Question / Help Multiple computers streaming to one another

[Arteca]

After some research, in order to do something like [see attached]...

it seems like each computer would have to host a RTMP server, AND run something like VLC to display from that server.

We feel that such a setup is excessive, so our question is if there are any alternative programs that do the job of both receiving stream data and displaying it all in one (Audio is optional for our case).

If something like this is possible but just not currently through OBS, then that info would be equally appreciated as long as there is no intermediary programs/websites/services beyond the streamer who streams and the viewer who views.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Harold]

Just add the RTMP address of each machine as a media source in obs studio.

 

[Arteca]

I see, we will try this, thank you.

EDIT:
Ok, well, I guess I need a couple details to figure this out...

How do I get the RTMP address of a streaming computer/stream, namely my own?
In searching on how to find said address, I only find details on how to find other's RTMP addresses, such as those being streamed through other sites...

If I put the RTMP address as a media source, then what settings go into File->Settings->Stream->URL/Stream Key?
I can't start streaming anything without something there, but I've no clue what would go there...

EDITEDIT:
I think I've been terribly misunderstood...

Unless I'm wrong, which is very possible, the RTMP address would be related to the RTMP server being run...
If that's true, and unless OBS Studio itself can act as an RTMP server, then the method you've pointed towards contradicts my goal, since instead of each machine running OBS>RTMP Server>VLC, each would now run OBS>RTMP Server>OBS Studio.

Again, the goal is that each machine runs OBS (or other equivalent software) to stream out, and runs a program to recieve/display such a stream.
PC#1>OBS> Internet >???>PC#2
PC#2>OBS> Internet >???>PC#3
...and so on...

If such a setup is not currently possible then that's ok...
I'd just have to see what kind of strain running RTMP servers and media players on all our computers does, might just be a matter of streaming at lower qualities.

 

[FerretBomb]

OBS does not have 'remote node capture' functionality. It's a semi-common question though.

You can run an RTMP server (such as nginx-rtmp) on each machine, and OBS on each machine, then have the central 'streaming' system grab from nginx on each of the node systems as RTMP sources. 'Excessive' or not, nginx-rtmp is very lightweight, and can run on a Raspberry Pi without issue, so long as it isn't set up to re-encode incoming video.

You could also run nginx-rtmp on the streaming system, and set up profiles/addresses for each of the 'node' systems to stream to. It'd cut down on duplication of software at least, but the config would be more complicated instead of something you could just copy/paste to each remote system.

In short, no. OBS doesn't have any facility whatsoever for what you want to do. Normally, people just put in a capture card for each 'secondary' system they want to stream from, or connect a single cap card to a matrix switcher to change between them.


If you're comfortable with paying a few hundred dollars, and update fees after the first year, vMix has a remote node stub program to do what you want, but with their software. Yes, it'd be nice if OBS had something similar. No, it doesn't at present. vMix is also significantly more complex from a user perspective.