Topic: TikTok Live Studio CAMERA requirement - workaround

[kat]

@katsbits

Worksaround for the new CAMERA requirement to live stream with TikTok Studio. Needs OBS for this (but Twitch should work just as well). More info + pics here https://www.katsbits.com/community/index.php/topic,1319.0.html - this is an annoying update and unnecessary requirement for live streaming, essentially blocking Users from live streaming without potentially revealing PII. Work around it using a greenscreen while being compliant with the requirement. workaround hack #greenscreen tiktoklive livestreaming camera livestudio iRL pngtuber

♬ original sound - katsbits - katsbits

Problem
As of Aug 2024 TikTok requires a camera source to be active at all times to be able to live stream through TikTok Studio. This means the user is being forced to show their face or other potentially identifying information, or showing something else, e.g. a PNGtuber or vTuber avatar. Where the user wants to live stream their desktop only, for example while gaming, the placement of an onscreen 'avatar' (virtual or real), no matter how small, may interfere with or block portions of the screen that would otherwise be visible to the viewer. To work around this problem a 'greenscreen' can be set up, essentially making the camera otherwise invisible even though it's active.

Solution
Step #1 Create a 'Greenscreen' Image
In an image editor, create an standard image that's 100% or fully saturated GREEN, 0 red and 0 blue (e.g. R:0, G:255, B:0) - this can be 1 x 1 pixel or any size up to a recommended 1920 x 1080 maximum. Save this as a PNG (preference), or JPG.

Step #2 OBS 'greenscreen'
Open OBS Studio in Scenes click the "+" to add a new Scene (optionally right-click and rename). With new Scene highlighted, in Sources click the "+" button and add an Image source. Edit the source (click the "Open Source Properties" 'cog') and browse to and load in the greenscreen image saved previously. Click OK. The image will appear in the Preview window.

Step #3 Virtual Camera
Still in OBS, once the greenscreen image is loaded, in Controls click the Start Virtual Camera button to activate the greenscreen image as a 'camera'.

Switching to TikTok Studio;

Step #4 Add Camera Source
In TikTok Studio add a Camera source (as directed by the new requirement) and set the Camera property to use OBS Virtual Camera.

Step #5 Camera Background
Scroll down and set the Background property to Green screen. Click Apply. In the Preview area the camera widget will be highlighted with a red outline but nothing will be visible within confirming the camera is now invisible to the viewer.