There are a few ways to get the original Mevo and Mevo plus to work as a source in live streaming software. In this article I will explain how to use the Mevo as a virtual webcam input into OBS Studio. This method uses a licensed software application called GoPro2OBS. The cost at the time of writing for a permanent license is $80.00.
Important – The official USB drivers are now available for all Mevo cameras. This hack is may still be useful for using the Mevo and Mevo Plus with NDI workflows.
Everything you see here is an unsupported hack with no guarantees.
If you’re looking for a free method and don’t mind a technical challenge then look at my article from 2018 detailing the MiST Server method.
Please note: The new Mevo Start camera has NDI|HX built-in. You don’t need this software to use the Mevo Start with OBS. When we receive our Mevo Start I’ll look at how to set it up with OBS Studio.
Setting up GoPro2OBS with Mevo and OBS Studio
The software makes using the Mevo and OBS Studio is really simple with very little configuration required. Note that the RTMP address shown in the video relates to our own network. Please use the RTMP address shown in GoPro2OBS on your system.
You can download GoPro2OBS from GoPro2OBS.com (note – as mentioned in the video the site doesn’t have an SSL certificate. If that changes I’ll provide a direct link.
I strongly recommend you make use of the trial period. Use it with your own set-up and test it thoroughly. Be absolutely certain the application works for you on your network.
Mixed results with other software
We haven’t had any luck getting the Mevo into Zoom or Skype with GoPro2OBS directly. The author of the software Michael Garanin sent this screenshot showing he got it to work in Zoom.
GoPro2OBS in Zoom (Image provided by Michael Garanin)
The author added NDI capability to GoPro2OBS which does open up a few options. With NDI enabled and the excellent free NewTek NDI tools installed we did get the Mevo feed into Zoom using NewTeks Virtual Webcam for NDI application. There was some delay in the video input which did affect the experience but if you can live with that it may be useful.
Hello I can’t get to know my mevo camera on Obs.
I have a mac book pro, what should I do?
Mevo are developing a USB driver for Mevo (Mac and Windows). Until then you can find a similar OSX RTMP server here. https://github.com/sallar/mac-local-rtmp-server
Won’t work for me. The mevo app tries but never makes connection and times out. I tried on/off toggling the GoPro2Obs app, as in your video, but wouldn’t work. Any suggestions?
Hi Joel,
Thanks for your comment. Check the syntax – make sure you’re entering the IP address correctly with the following /@/@ symbols.
The IP Address changes everytime you use it, so make sure you check every time.
I have tried the gopro2obs software, and was able to get it to work quite well. I was using the free trial, but now that the trial period is over I have questions about how the licensing works. Is it licensed to a single computer? A single instance running at one time? Is it tied to an email address?? I have emailed their support with this question twice but received no reply… anybody here know how the licensing works? I am more than willing to pay the $80 for the software, but need to know how the licensing works first. And the fact that I have not heard back from support is rather worrisome as well…..
Hi Tom,
AFAIK it’s one license one machine. I haven’t tried the code we have on a 2nd machine. It’s a shame you didn’t get a reply. I haven’t had to send any direct support questions – my communications have been more conversational about features during the beta phase with the developer so a quick reply isn’t needed. If you get a formal reply post it here so others can see what to expect.
I’ve been in the video services business a long time. Developers big and small vary in their support levels. Often the smallest are the most helpful but sometimes it’s not their full time job so they aren’t the fastest. I’m not making excuses here BTW just generalising. Some (not all) of the bigger companies are completely useless – even if they have a large support team (allegedly).
Gavin
We are trying to connect our Mevo plus to OBS through the RTMP; nevertheless, the stream URL apparently does not work, always a problem sign shows up. “MEVO can’t complete this action because of an issue with the RTMP provider. Check with your streaming provider for any issues”
Can you please comment on what are we doing wrong?
Thanks
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your comment. Make certain you are entering the RTMP address exactly as shown in the GoPro2OBS application.
It is unique to your network and may change every time you reboot.
The main reason I recommend thoroughly using the demo period is because these things can be tricky to use and may not work for everyone.
It’s worth pointing out that Mevo are close to releasing an official webcam driver for the Mevo cameras. Potentially in the next few weeks.
Gavin
I am having the exact same issue. I have to say not only do I check, double check and triple check this to no avail, but this is a Mevo persistent problem no matter which RMTP server I am trying to use.
Additionally, I have a great stream rate on the 5G wi-fi network.when using the MEVO app to post directly to FB Live!. 2g… not so much!!!
