OBS Studio, vMix, Twitch, Sports & Video Production
Zip Captions for Broadcast and Live Streaming
Add real-time closed and open captions to OBS Studio via WebSockets, vMix Titles via HTTP API, Twitch chat, and Elgato Stream Deck with zero GPU overhead.
Practical Use Cases
Why Broadcasters, Streamers, and Video Engineers Use Zip Captions
Clean digital text pipelines for live production without messy window cropping or chroma-keying.
Native OBS Studio WebSocket Integration
Connect directly to OBS Studio (version 28+) using built-in WebSockets to send real-time captions straight into your stream output for Twitch and YouTube Live.
Direct vMix Title Graphic Bridge
Our free Zip Captions vMix Chrome Extension sends live text data directly to the vMix Web Controller API over localhost or LAN, updating GT Title overlays cleanly.
Elgato Stream Deck & Bitfocus Companion Control
Use the official Zip Captions module in Bitfocus Companion to trigger Start, Stop, Clear, and Broadcast mode right from your hardware switcher surface.
Twitch Chat Relay with Zip Connect
Creators and moderators can relay live captions directly into Twitch chat using the lightweight Zip Connect Chrome extension with no bot tokens needed.
Zero GPU or Encoder Overhead
Because Zip Captions runs in a browser tab and sends pure text strings over localhost or your studio LAN, your GPU stays 100% dedicated to video encoding.
Instant Time-Coded SRT & VTT Exports for VODs
When your broadcast wraps, download time-coded .srt or .vtt subtitle files with a single click for Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or YouTube uploads.
Simple Workflow
How Studio & Stream Setup Works
Connect your audio bus to OBS, vMix, or Twitch in under two minutes.
Route Your Clean Commentary or Mic Bus
Select your broadcast microphone or a dedicated voice-only audio interface channel inside Zip Captions so game audio and music tracks are excluded.
Link OBS WebSockets, vMix, or Zip Connect
Enter your OBS WebSocket port/password, configure the vMix Chrome Extension (`127.0.0.1` or LAN IP), or toggle Start in Zip Connect for Twitch.
Go Live and Export Your VOD Subtitles
Monitor live captions from your Stream Deck or confidence monitor, and export your .SRT or .VTT subtitle file when the broadcast finishes.
Free Printable Resources
Posters, Signs, Cards, and Checklists
Download ready-to-print PDF files (with a built-in QR code for zipcaptions.app) or use the customizer below to add your own room name and broadcast code before printing.
Studio & Commentary Booth "On Air" Sign
Post in commentary booths, podcast studios, and green rooms to remind hosts and guests that live captions are active and share microphone best practices.
OBS, vMix, Twitch & Companion Network Cheat Sheet
A technical quick-reference sheet for your production rack covering OBS WebSocket ports, vMix Web Controller IP settings, Twitch chat relay, and multi-PC LAN setups.
5-Minute Pre-Stream Verification Checklist
A pre-broadcast checklist covering voice bus isolation, regional dialect selection, lower-third safe areas, and VOD subtitle exporting.
Zip Captions Available Here Sign
A clean 1-page sign for any door, reception counter, or bulletin board showing that live captions are available on screen and on personal mobile devices.
Customize a Poster with Your Organization Name and Broadcast Code
Pick a sign template, type in your room or organization name and your Zip Captions broadcast room code, and click Print Custom Sign.
Studio A Control Room
ON AIR: Live Automated Captions Active
This broadcast uses Zip Captions to deliver real-time captions to our viewers.
How to Follow Live Captions:
- 1Keep a consistent distance from your broadcast microphone.
- 2Avoid speaking over other panelists during fast segments so every voice is transcribed cleanly.
- 3Use your mute or cough switch when clearing your throat or speaking off-air.
YouTube Video Guides
See Zip Captions in Action
Short step-by-step demonstrations from the official Zip Captions YouTube channel.
Live Streaming with OBS Studio and Zip Captions
Full walkthrough showing how to connect Zip Captions to OBS Studio via WebSockets for real-time stream captions.
Automate Captions with Elgato Stream Deck & Companion
How to configure the official Zip Captions module inside Bitfocus Companion for tactile broadcast control.
Export Time-Coded SRT and VTT Subtitles
Download ready-to-use SRT and WebVTT files at the end of your stream for fast VOD post-production.
Adopted by Streamers, Sports Casters, and Broadcast Engineers
"Recently discovered the wonderful Zip Captions app and how brilliantly easy it was to incorporate it into our @chicagoknockouts live stream."
Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby Broadcast
Live Sports Stream Production (@necrohell.bsky.social)
Read Broadcast Testimonials
"Official OBS Project community resource with over 2,780 downloads and 840+ active Chrome Web Store extension users across vMix and persistent overlays."
Helpful Extensions, Guides, and Services for This Sector
Zip Captions vMix Bridge Extension
Send live caption text straight into vMix GT Titles over localhost or LAN.
Zip Connect Extension for Twitch
Relay live captions directly into your Twitch channel chat.
Zip Captions Companion (Stream Deck)
Control live captions from your Elgato Stream Deck with Bitfocus Companion.
Practical Answers
Frequently Asked Questions: Broadcast & Streaming
Can I run Zip Captions on a separate laptop from my main OBS or vMix streaming PC?
Yes. Because both OBS WebSockets and the Zip Captions vMix Extension communicate over HTTP/WebSockets on your local network, you can run Zip Captions on a secondary laptop and point it to your main production PC’s LAN IP address.
Does Zip Captions use up GPU resources while gaming or encoding video?
No. Standard browser captioning uses negligible CPU and memory and sends lightweight text strings into OBS or vMix, leaving your GPU completely free for rendering and encoding.
How do I keep game sound effects or background music out of the live captions?
Set Zip Captions to listen only to your dedicated microphone input or commentary audio bus rather than your desktop mix.
Can I download SRT subtitles after my stream for YouTube or Premiere Pro?
Yes. Keep your Zip Captions tab open during the broadcast and click Export when you finish to download time-coded .srt or .vtt files.
Ready to Use Zip Captions in Your Space?
Launch Zip Captions for free right in your web browser, or get in touch with our team if you have questions about your setup.