Guide
Stream your character
Use your live character as a camera in Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp Desktop or TikTok LIVE Studio. It takes about 10 minutes to set up the first time, on a laptop or desktop.
How it works
The Studio opens a small streaming window that shows only your character, with no buttons. A free app called OBS Studio captures that window and turns it into a pretend webcam called OBS Virtual Camera. Your video call or live app then uses that "camera" instead of your real one. You only pay for your live take, as usual: the streaming window doesn't cost anything extra.
Step by step
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1
Install OBS Studio (free)
Download it from obsproject.com and install it. It works on Windows and Mac. Only download it from that website.
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2
Open the streaming window
In the Studio, switch on "Streaming", then press "Open streaming window". A small window opens that says "Waiting for your live take...". Keep it open, and don't minimise it (OBS can't see minimised windows). You can resize it.
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3
Go live in the Studio
Pick your character and press Go live as usual. Your character appears in the streaming window too.
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4
Add the window to OBS
In OBS, under "Sources", press +, choose "Window Capture" (on Mac: "macOS Screen Capture", then "Window"), name it "Zara Face", and pick the window called "Zara Face streaming window". Drag the corners so it fills the OBS preview. If you see the browser's address bar, hold Alt (Option on Mac) and drag the top edge of the source down to crop it off. If the window looks black in OBS on Windows, set "Capture Method" to "Windows 10 (1903 and up)".
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5
Press "Start Virtual Camera"
It's in the "Controls" box at the bottom right of OBS. Leave OBS open while you stream.
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6
Pick "OBS Virtual Camera" in your app
Zoom: Settings → Video → Camera. Google Meet: the three dots → Settings → Video → Camera. WhatsApp Desktop: during a video call, open the camera menu and choose the camera. TikTok LIVE Studio: add a "Video capture device" source and choose OBS Virtual Camera.
Good to know
- ✓ Your voice isn't delayed. The character is about 1 second behind you, so in calls your lips may move slightly after your voice.
- ✓ Sessions last up to 10 min, or until your credits run out. Press Go live again to continue.
- ✓ Keep the Studio tab open. If you close it, the streaming window goes back to "Waiting...".
- ✓ Before a real call, do a short test take to check how it looks.
Always say it's AI
Tell the people in your call or stream that they're seeing an AI character, for example in your stream title or at the start of a call. Never use it to pretend to be a real person, to trick or scam anyone, or with anyone under 18.
Read the full Acceptable Use Policy. Breaking the rules gets accounts banned.