OBS_SETUP.md

OBS Setup

These are instructions on setting up OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) to record screen activity for creating the multimodal computer dataset.

Installation

1. Go to the OBS Project website: https://obsproject.com/.

2. Choose the appropriate installer for your operating system.

3. 

4. Run the installer from your downloads folder and grant OBS the necessary permissions for installation.

   

5. Keep the default settings and proceed through the installation wizard by clicking "Next" and then "Finish."

   

6. OBS should now be open. If not, search for and open the application.

   

Enabling OBS WebSocket Server

1. Click on "Tools" in the Navigation Bar within OBS, and then select "WebSocket Server Settings." A pop-up window will appear.

   

2. Check the box next to "Enable WebSocket server" and uncheck the box next to "Enable Authentication." Click "Apply," then "Ok." You should return to the main OBS page.

   

Adding Display Capture and Recording

1. Now, back on the home page of OBS, select "Scene." Under "Sources," click the "+" button and then click "Display Capture." (in MacOS this is MacOS Screen Capture)

   

2. Select "Ok."

   

3. Make sure the "Display" is set to your main display, and you should see your screen on the canvas. Select "Ok." (in MacOS if your screen is black with a red square in the top left try to disable then re-enable OBS Screen Recording permissions, this has worked before)

   

4. Now you can close OBS and OBS will opened and controlled automatically when you launch the Computer Tracker App. Also, the Computer Tracker app creates a new OBS profile so you don't have to worry about your previous settings being messed up.