the min is 3840 and 0, with themax being 6399 and 1439.Choose the scene to assign to this region- don’t skip this step, I do that sometimesand it screws things up.Make sure you’re assigning the right scene!Then hit the plus at the bottom to add it.Repeat this for however many screens you’reswitching between.When you’re done, click back to the “General”tab.Towards the bottom it says “Scene Switcheris:” and should say “Inactive” if it’sturned off.If so, hit “Start” to turn it on, andclose the plugin dialog.Once it’s running, your scenes should automaticallyswitch between your Display Capture scenes.If it doesn’t work the first try, don’tpanic!Be patient.Double check that you have the right coordinates,and that you chose the correct scenes forit to switch to, and that you hit “Start”on the General tab, of course.And again, if this set of coordinates isn’tworking, try inverting to the bottom leftand top right instead.Something will work, you just have to be patientwith it.Now, this isn’t going to work out well ifyou wanna keep using other scenes.Switching to a webcam scene will put you rightback at the scene where your cursor is.There’s some minor tweaks you can do forthis.In the “Pause Scenes” tab, you can pausethe Scene Switcher if you manually switchto specific scenes.You can also go to your Hotkeys Settings andset up dedicated hotkeys for starting andstopping the Scene Switcher, too.You have some flexibility here.The plugin also gives you lots of optionsfor switching based on windows, switchingback after a certain amount of time, customizingtransitions, and so on - but this is the basic,main functionality here.--So you actually have quite a few solid optionsavailable to you when it comes to recordingand streaming multiple monitors with OBS Studio.Pick what works best for you.I hope this episode of my OBS Studio tutorialcourse has been helpful for you.If it was, drop-kick that like button andsubscribe for awesome tech videos.If you like game streaming, come follow meon Twitch and drop a message in chat.Until next time, I’m EposVox, Happy Streaming!Thanks for watching this episode of my OBSStudio tutorial course.More videos like this and a full master classare linked in the playlist in the video description.\n"