How to Receive an SRT Stream in OBS Studio (OBS SRT Receive Guide)
Written by Iurii Pakholkov
Founder of Callaba. Building cloud video tools for SRT, RTMP, WebRTC, NDI, live routing, monitoring, recording, and production workflows.
Release: Callaba 8.4
OBS can receive SRT streams through a Media Source. The practical setup is simple: create a Media Source, disable Local File, paste the SRT receiver URL, and confirm that media is flowing from the SRT server.
The most important detail is direction. A publisher URL sends video into an SRT server. A receiver URL pulls or receives video from that server. Most OBS receive problems come from mixing those two URLs.
Quick answer: can OBS receive an SRT stream?
Yes. OBS Studio can receive an SRT stream through a Media Source. No plugin is required. Create a Media Source, disable Local File, paste the SRT receiver URL into the Input field, and the live feed should appear in your scene.
OBS SRT: send vs receive
When people search for OBS SRT or SRT OBS, they usually mean one of two workflows:
- OBS sends SRT: OBS acts as the encoder and publishes a stream to an SRT server.
- OBS receives SRT: OBS acts as the receiver and plays an incoming SRT stream inside a scene.
This page focuses on receiving SRT. If you need the sending workflow, use How to start SRT streaming from OBS.
What you need before you start
- OBS Studio installed on the receiving machine.
- A Callaba instance, or another SRT server, with access to SRT server details.
- An active SRT sender publishing into the workflow.
- The correct SRT Receiver URL from Callaba.
- Network access between OBS and the SRT endpoint, including the required UDP port.
If you are new to Callaba, start with how to launch and start using Callaba.
How OBS receives an SRT stream
OBS receives SRT through a network Media Source. The SRT stream is not a local file, so Local File must be disabled in the source settings.
In a typical Callaba workflow, Callaba receives the SRT feed first. Then OBS connects to a receiver-side URL from that SRT server. This keeps Callaba as the controlled ingest point and OBS as the preview or production tool.
Operational check before OBS:
Check incoming bitrate in Callaba first. If Callaba shows no bitrate, OBS has nothing to receive. Fix the sender, URL direction, passphrase, or network path before troubleshooting OBS.
Step-by-step: receive SRT stream in OBS Studio
1. Add a Media Source in OBS
Open OBS Studio. In the Sources box, click the + button and choose Media Source.
2. Name the SRT source
Give the source a clear name, for example SRT input — remote camera. This makes the scene easier to manage when you have multiple remote feeds.
3. Copy the SRT Receiver URL from Callaba
Go to SRT Servers in Callaba, open the server details, and copy the Receiver URL. Do not use the publisher URL here. OBS needs the URL that receives or plays the stream.
4. Paste the SRT Receiver URL into OBS
In the Media Source properties, disable Local File. Paste the SRT Receiver URL into the Input field. Click OK.
5. Bring the SRT feed into the active output
If you use Studio Mode, click Transition. The incoming SRT stream should now be visible in OBS.
If everything is configured correctly, you should now see the incoming SRT stream playing in OBS Studio.
SRT URL modes in OBS: caller, listener, rendezvous
SRT URLs can include a mode parameter. The correct mode depends on who starts the connection.
| Mode | What it means | When to use it in OBS |
|---|---|---|
mode=caller |
OBS initiates the connection to a listening SRT server. | Most receive-from-server workflows. This is the common Callaba receiver pattern. |
mode=listener |
OBS waits for a remote sender to connect. | Direct encoder to OBS workflows when OBS is reachable on a UDP port. |
mode=rendezvous |
Both sides try to connect to each other. | Only for specific network situations where caller/listener is not practical. |
Example listener-style URL:
srt://0.0.0.0:9000?mode=listenerExample caller-style URL:
srt://your-server.example.com:9000In most receive-from-server workflows, caller mode is the default idea: OBS connects to a server that is already listening.