Hi Ed,
Thanks for your comment. If you’re having RTMP problems with all destinations then it does sound like there may be a syntax error. Possibly something getting auto-corrected without you noticing?
I copy and paste the details across – especially stream keys. I set them up on a computer then paste them into a notes app like Google Keep or email them to the phone/iPad.
Part of the reason I advise people to do thorough trails of any hack is to make sure it works for you before you commit to either buying anything or taking a chance that might backfire.
The good news is that Mevo say they’re developing a webcam driver. The tech support guy has repeatedly said it will be a USB driver. But the boss of Mevo always seems to say it’ll be a wireless webcam driver.
Hopefully we will see that driver in the next week or so.
Gavin
Thanks Gavin for this helpful video.
I’m using the GoPro2OBS for church services, streaming through Facebook Live. I tried a livestream yesterday and found that the video was stepping/stuttering. The stream from Mevo on the iPad was clear, but on GoPro2OBS was stuttering. Do you think this was a network issue? Any suggestions or ideas?
Hi Josh,
Were all devices hardwired Ethernet or did you use WiFi on the Mevo?
WiFi is problematic for Mevo Gen 1 and to a lesser extent Mevo Plus. I only have Gen 1 Mevo cameras so use them with Ethernet. They are terrible on WiFi.
I would suspect network issues if the feed into OBS was poor. There is a clear cache button in GoPro2OBS which I’m told may help resolve some connectivity issues (nothing specific was mentioned).
If you were using Ethernet I guess the other question might be how busy was your network?
Gavin
Thanks for the advice. To answer your questions, the Mevo is on WiFi to the iPad only. Mevo is on the Boost which connects it to the Ethernet. The network is not busy at all. Literally only running the Mevo and Facebook Live. I saw that button on GoPro2OBS, but that didn’t clear it up. Do you know of any other way to connect Mevo to OBS?
Hi Josh,
If the OBS machine and the Mevo are both on Ethernet then there may be a local issue with the router/switch or cables.
Some domestic routers (typically the free ISP provided units) can struggle with seemingly simple loads. When I setup at home during lockdown I used a travel router + 5 port Gigabit switch to piggy back the Ethernet port on a Mesh network node in my house. Essentially a local loop just for my temporary office which is at one end of the property through some hefty walls. Without that things were hard work.
If you have a decent router and cables then I’m stumped.
Gavin
Can you stream to facebook live with this software of GoPro2OBS? Would you start the stream from the mevo app or start it inside of GoPro2OBS? Thanks!
Hi Ezequiel,
GoPro2OBS just gets footage from the Mevo to OBS. If you want to stream to Facebook Live you can do that from OBS in the usual way.
It’s worth noting that the Mevo will stream directly to Facebook on its own. The only reason to use GoPro2OBS to to take advantage of the other features in OBS like graphics and multi-camera inputs etc.
If you are unsure about what the Mevo will do independently or what OBS does then it would be worth watching a few videos online to learn about exactly what each of them has to offer.
The hack in this article is really aimed at more advanced users who already have a working knowledge of both and enjoy a little hacking, trial and error….and it might not always work!
Gavin
In my case it did work. It doesn’t output 1080p to facebook live. But I guess this is just a facebook thing.
Hi Ezequiel,
Thanks for your comment. You are correct with regards to OBS and Facebook. You can only stream to Facebook Live via RTMPS using OBS and it will only be show 720p regardless of what you send.
Because OBS does not have the full Facebook partner API your live streaming (what the viewer sees) will, in most cases be downscaled to 720p even if you send 1080p.
Facebook Gamer accounts and services (either software, cloud or hardware based) using the full partner API can deliver 1080p live.
For example if you send from OBS to Vimeo with OBS then let Vimeo simulcast to Facebook it will be 1080p when live. This is because Vimeo has full partner API supported.
During the current crisis Facebook may show 1080p when live but the archived replays will be 720p (normally they stay 1080p).
As a general rule anyone except FB game up accounts will only see 720p when streaming to Facebook from OBS via RTMPS.
Hope this helps,
Gavin
Thanks for the reply. One more question, how can you exactly find the audio sync time (ms) so that it syncs? Do you record first and find out that way? Or can you actually change the (MS) audio using the output sound while live? (All of this inside OBS)
If audio is going through the computer rather than the via the Mevo then yes you can do a clap test, record it and calculate the offset by examining the recording.
You can adjust the offset in OBS when live to a private stream etc but it makes more sense to just do a recording and work it out.
