# Getting started

VDO.Ninja can send live video and audio from a browser, phone, tablet, or computer directly into OBS Studio, a browser source, or another viewer link. This getting-started guide is the best entry point if you want to use VDO.Ninja for remote guests, a phone-as-webcam workflow, screen sharing, or basic live streaming.

## Core concepts

* **WebRTC:** VDO.Ninja uses WebRTC for low-latency browser-based video and audio transport.
* **Peer-to-peer:** Most of the heavy lifting happens in the browser, reducing server dependence for normal guest workflows.
* **Two URL types:**
  * **PUSH URL:** Used on the sending device, such as a smartphone, webcam, or screen-share source.
  * **VIEW URL:** Opened on another device, browser source, or production machine to receive the stream.

## Resources for beginners

* [vdo.ninja-basics](https://docs.vdo.ninja/getting-started/vdo.ninja-basics "mention") (with screenshots)
* [stream-ids](https://docs.vdo.ninja/getting-started/stream-ids "mention")
* [the-power-of-the-url-parameter](https://docs.vdo.ninja/getting-started/the-power-of-the-url-parameter "mention")
* [multi-person-chat](https://docs.vdo.ninja/getting-started/multi-person-chat "mention")
* [rooms](https://docs.vdo.ninja/getting-started/rooms "mention")
* [high-quality-camera](https://docs.vdo.ninja/getting-started/high-quality-camera "mention")
* [mobile-phone-camera-into-webcam](https://docs.vdo.ninja/getting-started/mobile-phone-camera-into-webcam "mention")
* [cheat-sheet-of-basic-parameters](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/cheat-sheet-of-basic-parameters "mention")

## Quick start

1. **Open VDO.Ninja:** Visit <https://vdo.ninja/> in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
2. **Choose your source:** Select "Add your Camera to OBS" to use a webcam or phone camera, or "Share your Screen" to stream a desktop or application window.
3. **Grant permissions:** Allow camera and microphone access when prompted.
4. **Start streaming:** Click "Start" and copy the provided VIEW link.
5. **Share or capture:**
   * **Direct sharing:** Send the VIEW link to anyone who should watch the stream.
   * **OBS integration:** Add the VIEW link as a Browser Source in OBS Studio.

## Common use cases

* **Smartphone as webcam:** Turn a phone into a wireless camera for OBS or browser-based meetings.
* **Remote guests:** Bring in interview guests, podcast guests, or co-hosts.
* **Screen sharing:** Share a desktop, game, browser tab, or application window.
* **High-quality audio:** Stream music, podcasts, or voice feeds with low latency.
* **Production capture:** Pull remote video feeds straight into a live production workflow.

## Tips for success

* **Stable internet:** Ethernet is preferred over Wi-Fi when possible.
* **Hardware acceleration:** Enable hardware acceleration in your browser and OBS when supported.
* **Experiment with settings:** Explore the URL parameters to fine-tune video quality, audio settings, permissions, and room behavior.
* **Community support:** Join the VDO.Ninja Discord or Reddit community for help and workflow ideas.

## Native mobile apps

VDO.Ninja also offers native mobile apps for iOS and Android, providing a more focused mobile capture workflow. These apps are especially useful for:

* **Screen sharing on Android**
* **Local recording on mobile**
* **USB audio and external microphone workflows**
* **Quick camera-to-browser publishing**

## Terms of service and privacy policy

Please review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: <https://docs.vdo.ninja/help/privacy-and-security-details>. Most of it should come as no surprise, but please note that users using the service must be 16 years of age or older.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
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```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