Latency settings for SRT in OBS
SRT latency gives the receiver a recovery window. If packets arrive late, the buffer gives the protocol time to recover them. Setting latency too low can make the stream look unstable even when the URL is correct.
You can add latency in the SRT URL:
srt://your-server.example.com:9000?latency=500000| URL value | Practical meaning | Use when |
|---|---|---|
120000 |
120 ms | Clean local or very stable paths. |
500000 |
500 ms | A safer starting point for real public internet paths. |
1000000 |
1 second | Unstable links, higher jitter, or troubleshooting. |
Do not chase the lowest number first. Start with a value that stays stable, then reduce latency only after the feed holds cleanly.
Troubleshooting: SRT stream not appearing in OBS
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| No video appears | Wrong URL or no active sender. | Use Receiver URL, confirm sender bitrate in Callaba. |
| OBS opens local file behavior | Local File is still enabled. | Disable Local File in Media Source settings. |
| Connection fails | Caller/listener mismatch or blocked UDP port. | Check SRT mode, firewall, and cloud security group. |
| Black screen but source exists | Sender connected but no usable video, or codec issue. | Check actual video bitrate, codec, profile, and source output. |
| Stream starts then breaks | Latency too low or network path unstable. | Increase SRT latency and watch RTT / packet loss. |
| Video but no audio | Sender has no audio track or unsupported audio settings. | Check audio codec, sample rate, and sender audio routing. |
A simple test order helps: first confirm the sender is publishing, then confirm Callaba receives bitrate, then check the OBS Media Source settings.
OBS vs Callaba: how to isolate issues
If the stream works in Callaba but not in OBS, the problem is likely within OBS: wrong URL, Local File enabled, wrong mode, latency, or codec compatibility.
If Callaba also shows no bitrate, do not start with OBS. Fix the sender or network first. OBS cannot receive a stream that is not arriving at the SRT server.
Fast isolation rule: Callaba bitrate first, OBS Media Source second. If bitrate is missing upstream, OBS settings are not the main problem.
When to receive SRT in OBS instead of RTMP
Use SRT when the contribution path crosses unstable networks, public internet, remote venues, or paths where packet recovery and encryption matter. Use RTMP when the workflow is simple, local, and platform-publishing oriented.
For remote production, SRT usually gives you more control over latency and recovery. For simple social publishing, RTMP can still be enough. For a deeper comparison, read SRT vs RTMP.
Next steps
FAQ
Can OBS receive an SRT stream?
Yes. OBS can receive an SRT stream through a Media Source. No plugin is required.
How do I add an SRT stream to OBS?
Add a Media Source, disable Local File, paste the SRT receiver URL into the Input field, and click OK.
What SRT URL should I use in OBS?
Use the receiver URL provided by your SRT server. In Callaba, copy the Receiver URL from the SRT server details.
Should OBS use SRT caller or listener mode?
Use caller mode when OBS connects to an SRT server. Use listener mode when OBS waits for a remote encoder to connect directly.
Why is my SRT stream black in OBS?
Check the receiver URL, make sure Local File is disabled, confirm that the sender is active, verify UDP access, and check codec compatibility.
Does OBS need a plugin for SRT?
No. OBS can use SRT through its Media Source workflow.
How do I set SRT latency in OBS?
Add a latency parameter to the SRT URL, for example ?latency=500000 for 500 ms.
Can OBS receive SRT from Callaba?
Yes. Copy the Receiver URL from a Callaba SRT server and paste it into OBS as a Media Source input.
Is SRT better than RTMP for OBS?
For unreliable or long-distance networks, SRT is usually a stronger contribution choice because it supports packet recovery and encryption. For simple platform publishing, RTMP can still be enough.
Can I use OBS as an SRT monitor?
Yes. OBS can be used as a lightweight SRT monitoring and preview tool, especially when you need to bring a remote SRT feed into a production scene.
Final practical rule
Always verify the SRT receiver path before blaming OBS. If Callaba shows bitrate and another player can open the same receiver URL, focus on OBS Media Source settings, latency, and codec compatibility.