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To show a speedrun timer on a livestream, run a timer such as LiveSplit and add its window to your OBS scene with Window Capture. Configure the game and category splits first, then position and test the timer in a recording before going live. A compatible browser overlay is another option; the timer is software, so it does not itself require a capture card.
What you need
- A speedrun timer and a run’s splits, either created yourself or loaded from a compatible file.
- A streaming or recording scene in OBS (or another app that can capture a window or browser source).
- For console gameplay routed through a PC, a way to bring the console’s video into that PC. A capture card may be part of that setup, but it does not provide timer functionality.
Think of the timer and the stream scene as separate parts: the timer runs on your computer, and the scene includes it as a captured window or compatible overlay. LiveSplit’s project describes configurable sizing, Speedrun.com integration, game-time support, and auto-splitting when a game has a supported splitter. Those game-dependent features are not guaranteed for every title or category. LiveSplit project overview
Set up LiveSplit and your splits
1. Install and configure the timer
LiveSplit is a well-established starting point. Get it from the project’s official materials, which recommend reading the FAQ and watching the introduction video before first use. Configure the display size so the timer will remain legible at its intended on-stream size.
2. Create or load the run
Choose the game and category, then create the checkpoints (splits) you intend to use or load a compatible split file. Check the rules for the exact category you are running: timing conventions and permitted splits can differ. Do not assume that a game supports automatic splitting or that a particular timing method is accepted just because the timer offers it.
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Add the timer to an OBS scene
- Open the scene you will stream or record. Keep the game capture or other gameplay source in the scene.
- Add a Window Capture source. In the scene’s Sources list, use the add-source control and choose Window Capture. Exact labels and menus can vary by OBS version.
- Select the timer window. Choose the running LiveSplit window in the source’s window selector. If it is absent, make sure LiveSplit is open, then reopen or refresh the source properties.
- Position and resize the timer. Use the OBS preview to put it where it does not cover important game information. Make it large enough to read at the output size, not merely on your desktop monitor.
- Record a short test. Confirm the timer is visible in the recording, readable, and updating as expected. Check that it does not disappear when you switch focus to the game or another window.
This is a commonly described beginner workflow, including in a Speedrun.com community discussion; it is general setup guidance, not a verified, version-specific OBS walkthrough. If the timer is missing or blank, revisit the selected window and source properties, then test again.
Choose between window capture and a browser overlay
| Approach | Useful when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Timer window capture | You want a straightforward desktop setup and can select the timer window in OBS. | It depends on capturing the right window correctly; exact OBS settings can vary by version. |
| Browser-source overlay | Your timer offers a compatible browser overlay or feed and you want a browser-based display. | Compatibility and project-specific configuration matter. OpenSpeedRun documents an optional local WebSocket overlay server for an OBS browser source; it is off by default. |
For OpenSpeedRun’s project-specific mechanism, consult its overlay documentation and confirm that your timer and overlay are compatible before configuring it. Do not treat a browser source as a universal feature of every timer.
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Bring console gameplay into the scene
If you play on a console but run OBS on a PC, the gameplay must reach the PC before OBS can include it. A capture card can be part of that video path; the timer remains a separate source added to the scene. Whether a capture card is needed depends on your console, existing video setup, and how you stream. The available community discussion does not establish a particular device or specification, so check compatibility for your own equipment rather than assuming a model recommendation.
Fix common setup problems
- The timer does not appear: Confirm it is running and select its actual window in the Window Capture properties. Reopen the source properties if the window list was populated before the timer started.
- The timer is too small or covers the game: Resize and reposition it in the OBS preview, then review a recording at the output resolution. Keep critical gameplay information unobstructed.
- The timer appears in preview but not in the recording: Make a short test recording and inspect the output. Check that the source belongs to the active scene and that it is not hidden or covered by another source.
- Auto-splitting or game time is unavailable: These functions depend on game support. Use manual splits or another timing method allowed by the game’s category rules.
- A browser overlay is blank: Verify that the chosen timer supports that overlay route and that any required local service is enabled and configured. OpenSpeedRun’s documented WebSocket server is optional and disabled by default.
- Console gameplay is missing from OBS: Check the video route from console to PC and whether the required capture hardware or compatible connection is present. A timer source cannot bring gameplay video into the computer.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a speedrun timer during a normal live run, the desktop timer-and-scene setup above is the relevant route. If you separately want uploaded videos to keep a YouTube channel live around the clock, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos; it does not stream a live camera feed or add a speedrun timer to OBS.
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Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. The uploaded quality is preserved up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card required. The monthly option is $9.99 per month.
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