How to set up the Razer Ripsaw with OBS Classic

This is the basic setup procedure for getting started streaming with the Razer Ripsaw capture card using Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) classic. How to plug in additional hardware or additional information for advanced settings can be found at https://obsproject.com/forum/.

Here is the video of the Razer Ripsaw basic setup.

Below is the step-by-step process on how to set up the Razer Ripsaw with OBS Classic:

1. Download and install OBS Classic at https://obsproject.com/download on your streaming PC.

2. Right-click on the OBS shortcut and run the OBS application as administrator. This allows OBS to access your PC drivers and software.

3. If the Ripsaw is already connected and detected by OBS, it should be displayed under "Sources".

   

4. Go to "Settings" > "Video".

   

    

   1. Make sure your streaming PC’s graphics card is selected under "Video Adapter".
   2. Base Resolution: set to 1920x1080.
   3. Resolution Downscale:
      • Tips in choosing the resolution.
        • 1080p30 – for streaming MOBAs, RTS, RPGs, etc. – generally games with less intense movement.
        • 720p60 – the standard for streaming FPS games, games with hyper movement (first-person shooter).
        • 1080p60 – only recommended if you have a high-performance PC.
   4. Filter: if you set your resolution downscale to less than 1920x1080, this option will appear:
      • Bilinear (fastest) – Default setting and recommended for standard streaming PC.
      • Lanczos (best detail, 36 samples) – Improved streaming quality but will also require high-performance streaming PC.
   5. FPS:
      • Tip in choosing the frame rate:
        • If the resolution is set to 1080, set FPS to 60 if you have a high-performance PC, otherwise set it to 30.
        • If the resolution is set to 720, set the FPS to 60.

   Note: if you experience any frame drops or poor stream quality, try lowering the Resolution or Framerate.

5. Go to the "Encoding" tab.

   

   1. Encoder: set to x264 this uses your streaming PC’s CPU rather than GPU for processing.
   2. Max Bitrate (kb/s): this is dependent on your internet connectivity and the type of game you’re playing. Generally, the recommended max bitrate is 2000kb/s – which is well within the range of Twitch’s 3500 kb/s.

      Note: The higher you put the max bitrate the better but if you’re playing a multiplayer game, keep in mind your internet connection has to share bandwidth between the game and the upload stream. Always good to leave 30% of your max upload rate to the game. Determine this by running a speed test.

   3. Audio encoding:
      • Bitrate: change this from 96 to 128 for better quality encoding.
      • No need to change anything else.

6. Go to the "Advanced" Tab.

   

7. Use Multithreaded Optimizations

   • If you use your streaming PC for nothing but streaming, then you should check the Use Multithreaded Optimizations box, and set the Process Priority Class to High.

8. Video:

   • X264 CPU preset – generally the “faster” default is fine, but the rule of thumb is, if you have a slower processor, the faster the preset – so you can try superfast or ultrafast but stream quality will take a hit.

9. Go to Broadcast Settings.

   • Mode: Live Stream
   • Streaming service: set your desired service, in this case, we’ll use Twitch
   • FMS URL: set this to the closest location to you
   • Stream key: once you’ve signed up with a Twitch account, you’ll be able to obtain a stream key from there.
   • A red warning message may show up below – if it does, it means one of the settings in OBS is off, and you can go ahead and make the required change or press the Optimize button to fix it. Otherwise, you are good to go.

10. Local Recording (This step only applies if you are locally recording. If you are not locally recording, please proceed to Step 13).

11. If you decide to record locally (as most YouTubers prefer to do), then these are the settings to consider under Broadcast Settings:

    • Mode: File Output Only
    • File Path: Hit Browse and make sure to save the video file as a ".mp4" for a higher quality video

12. Then go to "Encoding" > "Max Bitrate" (kb/s) and change it to anywhere between 5 – 6000kb/s.

    Note: For local recording, this means that at 6000kb/s, 1 sec of footage = 6mb. So this is dependent on your local hard drive space, something to keep in mind if you intend to record lengthy footage.

13. Once everything has been set, hit OK and get back out into the main section:

    • Hit the Global Sources button.
    • Hit the Add button and choose "Video Capture Device".
    • Name the device “Razer Ripsaw”.
    • A new dialog box called “Device Selection” will pop up. All you have to do here is make sure to choose “Razer Ripsaw” under Device up top.
    • Check the Custom Resolution box – this should be the same as your captured source.
      • Resolution:1920x1080.
      • FPS: 60 (if PC); or 30 (if console).

14. Head back to the OBS main screen.

    • "Scenes" (right-click) > "Add Scene" > name your scene.
    • "Source" (right-click) > "Add" > "Global Source" > "Razer Ripsaw".

15. Preview the Stream to “test” that everything is working.

You should see the screen from your gaming setup mirrored in OBS. If everything looks good, hit the "Start Streaming" or "Start Recording" button and start streaming or recording.