🎙️ Interview Mode — VDO.Ninja + OBS¶

Status: ✅ Working | Last tested: 2026-04-06

Record professional remote interviews with guests using VDO.Ninja (free, browser-based) and OBS Studio. Guest just clicks a link — no software install needed.

Quick Links¶

Link	Purpose	Who Uses It
Director (You): https://vdo.ninja/?director=aguidetocloud	Control room, manage guests	You (host)
Guest Invite: https://vdo.ninja/?room=aguidetocloud&broadcast	Guest joins with camera/mic/screen share	Send to guest
OBS Group Scene: https://vdo.ninja/?scene&room=aguidetocloud&codec=h264	Combined view of all participants	OBS Browser Source

These links are permanent and reusable

The room name aguidetocloud never expires. The room activates when someone joins and goes empty when everyone leaves. Use the same links for every interview — no need to create a new room.

Room Configuration¶

Setting	Value
Room name	aguidetocloud
Director performs	✅ Yes (you appear on camera)
Guests see director	✅ Yes
Video codec	H264 (most compatible)
SSO	Off (guests join without login)
Password	None (add `&password=yourpassword` to links if needed)

Interview Startup Checklist¶

Launch Order is Critical

VDO.Ninja FIRST → then OBS. OBS locks the Surface Camera exclusively. If OBS opens first, VDO.Ninja can't access the camera.

Step-by-Step¶

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              INTERVIEW STARTUP SEQUENCE                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                         │
│  1. ❌ CLOSE OBS (if open)                               │
│                                                         │
│  2. 🌐 Open VDO.Ninja director link in Edge/Chrome       │
│     → Select camera: Surface Camera Front               │
│     → Select mic: Qualcomm Aqstic Static Endpoints      │
│     → Join room                                         │
│                                                         │
│  3. 📨 Send guest the invite link                        │
│     → Wait for them to join and allow camera/mic        │
│                                                         │
│  4. 🎬 Open OBS → Switch to "Interview" scene            │
│     → Verify SM7B meter is moving (speak to check)      │
│     → Verify guest video appears in preview             │
│                                                         │
│  5. 🔴 Start Recording (F9)                              │
│                                                         │
│  6. 🎙️ Conduct your interview!                           │
│                                                         │
│  7. ⏹️ Stop Recording (F10)                              │
│     → MP4 saved to C:\OBS-Recordings                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Audio Routing¶

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    AUDIO ROUTING MAP                         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│  YOUR voice (recorded):                                     │
│    SM7B → Scarlett Solo → OBS Audio Input Capture            │
│    = High-quality pro audio in the final recording          │
│                                                             │
│  YOUR voice (guest hears):                                  │
│    Surface built-in mic → VDO.Ninja → Guest's speakers      │
│    = Good enough for conversation (not recorded by OBS)     │
│                                                             │
│  GUEST voice (recorded):                                    │
│    Guest's mic → VDO.Ninja → OBS Browser Source audio       │
│    = Captured via WebRTC, recorded by OBS                   │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Device Assignment¶

App	Microphone to Select	Why
OBS	Microphone (Scarlett Solo USB)	SM7B pro audio for recording
VDO.Ninja	Microphone Array Qualcomm Aqstic ACX Static Endpoints	Surface built-in mic for guest to hear you

Do NOT select these

❌ Do NOT let VDO.Ninja use the Scarlett Solo — it blocks OBS from accessing the SM7B
❌ Do NOT select the "Communications" mic variant in VDO.Ninja — it applies phone-call processing that sounds tinny

OBS Scene Configuration¶

Interview Scene Sources¶

#	Source	Type	Details
1	VDO.Ninja - Group	Browser Source	URL: group scene link, 1920×1080, Control audio via OBS ✅
2	SM7B - Scarlett Solo	Audio Input Capture (existing)	Your pro microphone

Browser Source Settings¶

Setting	Value
URL	`https://vdo.ninja/?scene&room=aguidetocloud&codec=h264`
Width	1920
Height	1080
Control audio via OBS	✅
Use custom frame rate	✅ → 30 FPS
Shutdown source when not visible	✅
Refresh browser when scene becomes active	✅

Guest Instructions Template¶

Copy and send this to your guest before the interview:

Join link: https://vdo.ninja/?room=aguidetocloud&broadcast

How to join:

Click the link above in Chrome or Edge (not Safari)

Click "Join with Camera"

Allow camera and microphone access when prompted

You'll see me appear — we're connected!

If you need to share your screen, click the "Share Screen" button at the bottom

Tips:

Use a wired internet connection if possible

Use headphones to avoid echo

Find a quiet, well-lit room

Chrome works best

Troubleshooting¶

Problem	Solution
Camera error in VDO.Ninja	Close OBS first → open VDO.Ninja → grab camera → then open OBS
SM7B not picking up in OBS	VDO.Ninja stole the Scarlett. Switch VDO.Ninja mic to Surface built-in. Then in OBS: SM7B source → Properties → reselect Scarlett Solo
Guest can't join	Ensure they use Chrome/Edge, not Safari. Check the link is correct
Guest video not showing in OBS	Refresh the Browser Source (right-click → Refresh)
Echo/feedback	Guest should use headphones. Check audio monitoring is OFF in OBS
Black screen in OBS	No one has joined the room yet — normal until a participant connects
Guest screen share not visible	Guest needs to click "Share Screen" button after joining with camera

Alternative: Teams/Zoom Capture (Backup)¶

If VDO.Ninja isn't working, capture a Teams/Zoom call with OBS:

Start a normal Teams/Zoom call with the guest
In OBS, create a scene with:
Window Capture → select Teams/Zoom window
Audio Input Capture → SM7B - Scarlett Solo
Application Audio Capture (Beta) → select Teams/Zoom app
Start Recording

Feature	VDO.Ninja	Teams/Zoom Capture
Guest experience	Browser link — no install	Normal call app
Video quality	HD direct feed	Compressed by app
Layout control	Full OBS control per source	Limited to app layout
Separate audio	✅ Each guest separate	❌ Mixed
Screen share	Separate OBS source	Inside call window
Reliability	✅ Working (with launch order)	✅ Always works