OBS Studio 28.0, released September 1, 2022, was a major update built around 10-bit and HDR encoding, native Apple Silicon support, and a move from Qt 5 to Qt 6. Before upgrading an older setup, check operating-system support and the compatibility of essential plugins: OBS 28 dropped some older platforms, and plugins may be affected by the toolkit or CPU-architecture change. OBS 28 is a historical release; later OBS versions have followed.
What changed most in OBS Studio 28?
The defining changes were HDR and 10-bit encoding, native Apple Silicon builds, and the Qt 6 interface migration. OBS also added production, audio, automation, and accessibility features. Their availability depends on platform, hardware, and—in the HDR case—the particular encoding and streaming workflow.
- HDR and 10-bit: OBS 28 added support for 10-bit and HDR encoding with AV1 and HEVC. Its HDR guidance recommends P010 color format and Rec. 2100 PQ color space; HDR streaming in this release was limited to YouTube HLS using HEVC.
- Apple Silicon: Native builds let supported Apple Silicon Macs run OBS without x86 emulation, but a third-party plugin might not have a native version.
- Qt 6: OBS replaced its Qt 5 interface toolkit. That transition affected operating-system support and could require plugin updates.
These are OBS 28-specific facts, not a current compatibility or feature guide. See the OBS Studio 28.0 release notes for the full version-specific record.
Should you upgrade to OBS 28?
Check the operating system and plugins first, then consider architecture and any HDR requirements. A machine that cannot run OBS 28 as a supported upgrade, or a production workflow dependent on an incompatible plugin, is a reason to pause rather than upgrade blindly.
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#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Check operating-system support
OBS 28’s Qt 6 transition ended support for Windows 7 and 8, macOS 10.13 and 10.14, Ubuntu 18.04, and 32-bit operating systems. These are the compatibility limits for version 28, not a statement of requirements for later OBS releases.
Audit essential plugins
The release notes caution that some plugins may not be compatible. Plugins built around Qt 5 components may need updates for Qt 6. Before using OBS 28 for a broadcast or recording you cannot afford to interrupt, check the plugin’s status on the OBS Plugin Compatibility page and confirm support for your operating system and architecture.
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Choose an Apple Silicon build with plugins in mind
OBS 28 offered native Apple Silicon builds, while the x86 build remained an option for access to a broader selection of plugins. That does not guarantee that every plugin works in either build. Check the architecture supported by each plugin your workflow needs before choosing.
What OBS 28 HDR support requires
OBS 28’s HDR support was conditional—not a universal switch that made every encoder, filter, capture device, operating system, and streaming destination HDR-compatible.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Encoder: OBS 28 limited 10-bit and HDR encoding to AV1 and HEVC. For the ten-bit HEVC path, the release notes specified NVIDIA 10-series, AMD 5000-series, or newer GPUs; Intel QuickSync and Apple VT were not yet supported for that path.
- Color settings: OBS recommended P010 color format and Rec. 2100 PQ color space for HDR.
- Streaming destination: HDR streaming in OBS 28 was supported only through YouTube’s HLS service with HEVC.
- Filters: When a source rendered with HDR, Apply LUT, Chroma Key, Color Key, Image Mask/Blend, Luma Key, and Sharpness did not function.
- macOS and Linux: Support was limited: HDR preview did not work, and several inputs and encoders still needed updates.
- Capture devices: Capturing HDR depended on the device supporting HDR. OBS named the EVGA XR1 Pro, Elgato 4K60 Pro Mk.2, and AverMedia Live Gamer 4K as examples, not as requirements or endorsements.
OBS 28 also allowed HDR games to be tonemapped to SDR when composing in SDR. For exact encoder and platform qualifications, consult the version 28 release notes.
Notable additions beyond HDR
The release added features across capture, recording, streaming, and interface workflows. Availability is platform- or runtime-specific where noted.
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Capture and audio
- On Windows, application audio capture for a single process was added.
- On macOS 12.5 and later, OBS added ScreenCaptureKit support. On macOS 13 and later, it could capture application audio directly without a third-party solution.
- On Windows, NVIDIA Background Removal required the NVIDIA Video Effects SDK Runtime. Room Echo Removal in NVIDIA Noise Suppression required the NVIDIA Audio Effects SDK runtime.
- For Apple VT encoding on Apple Silicon, CBR, CRF, and Simple Mode support were added; CBR required macOS 13 or later.
- The virtual camera gained separate video mix selection.
Recording and output
- Recordings could be split automatically or with a hotkey by file size or duration.
- Native SRT/RIST outputs were added.
- The M3U8/HLS recording format was removed from Simple output but remained available in Advanced output.
Streaming, automation, and platform-specific tools
- OBS 28 included obs-websocket 5.0 as a first-party plugin. The OBS Project announced that version 5 would be included in OBS downloads beginning with 28.0.0; version 5 had also been released as a standalone plugin intended for OBS 27.2. Automation clients are not thereby guaranteed to work without configuration changes. See the OBS Project announcement.
- OBS added the ability to send YouTube chat messages from within OBS.
- Windows gained a file-integrity check to validate and repair the current OBS installation.
- On macOS, startup permissions handling improved, and settings changed through Configure for a Video Capture Device were saved.
- A “What’s New” dialog was added on macOS and Linux.
Accessibility and workflow refinements
- Accessibility settings allowed users to change the colors of certain interface elements.
- The new default theme was Yami.
- Preview gained a source-rotation handle and spacing helpers. Scene-item transformations could be copied and pasted, as could visibility transitions.
- Multiview gained layouts without preview/program; cropped-selection borders became dotted; scene names appeared in Studio Mode labels; and Program moved above Preview in vertical Studio Mode.
- Hotkeys required exact modifier matches. OBS added an audio-mixer toolbar and an option to reset the whole UI.
- Reconnect behavior improved, with the default reconnect delay reduced to two seconds.
The release also updated dependencies, allowed any Python 3 version on Windows and macOS instead of only 3.6, switched Linux rendering from GLX to EGL, and added a low-latency audio-buffering option aimed at outputs such as Decklink and NDI.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Upgrade checklist
- Confirm your operating system: compare it with OBS 28’s version-specific support limits before attempting the upgrade.
- List production-critical plugins: verify their compatibility with Qt 6 and your operating system and CPU architecture. Pay particular attention to plugins you cannot easily replace during a live production.
- If you use Apple Silicon, compare native-build needs with the plugin selection available to your workflow; consider the x86 build if a required plugin is not available natively.
- If you use HDR, check the encoder, GPU, color format, color space, filters, capture device, operating system, and destination against the qualifications above.
- Check automation separately: OBS 28’s bundled obs-websocket 5.0 is a version change; verify that the clients and settings your automations rely on work with your setup.
- Test before a scheduled production: open your scenes and sources, confirm audio and video, test recording or output, and verify plugins and automation in a non-critical session.
When OBS is not the right way to keep a YouTube video running
OBS 28 is an application you run on a computer; a workflow that depends on a local machine and connection staying available has different operating needs from a cloud service that loops uploaded videos. For a 24/7 YouTube stream of prerecorded video, StreamNeo is the cloud option to consider first: it runs continuously from uploaded videos, supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one price per slot, and offers the first day free.
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Or let it run in the cloud
Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos in the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. It streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; it can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month.
StreamNeo is for uploaded video streamed to YouTube, not camera-based live broadcasting. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
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