Linux: Fake webcam device to broadcast custom content

broadcast-obs-to-dev-video2.md

HOWTO: Setup "fake" webcam video device for custom content

• Once configured, select the new video device (/dev/video2 in this example) as input device for client program.
• Example use: Broadcast custom video/images to group video chat (ex: Zoom/Skype/etc)
• Tested working on: Manjaro Linux 5.4

1. Install OBS and prerequisites for building plugin and kernel module:

pacman -S base-devel cmake obs-studio

2. Install v4l2loopback kernel module to setup "fake" /dev/video2:

git clone https://github.com/umlaeute/v4l2loopback
cd v4l2loopback
make
sudo make install
sudo depmod -a
sudo modprobe v4l2loopback

3. Install obs-v4l2sink plugin for OSB:

git clone --recursive https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio.git  # Get OBS source code (needed to build plugin)
git clone https://github.com/CatxFish/obs-v4l2sink                  # Get plugin source code
cd obs-v4l2sink
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DLIBOBS_INCLUDE_DIR="../../obs-studio/libobs" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr ..
make -j4
sudo make install

4. Open OBS: under "Tools" there should now be "V4L2 Video Output" - choose your new /dev/video2 device and click "Start"

5. Open client program (VLC/Zoom/Skype/whatever) and choose /dev/video2 as input source.

6. Have fun.