If the audio is going via the Mevo then it should arrive in sync. On the test machine and network setup I used we couldn’t get clean audio using the GoPro2OBS Webcam input directly BUT if we enabled NDI in GoPro2OBS then brought the NDI feed into OBS the audio was fine and in sync.
Check what works best on your setup as it may handle the audio input better than our laptop did.
Gavin
Do you know if you can stream 1080p (Without OBS) by using only Facebook and the mevo through RTMP? I’ve heard mixed convos saying that if you go through RTMP with facebook and the mevo alone, you can stream live 1080p.
If you use RTMPS to stream to Facebook Live then then it’s almost certainly going to be 720p on most accounts.
The article linked below was written some time ago but has been updated over time.
https://www.manchestervideo.com/2019/05/21/facebook-live-streaming-now-supports-1080p/
Gavin
Any word on “Mevo are developing a USB driver for Mevo (Mac and Windows). “
Hi Rodger,
I liasied with Mevo support yesterday. We had an application requiring the webcam driver and asked for an indication of how close it might be. They couldn’t give us anything specific. Just said keep an eye on announcements.
It does seem likely that the device (Mevo/Mevo Plus) are very much an embedded computer – a very clever one trick pony controlled only via WiFi. Re-engineering via fresh code must be hard to implement for the Devs or they would have done it sooner.
The Mevo Start has NDI|HX built in so does work with either the NewTek NDI Tools virtual webcam input or as an NDI source directly into the new release of Skype, OBS etc.
Gavin
I have followed the steps as listed on the set up instructions for the app in the trial setting but when I attempt to get the MEVO pulled into OBS as a video capture device it is not listed as an option. Any suggestions on how I can remedy this?
Thanks!
Hi Perry,
If you look at the app without OBS running can you see the Mevo in the app preview window?
Once you can see it in the app preview you can close the window but keep the app running. You can minimise it but do not close it.
The app needs to be running minimised without the preview window open when using OBS.
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin,
On the preview it is showing up but within OBS itself it is not recognizing the device as a capture device (if that makes sense). I was able to get it to preview utilizing a “window capture”. Is this correct or should it be via another route?
Thanks!
This is where it should show up in OBS Studio. Do you see it?
No it isn’t in mine. For some reason it doesn’t show up as an option in my video capture settings. I was able to get it work via window capture from the preview on the app but just not as shown here.
Window capture is not needed and won’t be optimal. Are you on the current version of OBS with Windows 10?
Yes we have the 25.0.8 version.
Maybe worth contacting the developer of the software. See if they can guide you to a solution.
Gavin
Hi, first I want to thank you for doing this, this helps tremendously with what im trying to do. I just have 2 questions.
1) I tested this at home and at a local church to stream to a youtube page and I found the sound from mevo sometimes wouldn’t be there. I want the audio from the mevo and I will see from OBS “video capture” audio mixer that there’s audio coming from it but when I start streaming to Youtube I don’t hear anything. It’s worked sometimes though but I had to turn off and on different stuff randomly and I don’t really know what made it work, but when it does work the audio has a lot of static/nosie/ not clean. If you have any ideas on fixing that that’d be great.
2) Would it be possible to use the GoPro2OBS on separate computers? In my case, one computer uses OBS to stream to restream and the other computer uses OBS to stream to YellowDuck (for Instagram since it isn’t supported on restream) Thank You
Hi Samuel,
1. The issue you describe with audio showing on meters inside OBS but not appearing on the stream or in the local OBS recording is something I’ve seen before with OBS. It isn’t a Mevo fault – it happens with Blackmagic and Magewell capture cards. I haven’t seen it on Mac but with Windows computers it seems to happen if you switch away from OBS to a web browser to view/monitor/setup the stream. It seems likely that Windows it handing all audio over to the web browser which affects OBS and stops audio working. The answer seems to be not to do anything else with the computer that is streaming – stay in OBS do not open any other app that uses audio.
The static noise thing was note d during testing. The workaround is to install NDI plug-in to OBS. Then enable NDI in GoPro2OBS (I believe the author has recently changed the name to Actioncam2OBS). Bring the Mevo in as an NDI device. In my tests audio was clean from the Mevo when brought into OBS via NDI.
2. If you use NDI then the Mevo NDI feed will be available to all computers on the same network. Just be aware that it’s full NDI (around 100mbits/s) do will need to be on a Gigabit wired LAN. You cannot use WiFi.
Gavin
Good Morning!
I can run two applications at the same time on the same machine to transmit 2 Mevo’s
Hi Diego,
Thanks for your comment. Please confirm are you asking if it is possible or stating you are running two Mevo on same machine?
Thanks
Gavin