Start stream on a schedule?

[nehpets]

I'm trying to start my stream on a schedule but unfortunately, OBS does not respond to hotkeys reliably in order to perform this action from a scheduled task. In short, is there a way to get OBS to listen to hotkeys better or is there another method to start streaming without user interaction on an already running instance of OBS?

For scene changes, I'm sending some hotkeys (ctl+shift+f1, ctl+shift+f2, etc) through MidiKey2Key and these come through reliably regardless of the OBS window focus. However, I'm trying to start my stream through an AutoIT script executable (as simple as Send("^+{f11}")) that is scheduled through Windows Task Scheduler and this only works if OBS has focus when the task is triggered. Obviously this is less than ideal.

For testing purposes, I have other programs (e.g. ShareX) that I can set to temporarily listen to the same ctl+shift+f11 hotkey. They can receive the hotkey signal from AutoIT and perform their own related action regardless of app focus, so I know that AutoIT is pressing the keys it is supposed to.

OBS listens correctly (regardless of window focus) if I press the keys manually, but the goal is to start the stream on time without user interaction on an already running OBS instance. I know the command line parameter exists, but it just pops a message that OBS is already running.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

I use Advanced Scene Switcher though in my case to automate/schedule starting to record ('cuz I always start streaming in advance). But plug-in can automate both start and end of streaming and recording.

 

[nehpets]

I'll take a look at that, thanks. However, in an ideal world I'd rather not involve a plugin when the core application claims to do everything I'm trying to do here (but isn't functioning properly).

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

As an IT professional with decades of experience, I completely concur with keep it simple
That said, I use numerous features of Adv Scene Switcher, and it is the only plugin I use... and other than some brief teething issue with new features 6 months ago (the author was VERY responsive, and issue fixed very quickly )
The time/schedule features are solid in this plugin, something I'd trust more that scripting OBS startup (because I haven't tried it)

 

[digokos]

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[DrHitch]

I use Advanced Scene Switcher though in my case to automate/schedule starting to record ('cuz I always start streaming in advance). But plug-in can automate both start and end of streaming and recording.

I don't see how Advanced Screen Switcher can "END" the stream on a daily schedule?

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

I don't see how Advanced Screen Switcher can "END" the stream on a daily schedule?

Use Plug-in's
- Time tab to switch to a given '~endstream' at a certain time.
- On main/general plug-in screen, set OBS to stop streaming and/or /recording based on that scene.
simple logic

 

[ravisinghis]

Hi all! I am new to the forum and obs doing some charity work for live streaming charity services.

I want to be able to do this too. I want a daily schedule of live stream between certain hours. I’m not sure how to do this via screen switching as described above.
The stream should start and stop daily at certain times.

Could someone help me understand the steps on how to do this? I am unable to follow the above. Many thanks in advance.

 

[jbcurler2010]

Time Tab and Scene Triggers Tab in combination.

 

[cyclemat]

or the powerfull scripting

 

[Finder101]

Mine doesn't have all those tabs.