How to Use Virtual Backgrounds

StreamYard offers virtual backgrounds without the need for a green screen! However, this feature is currently available only on laptops and desktop computers. It is not supported on mobile devices or tablets, including iPads.

Getting started

You can replace your background with a virtual background by following these steps:

  • In your StreamYard studio, click Settings.
  • Open the Virtual backgrounds tab.
  • Here, you can choose to blur your background, select an image from our library of built-in images, or upload your own (up to 30 images).
  • Tips

    Lighting is essential. Make sure your uniformly lit. You want to be sure the background is even and not too ''busy''. Using multiple light sources can help. 

    Adjust the Fader: In Settings > Virtual backgrounds > I have a GreenScreen, adjust the intensity of the Fader. This usually addresses issues with too much or too little coverage. 

    Clothing: Don’t wear anything that is the same color as your background. The more contrast, the better.

    Use a powerful computer: The Virtual Background feature relies on your graphics processor (GPU). While it can run on most devices, for the best results, use a computer with a strong GPU and processor.

    Samples of Recommended Computers for Best Performance:

    • Apple MacBook Pro (M2/M3 Pro or Max, 16GB+ RAM)
    • Dell XPS 15 or XPS 17 (Intel Core i7/i9, RTX 4060+, 16GB+ RAM)
    • Razer Blade 15 (Intel Core i7/i9, RTX 4070+, 16GB+ RAM)
    • Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (AMD Ryzen 7/9, RTX 3070+, 16GB+ RAM)
    • Desktop PCs with at least:
      • Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9
      • NVIDIA RTX 3060+ or AMD Radeon RX 6700+
      • 16GB RAM or more

    Samples of Computers That May Struggle with Green Screen:

    • Older MacBooks (Intel-based, MacBook Air M1/M2 with 8GB RAM)
    • Budget Windows laptops with Intel Core i3/i5 (10th gen or older)
    • Laptops with integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics, AMD Radeon Vega 8)
    • Chromebooks and entry-level laptops with 8GB RAM or less
    • Desktops with older GPUs (GTX 1650, Radeon RX 560, Intel UHD 620/630)

    If you're experiencing lag or blurriness, try lowering other resource-heavy applications or consider upgrading to a more powerful device.

  • Virtual background not working/slow?

    The virtual background feature requires hardware acceleration enabled in your browser. This is usually enabled by default, but if it's not, it can be easily enabled in Chrome's settings.

    To enable hardware acceleration in Chrome:

    • Click the 3 dots at the top right of Chrome, and click Settings.
    • Search for "acceleration".
    • Enable "Use graphics acceleration when available", and restart Chrome if asked.

    Have a real green screen behind you? Try the green screen feature instead!

  • Experiencing flickering/blinking?

    If your device is not very powerful, or is using a lot of processing power, the Virtual Background feature can cause flickering or in some cases, turn completely black. This issue only affects Windows computers using Chrome or Edge. Here's how to solve this issue:

    Adjust ANGLE graphics backend

    • In a new Chrome (or any Chromium browser such as Edge, Vivaldi, or Opera) tab, enter chrome://flags/#use-angle into the URL bar and click enter.
    • Under "Choose ANGLE graphics backend", change the selection from “default” to either “OpenGL” or “D3D9”.
    • Click “Relaunch” to reboot Chrome.
    • Then enter your StreamYard studio to try again!

    Adjust camera resolution in StreamYard settings

    • If you are currently live and cannot relaunch your browser, adjusting your camera resolution under Settings Camera in the StreamYard studio can fix the issue.
    • We recommend lowering the resolution.(1080 to 720)

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