Network Switch

Use this guide if you have both PCs plugged into a network switch.

⚠️ INSTALL THE FOLLOWING ON THE GAMING PC ⚠️

1) Download/Install OBS

• Download OBS

2) Download/Install OBS DistroAV 6.1.1 Plugin

• Download DistroAV 6.1.1 Plugin

3) Download/Install NDI Runtime 6

• Download NDI Runtime

4) OBS Settings

Video Settings:

• Navigate to OBS Settings -> Video.

• Base (Canvas) & Output (Scaled) Resolution: 1280x720, 1920x1080 or 2560x1440. Note that the higher the resolution and FPS, the more bandwidth you would need. So it is best to stick to 720p 144 or 240.

• Fractional FPS: At least 80/1 to 240/1

Advanced Settings:

• Navigate to OBS Settings -> Advanced

• Color Format: BGRA

Game Capture:

• In the "Sources" panel of OBS, press the '+' icon and select game capture.

• In game capture properties, for mode select "Capture Specific Window". You will then select the game you want. (The game has to be open already)

• Center it to the canvas by pressing Game Capture in Sources and then pressing CTRL + D.

NDI Output Settings:

• On the OBS toolbar, go to Tools.

• Select DistroAV NDI Settings.

• Click the checkbox next to Main Output.

Finally, Right click on the preview and select the option to disable the preview.

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Fixing OBS/NDI when it's stuck looking for sources after a restart:

1️⃣ Check Network Connection

• Make sure both PCs are on the same network (wired preferred).

  • Both PCs should be on Ethernet. If one is on Wi-Fi, this could cause issues.

  • Open Command Prompt (Win + R → type cmd → Enter)

  • Try pinging the other PC:

    ping <OTHER_PC_IP>

    Example:

    ping 192.168.1.100

    • If this fails, your PCs aren’t communicating over the network.

2️⃣ Check if Gaming PC is On Private

Windows 10 Click Start → Settings. Go to Network & Internet → Status. Click Change connection properties under your active network. Under Network profile, select Private (instead of Public).

Windows 11 Click Start → Settings. Go to Network & Internet. Click either Wi-Fi or Ethernet (whichever you’re using). Click the connected network name. Under Network profile type, choose Private.

3️⃣ Check Firewall (Most Common Issue)

• Disable Windows Firewall (temporarily for testing)

  • On both PCs:

    1. Press Win + R, type firewall.cpl, press Enter.

    2. Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.

    3. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall for both Public & Private networks.

    4. Try refreshing NDI sources in OBS.

• If turning off the firewall fixes it, then re-enable it and manually allow OBS/NDI on the Gaming PC:

  • Go back to firewall.cpl.

  • Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

  • Find and check:

    • obs64.exe

    Disable Windows Firewall (temporarily for testing)

• If turning off the firewall fixes it, then re-enable it and manually allow Moonlight.exe on the Script PC:

  • Go back to firewall.cpl.

  • Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

  • Find and check:

    • Moonlight.exe

4️⃣ Check if DistroAV Plugin is Enabled

• Open OBS → Tools → DistroAV NDI Settings.

• Ensure "Main Output" checkbox is checked.

5️⃣ Install .net runtime

• https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download

• Install, then try again after a PC restart.

8️⃣ Restart Everything in This Order

1. Turn off both PCs completely.

2. Power cycle the router/modem and switch (unplug for 10 seconds, then plug back in).

3. Start the sending PC first.

4. Start the receiving PC.

5. Open OBS on Gaming PC.

After trying these steps, your NDI source should show up. If it’s still not working, let us know!