OBS Studio: Call For Testing Latest Candidate Channel
We're excited to announce a call for testing the latest version of OBS Studio (32.0.2) on the latest/candidate channel in the Snap Store! This is your chance to get your hands on the newest features and improvements before they're released to the general public. Your feedback is crucial in ensuring a smooth and stable experience for all users. This article provides a detailed guide on how to manually test the new version of OBS Studio and how maintainers can release it to the stable channel. We encourage all OBS Studio users and enthusiasts to participate in this testing phase to help us deliver the best possible streaming and recording experience.
Why Test the Candidate Channel?
Testing the candidate channel allows you to:
- Experience the latest features: Be among the first to try out new functionalities and enhancements in OBS Studio.
- Identify potential issues: Help us uncover bugs and glitches before they affect the broader user base.
- Contribute to a stable release: Your feedback directly impacts the quality and reliability of the final product.
By participating in this testing phase, you play a vital role in making OBS Studio even better. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to the OBS Studio community. Your efforts help ensure that everyone can enjoy a seamless and high-quality streaming and recording experience.
What's New in Version 32.0.2?
While the specific details of version 32.0.2 may vary, candidate releases often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features. To get a comprehensive understanding of the changes, it's recommended to consult the official OBS Studio release notes or the commit history on the project's GitHub repository. These resources provide valuable insights into the specific enhancements and modifications included in the new version.
Keep an eye out for announcements and discussions within the OBS Studio community, as they often highlight key changes and areas to focus on during testing. Engaging with the community can also provide valuable context and perspectives on the new features and improvements.
Available Revisions
The following revision is currently available for testing:
| CPU Architecture | Revision |
|---|---|
| amd64 | 1317 |
This revision is specifically built for the amd64 architecture. If you are running OBS Studio on a system with this architecture, you can proceed with the testing process as outlined below. Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for running OBS Studio and that you have a stable internet connection for downloading and installing the update.
Automated Testing
If configured, the Snap package will be automatically installed in a virtual machine (VM). Any test results or screenshots generated during the automated testing process will be posted as comments in this issue. This automated testing provides a baseline assessment of the application's functionality and stability in a controlled environment. It helps to quickly identify any major issues or regressions that may require immediate attention.
However, manual testing is still crucial to ensure that OBS Studio performs optimally in real-world scenarios. Automated tests may not cover all possible use cases and configurations, so your hands-on testing is invaluable in identifying subtle issues and ensuring a polished user experience.
How to Test Manually: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to manually test the OBS Studio candidate release:
1. Stop OBS Studio
If OBS Studio is currently running on your system, it's essential to stop it before proceeding with the update. This ensures that the new version can be installed without any conflicts or interruptions. Close all OBS Studio windows and processes to ensure a clean installation.
2. Refresh to the Candidate Channel
Open your terminal and run the following command to upgrade to the candidate version:
snap refresh obs-studio --channel latest/candidate
This command instructs Snap to fetch and install the latest version of OBS Studio from the latest/candidate channel. Snap will handle the download and installation process, ensuring that all dependencies are met. The --channel flag specifies the channel from which to retrieve the update.
3. Start and Test OBS Studio
Once the update is complete, launch OBS Studio and begin testing its functionalities. Focus on the features you commonly use, as well as any areas that have been highlighted in the release notes or community discussions. Explore different recording and streaming scenarios, test various input sources, and experiment with different settings to ensure that everything is working as expected.
4. Share Your Feedback
After testing, share your findings by adding a comment below. Indicate whether the app is working correctly and include the output of the following command in your comment:
snap version; lscpu | grep Architecture; snap info obs-studio | grep installed
This command provides valuable information about your system, including the Snap version, CPU architecture, and installed OBS Studio version. This information helps developers understand the context of your feedback and troubleshoot any issues more effectively.
Areas to Focus on During Testing
When testing OBS Studio, consider these key areas:
- Streaming: Test streaming to different platforms (Twitch, YouTube, etc.) with various settings and resolutions. Verify audio and video quality, as well as stream stability.
- Recording: Test recording functionality with different codecs, resolutions, and frame rates. Ensure that recordings are saved correctly and that the quality is satisfactory.
- Virtual Camera: If you use the virtual camera feature, test its functionality with different applications (Zoom, Skype, etc.). Verify that the virtual camera feed is displayed correctly and that audio is being transmitted.
- Plugins: If you use any OBS Studio plugins, ensure that they are compatible with the new version and that they are functioning as expected. Check for any error messages or unexpected behavior.
- Resource Usage: Monitor CPU and memory usage while streaming or recording. Look for any performance regressions or excessive resource consumption.
By focusing on these key areas, you can provide comprehensive feedback that helps improve the stability and performance of OBS Studio.
Understanding the Command Output
The output of the following command provides essential information for debugging and issue resolution:
snap version; lscpu | grep Architecture; snap info obs-studio | grep installed
Let's break down each part:
snap version: This command displays the version of the Snap package manager installed on your system. This information is helpful for identifying any potential issues related to Snap itself.lscpu | grep Architecture: This command retrieves information about your CPU architecture. This is crucial for determining compatibility and identifying architecture-specific issues.snap info obs-studio | grep installed: This command displays information about the installed OBS Studio Snap package, including the version and revision number. This helps to verify that you are running the correct version and to track any updates or changes.
By including the output of this command in your feedback, you provide developers with valuable context that can help them diagnose and resolve issues more efficiently.
How to Release it (For Maintainers)
Maintainers have the authority to promote the candidate release to the stable channel, making it available to all users. This process ensures that only thoroughly tested and reliable versions of OBS Studio are distributed to the general public.
To promote the release, use the following command:
/promote <rev>[,<rev>] latest/stable [done]
Examples:
- To promote a single revision, run
/promote <rev> latest/stable - To promote multiple revisions, run
/promote <rev>,<rev> latest/stable - To promote a revision and close the issue, run
/promote <rev>,<rev> latest/stable done
Promoting the Current Revision
To promote the revision that was just built (revision 1317 in this case), run:
/promote 1317 latest/stable done
This command will promote revision 1317 to the stable channel and automatically close the issue, indicating that the release process is complete.
Your Feedback Matters
Thank you for participating in the testing of OBS Studio! Your feedback is invaluable in ensuring the quality and stability of the application. By sharing your experiences and insights, you contribute directly to the success of OBS Studio and help us deliver the best possible streaming and recording experience to users worldwide.
We encourage you to continue testing and providing feedback on future candidate releases. Your ongoing involvement is essential for maintaining the high standards of OBS Studio and ensuring its continued success in the ever-evolving world of content creation.
